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Stephen D. Burns

Technology Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner, Trademark Agent

J. Sébastien A. Gittens

Intellectual Property and Technology Commercialization Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

David Wainer

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (the OIPC) recently issued a report (the Report) summarizing the OIPC's recommendations for a framework to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Alberta. While these recommendations are not yet law, organizations should consider their potential impact.

Alberta OIPC Issues Report Regarding Responsible AI Governance

Gordon N. Cameron

Canadian Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones New York

Principal, Head of New York Office

Julia Qian Wang

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Montreal

Partner

Xenia Wong

Equity and Debt Securities New York Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Counsel

Global consulting firm J.S. Held has announced the acquisition of Vancouver-based GHL Consultants, a fire engineering and building code consulting firm known for innovative solutions that bridge the gap between safety and design.

JS Held Acquires GHL Consultants Ltd

J.S. Held Acquires GHL Consultants, Further Expanding in Canada

Jessica Kennedy

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

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

Sean Assié

Regulatory, Environmental and Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Denise D. Bright

Public and Private Company Financial Transactions and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Clients across Canada and internationally rely on Bennett Jones for strategic legal guidance in the energy sector. Our inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy reflects our deep knowledge of our clients’ businesses in energy-related industries.

Twenty Five Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexperts Special Edition on Energy

Twenty-Five Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexpert's Special Edition on Energy

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

Title Alphabetical

Title

BennettJones

Maguire Patrick

White Ashley

Johnson Greg

Derwa Zirjan

Burns Stephen

Inglis Laura

Olsen Sydney

Larson Kolding

Oil Gas

Commercial Transactions

Mergers Acquisitions

Energy

Energy Regulatory

Canadian Natural Resources Limited Announces Acquisition of Chevrons Alberta Assets

Canadian Natural Resources Limited Announces Acquisition of Chevron's Alberta Assets for US$6.5 Billion

Authors


Bennett Jones Client Work Canadian Natural Resources Limited Announces Acquisition of Chevron's Alberta Assets for US$6.5 Billion October 7, 2024 Authors Patrick T. Maguire KCVice Chair and Partner Ashley M. WhitePartner Greg M. JohnsonPartner Zirjan (Zee) J. DerwaPartner Stephen D. BurnsPartner, Trademark Agent Laura InglisPartner Sydney OlsenAssociate Kolding LarsonAssociate Canadian Natural Resources Limited announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire, subject to regulatory approvals, from Chevron Canada Limited its 20 percent interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP), which includes 20 percent of the Muskeg River and Jackpine mines, the Scotford Upgrader and the Quest Carbon Capture and Storage facility. This acquisition brings Canadian Natural’s total current working interest in AOSP to 90 percent. In addition, Canadian Natural has also agreed to acquire, subject to regulatory approvals, Chevron’s 70 percent operated working interest of light crude oil and liquids rich assets in the Duvernay play in Alberta. Bennett Jones is acting as legal advisor to Canadian Natural Resources Limited. The Bennett Jones team is led by Pat Maguire (Commercial) and includes Ashley White (Commercial), Greg Johnson (Tax), Zee Derwa (Competition), Stephen Burns (Technology), Laura Inglis (Employment), Sydney Olsen, Stephanie Driedger (Commercial) and Kolding Larson (Competition). Read the transaction press release. 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 Patrick T. Maguire KC, Vice Chair and Partner Calgary • 403.298.3184 • maguirep@bennettjones.com Ashley M. White, Partner • Co-Head of Energy Practice Calgary • 403.298.3471 • whitea@bennettjones.com Greg M. Johnson, Partner Calgary • 403.298.4470 • johnson@bennettjones.com Zirjan (Zee) J. Derwa, Partner Toronto • 416.777.6442 • derwaz@bennettjones.com Stephen D. Burns, Partner, Trademark Agent • Co-Head of Innovation, Technology & Branding Practice Calgary • 403.298.3050 • burnss@bennettjones.com Laura Inglis, Partner Edmonton • 780.969.2644 • inglisl@bennettjones.com Sydney Olsen, Associate Calgary • 403.298.3231 • olsens@bennettjones.com Kolding Larson, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7829 • larsonk@bennettjones.com