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Leah Tolton KC, FEA

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Partner

Gavin A. Millan

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Associate

Amy Verhoeff

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Heidelberg Materials North America announced that it has entered into a binding purchase agreement to acquire the assets of BURNCO Rock Products Ltd in Edmonton, Alberta. BURNCO is a successful fifth-generation family-owned construction materials company with locations in Canada and the United States. 

Heidelberg Materials Acquires Assets of BURNCO in Edmonton

Simon P. Crawford

Leading Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Samantha Weng

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Once again, cottage season is upon us—and like the return of the season, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Court) has returned to the well-settled law of adverse possession, which continues to surface in modern property disputes where long-term use of a property by an adjoining owner can sometimes erode the ownership rights of the legal owner.

Lines in the Sand A Case of Adverse Possession from Cottage Country

Lines in the Sand: A Case of Adverse Possession from Cottage Country

Sabrina A. Bandali

International Trade, Regulatory and Investment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Sabrina Bandali spoke at the 71st Annual Natural Resources and Energy Law Institute in the session Supply Chain Diligence and Reporting Requirements. She shared Canadian perspectives on emerging legal obligations for human rights and ESG compliance in global supply chains.

Sabrina Bandali spoke at the 71 Annual Natural Resources

Sabrina Bandali at 71st Annual Natural Resources and Energy Law Institute

Brent W. Kraus

Mergers and Acquisitions, Capital Markets and Corporate/Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Flutra Kacuri

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

The total number of Canadian M&A deals declined in the second quarter of 2025 as tariff disruption and uncertainty hampered dealmaking activity. However, the overall value of announced Canadian deals was up considerably in the second quarter of 2025, resulting in higher average deal sizes. A similar scenario of fewer deals and higher values is playing out in the United States and globally.

Canada Q2 2025 MA Landscape

Canada's Q2 2025 M&A Landscape

Lorelei Graham

Food and Agribusiness Lawyer, IP Lawyer, Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Across the Atlantic, the European Union (EU) and its member states have also been encouraging climate-resilient agri-tech innovation, but their approach to intellectual property incentives has been a bit different. The European Union has set ambitious climate goals (like achieving climate neutrality by 2050) and launched the European Green Deal, a broad policy agenda to support sustainable technologies. While funding and regulations (such as support for sustainable farming practices) are big parts of the EU strategy, there is also recognition that IP rights play an important role in fostering innovation. However, unlike Canada or the recent US pilot program, Europe has not implemented a unified “green channel” for patent examination at the European Patent Office.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III: Green Without the Label: Europe's Pragmatic IP Approach to Agri-Tech Innovation

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Dispute, Construction, Fraud, Police and Personal Injury Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Kevin Myson

Corporate, Commercial Transaction, Energy, Natural Resource and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canada is navigating a "wild frontier" in the energy industry, with a unique opportunity to forge successful and sustainable partnerships both domestically and internationally. This was the rallying call at the Energy Business Forum during the 74th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference in Banff, Alberta, where industry leaders gathered to share visions for the future of Canada's energy landscape.

Key Takeaways From the Wild Frontier Energy Business Forum CEEA 74

Key Takeaways From the "Wild Frontier" Energy Business Forum at CEEA '74

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Jennifer (Jenn) K. Choi

Maruska Giacchetto

This article examines the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378, which provides critical clarification on the interpretation of multi-step dispute resolution (MSDR) clauses. MSDR clauses, commonly used in commercial contracts, outline escalating steps such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes. The Court addressed ambiguities in the drafting of MSDR timelines, emphasizing that specified timeframes should be interpreted as minimum waiting periods rather than strict deadlines. The decision overturned a lower court ruling that barred a party from arbitration due to a perceived failure to meet a 30-day mediation request deadline. This article highlights the importance of precise drafting in MSDR clauses, discusses the implications of the Court's decision, and provides practical guidance for parties drafting or negotiating dispute resolution provisions in commercial agreements.

Do you need to rush to mediate - Ontario Court of Appeal

Do You Need to Rush to Mediate? Ontario Court of Appeal Clarifies Interpretation of Multi-Step Dispute Resolution Clause

The United States has long been a major player in both agri-tech innovation and the intellectual property (IP) landscape. In the past, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offered its own version of a green patent fast-track to encourage climate-friendly inventions. Notably, in 2009 to 2011 the USPTO ran a Green Technology Pilot Program that prioritized examination for certain eco-friendly patents. The pilot ended in 2012, but more recently the USPTO brought back the idea in June 2022, with the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, which was essentially an accelerated examination program for patent applications directed to fight climate change. Under this program, inventions designed to reduce or monitor greenhouse gas emissions, including many clean energy, sustainability or climate-smart agriculture innovations, could be examined out of turn. Importantly, like Canada’s program, the US pilot did not charge the usual petition fee for expediting. The goal was to spur green tech by making it faster and cheaper to secure IP rights.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II: Innovation Interrupted: What the End of the USPTO's Green Program Means for Agri-Tech

Climate change is driving a surge in agricultural technology (agri-tech) innovations aimed at making farming more resilient and sustainable. From drought-resistant crops to carbon-capturing soil techniques, these climate-focused agri-tech solutions are crucial for global food security. An often-overlooked piece of this puzzle is intellectual property (IP) strategy, namely how patents and other IP rights are used to protect and incentivize innovation.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I: Planting the Future: Why Canada's IP System May Be the Climate Innovation Sleeper Hit

Bennett Jones Celebrates International Women's Day 2020

Authors


Bennett Jones Announcement Bennett Jones Celebrates International Women's Day 2020 March 6, 2020 Authors Sabrina A. BandaliPartner Denise BrunsdonPartner, Trademark Agent Alixe A.L. CameronPartner Linda Misetich DannPartner Samantha WengAssociate Noriko ShimuraPartner Melanie L. AitkenManaging Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP Shelby MorrisonAssociate Barbara J. Stratton KCEdmonton Managing Partner Michelle F. YungPartner Keely CameronPartner The women at Bennett Jones reflect on living fulfilling lives and having successful careers in our video honouring International Women's Day 2020. They share their thoughts on seeking opportunities, taking risks, personal values, balance in life, family, learning, trusting your instincts and more. Throughout the year, Bennett Jones is proud to support women's initiatives across Canada for women in leadership, in business and law, for young women lawyers, and others areas that help forge a more equal world and celebrate women's achievement. 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 Sabrina A. Bandali, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4838 • bandalis@bennettjones.com Denise Brunsdon, Partner, Trademark Agent Calgary • 403.298.3060 • brunsdond@bennettjones.com Alixe A.L. Cameron, Partner • Co-Head of Commercial Real Estate Practice Calgary • 403.298.4482 • camerona@bennettjones.com Linda Misetich Dann, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4636 • misetichdannl@bennettjones.com Samantha Weng, Associate Toronto • 416.777.5526 • wengs@bennettjones.com Noriko Shimura, Partner Calgary • 403.298.3640 • shimuran@bennettjones.com Melanie L. Aitken, Managing Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP • Head of Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment Practice New York - United States • 416.777.4855 • aitkenm@bennettjones.com Shelby Morrison, Associate Toronto • 416.777.5528 • morrisons@bennettjones.com Barbara J. Stratton KC, Edmonton Managing Partner • Co-Head of Health Practice Edmonton • 780.917.4255 • strattonb@bennettjones.com Michelle F. Yung, Partner Vancouver • 604.891.5164 • yungm@bennettjones.com Keely Cameron, Partner Calgary • 403.298.3324 • cameronk@bennettjones.com