R. Reid

This 3-day trial addressed decision-making, parenting schedule, and child support for the parties' 12-year-old son.

The court found the father (Respondent) engaged in manipulative, coercive, and emotionally harmful behavior, including making racist and misogynistic comments and involving the child in the litigation.

The mother (Applicant) was granted sole decision-making authority and primary residence.

The father's parenting time was restricted and ordered to be staged, conditional on his attendance at counselling programs addressing the emotional harm to children from domestic conflict and anti-black racist comments.

The court also calculated child support arrears owed by the mother to the father, and ordered ongoing child support from the father to the mother.

The plaintiff sued his disability insurer for unpaid benefits under a policy that provided two years of benefits for inability to perform his own occupation and thereafter benefits if unable to work at any occupation reasonably suited by education, training, or experience.

The insurer terminated benefits after surveillance suggested the plaintiff could perform light work and argued he could pursue supervisory or alternative occupations.

The court found that the plaintiff’s physical injuries, chronic pain, limited education, and cognitive limitations rendered him incapable of performing any suitable alternative occupation.

Surveillance showing brief periods of activity did not establish an ability to work competitively or continuously.

The insurer’s denial of benefits and adversarial claims handling constituted bad faith, warranting aggravated and punitive damages.