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Sara G. Parchello

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

David Cassin

Brendan J. Weiler

Employment Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

Two recent Ontario Superior Court decisions&mdash;Li v Wayfair Canada Inc. and Jones v Strides Toronto&mdash;clarify that the phrase &ldquo;at any time&rdquo; in a termination clause does not automatically invalidate an employment agreement under the ESA. While both cases distinguish earlier restrictive rulings, ongoing inconsistencies, including the Chan decision, highlight the need for appellate guidance. Employers should continue to review contracts carefully to ensure ESA compliance.

Termination At Any Time A Review of Recent Developments

Termination “At Any Time”? A Review of Recent Developments from Li v Wayfair Canada Inc. and Jones v Strides Toronto

Katelyn Weller

Counsel at Bennett Jones Toronto

Counsel

Carl Cunningham

Management-side Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Bill 27, introduced in October 2021, has now passed and received royal assent. Employers should review the employee-friendly legislation changes, including a ban on non-competes and a "Disconnect from Work" policy.

Ontario Bill 27 Working for Workers Act 2021 is Now the Law

Ontario Bill 27: Working for Workers Act, 2021 is Now the Law

There are now three recent Ontario arbitration decisions that address whether an employer may require its unionized employees to be vaccinated. While directly relevant to unionized employers, given the lack of case law considering the issue, these decisions may have further-reaching impacts on all employers in Ontario.

Challenging Mandatory Vaccination Policies in Ontario

Challenging Mandatory Vaccination Policies in Ontario: Arbitrators Take a First Look and Reach Differing Conclusions

Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) came into force on August 3, 2021. The Bill creates a new statutory holiday for federally-regulated employees that will take place on September 30 of each year. The holiday is named the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (the Truth and Reconciliation Day).

Parliament Enacts New Statutory Federal Holiday Truth and Reconciliation Day

Parliament Enacts New Statutory Federal Holiday—Truth and Reconciliation Day

James T. McClary

Private Equity and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Elizabeth K. Dylke

Corporate and Private Funds Lawyer

Haifeng Hu

Partner at Bennett Jones Vancouver

The private equity industry went in a number of different directions in 2025. Global dealmaking value picked up in the second half of the year but the number of deals decreased. PE exits declined year-over-year, boosting growth in alternative strategies to generate liquidity. Investors remain committed to PE according to Preqin's latest investor survey, despite exercising greater caution in short-term commitments. Macroeconomic conditions improved markedly as the year went on, after a turbulent and unexpected start.
In this edition of the Bennett Jones PE Briefing, we look at the full-year data on private equity activity in Canada in 2025 as well as&nbsp;how 2025 unfolded and what to look for in the coming year;&nbsp;PE exit activity and what to expect in 2026; and&nbsp;trends in GP-stakes investing.

The Q4 2025 PE Briefing

2026 Outlook: Key PE Trends Set to Shape the Year Ahead

George W. H. Reid

International Trade, Investment and Public Procurement 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

Sabrina A. Bandali

International Trade, Regulatory and Investment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

For several years, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has sought to limit the ability of non-resident importers to self-assess duties, surtaxes and other taxes on imported goods based on their acquisition costs. In pursuit of this aim, the CBSA launched a third consultation in December 2025 that anticipates a fundamental reshaping of Canada's customs valuation framework through amendments to the&nbsp;Valuation for Duty Regulations, (SOR/86-792) (VFD Regulations).&nbsp;The deadline for stakeholders to make submissions to the 2025 VFD Consultation is January 23, 2025.

CBSA Pushes Customs Valuation Reform

Third Time's a Charm - CBSA Pushes Customs Valuation Reform

Martin Ignasiak KC

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jessica Kennedy

Larissa D. Lees

Alberta has enacted Bills 8 and 12 to establish a new regulatory and levy framework for data centre development in the province. The changes are intended to support growing AI-driven demand while protecting grid reliability, electricity affordability and long-term system sustainability.

Alberta Advances Regulatory Changes to Facilitate Data Centre Development

Hennadiy Kutsenko

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

New federal tax rules effective January 1, 2024 deny expense deductions for short-term rental properties that do not comply with provincial or municipal laws. The changes heighten enforcement risk by allowing the CRA to deny deductions indefinitely, in addition to existing penalties. This blog explains the new deduction denial rules, key exceptions and compliance considerations for short-term rental operators.

Comply or Lose Your Tax Deductions

Comply or Lose Your Tax Deductions: New Income Tax Act Rules Target Short-Term Rental Landlords

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jie (Kevin) Zhou

M&A, Private Equity and Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jesse Fontaine

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

The Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that earn-out acceleration clauses are to be interpreted contextually, with materiality turning on a transaction&rsquo;s impact on the earn-out regime rather than its size or value. The decision reinforces the exceptional nature of earn-out acceleration remedies and the importance of precise drafting in share purchase agreements.

Extreme Benefits Makeover: Employee Time Off for Cosmetic Surgery

From the Same Authors