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Stephen P. Sibold KC

Corporate Governance and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner and General Counsel Emeritus

Stephen Sibold comments in the<a href="https://calgaryherald.com/business/energy/varcoe-tweets-and-trouble-in-the-world-of-business" target="_blank"> Calgary Herald</a> on social media and balancing the rights of freedom of speech in business while protecting investors. He says the challenge is the mode and speed of communication and the bigger platform social media provides. “Practically, the rules of the game have changed and I think it’s something securities regulators are trying to grapple with,” he says.

Stephen Sibold on Social Media and Securities Regulation

Justin R. Lambert

Energy Industry Dispute, Fraud, Securities and Corporate Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

James T. McClary

Private Equity and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

On August 25, 2015, the participating jurisdictions of the proposed Cooperative Capital Markets System (the Cooperative System) published for comment a revised consultation draft of the uniform provincial/territorial Capital Markets Act (CMA) and draft initial regulations. The comment period is open until December 23, 2015. Additional draft initial regulations will be published for comment in the coming months, including a harmonized set of prospectus exemptions and a fee regulation.

Cooperative Capital Markets System Publishes Revised Draft Legislation and Draft Regulations

In "Law Firm General Counsel a Rarity," written by Elaine Wiltshire for the Lawyers Weekly, Stephen Sibold comments on the growing need for a general counsel position within larger Canadian law firms.

Stephen Sibold Quoted in Lawyers Weekly

This article discusses the unique characteristics of the Canadian capital market and argues that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was an inappropriate model for Canadian securities regulators to follow in designing Canada's corporate governance regime. "Assessing Canada's Regulatory Response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Lessons for Canadian Policy Makers"; (2009) 46 Alta. L. Rev. 769.

Assessing Canadas Regulatory Response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - July 2009

Assessing Canada's Regulatory Response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - July 2009

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

Associate

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

Steve Sibold Appointed General Counsel of Firm

Authors


Bennett Jones Announcement Steve Sibold Appointed General Counsel of Firm July 23, 2008 Authors Stephen P. Sibold KCPartner and General Counsel Emeritus Bennett Jones LLP is pleased to announce that Stephen Sibold, Q.C., has been appointed General Counsel of the firm. Steve had been a Partner with the firm for many years before serving as Senior Vice-President & General Counsel of Canadian Airlines, Chair & CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission and Chair of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He returned to the firm in 2006 and recently completed graduate studies in corporate law as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of California (UC), Berkeley. He holds a BA and LLB from Queen's University, and an LLM from UC Berkeley. 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 Stephen P. Sibold KC, Partner and General Counsel Emeritus Calgary • 403.298.3666 • sibolds@bennettjones.com