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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

Brent W. Kraus

Mergers and Acquisitions, Capital Markets and Corporate/Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Flutra Kacuri

Private Equity, M&A , Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

Sabrina A. Bandali

International Trade, Regulatory and Investment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The total number of Canadian M&A deals declined in the second quarter of 2025 as tariff disruption and uncertainty hampered dealmaking activity. However, the overall value of announced Canadian deals was up considerably in the second quarter of 2025, resulting in higher average deal sizes. A similar scenario of fewer deals and higher values is playing out in the United States and globally.

Canada Q2 2025 MA Landscape

Canada's Q2 2025 M&A Landscape

Adam Kalbfleisch

Competition, Foreign Investment Review and Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Alixe A.L. Cameron

Corporate Commercial and Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jane C. Helmstadter

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Competition Bureau (Bureau) has released its <a href="https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/publications/competitor-property-controls-and-competition-act">finalized property control guidelines</a> (Guidelines) outlining the Bureau's ongoing approach to enforcing competition property controls under the Competition Act (Act). These replace the preliminary guidelines published on August 7, 2024, which were subject to a public consultation process last summer/fall

Breaking Ground The Competition Bureau Weighs in with Final Property Control Guidelines

The Competition Bureau Weighs in with Final Property Control Guidelines

Mia Bacic

Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Laura James

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

David W. Little

Construction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) has acquired 100 percent of the issued shares of BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in an all-cash £1 billion take-private deal. 

BCI Acquires BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in 1 Billion Take Private

BCI Acquires BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in £1 Billion Take-Private

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 Client Work J.S. Held Acquires GHL Consultants, Further Expanding in Canada August 12, 2025 Authors Gordon N. CameronPrincipal, Head of New York Office Julia Qian WangPartner Xenia WongCounsel Benjamin MintzbergAssociate Oleg ShcheglovAssociate Hennadiy KutsenkoAssociate Aldona C.L. GudasPartner Allyson MartaPartner Ruth E. PromislowPartner Kees de RidderAssociate, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent Shelby MorrisonAssociate Zirjan (Zee) J. DerwaPartner Mercy LiuAssociate 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. GHL experts advise developers, architects, government agencies, legal counsel and institutions, including hospitals and universities. The acquisition expands J.S. Held's building code consulting, fire engineering and forensics capabilities in Western Canada. Bennett Jones acted as legal counsel to J.S. Held on the acquisition. The Bennett Jones team was led by Gordon Cameron (M&A) and included Xenia Wong, Benjamin Mintzberg, Oleg Shcheglov (M&A), Julia Wang, Hennadiy Kutsenko (Tax), Aldona Gudas (Employment), Allyson Marta (Benefits), Ruth Promislow, Kees de Ridder (Data Privacy), Shelby Morrison (Intellectual Property), Hannah Johnston (Commercial Real Estate), Zirjan Derwa and Mercy Liu (Regulatory). Read the transaction press release. In January 2025, Bennett Jones acted as Canadian legal counsel to J.S. Held on its acquisition of Technorm, Quebec’s leading forensic, building safety and compliance experts. 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 Gordon N. Cameron, Principal, Head of New York Office New York - United States • 212.680.4121 • camerong@bennettjones.com Julia Qian Wang, Partner Montréal • 514.985.4540 • wangju@bennettjones.com Xenia Wong, Counsel New York - United States • 212.680.4122 • wongx@bennettjones.com Benjamin Mintzberg, Associate Vancouver • 604.891.5366 • mintzbergb@bennettjones.com Oleg Shcheglov, Associate Vancouver • 604.891.5354 • shcheglovo@bennettjones.com Hennadiy Kutsenko, Associate Toronto • 416.777.6441 • kutsenkoh@bennettjones.com Aldona C.L. Gudas, Partner Montréal • 514.985.4538 • gudasa@bennettjones.com Allyson Marta, Partner Toronto, Calgary • 416.777.7876 • martaa@bennettjones.com Ruth E. Promislow, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4688 • promislowr@bennettjones.com Kees de Ridder, Associate, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent Calgary • 403.298.3122 • deridderk@bennettjones.com Shelby Morrison, Associate Toronto • 416.777.5528 • morrisons@bennettjones.com Zirjan (Zee) J. Derwa, Partner Toronto • 416.777.6442 • derwaz@bennettjones.com Mercy Liu, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7874 • lium@bennettjones.com

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

Authors