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Andrea Steele (née Stempien)

Litigation Partner at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

On March 25, 2022, the Alberta Court of Appeal issued its decision in <em>PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc v Perpetual Energy Inc</em>, 2022 ABCA 111. Briefly, the Court held that abandonment and reclamation obligations of oil and gas assets operate to depress the value of those assets for the purposes of fraudulent preferences legislation, notwithstanding that they are not provable claims in bankruptcy. The Court also held that serial summary dismissal applications on different grounds are an abuse of process.

Court of Appeal Clarifies Treatment of Asset Retirement Obligations

Michael P. Theroux KC

Commercial Litigation and Arbitration and Energy Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner 

E. Bruce Mellett KC

Energy, Insurance, Professional Liability and Construction Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

On December 31, 2019, the British Columbia Supreme Court confirmed that interlocutory injunctions, which can include police enforcement clauses, are an available remedy to restrain protesters from blockading pipeline projects that have received all required governmental and regulatory approvals (<em>Coastal Gas Link Pipeline Ltd v Huson</em>, 2019 BCSC 2264). 

Court Finds Indigenous Law Not a Defence to an Injunction to Restrain Protests

Kelsey J. Meyer

Commercial Litigation, Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

In a recent decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal confirmed that a municipality must disclose all relevant information the municipality considered in preparing a property assessment when an assessed person requests it.

Court Appeal Confirms That a Municipality Cannot Rely on Undisclosed Information at ARB

Court of Appeal Confirms That a Municipality Cannot Rely on Undisclosed Information at the Assessment Review Board

Supreme Court of Canada to Revisit Bhasin and Contractual Parties Duty of Good Faith

Supreme Court of Canada to Revisit Bhasin and Contractual Parties' Duty of Good Faith

Michelle F. Yung

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Vanessa Kiraly

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

A recent Ontario Superior Court decision underscores the importance of precise lease drafting. In Malleum Real Estate v. Donut Monster, the court held that tenant obligations began on the fixed commencement date&mdash;regardless of unfinished landlord improvements or pandemic disruptions. The ruling highlights that assumptions cannot override clear lease terms and offers practical lessons for both landlords and tenants.

When Assumptions Break Leases The Need for Clear Terms

When Assumptions Break Leases: The Need for Clear Terms

Vasilis F. L. Pappas, FCIArb

International Arbitration Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver and Calgary

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Geoffrey P. Stenger

Project Development, Energy, Infrastructure and Construction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

On October 7, 2025, British Columbia introduced Bill 20, the Construction Prompt Payment Act. If enacted, it will overhaul payment timelines and create a fast-track adjudication process for construction disputes. The legislation is expected to significantly impact owners, contractors and subcontractors across the province.

BC Introduces Prompt Payment Legislation

B.C. Introduces Prompt Payment Legislation

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jesse Mighton

Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Nyrie Israelian

Intellectual Property at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy has issued new guidance on the use of AI tools by Licensed Insolvency Trustees. The guidance underscores the need for oversight, accuracy, transparency, and adherence to professional obligations as AI becomes more integrated into insolvency practice.

OSB Issues New Guidance

OSB Issues New Guidance: What Licensed Insolvency Trustees Must Know about AI Tools 

Simon Grant

Banking & Finance Lawyer, Fintech Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Jessica B. Horwitz

International Trade Lawyer, Customs Lawyer, Regulatory Lawyer, Anti-Corruption and Economic Sanctions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Andrew Bozzato

Corporate, M&A, Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

FINTRAC imposed a record $176.9 million penalty on cryptocurrency exchange Cryptomus for thousands of AML/KYC violations. The case underscores regulators&rsquo; increasing focus on compliance, with additional sanctions from the BCSC for operating without registration. Exchanges serving Canadian clients must ensure strict adherence to AML, KYC and securities laws to avoid similar consequences.

176 9 million fine against cryptocurrency exchange from FINTRAC demonstrates costs of non compliance

C$176.9 Million Fine Against Cryptocurrency Exchange From FINTRAC Demonstrates Costs of Non-Compliance

David J. Wahl, FCIArb

Construction Arbitration & Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Christopher Petrucci

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Alex Payne

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Ontario Superior Court in Feldt Electric Ltd v Gorbern Mechanical Contractors held that non-compliance with an adjudicator&rsquo;s determination does not automatically invalidate a lien. The decision underscores the importance of jurisdiction and procedural fairness in construction disputes under Ontario&rsquo;s prompt payment and adjudication regime.

Answering the Call of the Question :
Reforming Mental Health Disclosure During Character and Fitness to Combat Mental Illness in the Legal Profession

Authors


Bennett Jones Article Answering the Call of the Question : Reforming Mental Health Disclosure During Character and Fitness to Combat Mental Illness in the Legal Profession January 1, 2016 Authors Andrea Steele (née Stempien)Partner Andrea Stempien, Note, Answering the Call of the Question: Reforming Mental Health Disclosure During Character and Fitness to Combat Mental Illness in the Legal Profession, 93 Univ. Det. Mercy L. Rev. 185 (2016). Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Amrita Kochhar at kochhara@bennettjones.com. For informational purposes only This publication provides an overview of legal trends and updates for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, please contact the authors. Authors Andrea Steele (née Stempien), Partner Calgary • 403.298.3148 • steelea@bennettjones.com

Answering the Call of the Question : Reforming Mental Health Disclosure During Character and Fitness to Combat Mental Illness in the Legal Profession

Authors

Answering the Call of the Question :
Reforming Mental Health Disclosure During Character and Fitness to Combat Mental Illness in the Legal Profession