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Brynne Harding

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

Tyler McDonough

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

In Alberta, punitive cost awards in administrative proceedings may be a thing of the past. In <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abca/doc/2022/2022abca336/2022abca336.html" target="_blank">Jinnah v Alberta Dental Association and College</a>, Alberta’s top court established a new presumption that the profession as a whole—and not individual members—should bear the costs of all but the most serious disciplinary proceedings.

Court of Appeal tells Regulators to Pony Up for Disciplinary Proceedings

Munaf Mohamed KC

Commercial Litigation & Economic Crimes Lawyer | Trials & Appeals

A bold Alberta Court of King's Bench decision, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abkb/doc/2023/2023abkb209/2023abkb209.html?" target="_blank">Alberta Health Services v Johnston, </a><a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abkb/doc/2023/2023abkb209/2023abkb209.html?" target="_blank">2023 ABKB 209</a>, declined to follow Ontario appellate authority on the issue and established the tort of harassment in Alberta to fill a "gap in the law".

Alberta Gains New Tort of Harassment and Limits Defamation By Government Actors

Alberta Gains New Tort of Harassment and Limits Defamation By Government Actors—Online and IRL

David J. Wahl, FCIArb

Construction Arbitration & Litigation Lawyer

In its latest SR&ED decision, <a href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/fca/doc/2022/2022fca72/2022fca72.html?autocompleteStr=2022%20fca%2072&autocompletePos=1">National R&D Inc v Canada, 2022 FCA 72</a>, the Federal Court of Appeal reminded litigants of the first principles of expert evidence, the rules and requirements govern it, and of the dangers of failing to do so.

National R and D A Cautionary Tale about Expert Evidence

National R&D: A Cautionary Tale about Expert Evidence

Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, state responses to the virus have become the subject of vigorous public debate. While some impugn measures they say are too weak to protect the vulnerable, others lament incursions on their liberties.

Do Medical Professionals Have Freedom of Expression

Do Medical Professionals Have Freedom of Expression?

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer

Chief Executive Officer

Vincent M. de Grandpré

IP Lawyer | Life Sciences & Tech

Emily P. Kettel

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner, Trademark Agent

In Pharmascience v. Janssen Inc., the Supreme Court of Canada reaffirmed that methods of medical treatment remain unpatentable subject matter under the Patent Act because they are directed to the professional skill and judgment of healthcare practitioners. At the same time, the Court upheld the patentability of the dosing regimen claims at issue, clarifying that not all therapeutic or treatment-related claims constitute unpatentable methods of medical treatment. The decision provides important guidance on assessing patent eligibility for pharmaceutical and life sciences innovations in Canada.

Supreme Court of Canada Reaffirms that  Methods of Medical Treatment are Unpatentable

Supreme Court of Canada Confirms That Medical Professional Skill and Judgment Are Excluded From the Patent Bargain

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Evana Yukanna

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

Ontario court denies a late class action opt-out request, reinforcing settlement finality and confirming prejudice can arise before court approval.

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt Out Request

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt-Out Request

Martin Ignasiak KC

Energy & Industrial Projects Lawyer

Head of Energy Regulatory

Logan Lazurko

Energy & Regulatory Lawyer | Environmental

On June 17, 2026, the Alberta Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed an appeal by Fort McMurray 468 First Nation challenging an Alberta Energy Regulator decision that the First Nation lacked standing to request regulatory appeals of approvals issued to AdhMor Ltd. for an oilfield waste management facility near Fort McMurray. The decision in Fort McMurray 468 First Nation v Alberta Energy Regulator, 2026 ABCA 197, offers important guidance on what it takes to get in the door at the AER.

Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms Cumulative Effects are no Substitute for Evidence

No Standing Without Specifics: Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms that Cumulative Effects are no Substitute for Evidence

Wesley R. Novotny

Corporate Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Wade Ritchie

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Zachary Thacker

In the April 28, 2026 Spring Economic Update, the federal government announced its intention to make permanent the C$10 million capital gains exemption available on certain sales of businesses to employee ownership trusts and worker cooperatives, which exemption was previously set to expire at the end of 2026. This amendment has now passed into law as part of Bill C-30, which received Royal Assent on June 18, 2026.

Capital Gains Exemption Made Permanent for Employee Ownership Trusts

A Major Boost for Canadian Business Succession

C$10 Million Capital Gains Exemption Made Permanent for Employee Ownership Trusts 

Curtis A. Cusinato

Vice Chair and Co-Head of M&A

Vice Chair and Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions

Tyler B. McAuley

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Kevin Myson

Energy & Corporate Lawyer | M&A, Natural Resources & Transport

Canada&rsquo;s M&amp;A market remained resilient through the first half of 2026, with deal activity increasingly concentrated in large, strategically important transactions despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This quarterly update explores the sectors driving Canadian M&amp;A, including energy, digital infrastructure and real estate, and examines how policy developments, AI-related demand and shifting investment priorities are shaping dealmaking trends. It also highlights key opportunities and considerations for investors as activity is expected to accelerate in the second half of the year.

Counsel Comment: Jonsson v. Lymer, 2020 ABCA 167

From the Same Authors