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Dom Sorbara

Banking & Financial Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Elizabeth K. Dylke

Corporate and Private Funds Lawyer

James G. Morand

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

This edition of the PE Briefing examines private equity developments in the third quarter of 2025, including trends in Canadian and global deal activity, the continued growth and complexity of private credit, Ontario&rsquo;s advantages as a jurisdiction for non-US flow-through vehicles, and practical considerations in the drafting of earnouts.

The Q3 2025 PE Briefing

Gary S.A. Solway

Technology, Media & Corporate Lawyer | Governance

Lisa Kakoske

Corporate and Securities Lawyer

Bruce A. Hibbard

Corporate & Securities Lawyer | M&A

Partner 

Incorporation Forum Shopping in Canada: Considerations for Canadian Tech Startups, is a comprehensive guide designed to help Canadian technology startups navigate the complexities of choosing the right jurisdiction for incorporation.

Incorporation Forum Shopping in Canada Considerations for Canadian Tech Startups

Incorporation Forum Shopping in Canada: Considerations for Canadian Tech Startups

Adam Kalbfleisch

Competition & Regulatory Lawyer | Foreign Investment

Zirjan (Zee) J. Derwa

Competition and Foreign Investment Review Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Canada's new criminal prohibition on wage-fixing and no-poaching agreements will come into force on June 23, 2023. These new provisions under subsection 45(1.1) of the Competition Act (the Act) were enacted last year but did not immediately come into force.
The new laws will prohibit agreements between unaffiliated employers: to fix, maintain, decrease or control wages or other terms of employment; or to refrain from hiring or trying to hire one another’s employees.

Wage Fixing and No Poaching Agreements Illegal on June 23 2023

Wage-Fixing and No-Poaching Agreements Illegal on June 23, 2023

Katelyn Weller

Counsel at Bennett Jones Toronto

Counsel

Last year, the Competition Act was amended to make it a criminal offence for two or more unrelated employers to enter into wage-fixing or no-poaching agreements. <a href="/Insights/Blogs/First-Round-of-Competition-Act-Amendments-Now-in-Force"></a>These new provisions come into force on June 23, 2023, with the aim of allowing employers adequate time to assess and adjust their practices to avoid potential criminal repercussions under these new regulations.

Competition Bureau Seeks Feedback on Enforcement Guidance for Wage Fixing and No Poaching Agreements

Competition Bureau Seeks Feedback on Enforcement Guidance for Wage-Fixing and No-Poaching Agreements

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

Associate

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

Simon P. Crawford

Leading Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Vanessa Kiraly

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.

CRIMS - Live Through Your First Cyber Breach

From the Same Authors

The Q3 2025 PE Briefing

Incorporation Forum Shopping in Canada: Considerations for Canadian Tech Startups

Wage-Fixing and No-Poaching Agreements Illegal on June 23, 2023

Latest Insights

Proptech: Patents and Patent Litigation

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

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

Stay Informed. Stay Ahead.