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Natalia E. Iamundo

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Michelle F. Yung

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Tariffs have created new challenges for data centre construction through increased costs on a range of imported materials and components – and even small increases in prices or supply chain disruptions can have major implications.

How Tariffs Are Changing the Math of Data Centre Construction

How Tariffs Are Changing the Math of Data Centre Construction—and How Canada is Maintaining a Competitive Edge

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

Partner 

David Bursey

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

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

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

Corporate and property searches are an essential starting point for tenant due diligence when negotiating a commercial lease. Due diligence search results can provide tenants with a clearer picture of the property, the parties involved, potential restrictions on the land and the liabilities that may arise.

Tenant Due Diligence Essentials in BC

Tenant Due Diligence Essentials in British Columbia

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

LSI Industries Acquires Canadas Best Holdings

Authors


Bennett Jones Client Work LSI Industries Acquires Canadas Best Holdings March 24, 2025 Authors Andrew BozzatoPartner Kaitlyn (Katie) ClementAssociate Kruti KleinAssociate Melissa M. DimiltaPartner, Trademark Agent Shelby MorrisonAssociate Matthew FlynnPartner Suzie SulimanAssociate, Trademark Agent Susan G. SellerPartner Talia K. BregmanPartner Michelle F. YungPartner Scott MartynPartner Mykala WayAssociate Julia Qian WangPartner Sabrina A. BandaliPartner Leonard J. GriffithsPartner Zirjan (Zee) J. DerwaPartner Mercy LiuAssociate LSI Industries Inc., a leading NASDAQ-listed manufacturer of commercial lighting and display solutions, has announced the acquisition of privately held Canada’s Best Store Fixtures, a leading provider of retail fixtures and custom store design solutions for grocery, quick service restaurant, c-store, banking, and specialty retail environments. Bennett Jones represented LSI Industries on the deal. The Bennett Jones team was led by Andrew Bozzato, Katie Clement and Kruti Sheth (Corporate/M&A) and included Melissa Dimilta, Shelby Morrison (IP), Matthew Flynn, Suzie Suliman (IT, Cyber, Privacy), Susan G. Seller (Employee Benefits), Talia Bregman, Haley Zerr (Employment), Scott Martyn, Michelle Yung, Mykala Way (Real Estate), Sabrina A. Bandali (International Trade), Leonard Griffiths (Environmental), Julia Qian Wang (Tax), Zirjan Derwa and Mercy Liu (Competition and Foreign Investment). 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 Andrew Bozzato, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4878 • bozzatoa@bennettjones.com Kaitlyn (Katie) Clement, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7843 • clementk@bennettjones.com Kruti Klein, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7883 • kleinkr@bennettjones.com Melissa M. Dimilta, Partner, Trademark Agent Toronto • 416.777.7448 • dimiltam@bennettjones.com Shelby Morrison, Associate Toronto • 416.777.5528 • morrisons@bennettjones.com Matthew Flynn, Partner Toronto • 416.777.7488 • flynnm@bennettjones.com Suzie Suliman, Associate, Trademark Agent Toronto • 416.777.6532 • sulimans@bennettjones.com Susan G. Seller, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5638 • sellersg@bennettjones.com Talia K. Bregman, Partner Toronto • 416.777-4833 • bregmant@bennettjones.com Michelle F. Yung, Partner Vancouver • 604.891.5164 • yungm@bennettjones.com Scott Martyn, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5766 • martyns@bennettjones.com Mykala Way, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7835 • waymy@bennettjones.com Julia Qian Wang, Partner Montréal • 514.985.4540 • wangju@bennettjones.com Sabrina A. Bandali, Partner Toronto • 416.777.4838 • bandalis@bennettjones.com Leonard J. Griffiths, Partner • Co-Head of Environmental Practice Toronto • 416.777.7473 • griffithsl@bennettjones.com Zirjan (Zee) J. Derwa, Partner Toronto • 416.777.6442 • derwaz@bennettjones.com Mercy Liu, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7874 • lium@bennettjones.com