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Jenna Vivian

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Associate

Matt Riskin

Commercial Litigation, Health and Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Partner

The Alberta Court of King&rsquo;s Bench has released a detailed and instructive decision on after-acquired cause, employee dishonesty and proportionality in termination for cause, particularly in the context of a closely held business and a senior executive role.

Alberta Court Confirms After Acquired Cause Can Justify Termination for Cause

Sobolewski v Advanced Completions Technology Services Ltd, 2026 ABKB 10

Dishonesty at the Top: Alberta Court Confirms After-Acquired Cause Can Justify Termination for Cause

Michael H. VanderMeer

Employment Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Homa Aminnejad

Articling Student at Bennett Jones Calgary

Articling Student

In a recent decision, the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta upheld a freely negotiated termination clause with a sophisticated employee despite evolution to the employee’s role over the term of employment. The employee’s experience and involvement in the negotiations may also be used to resolve any apparent ambiguity in the termination clause.

Employment Termination Clauses Lessons From Singh v Clark Builders

Employment Termination Clauses: Lessons From Singh v Clark Builders

In an age where technology makes recording conversations easy and common, a recent wrongful dismissal case (Wan v H&R Block Canada Inc., <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abkb/doc/2024/2024abkb734/2024abkb734.html?resultId=d48fdd0c45c4457cb994e559bdd57032&searchId=2025-01-23T09:08:46:744/7ac350c01d0647318bfe1d1df149d807&searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAqcmVjb3JkaW5nIGF0IHRoZSB3b3JrcGxhY2Ugd2l0aG91dCBjb25zZW50AAAAAAE" target="_blank">2024 ABKB 734</a>) raises important questions about privacy, workplace ethics and the boundaries of “for cause” termination. The matter offers insight into the complexity surrounding after-acquired cause—that is, justifying a dismissal based on evidence discovered after the termination decision.

When is Recording at Work Grounds for Dismissal A Case of Nuance and Context

When is Recording at Work Grounds for Dismissal? A Case of Nuance and Context

James J. Heelan KC

Commercial/Securities Litigation, Employment and Professional Negligence Lawyer and Mediator at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Laura Inglis

Sarah J. Huot

Litigation, Professional Negligence, Health, Employment and Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Employee restrictive covenants are often a contentious issue, especially when employees leave to form (or join) competing firms. A recent Alberta Court of King’s Bench decision, People Corporation v Quinn et al. (<a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abkb/doc/2024/2024abkb711/2024abkb711.html" target="_blank">2024 ABKB 711</a>), offers valuable insights into how courts balance the enforceability of restrictive covenants, employee rights, and employer interests. This case revolves around allegations of breach of restrictive covenants and the legal intricacies involved in assessing their validity.

Legal Precedent on Restrictive Covenants in Employment Agreements A Case Study

Legal Precedent on Restrictive Covenants in Employment Agreements—A Case Study

John (Jay) A. Winters

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Patrick T. Maguire KC

Leading Canadian and International Energy and Commercial Transaction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Vice Chair and Partner

Mark S. Powell

Trading and Derivatives Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner 

For years, there has been significant uncertainty as to whether a particular emissions offset or carbon credit meets the definition of "emission allowance" for GST/HST purposes. If an emission offset or carbon credit is "emission allowance", then the normal GST/HST rules don't apply&mdash;rather, the seller does not charge GST/HST and the purchaser is required to self-assess it.&nbsp;

GST HST on Alberta TIER Emission Offsets and Credits

CRA States TIER Emission Offsets are also "Emission Allowances"

GST/HST on Alberta TIER Emission Offsets and Credits

James T. McClary

Private Equity and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Elizabeth K. Dylke

Corporate and Private Funds Lawyer

Haifeng Hu

Partner at Bennett Jones Vancouver

The private equity industry went in a number of different directions in 2025. Global dealmaking value picked up in the second half of the year but the number of deals decreased. PE exits declined year-over-year, boosting growth in alternative strategies to generate liquidity. Investors remain committed to PE according to Preqin's latest investor survey, despite exercising greater caution in short-term commitments. Macroeconomic conditions improved markedly as the year went on, after a turbulent and unexpected start.
In this edition of the Bennett Jones PE Briefing, we look at the full-year data on private equity activity in Canada in 2025 as well as&nbsp;how 2025 unfolded and what to look for in the coming year;&nbsp;PE exit activity and what to expect in 2026; and&nbsp;trends in GP-stakes investing.

The Q4 2025 PE Briefing

2026 Outlook: Key PE Trends Set to Shape the Year Ahead

George W. H. Reid

International Trade, Investment and Public Procurement Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Jessica B. Horwitz

International Trade Lawyer, Customs Lawyer, Regulatory Lawyer, Anti-Corruption and Economic Sanctions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Sabrina A. Bandali

International Trade, Regulatory and Investment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

For several years, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has sought to limit the ability of non-resident importers to self-assess duties, surtaxes and other taxes on imported goods based on their acquisition costs. In pursuit of this aim, the CBSA launched a third consultation in December 2025 that anticipates a fundamental reshaping of Canada's customs valuation framework through amendments to the&nbsp;Valuation for Duty Regulations, (SOR/86-792) (VFD Regulations).&nbsp;The deadline for stakeholders to make submissions to the 2025 VFD Consultation is January 23, 2025.

CBSA Pushes Customs Valuation Reform

Third Time's a Charm - CBSA Pushes Customs Valuation Reform

Martin Ignasiak KC

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jessica Kennedy

Larissa D. Lees

Alberta has enacted Bills 8 and 12 to establish a new regulatory and levy framework for data centre development in the province. The changes are intended to support growing AI-driven demand while protecting grid reliability, electricity affordability and long-term system sustainability.

Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association Annual Convention

From the Same Authors

Dishonesty at the Top: Alberta Court Confirms After-Acquired Cause Can Justify Termination for Cause

Employment Termination Clauses: Lessons From Singh v Clark Builders

When is Recording at Work Grounds for Dismissal? A Case of Nuance and Context

Latest Insights

GST/HST on Alberta TIER Emission Offsets and Credits

Dishonesty at the Top: Alberta Court Confirms After-Acquired Cause Can Justify Termination for Cause

The Q4 2025 PE Briefing

Third Time's a Charm - CBSA Pushes Customs Valuation Reform

Stay Informed. Stay Ahead.