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Christian P. Gauthier

Capital Markets and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver and Toronto

Partner

Kwang Lim

Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Vancouver Managing Partner

Generative AI is taking the venture capital world by storm. Despite the slump in overall VC funding, investor interest in AI is intensifying. PitchBook notes that "in the world of startup valuations, there's generative AI—and everything else." The Wall Street Journal describes the current environment as "ChatGPT fever . . . Amid broader venture-capital doldrums, it is boom times for startups touting generative artificial intelligence tech." As VC investors look to the generative AI market and companies seek funding, there are several things to consider including valuations, the ever evolving regulatory landscape and a heightened need for robust diligence and corporate governance processes.

Booming Venture Capital Investment in Generative AI Considerations for Investors and Companies

Booming Venture Capital Investment in Generative AI: Considerations for Investors and Companies

Linda Misetich Dann

Securities, Corporate Finance, M&A and Mining Transaction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner 

Harinder S. Basra

Corporate & Securities Lawyer | M&A

Calgary Managing Partner

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/corporate-commercial/ma-activity-slips-in-q3-but-year-to-date-numbers-better-than-before-pandemic-bennett-jones-lawyers/370559" target="_blank">Canadian Lawyer</a> reports on Bennett Jones' Q3 look at the M&A landscape. Linda Misetich Dann, Christian Gauthier and Harinder Basra say there is a lot of interest in dealmaking, with the latest numbers on M&A activity beating those from before the pandemic. M&A activity has slowed in the first nine months of 2022.

M A Activity YearToDate Is Better Than Before Pandemic

M&A Activity Year-To-Date Is Better Than Before Pandemic

While Canadian M&A activity slowed in Q3, many companies and investors continue to have the appetite and capital to do M&A transactions, including private equity funds who continue to seek accretive opportunities to deploy capital in a number of sectors in the Canadian economy. As was the case throughout the first half of 2022, deals are being done and opportunities are there, but investors are showing restraint and gone are the days of doing a deal at any cost.

Canadas M A Landscape Q3 2022 Its Not If Its When

Canada's M&A Landscape Q3 2022: It's Not If, It's When

Craig R. R. Garbe

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer | Funds, REITs & JV Deals

S. Paul Mantini

Commercial Real Estate & Corporate Lawyer | Infrastructure

The scheduled launch of Ontario's competitive internet gaming market is fast approaching. Though originally targeted for December 2021, it is now expected that the launch is more likely to occur in Q1 2022, assuming that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's (AGCO) new subsidiary "iGaming Ontario" is able to finalize and enter into agreements with prospective operators by that time.

Ontarios iGaming Market Nears Launch Update for Prospective Operators and Suppliers

Ontario's iGaming Market Nears Launch: Update for Prospective Operators and Suppliers

Simon P. Crawford

Leading Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Vanessa Kiraly

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

In Oliva v. Dickson (2025 ONSC 6666), the Ontario Superior Court confirmed that Building Code compliance can be an implied term of an Agreement of Purchase and Sale and a basis for vendor-builder liability in negligence. Even without structural failure or express contractual representations, failing to obtain required permits may breach both contractual and tort duties. The decision is a cautionary reminder that regulatory compliance defines both legal risk and commercial expectations in real estate transactions.

No Permit Big Problems

No Permit, Big Problems: Building Code Compliance,  Implied Terms and Vendor-Builder Liability in Ontario

Daniel (Dan) R. Chubb

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Joan Bilsland

Knowledge Management Research Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Knowledge Management Research Lawyer

Luke Stretch

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canadian courts generally treat real estate deposits as forfeitable upon a purchaser&rsquo;s default, distinct from unenforceable penalty clauses. However, under the Redstone factors, courts may grant relief from forfeiture where a deposit is grossly disproportionate to the vendor&rsquo;s damages or where retaining it would be unconscionable in the circumstances.

When A Deposit Becomes A Penalty

When a Deposit Becomes a Penalty: Relief From Forfeiture in Real Estate Transactions

Andrew N. Disipio

Mining & Corporate Finance Lawyer | M&A, Equity & Debt Deals

Hon. John R. Baird P.C.

Senior Advisor | International Trade, Investment & Security

Senior Business Advisor

Sander A.J.R. Grieve KC

Global Mining Finance & M&A Lawyer | Bennett Jones Toronto

Members of Bennett Jones' mining team shared their insights across three panels held at the firm's Toronto office during this year's PDAC convention. The discussions addressed the opportunities and complexities of this evolving landscape&mdash;and what Canada must do to capitalize on the moment.

Optimism Abounds at PDAC 2026 and Bennett Jones Panels

Dana Talucci

Corporate Commercial Practice at Bennett Jones Toronto

Hennadiy Kutsenko

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

A court decision on the sale of mixed-use property highlights the risks of failing to allocate purchase price between residential and commercial portions for HST purposes. The ruling underscores the importance of precise drafting and obtaining representations to avoid uncertainty and tax disputes.

Mixed-Use Mixed Signals Why Purchase Price Allocations Matter

Mixed-Use, Mixed Signals: Why Purchase Price Allocations Matter

Leanne C. Krawchuk KC

Corporate, Mining & Construction Lawyer | Capital Markets

Partner, Corporate

James T. McClary

Private Equity and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Private equity investment in mining has grown over the past decade, driven largely by opportunities in mining sub-industries such as materials, software and industrial machinery despite persistent risk and scalability concerns. The article analyzes global and Canadian deal trends, structures and strategies, offering insights on where PE capital is being deployed and the outlook for investors and mining companies.

Christian Gauthier Discusses CBITs in the Globe and Mail

From the Same Authors

Booming Venture Capital Investment in Generative AI: Considerations for Investors and Companies

M&A Activity Year-To-Date Is Better Than Before Pandemic

Canada's M&A Landscape Q3 2022: It's Not If, It's When

Latest Insights

No Permit, Big Problems: Building Code Compliance, Implied Terms and Vendor-Builder Liability in Ontario

When a Deposit Becomes a Penalty: Relief From Forfeiture in Real Estate Transactions

Optimism Abounds at PDAC 2026 and Bennett Jones Panels

Mixed-Use, Mixed Signals: Why Purchase Price Allocations Matter

Stay Informed. Stay Ahead.