Binder Governance Editorial

BC appeal leaves neighbouring building liable after brick veneer collapse

A B.C. appeal about adjoining heritage buildings shows how maintenance duties, expert evidence and contributory negligence shape liability.

What a Yukon injunction tells nonprofits about enforcing court orders

A 2025 Yukon judgment shows the limits and practical force of court orders protecting a community nonprofit.

Federal Procurement Ombud reports 851 cases and calls for stronger oversight

The federal Procurement Ombud's latest annual report records 851 procurement related cases and raises continued concerns about accountability, including contracting with Indigenous businesses.

Federal red tape bill proposes changes to 31 laws

Ottawa has tabled Bill S-7 proposing amendments across 31 federal acts.

Binder Governance · Oct 14, 2026

Canada and UK renew cooperation on AI security standards

Canada and the UK renewed their AI security partnership on October 13, with plans to cooperate on testing, standards and information sharing. The statement itself does not create new Canadian compliance rules.

BC court declines special costs after Mission councillor overturns sanctions

An elected Mission councillor succeeded in having council sanctions quashed but failed to obtain special costs against the city. The court distinguished governance errors from misconduct that justifies punitive litigation costs.

Binder Governance · Oct 14, 2026

BC appeal court rejects attempts to halt strata unit sale and awards special costs

A BC appeal court upheld procedural rulings arising from a completed strata unit sale and awarded special costs to the strata corporation. The underlying appeal about the sale remains undecided.

BC court lists new housing cooperative judgment

The BC Supreme Court lists Pacific Park Place (1985) Housing Co-Operative v Tchaikoun, 2026 BCSC 1924, dated September 4 and posted on October 6, 2026. Binder has confirmed the case identity from the court listing but has not independently reviewed its reasons or outcome.

Ottawa seeks feedback on modernizing charity registration and oversight

The Department of Finance and CRA have opened consultations on the rules governing registered charities. Submissions are invited on registration, digital services, audits and compliance, and revocation and objections processes until December 3, 2026. The proposals are not yet enacted requirements.

CRA releases its 2025–26 report on the Charities Program

The CRA Charities Directorate has released its annual account of registration, compliance, services and sector engagement. It also describes continuing preparation for broader online filing of registered charity returns in 2027. This is an official program update, not a court decision.

Privacy watchdog investigates identification scan data breach

Canada’s Privacy Commissioner announced an investigation into IDScan.net after reports of an incident involving stored identity documents. The regulator will assess security safeguards and notifications. The announcement does not establish a contravention.

BC court permits nonprofit association to correct flawed membership process

The BC Supreme Court dismissed a member's petition concerning the South Asian Bar Association's disciplinary and election procedures. The association had restored his membership after defective notice and could proceed with a properly notified review.

Binder Governance · Oct 12, 2026

The Risk Behind a Scanned ID Doesn't End at the Front Desk

A federal privacy investigation into stolen identification images raises a governance question for organizations that rely on vendors to collect sensitive customer records.

The promises that survive a corporate takeover

Stelco's employment dispute shows why acquisition commitments can't simply be filed away after closing. Earlier U.S. Steel litigation and Alberta's Strongco indemnity appeal offer distinct lessons about obligations that outlast a sale.

A Nonprofit Board's Mistake Didn't End Its Authority to Act

A BC society dispute shows the difference between a defective membership decision, a genuine correction, and a court order taking over a voluntary organization's affairs.

A Good Contractor Can Still Be the Wrong Choice for a Conflicted Board

When a nonprofit director's business bids on an organizational contract, good intentions aren't enough. The board needs disclosure, independent judgment and a record of how the decision was made.

A condo board can hire a manager. It can't hand over its responsibility.

Ontario's Condominium Authority says boards remain responsible for corporate affairs and oversight even when management is delegated. Directors need the evidence behind major property, financial and contractor decisions.

A charity's records need to outlast the people who created them

CRA's recordkeeping guidance reaches beyond receipts and financial statements. A registered charity must retain governing documents and minutes so its next board can understand the decisions behind the numbers.

A nonprofit board can't govern on good intentions alone

Alberta's guidance distinguishes the law that governs a nonprofit from the bylaws and policies it creates for itself. Volunteer boards need to know both, and they need a reliable record of the decisions made under them.