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Jessica Kennedy

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

David Bursey

Regulatory, Environmental, ESG and Aboriginal Law Lawyer for Energy and Natural Resource Clients at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Partner 

Ashley M. White

Corporate, Commercial Transactions, Power & Energy Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

<a href="https://www.bennettjones.com/Blogs-Section/BC-Government-Streamlines-Renewable-Energy-Regulatory-Process-and-Announces-2025-Call-for-Power">Further to its announcement in April</a>, BC Hydro is moving forward with its <a href="https://www.bchydro.com/work-with-us/selling-clean-energy/2025-call-for-power.html?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=redirect&utm_content=callforpower">2025 Call for Power</a> (2025 Call). As part of the 2025 Call, BC Hydro issued a request for proposals (RFP) on 28 July 2025. The RFP aims to acquire up to 5,000 GWh/year of electricity from large, clean or renewable projects through partnerships between First Nations and independent power producers (IPP).

BC Hydro 2025 Call to Power

BC Hydro 2025 Call for Power: Overview of Request for Proposal Documents

Duncan McPherson

Energy, Water and Aboriginal Business Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Luke Morrison

Energy Project Development, M&A, and Commercial Transaction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

On March 21, 2025, Prime Minister Carney <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2025/03/21/prime-minister-carney-meets-leaders-national-indigenous-organizations" target="_blank">announced important changes to the federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program</a> (Program). The Government of Canada doubled funding for the Program from C$5billion to C$10 billion and opened the Program to sectors outside of energy and natural resources. Prime Minister Carney noted this expansion "will ensure that rights-holders are a part of Canada's accelerated push to build."

Government of Canada Doubles Funding for Federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program

Larissa Sakumoto

Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Associate

<h2>BC streamlines renewable energy permitting with Bill 14, aiming to double clean electricity supply by 2050 and announces a 2025 Call for Power. </h2>

BC Government Streamlines Renewable Energy Regulatory Process and Announces 2025 Call for Power

Dom Sorbara

Banking & Financial Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Fatima Kawar

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

In recent years, growing attention and effort has been placed on studying Indigenous economies in Canada with the aim of closing gaps in business, project, community and housing financing, ultimately closing the infrastructure gap. This article examines some of the challenges and opportunities associated with closing those gaps.

From Barriers to Bridges Navigating the Unique Landscape of Indigenous Enterprise Financing

From Barriers to Bridges: Navigating the Unique Landscape of Indigenous Enterprise Financing

Serge Dupont

Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones Ottawa

Senior Advisor

The U.S. and global economies proved resilient in 2025. There were reasons, particularly around U.S. President Donald Trump&rsquo;s April 1 &ldquo;Liberation Day,&rdquo; to fear a global trade war or corrections in financial markets that would cause a recession in the United States and a sharp slowing of the global economy. In fact, while growth in the United States and most major economies slowed in 2025, other policy and market factors offset at least in part the early effect of disruptive policies by the U.S. administration. The United States&rsquo;s trading partners chose to avoid an all-out trade war, and most negotiated some form of accommodation with President Trump.

Economic Outlook 2026

Adapting to a New World: From Ambition to Investment

Ahmed Elmallah

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Counsel, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Stephen D. Burns

Technology Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner, Trademark Agent

Stephen Thaler has appealed the Commissioner of Patents&rsquo; refusal to recognize his AI system, DABUS, as an inventor under the Patent Act. The case raises legal and practical questions as AI systems play a growing role in generating novel inventions. The outcome could influence how Canadian innovators protect AI-driven discoveries, particularly in pharmaceutical R&amp;D.

Appeal Filed Thaler Challenges Refusal to Recognize AI

Appeal Filed: Thaler Challenges Refusal to Recognize AI as an Inventor on a Patent—Implications Beyond Inventorship

David Wainer

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

This end-of-year overview examines the Federal Government&rsquo;s rapid expansion of AI-related funding in 2025, from large-scale investments in data centres and public compute infrastructure to programs supporting AI access, adoption and domestic research. It also explores the new commitments announced in Budget 2025 and signals key trends to watch in 2026 as Canada strengthens its AI ecosystem.

Canadas AI Efforts in 2025 A Year in Review

Canada's AI Efforts in 2025: A Year in Review

Laura Inglis

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Christine Plante

Civil Fraud Recovery, Employment and Shareholder Disputes Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

David M. Price

Employment Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Effective January 1, 2026, Alberta will increase job-protected long-term illness and injury leave from 16 to 27 weeks. This update aligns Alberta with other leading Canadian jurisdictions that recently implemented similar extended leaves. Employers will need to revisit their workplace policies to ensure compliance with the new requirements. The blog explains the legislative amendments and their implications for employers.

Alberta Aligns with Other Provinces in Extending Long Term Illness and Injury Leave

Ashley L. Paterson

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Morgan Sutherland

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate 

Health Canada has proposed amendments to the Medical Devices Regulations focused on modernizing the MDEL framework. The changes would affect importer&ndash;distributor relationships, mandatory supplier disclosures, and safety documentation requirements. This update summarizes the key proposals and their potential impacts on MDEL holders and applicants.

David Bursey Recognized on BIV News BC500 List

Authors


Bennett Jones Announcement David Bursey Recognized on BIV News BC500 List August 23, 2022 Authors David BurseyPartner David Bursey, in the Law—Environmental, Social and Governance section has been recognized for his 40 years of expertise in ESG matters. The 2022 BC500 cohort features leaders who influence and better life and business within the British Columbia community. Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Peter Zvanitajs at ZvanitajsP@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 David Bursey, Partner • Leader of Aboriginal Law Practice Vancouver • 604.891.5128 • burseyd@bennettjones.com