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Christine Plante

Employment Lawyer | HR Legal Counsel

Partner

Sara G. Parchello

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Tami Oguntona

Associate

Bill C-31 proposes significant amendments to the Canada Labour Code that would prohibit most post-employment non-compete clauses and potentially other employment-related restrictions in federally regulated workplaces. While the legislation has not yet been enacted, employers should begin assessing the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the limited exemptions available for certain business transactions and senior executive roles.

Restricting Covenants in Federal Workplaces

Proposed Updates to Canada Labour Code Expected To Prohibit Post-Employment Restrictive Covenants

David Cassin

Two recent Ontario Superior Court decisions&mdash;Li v Wayfair Canada Inc. and Jones v Strides Toronto&mdash;clarify that the phrase &ldquo;at any time&rdquo; in a termination clause does not automatically invalidate an employment agreement under the ESA. While both cases distinguish earlier restrictive rulings, ongoing inconsistencies, including the Chan decision, highlight the need for appellate guidance. Employers should continue to review contracts carefully to ensure ESA compliance.

Termination At Any Time A Review of Recent Developments

Termination “At Any Time”? A Review of Recent Developments from Li v Wayfair Canada Inc. and Jones v Strides Toronto

Carl Cunningham

Management-side Employment Lawyer

Bill 27, introduced in October 2021, has now passed and received royal assent. Employers should review the employee-friendly legislation changes, including a ban on non-competes and a "Disconnect from Work" policy.

Ontario Bill 27 Working for Workers Act 2021 is Now the Law

Ontario Bill 27: Working for Workers Act, 2021 is Now the Law

There are now three recent Ontario arbitration decisions that address whether an employer may require its unionized employees to be vaccinated. While directly relevant to unionized employers, given the lack of case law considering the issue, these decisions may have further-reaching impacts on all employers in Ontario.

Challenging Mandatory Vaccination Policies in Ontario

Challenging Mandatory Vaccination Policies in Ontario: Arbitrators Take a First Look and Reach Differing Conclusions

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Litigation Lawyer | Energy

Audrix Arce

At the 75th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference, industry leaders, government officials and Indigenous partners explored the opportunities and challenges shaping Canada's energy future. Discussions focused on regulatory certainty, interprovincial cooperation, AI and data centre growth, value-added energy development, and the importance of early Indigenous and landowner engagement. The key takeaway was clear: Canada has a strategic window to advance energy infrastructure and attract investment, but success will depend on timely action, collaboration and execution.

Key Takeaways from the Energy Business Forum at CEEA 75

Key Takeaways from the Energy Business Forum at CEEA '75

Simon Grant

Financial Services & Regulatory Lawyer

Partner 

Matthew Flynn

Technology Transaction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Kwang Lim

Corporate and Securities Lawyer

Vancouver Managing Partner

Canada is taking a category-by-category approach to regulating prediction markets, with the CSA and CIRO permitting certain event contracts while directing others outside the securities and derivatives framework. This article examines Canada's emerging regulatory landscape and the key considerations for platforms, dealers, financial institutions and investors participating in these evolving markets.

Prediction Markets in Canada A Category-by-Category Regulatory Framework

Prediction Markets in Canada: A Category-by-Category Regulatory Framework

Christopher J. Doucet

Corporate & Mining Lawyer | M&A & Corporate Finance

Zirjan (Zee) J. Derwa

Competition and Foreign Investment Review Lawyer

In the September edition of Canadian Mining Journal, Christopher Doucet and Zirjan Derwa explore how the Canada-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap may reshape the investment landscape for Chinese participation in Canada's mining sector. They discuss whether greater regulatory clarity could encourage investment in base and precious metals while maintaining Canada's national security protections for critical mineral assets.

Canadian Mining Journal New policy roadmap

Canadian Mining Journal: New policy roadmap may help miners navigate Chinese investment landscape

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Bobbie Alvernaz

The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the denial of certification in a proposed class action alleging childhood sexual abuse within Canadian Jehovah&rsquo;s Witness congregations. The Court found insufficient commonality among the proposed class members&rsquo; claims, which involved different perpetrators, congregations and circumstances, and agreed that individual or joinder actions would be the preferable procedure. The decision also distinguishes Gutierrez from other institutional abuse class actions where defendants had a more direct and common relationship with the alleged abuse.

Ontario Court of Appeal Refuses to Certify Institutional Abuse

Ontario Court of Appeal Refuses to Certify Institutional Abuse Class Action With No Common Perpetrator, Activity or Location 

Larissa D. Lees

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jessica Kennedy

Bennett Jones attended the Data Centre West 2026 Conference in Calgary earlier this month, hosted by the Western Canada Data Centre Alliance, and engaged with representatives from industry, government and regulatory agencies on the issues facing Alberta's rapidly growing digital infrastructure sector. This year, discussions spanned the hyperscale and AI demand outlook, power procurement and grid access challenges, Alberta's regulatory framework, supply chain constraints and labour availability, and sustainability and community engagement, reflecting a sector that has moved well beyond early-stage interest and into active development and investment.

2018 Academy Series Presentation

From the Same Authors