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Sara G. Parchello

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

David Cassin

Brendan J. Weiler

Employment Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

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

Katelyn Weller

Counsel at Bennett Jones Toronto

Counsel

Carl Cunningham

Management-side Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

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

Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) came into force on August 3, 2021. The Bill creates a new statutory holiday for federally-regulated employees that will take place on September 30 of each year. The holiday is named the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (the Truth and Reconciliation Day).

Parliament Enacts New Statutory Federal Holiday Truth and Reconciliation Day

Parliament Enacts New Statutory Federal Holiday—Truth and Reconciliation Day

Sarah E. Gilbert

Regulatory, Environmental and Health and Safety Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Julia E. Schatz

Commercial Litigation, Agribusiness, Arbitration, Real Estate, Construction and Environmental Litigation at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner 

Gatlin Smeijers

Environmental Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

On December 31, 2025, the Federal Government published the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. When they come into effect on June 30, 2026, the 2025 Regulations will repeal and replace the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012. The Federal Government published a proposed version of the 2025 Regulations in 2022 for public consultation.

Federal Government Publishes Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations

Federal Government Publishes Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025

William S. Osler KC

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

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

Natalia E. Iamundo

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Alixe A.L. Cameron

Corporate Commercial and Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Troy Mack

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Rights of first refusal and rights of first offer are often used interchangeably, but they carry very different legal consequences in Alberta land transactions. This post explains how Alberta legislation and case law treat each right, why only a ROFR can support a caveat, and what parties should consider when structuring agreements to protect their interests.

Right of First Refusal vs Right of First Offer in Alberta Land Transactions

Right of First Refusal vs. Right of First Offer in Alberta Land Transactions 

Edward (Ted) Yoo

Intellectual Property Lawyer and Canada/US Patent and Trademark Agent at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Partner, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Ahmed Elmallah

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Counsel, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Joshua Kim

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Edmonton

The Alberta Court of King&rsquo;s Bench decision in SHAC Solutions Inc v Guenther confirms that intellectual property includes confidential processes, trade secrets and institutional know-how. The Court&rsquo;s injunction highlights the power of confidentiality agreements and the irreparable harm that can result from misuse of confidential information.

Protecting Your Proprietary Information Lessons from SHAC Solutions Inc v Guenther

Protecting Your Proprietary Information: Lessons from SHAC Solutions Inc v Guenther

Shahrose Javed

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Andrew L. Jeanrie

Commercial Real Estate and Infrastructure Development Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Inclusionary zoning is a planning tool that requires certain new residential developments to include a prescribed percentage of affordable housing units.&nbsp;IZ was introduced as a unique zoning tool for Ontario&mdash;it would use zoning bylaws not only to dictate the uses permitted in a given area, but also as a tool to control the market price of what that zoning permits. 
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Ontario Moves to Pause Inclusionary Zoning Obligations

Inclusionary Zoning in Ontario: Ontario Moves to Pause Inclusionary Zoning Obligations 

Human Resources Navigating COVID-19

From the Same Authors