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Jehad Haymour

Vice Chair, Tax Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group

Partner

Julia Qian Wang

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Montreal

Anna Lekach

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

Canada&rsquo;s updated transfer pricing rules, effective for tax years beginning after November 4, 2025, introduce a formal framework based on &ldquo;economically relevant characteristics,&rdquo; increasing scrutiny of cross-border intra-group transactions. Life sciences MNEs face heightened audit activity, including functional interviews and expanded information requests, making robust contemporaneous documentation and proactive audit readiness essential. Early engagement of transfer pricing and dispute specialists can help mitigate reassessment risk and ensure defensible positions.

Transfer Pricing Rules in Canada Considerations for the Life Sciences Industry

Considerations for the Life Sciences Industry

Transfer Pricing Rules in Canada

Sophie Virji

The Tax Court of Canada&rsquo;s decision in ExxonMobil Canada Resources Company v. The King highlights the risks of imprecise language in internal corporate communications during CRA audits. The case demonstrates how seemingly innocuous statements can be misconstrued and relied upon to support reassessment positions. It underscores the importance of careful, deliberate drafting to mitigate audit risk and avoid unintended interpretations.

The Issue with Misconstrued Internal Statements

Learnings from ExxonMobil Canada Resources Company v. The King

The Tax Court of Canada allowed ExxonMobil Canada Resources Company&rsquo;s appeal in a significant transfer pricing dispute concerning the deductibility of feasibility study costs related to a proposed Alaska-to-North America natural gas pipeline project. The Court found that the costs were incurred for the purpose of earning income and rejected the Minister&rsquo;s transfer pricing adjustments and Part XIII tax assessment. The decision provides important guidance on transfer pricing analysis, the application of the OECD Guidelines and the evidentiary role of expert testimony in tax disputes.

ExxonMobil Wins in Tax Court in Transfer Pricing Dispute

Jared A. Mackey

Corporate Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Wade Ritchie

The <a href="https://www.budget.canada.ca/2023/home-accueil-en.html">2023 Canadian Federal Budget</a>, released March 28, 2023 (Budget 2023), proposes significant amendments to expand the application of Canada's general anti-avoidance rule. The government has invited the public to submit written comments on the proposed amendments by May 31, 2023.

Budget 2023 Proposes Significant Amendments to Canadas General Anti Avoidance Rule

Budget 2023 Proposes Significant Amendments to Canada's General Anti-Avoidance Rule

Simon Grant

Financial Services & Regulatory Lawyer

Partner 

Matthew Flynn

Technology Transaction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Lucas Stevens-Hall

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Bank of Canada has published its first enforcement decisions under the Retail Payment Activities Act (RPAA), all involving unregistered payment service providers and $0 administrative monetary penalties. The decisions provide early insight into the Bank&rsquo;s enforcement approach and highlight the importance of registration, proactive remediation and ongoing RPAA compliance.

Bank Of Canada Publishes First RPAApaa Enforcement Decisions Against Payment Service Providers

Bank Of Canada Publishes First RPAA Enforcement Decisions Against Payment Service Providers

David Cassin

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Carl Cunningham

Management-side Employment Lawyer

Talia K. Bregman

Employment Services, National Practice Group Leader

After a series of conflicting decisions, the Court of Appeal for Ontario has clarified the enforceability of termination clauses in Ontario employment agreements through its recent decision in the dual appeals in Baker v Van Dolder&rsquo;s Home Team Inc. and Li v Wayfair Canada ULC.

At Any Time and for Any Reason is Here to Stay

Ontario Court of Appeal Restores Common Sense to Termination Clauses in Ontario Employment Agreements

"At Any Time" and "For Any Reason" is Here to Stay

Michelle F. Yung

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Andrew L. Jeanrie

Real Estate & Municipal Law Lawyer | Development & Approvals

Nathalie Hunter Heighington

Associate at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Part II of this three-part series examines Build Canada Homes&rsquo; Investment Policy Framework, including its priorities, eligible housing projects and partnership models. It explores how project readiness, affordability, scale, modular construction and cross-sector collaboration may position commercial real estate proponents to participate in BCH initiatives.

Part II How Build Canada Homes

Part II How Build Canada Homes Works: Investment Framework, Eligibility and Partnerships

Kristopher R. Hanc

M&A and Capital Markets Lawyer

Christopher J. Doucet

Corporate & Mining Lawyer | M&A & Corporate Finance

Aidyn Bhatia

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has launched a broad consultation on modernizing the regulation of public companies, examining venture issuer status, financial reporting, resale restrictions, material change reporting and alignment with U.S. developments. The Consultation Paper includes a proposed qualified institutional purchaser exemption that could provide eligible reporting issuers with greater flexibility to raise capital without traditional resale hold periods. Stakeholders have until November 13, 2026, to submit comments.

CSA Publishes Sweeping Consultation on Modernizing the Regulation of Public Companies

Meg Tweedlie

Director, Student Talent

Samuel Judson

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Change of control provisions in commercial leases can create uncertainty for both landlords and tenants, particularly where terms such as &ldquo;control&rdquo; and &ldquo;effective control&rdquo; are undefined. This article examines the Canadian legal landscape, key case law and Section 23 of Ontario&rsquo;s Commercial Tenancies Act, and offers practical considerations for drafting and negotiating change of control provisions. It also highlights potential carve-outs and strategies to reduce ambiguity and the risk of future disputes.

change of Control of Commercial Tenants Drafting

Change of Control of Commercial Tenants: Drafting, Interpretation and Practical Considerations

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Daishowa-Marubeni: A Tree Fell in the Forest and the SCC Caught it!

From the Same Authors