Bank Account Frozen in 2022? The Courts Say You May Have a Claim
Federal Court of Appeal Rules Emergencies Act Invocation Was Unlawful Case Citation: Attorney General of Canada et al. v. Canadian Civil Liberties Association et al., 2026 FCA 6 (January 16, 2026) Cast your mind back to the winter of 2022. Canada was deep in the grip of pandemic restrictions. Vaccine mandates. Border closures. Lockdowns that […]
Mandamus: Forcing IRCC to Decide on Your Stalled Immigration Application
George Lee Law | Vancouver, BC Is This Your Story? You submitted your spousal sponsorship application over two years ago. Every time you check the status online, it says the same thing: “In progress.” Your partner is overseas. You haven’t seen them in months—maybe years. Every holiday, every birthday, every anniversary passes without them. You […]
Spousal Sponsorship 2026: New Rules Explained
By George Lee, Immigration Lawyer | George Lee Law Updated: January 2026 | Vancouver, BC Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident hoping to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner to come to Canada? The spousal sponsorship program remains one of the most popular pathways for family reunification in Canada. However, significant […]
Protecting Your Right to Collect
In my 25 years of legal practice, I have encountered countless cases where debts remain uncollected—not because the money wasn’t owed, but because creditors failed to take proper precautions at the outset. The courtroom is littered with valid claims that cannot succeed. Understanding why debts become unrecoverable is the first step toward protecting yourself before […]
Move In Fast or Pay 12 Months’ Rent
What Landlords Must Know About Personal Use Evictions in BC Many BC landlords know they can end a tenancy to move themselves or a close family member into a rental property. Fewer understand that the law doesn’t end when the tenant moves out. A recent case from my practice illustrates just how costly this misunderstanding […]
Why Every BC Landlord Needs Rental Unit Insurance
Protecting Your Investment When Tenant’s Insurance Falls Through As a landlord, you may assume your tenant’s insurance policy will cover damages caused by floods, leaks, or fires in your rental property. Unfortunately, this assumption has cost many BC landlords thousands of dollars in unrecovered losses. The Tenant Insurance Gap Most standard residential tenancy agreements in […]
Canada Immigration: 2025 Major Changes
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, 2025 has brought the most significant changes to the system in its 10-year history. As an immigration lawyer serving clients throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, I’ve been closely monitoring these developments and helping clients navigate the new landscape. This article breaks down the critical […]
Tracing Inherited Property in BC Mills v. O’Connor Explained
If you’ve received an inheritance during your marriage, you might assume those assets are protected from division upon separation. The BC Court of Appeal’s February 2025 decision in Mills v. O’Connor, 2025 BCCA 34, provides crucial guidance on how courts should trace excluded property when it has been co-mingled with family assets over time. The […]
“Personal Use” Eviction in BC
By George Lee Law Corp – Updated to reflect BC tenancy law changes as of June 2025 If you’re a landlord in British Columbia and you want to take back your rental for yourself or a close family member, the law now makes you move very carefully. You can’t just hand your tenant a notice […]
Loans or Gifts: The Common Dispute
In my 25 years as a family lawyer in British Columbia, I have witnessed countless disputes involving parental generosity during relationships. Parents transfer property titles to their children, provide substantial cash gifts for down payments, or pay off mortgages—all with the best intentions. However, when relationships break down, these well-meaning gifts often become contentious battlegrounds. […]