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Martin Ignasiak KC

Energy & Industrial Projects Lawyer

Head of Energy Regulatory

Tyler McDonough

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

Logan Lazurko

Energy & Regulatory Lawyer | Environmental

Associate

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

David R. McKinnon

Energy & Environmental Litigation Counsel

Navdeep Kaur

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.

Trial Dates Are Final Alberta Courts Confirm Commitment to Swift Justice

Trial Dates Are Final: Alberta Courts Confirm Commitment to Swift Justice

The Alberta Court of King's Bench has taken another step towards addressing ongoing delays in civil litigation in the Province. In a July 10, 2025, <a href="https://albertacourts.ca/kb/resources/announcements/announcement--reducing-civil-trial-delay">Notice to the Profession</a>, the Court has announced that litigation plans will become mandatory for all non-family civil actions.

Mandatory Litigation Plans in Alberta

Mandatory Litigation Plans in Alberta: Court of King's Bench Tightens Civil Trial Timelines

On December 22, 2023, the Court of King's Bench issued a Notice to the Profession setting out the procedure for adjudicating a civil action by a new process known as a “streamlined trial”, which replaces the old and under-utilized summary trial procedure.

Keeping It Not So Simple Streamlined Trials in Alberta

Keeping It (Not So) Simple: Streamlined Trials in Alberta

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

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.

Check Your (Legal) Privilege

From the Same Authors

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

Trial Dates Are Final: Alberta Courts Confirm Commitment to Swift Justice

Mandatory Litigation Plans in Alberta: Court of King's Bench Tightens Civil Trial Timelines

Latest Insights

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

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

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

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

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