People

Services

Industries

Firm

About

Knowledge

Careers

News

Events

Contact

Connect

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Terms of Use

Accessibility

Payments

Legal

Calgary

Toronto

Edmonton

Ottawa

Vancouver

New York

Montréal

Emrys Davis

Competition & Antitrust Litigation Lawyer

Partner

Ana Nizharadze

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

This article examines the growing wave of drip pricing class actions following recent amendments to the Competition Act. It analyzes key Federal Court decisions that clarify how courts assess &ldquo;unattainable prices,&rdquo; fixed and obligatory fees, and damages at the certification stage. With several appeals and new cases underway, these rulings offer early guidance on how disclosure obligations may evolve in 2026 and beyond.

From First Price to Final Cost Drip Pricing Cases on the Rise

"Drip Pricing" Cases on the Rise

From First Price to Final Cost

Lukas VanDusen

Competition & Antitrust Lawyer | Foreign Investment

This article reviews the Competition Tribunal&rsquo;s first decision interpreting the new public interest standing provisions under the Competition Act. It establishes a three-part test for leave and emphasizes the need for a strong evidentiary record, including a viable litigation plan and demonstrated capacity to pursue complex claims. The decision underscores the Tribunal&rsquo;s gatekeeping role while providing guidance for future applicants and respondents.

Quasi Class Actions at the Competition Tribunal

Tribunal Provides First Guidance on Requirements for Public Interest Standing  

Quasi-Class Actions at the Competition Tribunal

Cheryl M. Woodin

Commercial Litigation & Trial Lawyer

Kolding Larson

Commercial Transactions Lawyer

The Federal Court dismissed a proposed C$5B class action alleging a nationwide conspiracy to fix generic drug prices, finding no basis in fact and denying certification. The decision underscores the Court&rsquo;s gatekeeping role and confirms that US enforcement actions and generalized market theories are insufficient to support competition claims in Canada without clear, particularized evidence.

Federal Court Dismisses 5 Billion Generic Drug Price Fixing Class Action

Federal Court Dismisses C$5 Billion Generic Drug Price-Fixing Class Action 

Melanie L. Aitken

Antitrust & Competition Law Advisor

Managing Principal, Bennett Jones (US) LLP

In Martin v. Alphabet, the Competition Tribunal issued its first decision interpreting the new public-interest pathway for private access under section 103.1(7) of the Competition Act. While affirming an intention to broaden access, the Tribunal articulated a flexible but rigorous three-part framework that places real weight on evidence, genuine interest and the applicant&rsquo;s capacity to prosecute complex competition cases. The decision underscores that public interest alone is insufficient without a coherent, Canada-focused evidentiary record and a credible litigation plan.

Martin v Alphabet Tribunal

Martin v. Alphabet: Tribunal Sets the Public Interest Leave Framework—Evidence and Capacity Now the Gatekeepers

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 that 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

Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets Lawyer

Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions Services

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.

Canadas Q2 2026 MA Landscape

Sustained Momentum Driven by Energy Investment and AI-Related Demand

Canada's Q2 2026 M&A Landscape

Jessica Kennedy

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Martin Ignasiak KC

Energy & Industrial Projects Lawyer

Head of Energy Regulatory Services

Larissa D. Lees

On June 9, 2026, the Government of Alberta enacted the Data Centre Regulation, AR 117/2026 under the Electric Utilities Act, codifying the province&rsquo;s &ldquo;bring your own generation&rdquo; policy and providing the legal foundation for the Alberta Electric System Operator&rsquo;s grid connection process for large data centres.&nbsp;

Albertas BYOG Framework

Alberta's BYOG Framework: What Data Centre and Generation Proponents Need to Know

J. Sébastien A. Gittens

Technology Lawyer & Trademark Agent

Partner, Trademark Agent

Caroline Poirier

IT, Privacy & Data Protection Lawyer

Stephen D. Burns

Energy & Infrastructure Technology Lawyer | IT/OT & Markets

Earlier this month, the federal government introduced the proposed federal Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act (PPCDA) &ndash; a signal that Canada&rsquo;s private-sector privacy landscape may undergo significant transformation imminently. To assist organizations that conduct business in Canada with their potential compliance efforts with respect thereto, the following is intended to provide a non-exhaustive, high-level comparison between: (i) the PPCDA; (ii) Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA); (iii) Qu&eacute;bec&rsquo;s Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector (the Qu&eacute;bec Privacy Act, as amended by Law 25); and (iv) the Personal Information Protection Acts of Alberta and British Columbia (collectively, the PIPAs).

Focusing on What Matters: The Court Refuses to Grant Broad Section 11 Orders in the Commissioner's Bell/MTS Inquiry

From the Same Authors