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Glossary

beyond a reasonable doubt

In Criminal Law

Before you can be found guilty of a criminal offence, the Crown must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. “Beyond a reasonable doubt” describes how sure a judge or jury must be to find you guilty of a criminal offence. Proving something “beyond a reasonable doubt” is much closer to absolute certainty than being able to show a balance of probabilities.

bound over

In Criminal Law

When someone like a witness or accused person, is required to come to court for a scheduled proceeding, and the judge wants them to come back on another day. That person is “bound over” to the next court date. The court document that compelled the person’s attendance on the first court date remains valid to compel attendance at the next court date. Any conditions of the document that compelled the person’s attendance remain valid and in effect until the next court date.

breach of recognizance

In Criminal Law

This is a criminal offence also known as breach of peace bond. If you do not follow the conditions of your section 810 recognizance you can be charged with this offence.  If you are found guilty, you can be sentenced to up to 4 years in jail.

budget

In Debt and Consumer Rights

A budget is a plan that says how you will spend the money you receive within a certain period of time. Usually, people create a monthly budget that shows the income they get in a month and all the things they need to, or want to, spend that money on in the month.

by-law

In Housing Law

A rule passed by a city or town council. For example, most cities or towns in Ontario have “property standards” by-laws, which say that buildings must be kept in good repair. Tenants have the right to have their landlords comply with these standards. Some by-laws might say how many people are allowed to live in one apartment, depending on its size.

Corporations (companies) also have by-laws. For example, a housing co-operative or a condominium corporation might have by-laws that affect the rights of tenants, members, or owners.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

In Health and Disability, Income Assistance, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is run by the Canadian government. Employers and workers make contributions to the plan and in certain situations the benefits are paid out to the worker or their family to partially replace their earnings.

These situations can include:

You may also get these benefits by credit splitting after a common-law relationship, divorce, or separation, even if you are not a worker.

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits

In Income Assistance

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits are for people who:

  • have a severe and prolonged disability that prevents them from working regularly or earning more than a limited amount of money
  • are under 65 years old
  • contributed enough to CPP
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement benefits

In Income Assistance, Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement benefits are monthly payments that many Canadians get when they retire.

To get CPP retirement benefits, you normally have to have:

  • worked in Canada
  • made contributions to the CPP

Most people who get CPP retirement benefits get them when they are 65 years old. But you can start getting your retirement benefits:

  • as early as 60, and get less money each month
  • as late as 70, and get more money each month
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension

In Income Assistance, Canada Pension Plan (CPP)

A Canada Pension Plan (CPP) retirement pension is a monthly payment that many Canadians get when they retire.

To get a CPP retirement pension, you normally have to have:

  • worked in Canada
  • made contributions to the CPP

Most people who get a CPP retirement pension get it when they are 65 years old. But you can start your retirement pension:

  • as early as 60, and get less money each month
  • as late as 70, and get more money each month
Canada Revenue Agency

In Immigration Law, Income Assistance

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) manages the income tax process. The CRA sends out a Notice of Assessment each year to everyone who files their tax return. The CRA is also responsible for some social benefits, like the Goods and services tax/Harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit, Canada child benefit, and child disability benefit.