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Simon P. Crawford

Leading Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Vanessa Kiraly

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

In Oliva v. Dickson (2025 ONSC 6666), the Ontario Superior Court confirmed that Building Code compliance can be an implied term of an Agreement of Purchase and Sale and a basis for vendor-builder liability in negligence. Even without structural failure or express contractual representations, failing to obtain required permits may breach both contractual and tort duties. The decision is a cautionary reminder that regulatory compliance defines both legal risk and commercial expectations in real estate transactions.

No Permit Big Problems

No Permit, Big Problems: Building Code Compliance,  Implied Terms and Vendor-Builder Liability in Ontario

Dana Talucci

Corporate Commercial Practice at Bennett Jones Toronto

Hennadiy Kutsenko

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Counsel

A court decision on the sale of mixed-use property highlights the risks of failing to allocate purchase price between residential and commercial portions for HST purposes. The ruling underscores the importance of precise drafting and obtaining representations to avoid uncertainty and tax disputes.

Mixed-Use Mixed Signals Why Purchase Price Allocations Matter

Mixed-Use, Mixed Signals: Why Purchase Price Allocations Matter

Samantha Weng

Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Once again, cottage season is upon us—and like the return of the season, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Court) has returned to the well-settled law of adverse possession, which continues to surface in modern property disputes where long-term use of a property by an adjoining owner can sometimes erode the ownership rights of the legal owner.

Lines in the Sand A Case of Adverse Possession from Cottage Country

Lines in the Sand: A Case of Adverse Possession from Cottage Country

Adam Kalbfleisch

Competition & Regulatory Lawyer | Foreign Investment

Alixe A.L. Cameron

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer

Jane C. Helmstadter

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

Serge Dupont

Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones Ottawa

Senior Advisor

Policy and business leaders in 2026 are confronting disruptive global forces that pose daunting economic and financial risks while also transforming markets and creating avenues for growth over the next years.

Economic Outlook Mid Year 2026

A Changing World: New Risks, New Opportunities

2026 Mid-Year Economic Outlook

Alison G. FitzGerald

International Arbitration Lawyer at Bennett Jones Ottawa

Nasra Moumin

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Global trade policy is rapidly reshaping the regulatory and commercial landscape for life sciences companies. This update explores how evolving US tariff measures, national security reviews, CUSMA renewal uncertainty and expanding export controls are affecting pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers operating across borders. The authors also examine Canada&rsquo;s response and the growing compliance, supply chain and market access challenges facing the sector in 2026 and beyond.

The Impact of Global Trade on the Life Sciences Sector

Vincent M. de Grandpré

IP Lawyer | Life Sciences & Tech

Melissa M. Dimilta

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner, Trademark Agent

As part of a deeply interconnected global sector, the life sciences industry in Canada is undergoing significant change alongside broad macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts.&nbsp;The Bennett Jones Life Sciences team looks at the top issues and developments affecting the industry in 2026.

2026 Life Sciences outlook

Legal and Market Trends to Watch This Year

Life Sciences Outlook 2026

Emily P. Kettel

Cross-border collaborations are central to the life sciences industry, but they can also raise complex questions about patent infringement liability in Canada. This update examines the Federal Court&rsquo;s recent decision in Adeia Guides Inc v Videotron Ltd and its implications for companies involved in the development, supply and commercialization of patented products and services. The authors explore how Canadian law approaches common design infringement, experimental use exemptions and the potential liability of foreign partners whose activities contribute to products ultimately sold in Canada.

Life Sciences Collaborations and the Risk of Joint Patent Infringement

Aaron E. Sonshine

Corporate Finance, Mergers and Acquisitions and Corporate Governance Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner 

The life sciences sector is experiencing a renewed wave of M&amp;A activity driven by patent expiries, expanding investor appetite and growing demand for innovative therapies and technologies. Drawing on insights shared at the Bloom Burton &amp; Co. Healthcare Investor Conference, this update explores the key trends shaping dealmaking in Canada and globally, including increased competition for assets, rising private transactions and growing investment in emerging markets such as China. The author also examines why current market conditions point to continued momentum across the sector in the second half of 2026.

The Lease for Atlantis and the Doctrine of Frustration

From the Same Authors

No Permit, Big Problems: Building Code Compliance, Implied Terms and Vendor-Builder Liability in Ontario