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Venetia E.K. Whiting

Environmental Lawyer | Energy, Transport & Resources

Associate

Jessica B. Horwitz

Trade & Regulatory Lawyer | Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

<a href="https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2021-148/index.html">The Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products Regulations</a>, which came into force on January 7, 2023, impose requirements on manufacturers, importers and sellers of composite wood products relating to emissions testing and limits, certification, labelling, reporting and record keeping.

New Formaldehyde Standards on Composite Wood Products Imported into Sold

New Formaldehyde Standards on Composite Wood Products Imported into, Sold or Manufactured in Canada

Sarah E. Gilbert

Environmental Lawyer | Health & Safety

On April 18, 2023, the Government of Canada announced the launch of consultations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 with respect to a Regulatory Framework that serves as the starting point for the proposed Recycled Content and Labelling for Plastic Products Regulations; and a Technical Paper outlining the reporting requirements for the federal plastics registry. The Government is moving forward with these initiatives in support of its Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste, which was adopted by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment in November 2018.

No Time to Waste Consultation Open on Federal Plastics Initiatives

No Time to Waste—Consultation Open on Federal Plastics Initiatives

Julia E. Schatz

Commercial & Regulatory Lawyer | Environmental & Agribusiness

Partner 

Our Field Notes blog is intended to provide a high-level overview of the emerging issues in the landscape of pesticides in Canada, including happenings at the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). In our first issue, we have focused on some of the PMRA's recent and current  initiatives. 

Field Notes Recent Pesticide Initiatives in Canada

Field Notes: Recent Pesticide Initiatives in Canada

Key amendments to the federal Hazardous Products Regulations (the Regulations) are now in effect, which, among other things: update the Regulations to be in line with the most recent standards under the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), leading to decreased costs and trade benefits for suppliers navigating Canadian and U.S. regulatory requirements; and improve protections for workers against product hazards handled in the workplace.

Balancing Act Facilitating Trade and Worker Protection under the Hazardous Products Regulations

Balancing Act: Facilitating Trade and Worker Protection under the Hazardous Products Regulations

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer

Chief Executive Officer

Vincent M. de Grandpré

IP Lawyer | Life Sciences & Tech

Emily P. Kettel

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner, Trademark Agent

In Pharmascience v. Janssen Inc., the Supreme Court of Canada reaffirmed that methods of medical treatment remain unpatentable subject matter under the Patent Act because they are directed to the professional skill and judgment of healthcare practitioners. At the same time, the Court upheld the patentability of the dosing regimen claims at issue, clarifying that not all therapeutic or treatment-related claims constitute unpatentable methods of medical treatment. The decision provides important guidance on assessing patent eligibility for pharmaceutical and life sciences innovations in Canada.

Supreme Court of Canada Reaffirms that  Methods of Medical Treatment are Unpatentable

Supreme Court of Canada Confirms That Medical Professional Skill and Judgment Are Excluded From the Patent Bargain

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Evana Yukanna

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Ontario court denies a late class action opt-out request, reinforcing settlement finality and confirming prejudice can arise before court approval.

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt Out Request

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt-Out Request

Martin Ignasiak KC

Energy & Industrial Projects Lawyer

Head of Energy Regulatory

Tyler McDonough

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Logan Lazurko

Energy & Regulatory Lawyer | Environmental

On June 17, 2026, the Alberta Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed an appeal by Fort McMurray 468 First Nation challenging an Alberta Energy Regulator decision that the First Nation lacked standing to request regulatory appeals of approvals issued to AdhMor Ltd. for an oilfield waste management facility near Fort McMurray. The decision in Fort McMurray 468 First Nation v Alberta Energy Regulator, 2026 ABCA 197, offers important guidance on what it takes to get in the door at the AER.

Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms Cumulative Effects are no Substitute for Evidence

No Standing Without Specifics: Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms that Cumulative Effects are no Substitute for Evidence

Wesley R. Novotny

Corporate Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Wade Ritchie

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Zachary Thacker

In the April 28, 2026 Spring Economic Update, the federal government announced its intention to make permanent the C$10 million capital gains exemption available on certain sales of businesses to employee ownership trusts and worker cooperatives, which exemption was previously set to expire at the end of 2026. This amendment has now passed into law as part of Bill C-30, which received Royal Assent on June 18, 2026.

Capital Gains Exemption Made Permanent for Employee Ownership Trusts

A Major Boost for Canadian Business Succession

C$10 Million Capital Gains Exemption Made Permanent for Employee Ownership Trusts 

Curtis A. Cusinato

Vice Chair and Co-Head of M&A

Vice Chair and Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions

Tyler B. McAuley

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Kevin Myson

Energy & Corporate Lawyer | M&A, Natural Resources & Transport

Canada&rsquo;s M&amp;A market remained resilient through the first half of 2026, with deal activity increasingly concentrated in large, strategically important transactions despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This quarterly update explores the sectors driving Canadian M&amp;A, including energy, digital infrastructure and real estate, and examines how policy developments, AI-related demand and shifting investment priorities are shaping dealmaking trends. It also highlights key opportunities and considerations for investors as activity is expected to accelerate in the second half of the year.

Venetia Whiting Chairs OBA Panel on Brownfield Development

From the Same Authors