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Wade Ritchie

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

Jared A. Mackey

Corporate Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

Greg M. Johnson

Energy Tax & Corporate Lawyer | M&A, Reorganizations & PE

On November 26, 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada (the SCC) released its highly anticipated decision in <a href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/2021/2021scc49/2021scc49.html?autocompleteStr=2021%20SCC%2049%20&autocompletePos=1">Canada v Alta Energy Luxembourg SARL, 2021 SCC 49</a> [Alta Energy Lux], that addressed treaty-based holding structures and the application of the general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR). In a 6-3 majority, the SCC held that the GAAR did not apply to the transactions at issue which resulted in the taxpayer, Alta Energy Luxembourg S.A.R.L. (Alta Lux), not being subject to Canadian tax on the gain realized on the sale of its Canadian oil and gas subsidiary based on the provisions of Canada-Luxembourg Tax Treaty (the Lux Treaty).

Supreme Court of Canada Upholds Treaty Based Canadian Holding Structure

Supreme Court of Canada Upholds Treaty-Based Canadian Holding Structure

Darcy D. Moch KC

Partner 

The clock is ticking for multinational enterprises and private equity firms with investments in the Canadian resource sector as anti-treaty shopping measures in the OECD's Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI) begin to take effect.

The Multilateral Instrument and Canadian Tax Planning Considerations

The Multilateral Instrument and Canadian Tax Planning Considerations: The Clock is Ticking

Edwin G. Kroft KC

Tax Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones

COVID Tax Updates from the Alberta Government and the CRA

COVID-19 Tax Updates from the Alberta Government and the CRA

On March 18, 2020, the federal government announced Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, containing a number of measures to be implemented by the Department of Finance to help manage the financial hardships Canadians are experiencing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Canadas COVID19 Economic Response Plan

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

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

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.

Bennett Jones Tax Lawyers Recognized in the Financial Post

From the Same Authors