People

Services

Industries

Firm

About

Knowledge

Careers

News

Events

Contact

Connect

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Terms of Use

Accessibility

Legal

Calgary

Toronto

Edmonton

Ottawa

Vancouver

New York

Montréal

Robert W. Staley

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

Vice Chair and Partner

Cheryl M. Woodin

Commercial Litigation, Product Liability & Class Actions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Ciara J. Mackey

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

In Sinclair v. Venezia Turismo, 2025 SCC 27, the Supreme Court of Canada clarified that jurisdiction must be assessed for each defendant individually. A plaintiff cannot rely on one defendant&rsquo;s contract or weak connecting factors to extend jurisdiction to others. The decision strengthens the principles of corporate separateness in cross-border disputes.

The SCC Clarifies Approach to Jurisdiction Against Multiple Defendants in Cross Border Disputes

Sinclair v. Venezia Turismo: The SCC Clarifies Approach to Jurisdiction Against Multiple Defendants in Cross-Border Disputes

Carl Cunningham

Management-side Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Katelyn Weller

Counsel at Bennett Jones Toronto

Counsel

David Cassin

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s recent decision in Wigdor v Facebook Canada Ltd, 2025 ONSC 4051 provides helpful clarity for employers on two key issues: the enforceability of restricted stock unit (RSU) forfeiture provisions, and the legal threshold for awarding punitive damages in employment disputes.

Forfeiture Clause Upheld

Forfeiture Clause Upheld, Punitive Damages Denied: Favourable Takeaways for Employers

Brendan J. Weiler

Employment Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

On May 28, 2025, the Ontario government introduced <a href="https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-30">Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025</a> (Bill 30), representing the latest addition to a series of legislative initiatives that Ontario has seen introduced under the “Working for Workers” headline since October 2021.

Ontario Introduces Bill 30

Ontario Introduces Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025

Osie Ukwuoma

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Jeffrey Kerbel

M&A, Financings, Governance and Regulatory Business and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner 

Kristopher R. Hanc

M&A and Capital Markets Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

On November 19, 2024, the Ontario Capital Markets Tribunal (Tribunal) released its reasons for its July 2024 decision granting an application by Riot Platforms, Inc. (Riot) to cease trade a shareholder rights plan (Plan) adopted by Bitfarms Ltd. (Bitfarms). This decision is significant as it refined the test for the granting of an order “in the public interest” under section 127 of the Securities Act (Ontario) (the Act), at least as it applied to shareholder rights plans. The decision also demonstrated the unwillingness of the Tribunal to allow a shareholder rights plan to have a trigger below 20 percent.

Ontario Tribunal Refines Public Interest Test in Cease Trade Decision on Shareholder Rights Plans

Lisa Kakoske

Corporate and Securities Lawyer

Samantha Chenatte

Associate at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Globally, women represent nearly half of the agricultural workforce, yet they still face systemic barriers that prevent them from accessing, using and contributing to innovations in agricultural technology (Agritech), which is poised to transform agricultural systems across the world.

Gender Inclusivity Driving Growth in Agritech Industry

Sara G. Parchello

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

Mykala Way

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Jane C. Helmstadter

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Ontario Court of Appeal&rsquo;s decision in 100 Bloor Street West Corporation v. Barry&rsquo;s Bootcamp Canada Inc. underscores the risks of vague realty tax provisions in commercial leases. The case highlights how inconsistent or ambiguous calculation methods can expose both landlords and tenants to costly litigation. Clear, consistent, and fair drafting of tax allocation clauses is essential to avoid disputes and ensure predictable outcomes.

One Method Many Taxes Lease Interpretation and Realty Tax

One Method, Many Taxes: Lease Interpretation and Realty Tax Allocation in 100 Bloor Street West v. Barry’s Bootcamp

Michelle F. Yung

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Vanessa Kiraly

A recent Ontario Superior Court decision underscores the importance of precise lease drafting. In Malleum Real Estate v. Donut Monster, the court held that tenant obligations began on the fixed commencement date&mdash;regardless of unfinished landlord improvements or pandemic disruptions. The ruling highlights that assumptions cannot override clear lease terms and offers practical lessons for both landlords and tenants.

When Assumptions Break Leases The Need for Clear Terms

When Assumptions Break Leases: The Need for Clear Terms

Vasilis F. L. Pappas, FCIArb

International Arbitration Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver and Calgary

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Geoffrey P. Stenger

Project Development, Energy, Infrastructure and Construction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

On October 7, 2025, British Columbia introduced Bill 20, the Construction Prompt Payment Act. If enacted, it will overhaul payment timelines and create a fast-track adjudication process for construction disputes. The legislation is expected to significantly impact owners, contractors and subcontractors across the province.

CP Shareholders Overwhelmingly Support Proposed CP-KCS Merger Agreement

Authors


Bennett Jones Client Work CP Shareholders Overwhelmingly Support Proposed CP-KCS Merger Agreement December 8, 2021 Authors Jeffrey KerbelPartner Harinder S. BasraCalgary Managing Partner Brent W. KrausPartner Annie B. TonkenAssociate Anu NijhawanPartner Jared A. MackeyPartner Karen J. DawsonPartner Mark S. PowellPartner Carl CunninghamPartner Melanie L. AitkenManaging Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP Robert W. StaleyVice Chair and Partner Adam KalbfleischPartner Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) has announced that its shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the issuance of CP common shares to Kansas City Southern (KCS) common stockholders in connection with the proposed CP-KCS combination. CP and KCS entered into the historic US$31-billion merger on September 15, 2021, which will create the first single-line rail network linking the United States, Mexico and Canada. Bennett Jones is advising CP on Canadian M&A, corporate/securities, tax, finance, employment and competition/antitrust matters. The deal team was led by Jeff Kerbel (corporate/securities) and includes: Harinder Basra, Brent Kraus, Eric Chernin and Annie Tonken (corporate/securities) Scott Bodie, Anu Nijhawan and Jared Mackey (tax) Karen Dawson and Mark Powell (finance) Carl Cunningham (employment) Melanie Aitken, Robert Staley and Adam Kalbfleisch (competition/antitrust) Bennett Jones' public and private M&A practice spans all industries, and particularly those that drive the Canadian economy. 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 Jeffrey Kerbel, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5772 • kerbelj@bennettjones.com Harinder S. Basra, Calgary Managing Partner • Co-Head of Energy Practice Calgary • 403.298.4494 • basrah@bennettjones.com Brent W. Kraus, Partner • Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Calgary • 403.298.3071 • krausb@bennettjones.com Annie B. Tonken, Associate Calgary • 403.298.3456 • tonkena@bennettjones.com Anu Nijhawan, Partner • Co-Head of Tax Department Calgary • 403.298.3389 • nijhawana@bennettjones.com Jared A. Mackey, Partner Calgary • 403.298.4471 • mackeyj@bennettjones.com Karen J. Dawson, Partner • Co-Head of Banking & Secured Transactions Practice Calgary • 403.298.3302 • dawsonk@bennettjones.com Mark S. Powell, Partner Calgary • 403.298.3365 • powellm@bennettjones.com Carl Cunningham, Partner • Co-Head of Employment Services Practice Toronto • 416.777.4847 • cunninghamc@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 Robert W. Staley, Vice Chair and Partner Toronto • 416.777.4857 • staleyr@bennettjones.com Adam Kalbfleisch, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5757 • kalbfleischa@bennettjones.com