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Lincoln Caylor

Commercial Litigation and Fraud Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner 

Nathan J. Shaheen

Commercial Disputes and Financial Crimes Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Dylan A. Gallant

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

The federal government recently introduced <a href="https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/45-1/bill/C-2/first-reading">Bill C-2</a>, which is known as the Strong Borders Act. It maintains certain proposed amendments to the <a href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/sc-2000-c-17/latest/sc-2000-c-17.html">Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act</a> (the "PCMLTFA") introduced in the prior government's 2024 Fall Economic Statement and proposes various additional amendments.

The Strong Borders Act Seeks to Strengthen the Canadian AML Regime

The Strong Borders Act Seeks to Strengthen the Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Regime

Lincoln Caylor and Nathan J. Shaheen explore the evolving evidentiary threshold for Mareva injunctions in Canada in the Q2 2025 issue of Chambers Digest.

Chancery Lanes Chambers Digest

Mareva Injunctions in Canada: Now Easier to Get?

Sarah E. Gilbert

Regulatory, Environmental and Health and Safety Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Gatlin Smeijers

Environmental Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Julia E. Schatz

Commercial Litigation, Agribusiness, Arbitration, Real Estate, Construction and Environmental Litigation at Bennett Jones Toronto

On June 5, 2025, the Competition Bureau (the Bureau) published its <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/publications/environmental-claims-and-competition-act#sec02-2" target="_blank">final Guidelines for environmental claims</a> under the Competition Act (the Act). The Guidelines were created to help businesses and the public understand the Bureau's approach to deceptive marketing provisions under the Act as they relate to environmental claims, including with respect to the new environment-specific provisions that were enacted in 2024. While not binding on the Commissioner of Competition nor the Competition Tribunal, the Guidelines provide visibility into the Bureau's interpretation and approach to environmental claims.

Final Guidelines From the Competition Bureau on Environmental Claims in Canada

Final Guidelines from the Competition Bureau on Environmental Claims in Canada

Emrys Davis

Commercial Litigation, Competition and Class Action Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Michael A. Eizenga L.S.M.

Leading Canadian Class Action Litigator at Bennett Jones Toronto

Gannon Beaulne

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

In our 2025 edition of Looking Forward, we review notable class action developments from the past year and consider what recent trends in the law might tell us about what to expect in the years ahead.

Class Actions Looking Forward 2025

Class Actions: Looking Forward 2025

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 is Top in Lexpert's Top 10 Business Decisions of 2022-2023

Authors


Bennett Jones Announcement Bennett Jones is Top in Lexpert's Top 10 Business Decisions of 2022-2023 November 23, 2023 Authors Lincoln CaylorPartner Maureen M. WardPartner Nathan J. ShaheenPartner Emrys DavisPartner Cheryl M. WoodinPartner Gannon BeaulnePartner Kelsey J. MeyerPartner Ciara J. MackeyPartner Alex PaynePartner Shaan P. TolaniAssociate Thomas FeoreAssociate Paul RomaniukAssociate Bennett Jones acted on four of Lexpert's Top 10 business decisions of 2022-2023—more than any other law firm. The Top 10 is an annual look at the most significant judicial rulings in Canada affecting the business community. This stellar performance once again shows how Bennett Jones is the firm that clients trust with their biggest and most complex legal matters. Here are the Top Ten decisions the firm acted on: *McDonald v. Toronto-Dominion Bank* Fraud Law Bennett Jones led the Canadian civil asset recovery proceedings on behalf of the joint liquidators: Lincoln Caylor, Maureen Ward, Nathan Shaheen, Alexander Payne, Shaan Tolani, Thomas Feore. *Canada (Commissioner of Competition) v. Rogers Communication Inc.* Competition/Antitrust Mergers & Acquisitions Technology, Media & Entertainment Bennett Jones acted for Videotron: John Rook, Emrys Davis. *Workman Optometry Professional Corporation v. Certas Home and Auto Insurance Company* Class Action Litigation Bennett Jones acted for The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company: Cheryl Woodin, Gannon Beaulne. Peace River Hydro Partners v. Petrowest Corp. Restructuring & Insolvency Commercial Litigation Bennett Jones acted for Petrowest Corporation and related entities: Kelsey Meyer, Ciara Mackey, Paul Romaniuk. 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 Lincoln Caylor, Partner Toronto • 416.777.6121 • caylorl@bennettjones.com Maureen M. Ward, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4630 • wardm@bennettjones.com Nathan J. Shaheen, Partner Toronto • 416.777.7306 • shaheenn@bennettjones.com Emrys Davis, Partner • Co-Head of Class Actions Practice Toronto • 416.777.6242 • davise@bennettjones.com Cheryl M. Woodin, Partner • Co-Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department Toronto • 416.777.6550 • woodinc@bennettjones.com Gannon Beaulne, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4805 • beaulneg@bennettjones.com Kelsey J. Meyer, Partner • Co-Head of Restructuring & Insolvency Practice Calgary • 403.298.3323 • meyerk@bennettjones.com Ciara J. Mackey, Partner Calgary • 403.298.3005 • mackeyc@bennettjones.com Alex Payne, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5512 • paynea@bennettjones.com Shaan P. Tolani, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7916 • tolanis@bennettjones.com Thomas Feore, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7905 • feoret@bennettjones.com Paul Romaniuk, Associate Calgary • 403.298.3062 • romaniukp@bennettjones.com