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Susan G. Seller

Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner 

Susan Seller wrote in <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.benefitscanada.com/expertpanel_/susan-g-seller/expert-panel-risk-management-target-benefit-framework-among-themes-shaping-pension-industry-in-2024/" target="_blank">Benefits Canada</a> on the anticipated developments in pension law and governance for the upcoming year. The article highlights the focus on risk management, particularly regarding environmental, social and governance factors, cybersecurity, and investment risks. There's also attention on improving governance for defined contribution pension plans, including better communication, member engagement and investment education. She discusses the need for more robust governance and funding policies, handling missing members' entitlements, reporting cybersecurity incidents and the adoption of target-benefit frameworks to address the decline in defined benefit plan coverage.

Risk Management Target Benefit Framework Among Themes Shaping Pension Industry in 2024

Risk Management, Target-Benefit Framework Among Themes Shaping Pension Industry in 2024

Denise D. Bright

Public and Private Company Financial Transactions and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Michael S. Shakra

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Bill C-228, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 received Royal Assent on April 27, 2023 and is now law, subject to a four-year transitional period before its provisions come into effect.
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New Pension Priorities in Bankruptcy and Insolvency are Closer to Reality

New Pension Priorities in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Are Now Reality

Susan Seller writes in <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.benefitscanada.com/pensions/governance-law/expert-panel-air-canada-decision-illustrates-danger-of-relying-on-pension-plan-terms-in-wrongful-dismissal-actions/" target="_blank">Benefits Canada</a> on the potential issues caused by exclusive dependence on the terms of pension plans during wrongful dismissal proceedings. Susan outlines a recent court decision involving Air Canada—in which an employee who was dismissed after 37 years of service claimed that his pension benefits were improperly calculated—and reviews the importance of language in pension plan text as well as risk mitigation strategies that companies can adopt to prepare them to avoid and counter these kinds of claims.

Expert Panel Air Canada Decision Illustrates Danger of Relying on Pension Plan Terms

Expert Panel: Air Canada Decision Illustrates Danger of Relying on Pension Plan Terms in Wrongful Dismissal Actions

Susan Seller writes in <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.benefitscanada.com/expertpanel_/susan-g-seller/expert-panel-an-update-on-regulatory-oversight-of-pension-risk-management/?utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_content=benefitscanada.com&utm_campaign=Benefits-Canada-Daily-Newsletters&oft_id=114899907&oft_k=VeaHvWcr&oft_lk=EsTp3E&oft_d=638066216812900000&fpid=455439&m32_fp_id=x8bVfO&ctx=newsletter&m32_fp_ctx=DI_MASTER_Relational" target="_blank">Benefits Canada</a> on the newly developed CAPSA committee aimed at developing risk management guidelines for pension plans. Susan explores how the feedback garnered from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions could influence the findings and initiatives brought up by this new committee.

An Update on Regulatory Oversight of Pension Risk Management

William S. Osler KC

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

Olu Akinniyi

Articling Student

Recent amendments to Alberta&rsquo;s Securities Act strengthen the Alberta Securities Commission&rsquo;s ability to address financial misinformation and protect investors. Enacted through the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), the changes expand the definition of forward-looking information and grant the ASC new authority to temporarily halt trading where misleading or inaccurate information is being disseminated. While aimed at curbing harmful online promotion, including by &ldquo;finfluencers,&rdquo; the amendments also have important implications for reporting issuers and their disclosure practices.

Alberta Expands ASC Powers to Address Financial Misinformation

Laura James

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Associate

Rebecca Burnand

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Madison Sutherland

Newly released market data out of the US shows the demand for beauty products remained strong in 2025 despite pressure on overall consumer spending. Beauty M&amp;A deal volume in the US decreased slightly this year due to tariff and trade concerns, but analysts are optimistic for a busier 2026 on the dealmaking front.

Whats Shaping MA in the Beauty Industry

Glow and Grow: What's Shaping M&A in the Beauty Industry

Ethan Z. Schiff

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Maisah Syed

In David v. Loblaw Companies Limited, the Ontario Court of Appeal confirms that a certification denial for failure to plead a cause of action is final and barred by res judicata. Absent narrow exceptions, plaintiffs cannot amend pleadings to relitigate certification and must pursue an appeal.

Ontario Court of Appeal Says that Plaintiffs Cannot Amend Instead of Appeal

Daron K. Naffin

Energy, Environmental/Regulatory and Expropriation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Tim Myers

Regulatory, Environmental, Aboriginal and Expropriation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Thomas Machell

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

The Alberta Energy Regulator has released new editions of Directive 071 and Manual 026, significantly expanding emergency preparedness and response requirements. This post outlines the key changes, including mandatory Emergency Management Programs, expanded scope across resource sectors, enhanced hazard analysis standards, and what approval holders should do ahead of the February 2, 2026 effective date.

Alberta Energy Regulator Announces New Editions of Directive 071 and Manual 026

David R. McKinnon

Energy & Environmental Litigation, Commercial Disputes, and Health Law at Bennett Jones Calgary

Navdeep Kaur

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Ellen Forsyth

The Alberta Court of King's Bench stood firm on its commitment to address delays and improve efficiency in Alberta's civil justice system. In Boucher v Bailey, 2025 ABKB 384, the Court dismissed the plaintiffs' request to adjourn a 31-day trial due to its counsel being double booked with another trial in another jurisdiction. The Court held that adjourning the trial as requested would cause prejudice to the justice system, including sub-optimal use of judicial resources and negatively affecting the public's confidence in the administration of justice.

The 9th Annual Pension Law, Litigation and Governance Conference

From the Same Authors