Thanks to their draft day trade with Calgary late last month, the BC Lions made one of the biggest moves of the off-season. By moving up two spots to number one, the Lions made a significant investment in top pick Jordan Williams. But they’re not the only ones invested in his career, because Williams has done a great deal of betting on himself over the last year.
Williams was the odds on favorite to go number one heading into the 2020 CFL Draft, and for good reason. The former East Carolina linebacker tested off the charts at the Ontario Regional Combine and had an impressive college career. Additionally, he was deemed by many as the player most ready to step in and make an immediate impact.
The investment made by the Lions is easy to see. They made the trade and used their top pick on Williams. What they’re getting is a guy who’s been making important decisions and playing the long game for the good of his career. The last year or so hasn’t been easy for Williams, but the best things can sometimes be the most difficult to achieve.
If you’re not familiar with Williams’s story, I’ll give you the condensed version. After finishing his college career at ECU, Williams had some NFL looks before finding his way to Ottawa. Upon divulging the fact his mother is Canadian, the option to qualify as a national player was presented to Williams. That’s where the investment really began.
Because he found out about his newfound status late, Williams wasn’t eligible for last year’s draft. As such, he had to sit out the entire 2019 season while sorting out his dual citizenship and ensuring eligibility for this year.
Sitting out an entire campaign is hard enough. For Williams, though, it had to be that much more difficult knowing he didn’t see any game action in 2018, either, while exploring NFL opportunities. Williams’s last competitive game was his final one at East Carolina, which was in late November 2017. Deciding to willingly sit out another year would have been anything but easy. For Williams, though, it was worth it for his long-term future.
“It was very difficult,” Williams told me leading up to April’s draft. “But, when I saw the politics of the situation…football as a career is not a secure job, that’s just straight cut. But you get more security playing as a national, and I feel like if I want to play this game long term, I might as well go and do this. It’s going to be an investment and I invested in myself for this opportunity. That’s how I looked at it, it wasn’t too hard per se, but looking at it as an investment…I hope it pays off.”
The story sounds somewhat familiar to that of Alex Singleton, now of the Philadelphia Eagles. The similarities are all there: linebackers, late Canadian eligibility, first round picks, etc. It’s a story Williams knows well.
“I’m very familiar with him,” Williams said. “I don’t know him, but I had a former (teammate) at East Carolina, (former Stamps DB) DeShaun Amos, and I used to watch his games. When I watched his games…I saw a guy…flying around the field. And I was like: let me look this guy up. I saw his story, he was on a practice squad and was like: you know what, let me enter the draft. I see the parallels there.”
The Lions will be thrilled if Williams works out anything like Singleton did in Calgary. The biggest problem now is the uncertainty of when the 2020 season is going to start. Williams hasn’t played a competitive game in more than two years, and yet, is still finding ways to be patient.
“I feel like, as an athlete like myself, I don’t worry about the things I can’t control. That’s the one thing I’ve learned through this past year. I look at it everyday like tomorrow is going to be it.”
Each tomorrow brings us closer to football returning. When it does, I’m jacked to see how these investments, both by BC and Williams, end up paying off.
The Money List
We’re focusing on special teams as we continue our 2020 Money List. It’s a list made up of the best players at their position if we were building a team to win a championship right away. Here’s what we’ve got so far:
Ward’s sophomore season wasn’t as impressive as his record setting rookie campaign. In fairness to Ward, though, living up to the standards he set in 2018 was going to be ridiculously difficult. Still, Ward put together a solid second CFL season and has established himself as one of the most accurate kickers in the game.
We all know what Ward did in 2018. He set new a new pro football record with 48 consecutive field goals and set a new league mark with a success rate of 98.1%, shattering the previous record by more than four percentage points. Yeah, doing that again a year later was going to be tough.
Ward’s sophomore season saw him hit 86.0% of his field goals, which was good for fourth in the league. And, don’t let the overall percentage fool you. Ward was perfect in his first 21 attempts last season before finally having a couple rough games in the second half.
To do what Ward has done in two CFL years is bonkers, despite a dip late in 2019. This guy gives you the feeling he’s going to make every single attempt with how robotic he is in his approach. That’s the kind of guy I’d want kicking important field goals on a championship team.
Medlock has made this list before as a kicker and, now a Grey Cup champion, was in the mix again this year. But let’s give one of the greatest special teamers in CFL history a little love for the other thing he does so well: punting. It’s fair to say Medlock is better known as a kicker, but his punting work has, and continues to be, elite.
Medlock’s 2019 season was outstanding. With 106 total punts, only three players at the position were busier. That’s why it needs to be underlined that Medlock finished the year with just one safety. That’s an easy, yet rudimentary, indication of his accuracy and ability to pin opposing returners deep.
But where things really get impressive is when you take a deeper dive into the numbers; or, in Medlock’s case, outside the numbers. No one was more proficient last season punting outside the numbers than Medlock, which really starts to emphasize how effective he is. Receiving a punt so close to the sideline makes it significantly more difficult on opposing returners. 66 of Medlock’s 106 punts went outside the numbers, which was by far the league’s best total.
