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William S. Osler KC

Capital Markets, Securities, M&A and Corporate Governance Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Audrix Arce

Articling Student

Recent changes to the Commissioner of Lobbying&rsquo;s interpretation of the federal Lobbying Act significantly lower the threshold for mandatory lobbyist registration. As of January 2026, organizations may be required to register if employees collectively spend as little as eight hours lobbying within a four-week period, including preparation and written communications. This update has important compliance implications for corporations and other organizations engaging with federal public office holders.

Expanded Federal Lobbyist Registration Requirements

Jie (Kevin) Zhou

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

Jesse Fontaine

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Associate

The Ontario Court of Appeal confirmed that earn-out acceleration clauses are to be interpreted contextually, with materiality turning on a transaction&rsquo;s impact on the earn-out regime rather than its size or value. The decision reinforces the exceptional nature of earn-out acceleration remedies and the importance of precise drafting in share purchase agreements.

ONCA Affirms Denial of Claim for Earn Out Acceleration

ONCA Affirms Denial of Claim for Earn-Out Acceleration

Curtis A. Cusinato

Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Vice Chair and Partner

Bronwynn Shaw

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Kristopher R. Hanc

M&A and Capital Markets Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

After a year marked by headline-making large-cap transactions, Canada&rsquo;s M&amp;A market enters 2026 with measured confidence. This update analyzes the data behind recent deal activity, explores the evolving role of infrastructure, private capital and credit markets and highlights the risks and opportunities shaping the year ahead.

Canadas Q4 2025 M and A Landscape

Measured Confidence in Canada's M&A Landscape in 2026

Canada's Q4 2025 M&A Landscape

Denise D. Bright

Corporate & Securities Transactions Lawyer

Partner 

Keely Cameron

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Chyna Brown

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary 

In Royal Bank of Canada v Patterson Dental Canada Inc, the Alberta Court of Appeal clarified how PPSA priority rules apply where assets used in a corporate business are personally owned by a director. The Court confirmed that ownership and registration against the correct debtor are decisive in priority disputes, and provided guidance on the treatment of leases and the proper distribution of holdbacks in insolvency sales.

Alberta Court of Appeal Clarifies PPSA Priorities in Insolvency Sales

Jehad Haymour

Tax Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Sophie Virji

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Anna Lekach

The Tax Court of Canada allowed ExxonMobil Canada Resources Company&rsquo;s appeal in a significant transfer pricing dispute concerning the deductibility of feasibility study costs related to a proposed Alaska-to-North America natural gas pipeline project. The Court found that the costs were incurred for the purpose of earning income and rejected the Minister&rsquo;s transfer pricing adjustments and Part XIII tax assessment. The decision provides important guidance on transfer pricing analysis, the application of the OECD Guidelines and the evidentiary role of expert testimony in tax disputes.

ExxonMobil Wins in Tax Court in Transfer Pricing Dispute

Michelle F. Yung

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Andrew L. Jeanrie

Real Estate & Municipal Law Lawyer | Development & Approvals

Helen Cassie

Associate at Bennett Jones Vancouver

This first installment in a three-part series examines the federal government&rsquo;s creation of Build Canada Homes (BCH) and the policy shift toward a more delivery-oriented role in housing development. It situates BCH within current market conditions and outlines how the new Crown corporation is intended to accelerate affordable housing supply through partnerships with the private and non-profit sectors.

A Three Part Series on the New Federal Approach to Housing Build Canada Homes

A Three-Part Series on the New Federal Approach to Housing: Build Canada Homes

Quinn Rozwadowski

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Toronto

Jane C. Helmstadter

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Even carefully drafted lease covenants requiring tenants to repair and restore premises may not be enforced literally under Canadian common law. Courts consider reasonableness, commercial context, and ordinary wear and tear when assessing tenant obligations. This blog explores how landlords and tenants can navigate these limits and manage end-of-lease expectations.

Not Quite Absolute Obligations Reasonable Limits on Lease Covenants to Repair Restore

Not-Quite-Absolute Obligations: Reasonable Limits on Lease Covenants to Repair & Restore

Natalia E. Iamundo

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Ahmed Elmallah

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Counsel, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Proptech is transforming the real estate sector through technologies such as AI, IoT and data-driven platforms. This blog examines recent Canadian patent filing trends, emerging litigation and key IP considerations for companies developing or adopting proptech solutions.

Prop Tech Patents And Patent Litigation

Proptech: Patents and Patent Litigation

Samuel Judson

Craig R. R. Garbe

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer | Funds, REITs & JV Deals

Rights of first refusal (ROFRs) can significantly affect Canadian commercial real estate transactions, particularly when properties are sold as part of a portfolio. This blog reviews limited Canadian case law addressing when ROFRs are triggered in portfolio sales and the challenges they create for vendors and purchasers. It also outlines practical structuring strategies to help navigate these complex transactions.

Rights of First Refusal in Canadian Commercial Real Estate

Rights of First Refusal in Canadian Commercial Real Estate: Navigating Portfolio ROFRs

Stantec Announces the Closing of C$425 Million Senior Unsecured Notes Offering

From the Same Authors