Recently Published Ottawa Decisions

Find below recently published Ottawa decisions, available for free through CanLII.org.

Family Matters

Jeannine Côté c. Réjean Faubert (2026 ONCS 5639)
Dans une motion pour jugement sommaire en droit de la famille, le Tribunal reconnaît le droit à une pension alimentaire pour conjoint, compensatoire et non compensatoire, et ordonne des arriérés dès la séparation. Malgré la non-divulgation, il fixe le revenu de l’intimé selon la preuve (2019–2026) et accueille l’indexation annuelle et l’exécution par le Service des obligations familiales.
Juge B. Holowka

Lemieux v. Huggins (2026 ONSC 5634)
In a family law trial about parenting and support, the Court holds the mother’s move to Augusta is a change of residence, not a “relocation” under the CLRA, and permits it. The Court limits expanded overnights due to poor co-parenting, fixes child support and arrears, and stays s. 7 arrears pending CRA disability determinations.
Justice J. Audet

Civil Matters

AtkinsRéalis Construction (Pacific) Inc. v. Barton Malow Canada Ltd. (2026 ONSC 5896)
On a motion under the Arbitration Act, 1991, the court assumes jurisdiction to order an arbitrator’s explanation but declines to do so. It finds the remedy under s. 40(2) discretionary, weighs the applicant’s unexplained delay and arbitral finality, and notes the appeal court can require explanations under s. 45(4). The motion is dismissed.
Justice K. Jensen

Azzi v. Kelly (2026 ONSC 5774)
On a motion in a motor vehicle accident action, the Court appointed a litigation administrator for the deceased defendant’s estate to lift the automatic stay and let a scheduled jury trial proceed. It held that further adjournment would cause concrete prejudice, while the defence’s concerns were speculative and addressed by the appointment.
Justice A. Kaufman

Azzi v. Kelly (2026 ONSC 6045)
On a motion for leave to amend a statement of claim, the Court permits an increase in the damages claimed to match previously served expert reports. It finds no specific, non-compensable prejudice caused by the amendment, and rejects delay arguments because the defendant knew the claim could exceed policy limits. The motion is granted.
Justice A. Kaufman

Barton Malow Canada Ltd. v. AtkinsRéalis Construction (Pacific) Inc. (2026 ONSC 5903)
In an application to enforce arbitral awards, the court dismissed a claim for additional post-judgment interest on the HST component because the interest award was ambiguous. It held that, under s. 50 of the Arbitration Act, 1991, an enforcement judge may enforce only clear relief, not interpret or supplement the award.
Justice K. Jensen

Family Physiotherapy Centres Inc. v. MacQuarrie et al (2026 ONSC 5613)
In an action for solicitor negligence and breach of fiduciary duty arising from a share purchase, the Court finds the solicitor breached the standard of care and a fiduciary duty by not sharing a material retirement-home list. It awards $125,000 for overpayment, rejecting claimed losses tied to later OHIP changes.
Justice O. Rees

Gulzar v. Pioneer Mews Inc. et al (2026 ONSC 6049)
On a motion to strike or dismiss, the Court holds that absolute privilege for statements and documents in judicial proceedings extends to the lawyer’s client. The plaintiff’s tort and rights-based claims against the defendant arise from allegedly false evidence filed in prior litigation and are struck as frivolous, vexatious, and an abuse of process, with $3,000 costs awarded.
Justice A. Doyle

Piyau c. Lacassagne et al. (2026 ONSC 5641)
Dans une motion en radiation, le Tribunal conclut que la déclaration, bien qu’énonçant notamment négligence, rupture de contrat, diffamation et Charte, vise essentiellement à remettre en question des processus et décisions académiques protégés par la discrétion universitaire. Aucune cause d’action raisonnable n’est révélée; la déclaration est radioed sans autorisation de modification, avec dépens.
Juge A. Kaufman

Portelance c. 1343633 Ontario Inc. (2026 ONCS 5659)
Dans une motion avant procès portant sur des rapports d’experts, le Tribunal refuse de proroger les délais, faute d’explication raisonnable et vu le préjudice et le risque d’ajournement. Il autorise toutefois la modification de la déclaration pour ajouter une défenderesse, sous réserve de la prescription, puis ajourne le procès afin de permettre un avis juridique indépendant.
Juge M. Smith

Rona Inc. v. 11449346 Canada Inc. et al (2026 ONSC 5877)
On a motion for default judgment, the Court held a corporate director personally liable for unpaid construction materials under a personal guarantee and for breaches of the statutory trust under ss. 8 and 13 of the Construction Act. It granted declarations and judgment totalling $1,991,350 (inclusive of interest), plus substantial-indemnity costs.
Justice A. Doyle

Criminal Matters

His Majesty The King v. Gobin (2026 ONSC 5921)
On sentencing after a guilty plea, the judge imposed 5 years and 9 months (less 387 days’ pre-sentence custody credit) for discharging a restricted handgun with intent to wound or endanger life. After a Gardiner hearing, the Crown failed to prove he knew he was shooting at police, given extreme intoxication. Mental illness, rehabilitation, and harsh remand conditions reduced moral culpability and justified departing below the Bellissimo range.
Justice A. London-Weinstein

R. v. A.N. (2026 ONCJ 605)
In a youth sentencing decision following trial convictions, the Court holds that non-custodial options would not satisfy the YCJA given the gravity of fentanyl trafficking with a loaded handgun, rapid reoffending, and poor past compliance. It imposes an 18-month secure custody and community supervision order (with 1.5:1 credit) plus 12 months’ probation.
Justice A. Kortenaar

R. v. Mohamed (2026 ONSC 5788)
In a criminal jury trial, the judge refused to instruct the jury on unlawful object murder under s. 229(c) of the Criminal Code. The arson was the dangerous act, but there was no evidentiary foundation for a distinct unlawful object. Applying the “air of reality” test, the judge declined to leave s. 229(c) with the jury.
Justice A. London-Weinstein

R. v. Palmer (2026 ONCJ 593)
In sentencing following convictions after trial, the judge imposes a 6.5-year penitentiary sentence for possessing a loaded restricted firearm alongside drugs for trafficking and breaching a weapons prohibition. Harsh pre-sentence custody is treated as mitigating, but no extra credit is granted for alleged jail-force. Ancillary orders issue.
Justice R. Wright

R. v. Zulu (2026 ONSC 5617)
In sentencing proceedings following guilty pleas to cocaine possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm, the Court held that harsh pre-trial detention (including an ICIT extraction) and strict bail, alongside Morris factors and rehabilitation, justified a global sentence of two years less a day, satisfied by time served, plus two years’ probation.
Justice N. Somji

Divisional Court Decisions by Ottawa Judges or of Local Interest