Combining how well Medlock punts to the outside with his lack of safeties gives you a much better idea of accuracy and effectiveness. In a game so reliant on field position, Medlock has been doing this for years. It’s good to be able to recognize one of the best ever.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 250 points in late-morning trading, led by strength in the base metal and technology sectors, while U.S. stock markets also charged higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 254.62 points at 23,847.22.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 432.77 points at 41,935.87. The S&P 500 index was up 96.38 points at 5,714.64, while the Nasdaq composite was up 486.12 points at 18,059.42.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.68 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was up 89 cents at US$70.77 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down a penny at US2.27 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$9.40 at US$2,608.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.33 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the legal steps that follow can add even more stress to an already difficult time.
For years, families in Vancouver (and Canada in general) have struggled with a complex probate process—filled with paperwork and legal challenges.
Thankfully, recent changes to Canada’s probate laws aim to make this process simpler and easier to navigate.
Let’s unearth how these updates can simplify the process for you and your family.
What is probate?
Probate might sound complicated, but it’s simply the legal process of settling someone’s estate after death.
Here’s how it works.
Validating the will. The court checks if the will is legal and valid.
Appointing an executor. If named in the will, the executor manages the estate. If not, the court appoints someone.
Settling debts and taxes. The executor (and you) pays debts and taxes before anything can be given.
Distributing the estate. Once everything is settled, the executor distributes the remaining assets according to the will or legal rules.
Probate ensures everything is done by the book, giving you peace of mind during a difficult time.
Recent Changes in Canadian Probate Laws
Several updates to probate law in the country are making the process smoother for you and your family.
Here’s a closer look at the fundamental changes that are making a real difference.
1) Virtual witnessing of wills
Now permanent in many provinces, including British Columbia, wills can be signed and witnessed remotely through video calls.
Such a change makes estate planning more accessible, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility.
2) Simplified process for small estates
Smaller estates, like those under 25,000 CAD in BC, now have a faster, simplified probate process.
Fewer forms and legal steps mean less hassle for families handling modest estates.
3) Substantial compliance for wills
Courts can now approve wills with minor errors if they reflect the person’s true intentions.
This update prevents unnecessary legal challenges and ensures the deceased’s wishes are respected.
These changes help make probate less stressful and more efficient for you and other families across Canada.
The Probate Process and You: The Role of a Probate Lawyer
(Image: Freepik.com)
Working with a probate lawyer in Vancouver can significantly simplify the probate process, especially given the city’s complex legal landscape.
Here’s how they can help.
Navigating the legal process
Probate lawyers ensure all legal steps are followed, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring the estate is managed properly.
Handling paperwork and deadlines
They manage all the paperwork and court deadlines, taking the burden off of you during this difficult time.
Resolving disputes
If conflicts arise, probate lawyers resolve them, avoiding legal battles.
Providing you peace of mind
With a probate lawyer’s expertise, you can trust that the estate is being handled efficiently and according to the law.
With a skilled probate lawyer, you can ensure the entire process is smooth and stress-free.
Why These Changes Matter
The updates to probate law make a big difference for Canadian families. Here’s why.
Less stress for you. Simplified processes mean you can focus on grieving, not paperwork.
Faster estate settlements. Estates are settled more quickly, so beneficiaries don’t face long delays.
Fewer disputes. Courts can now honor will with minor errors, reducing family conflicts.
Accessible for everyone. Virtual witnessing and easier rules for small estates make probate more accessible for everyone, no matter where you live.
With these changes, probate becomes smoother and more manageable for you and your family.
How to Prepare for the Probate Process
Even with the recent changes, being prepared makes probate smoother. Here are a few steps to help you prepare.
Create a will. Ensure a valid will is in place to avoid complications.
Choose an executor. Pick someone responsible for managing the estate and discuss their role with them.
Organize documents. Keep key financial and legal documents in one place for easy access.
Talk to your family. Have open conversations with your family to prevent future misunderstandings.
Get legal advice. Consult with a probate lawyer to ensure everything is legally sound and up-to-date.
These simple steps make the probate process easier for everyone involved.
Wrapping Up: Making Probate Easier in Vancouver
Recent updates in probate law are simplifying the process for families, from virtual witnessing to easier estate rules. These reforms are designed to ease the burden, helping you focus on what matters—grieving and respecting your dead loved ones’ final wishes.
Despite these changes, it’s best to consult a probate lawyer to ensure you can manage everything properly. Remember, they’re here to help you during this difficult time.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was higher in late-morning trading, helped by strength in energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also moved up.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 34.91 points at 23,736.98.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 178.05 points at 41,800.13. The S&P 500 index was up 28.38 points at 5,661.47, while the Nasdaq composite was up 133.17 points at 17,725.30.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.56 cents US compared with 73.57 cents US on Monday.
The November crude oil contract was up 68 cents at US$69.70 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up three cents at US$2.40 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$7.80 at US$2,601.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.28 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
