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Dom Sorbara

Banking & Financial Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Elizabeth K. Dylke

Corporate and Private Funds Lawyer

James G. Morand

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

This edition of the PE Briefing examines private equity developments in the third quarter of 2025, including trends in Canadian and global deal activity, the continued growth and complexity of private credit, Ontario&rsquo;s advantages as a jurisdiction for non-US flow-through vehicles, and practical considerations in the drafting of earnouts.

The Q3 2025 PE Briefing

Gary S.A. Solway

Technology, Media & Corporate Lawyer | Governance

Lisa Kakoske

Corporate and Securities Lawyer

Bruce A. Hibbard

Corporate & Securities Lawyer | M&A

Partner 

Incorporation Forum Shopping in Canada: Considerations for Canadian Tech Startups, is a comprehensive guide designed to help Canadian technology startups navigate the complexities of choosing the right jurisdiction for incorporation.

Incorporation Forum Shopping in Canada Considerations for Canadian Tech Startups

Incorporation Forum Shopping in Canada: Considerations for Canadian Tech Startups

Adam Kalbfleisch

Competition & Regulatory Lawyer | Foreign Investment

Zirjan (Zee) J. Derwa

Competition and Foreign Investment Review Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Canada's new criminal prohibition on wage-fixing and no-poaching agreements will come into force on June 23, 2023. These new provisions under subsection 45(1.1) of the Competition Act (the Act) were enacted last year but did not immediately come into force.
The new laws will prohibit agreements between unaffiliated employers: to fix, maintain, decrease or control wages or other terms of employment; or to refrain from hiring or trying to hire one another’s employees.

Wage Fixing and No Poaching Agreements Illegal on June 23 2023

Wage-Fixing and No-Poaching Agreements Illegal on June 23, 2023

Katelyn Weller

Counsel at Bennett Jones Toronto

Counsel

Last year, the Competition Act was amended to make it a criminal offence for two or more unrelated employers to enter into wage-fixing or no-poaching agreements. <a href="/Insights/Blogs/First-Round-of-Competition-Act-Amendments-Now-in-Force"></a>These new provisions come into force on June 23, 2023, with the aim of allowing employers adequate time to assess and adjust their practices to avoid potential criminal repercussions under these new regulations.

Competition Bureau Seeks Feedback on Enforcement Guidance for Wage Fixing and No Poaching Agreements

Competition Bureau Seeks Feedback on Enforcement Guidance for Wage-Fixing and No-Poaching Agreements

Artem N. Barsukov FCIArb

International Arbitration Lawyer

Edward W. Hulshof

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Associate

Paige Lutz

Articling Student at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Articling Student

The Alberta Court of Appeal clarified that broadly worded arbitration clauses can extend to statutory claims, including those under the Tort-Feasors Act. Overturning the uncertainty created by Orica, the Court confirmed that parties will be held to their agreement to arbitrate, even where claims arise by operation of law. The decision reinforces commercial certainty and helps avoid parallel proceedings and inconsistent outcomes.

Alberta Court of Appeal Provides Antidote to Consternation on Scope of Arbitration Clauses

Anu Nijhawan

M&A, Corporate Financing and International Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Lead Director and Partner

Hennadiy Kutsenko

Talia K. Bregman

Management-side Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Recent guidance from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development provides important clarity on when cross-border remote work arrangements may give rise to a permanent establishment under international tax treaties. The analysis focuses on key indicators such as the duration of remote work and whether there is a commercial reason for an employee&rsquo;s presence in a jurisdiction. The article also outlines practical steps employers can take to mitigate tax risk and manage a globally distributed workforce.

Remote Work Without Borders But Not Necessarily Without Tax Consequences

Remote Work Without Borders—But Not Necessarily Without Tax Consequences: OECD Guidance for a Post-Pandemic World

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Pavan Pasha

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

In Cervantes v. Pizza Nova Take Out Ltd., the Ontario Divisional Court clarified that civil conspiracy claims must allege an agreement or common design among defendants. The Court held that compliance with a franchisor&rsquo;s requirements alone does not constitute conspiracy. This decision reinforces the need for precise pleadings and upholds the principle of corporate separateness in class action claims.

No Agreement No Conspiracy Ontario Court Affirms Civil Conspiracy Requires a Pleaded Agreement

No Agreement, No Conspiracy: Ontario Court Affirms Civil Conspiracy Requires a Pleaded Agreement

Cheryl M. Woodin

Commercial Litigation & Trial Lawyer

Emrys Davis

Competition & Antitrust Litigation Lawyer

Kolding Larson

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Federal Court dismissed a proposed C$5B class action alleging a nationwide conspiracy to fix generic drug prices, finding no basis in fact and denying certification. The decision underscores the Court&rsquo;s gatekeeping role and confirms that US enforcement actions and generalized market theories are insufficient to support competition claims in Canada without clear, particularized evidence.

Federal Court Dismisses 5 Billion Generic Drug Price Fixing Class Action

Federal Court Dismisses C$5 Billion Generic Drug Price-Fixing Class Action 

Edwin G. Kroft KC

Tax Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Andrew Young

Mackenzie Thomas

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Issue 41 of Bennett Jones on Tax Disputes examines recent developments in Canadian tax litigation, with a focus on jurisdictional limits, procedural compliance, and case management in the Tax Court of Canada. Featuring commentary from members of the Bennett Jones Tax group, this edition analyzes key decisions including MEGlobal, Culig, and Opheim, and provides practical guidance for taxpayers and advisors navigating tax disputes.

Cybersecurity for Canadian Directors in the Wake of Ashley Madison

From the Same Authors