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Brent W. Kraus

Corporate Governance Lawyer | Securities & Capital Markets

Partner

Flutra Kacuri

Private Equity, M&A, Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

Sabrina A. Bandali

International Trade, Regulatory and Investment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The total number of Canadian M&A deals declined in the second quarter of 2025 as tariff disruption and uncertainty hampered dealmaking activity. However, the overall value of announced Canadian deals was up considerably in the second quarter of 2025, resulting in higher average deal sizes. A similar scenario of fewer deals and higher values is playing out in the United States and globally.

Canada Q2 2025 MA Landscape

Canada's Q2 2025 M&A Landscape

Adam Kalbfleisch

Competition & Regulatory Lawyer | Foreign Investment

Alixe A.L. Cameron

Corporate Commercial and Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Jane C. Helmstadter

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Competition Bureau (Bureau) has released its <a href="https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/publications/competitor-property-controls-and-competition-act">finalized property control guidelines</a> (Guidelines) outlining the Bureau's ongoing approach to enforcing competition property controls under the Competition Act (Act). These replace the preliminary guidelines published on August 7, 2024, which were subject to a public consultation process last summer/fall

Breaking Ground The Competition Bureau Weighs in with Final Property Control Guidelines

The Competition Bureau Weighs in with Final Property Control Guidelines

Sarah E. Gilbert

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

Gatlin Smeijers

Environmental Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Julia E. Schatz

Commercial & Regulatory Lawyer | Environmental & Agribusiness

Partner 

On June 5, 2025, the Competition Bureau (the Bureau) published its <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://competition-bureau.canada.ca/en/how-we-foster-competition/education-and-outreach/publications/environmental-claims-and-competition-act#sec02-2" target="_blank">final Guidelines for environmental claims</a> under the Competition Act (the Act). The Guidelines were created to help businesses and the public understand the Bureau's approach to deceptive marketing provisions under the Act as they relate to environmental claims, including with respect to the new environment-specific provisions that were enacted in 2024. While not binding on the Commissioner of Competition nor the Competition Tribunal, the Guidelines provide visibility into the Bureau's interpretation and approach to environmental claims.

Final Guidelines From the Competition Bureau on Environmental Claims in Canada

Final Guidelines from the Competition Bureau on Environmental Claims in Canada

Simon P. Crawford

Leading Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Richard Burgos

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Montreal

Mark V. Lewis

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

The Competition Bureau’s public consultation process in connection with new rules related to property controls on certain exclusivity and restrictive use provisions ends on October 7, 2024, and landlords and tenants alike have until that deadline to provide feedback to the Bureau on their enforcement approach as it relates to the proposed rules. If you have a vested interest in restrictive covenants as a landowner or tenant, you will want to get up to speed, and quickly.

Key Changes to Property Control Rules What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know Before October 7 2024

Key Changes to Property Control Rules: What Landlords and Tenants Need to Know Before October 7, 2024

John D. van Gent

Commercial Real Estate Finance Lawyer | Lending & Credit

Quinn Rozwadowski

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Toronto

Articling Student

This article examines a common misconception in mortgage lending: the perceived need for guarantees from beneficial owners and general partners. It explains why such guarantees are typically unenforceable due to fundamental principles of agency and guarantee law. The piece also outlines clearer, more effective approaches to structuring mortgage loan relationships.

Would The Real Guarantor Please Stand Up

Andrew N. Disipio

Mining & Corporate Finance Lawyer | M&A, Equity & Debt Deals

Geoffrey P. Stenger

Energy, Infrastructure & Construction Lawyer | Bennett Jones Calgary

Alexis Fol

Project Development, Energy and Infrastructure Lawyer at Bennett Jones Montreal

Canada&rsquo;s M&amp;A market entered 2026 with moderated activity but sustained underlying strength, as dealmakers adopted a more selective and strategic approach. Large transactions drove a significant share of total value, with energy, mining and infrastructure leading activity. As regulatory clarity improves and investor confidence builds, the market is well positioned for increased dealmaking through the remainder of the year.

Canadas Q1 2026 MA Landscape

Large Transactions and Sector Concentration Shape Early-2026 Dealmaking

Canada's Q1 2026 M&A Landscape

Artem N. Barsukov FCIArb

International Arbitration Lawyer

Edward W. Hulshof

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Paige Lutz

Articling Student at Bennett Jones Vancouver

The Alberta Court of Appeal clarified that broadly worded arbitration clauses can extend to statutory claims, including those under the Tort-Feasors Act. Overturning the uncertainty created by Orica, the Court confirmed that parties will be held to their agreement to arbitrate, even where claims arise by operation of law. The decision reinforces commercial certainty and helps avoid parallel proceedings and inconsistent outcomes.

Alberta Court of Appeal Provides Antidote to Consternation on Scope of Arbitration Clauses

Anu Nijhawan

M&A, Corporate Financing and International Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Lead Director and Partner

Hennadiy Kutsenko

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Counsel

Talia K. Bregman

Management-side Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Recent guidance from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development provides important clarity on when cross-border remote work arrangements may give rise to a permanent establishment under international tax treaties. The analysis focuses on key indicators such as the duration of remote work and whether there is a commercial reason for an employee&rsquo;s presence in a jurisdiction. The article also outlines practical steps employers can take to mitigate tax risk and manage a globally distributed workforce.

Remote Work Without Borders But Not Necessarily Without Tax Consequences

Remote Work Without Borders—But Not Necessarily Without Tax Consequences: OECD Guidance for a Post-Pandemic World

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Pavan Pasha

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

In Cervantes v. Pizza Nova Take Out Ltd., the Ontario Divisional Court clarified that civil conspiracy claims must allege an agreement or common design among defendants. The Court held that compliance with a franchisor&rsquo;s requirements alone does not constitute conspiracy. This decision reinforces the need for precise pleadings and upholds the principle of corporate separateness in class action claims.

No Agreement No Conspiracy Ontario Court Affirms Civil Conspiracy Requires a Pleaded Agreement

No Agreement, No Conspiracy: Ontario Court Affirms Civil Conspiracy Requires a Pleaded Agreement

Adam Kalbfleisch and Kyle Donnelly on Merger Review in Canada

From the Same Authors