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<p>Susan Seller wrote in <em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.benefitscanada.com/expertpanel_/susan-g-seller/expert-panel-risk-management-target-benefit-framework-among-themes-shaping-pension-industry-in-2024/" target="_blank">Benefits Canada</a></em> on the<span style="color: #0d0d0d; background-color: #ffffff;"> anticipated developments in pension law and governance for the upcoming year. The article highlights the focus on risk management, particularly regarding environmental, social and governance factors, cybersecurity, and investment risks. There's also attention on improving governance for defined contribution pension plans, including better communication, member engagement and investment education. She discusses the need for more robust governance and funding policies, handling missing members' entitlements, reporting cybersecurity incidents and the adoption of target-benefit frameworks to address the decline in defined benefit plan coverage.</span></p>

Risk Management Target Benefit Framework Among Themes Shaping Pension Industry in 2024

Risk Management, Target-Benefit Framework Among Themes Shaping Pension Industry in 2024

Denise D. Bright

Public and Private Company Financial Transactions and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner 

Michael S. Shakra

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

<p><span>Bill C-228, <em>An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985</em> received Royal Assent on April 27, 2023 and is now law, subject to a four-year transitional period before its provisions come into effect.</span></p>
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New Pension Priorities in Bankruptcy and Insolvency are Closer to Reality

New Pension Priorities in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Are Now Reality

Susan Seller writes in <em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.benefitscanada.com/pensions/governance-law/expert-panel-air-canada-decision-illustrates-danger-of-relying-on-pension-plan-terms-in-wrongful-dismissal-actions/" target="_blank">Benefits Canada</a></em> on the potential issues caused by exclusive dependence on the terms of pension plans during wrongful dismissal proceedings. Susan outlines a recent court decision involving Air Canada—in which an employee who was dismissed after 37 years of service claimed that his pension benefits were improperly calculated—and reviews the importance of language in pension plan text as well as risk mitigation strategies that companies can adopt to prepare them to avoid and counter these kinds of claims.

Expert Panel Air Canada Decision Illustrates Danger of Relying on Pension Plan Terms

Expert Panel: Air Canada Decision Illustrates Danger of Relying on Pension Plan Terms in Wrongful Dismissal Actions

Amanda C. McLachlan

Securities Litigation, Regulatory Investigations and Financial Crimes Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Jaspreet Kaur

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

In Rayonier v Unifor, Locals 256 and 89 arbitrator Paula Knopf dismissed a union policy grievance which alleged that an age 65 cut-off for long-term disability benefits coverage under the parties' collective bargaining agreement was in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Age 65 Cut Off for Long Term Disability Benefits Coverage Not a Charter Violation

Age 65 Cut-Off for Long-Term Disability Benefits Coverage Not a Charter Violation

Sarah E. Gilbert

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

Julia E. Schatz

Commercial Litigation, Agribusiness, Arbitration, Real Estate, Construction and Environmental Litigation at Bennett Jones Toronto

Gatlin Smeijers

Environmental Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

<p>On December 31, 2025, the Federal Government published the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 under the <em>Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999</em>. When they come into effect on June 30, 2026, the 2025 Regulations will repeal and replace the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012. The Federal Government published a proposed version of the 2025 Regulations in 2022 for public consultation.</p>

Federal Government Publishes Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations

Federal Government Publishes Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025

William S. Osler KC

Capital Markets, Securities, M&A and Corporate Governance Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Audrix Arce

Articling Student

Recent changes to the Commissioner of Lobbying&rsquo;s interpretation of the federal Lobbying Act significantly lower the threshold for mandatory lobbyist registration. As of January 2026, organizations may be required to register if employees collectively spend as little as eight hours lobbying within a four-week period, including preparation and written communications. This update has important compliance implications for corporations and other organizations engaging with federal public office holders.

Expanded Federal Lobbyist Registration Requirements

Natalia E. Iamundo

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Alixe A.L. Cameron

Corporate Commercial and Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Troy Mack

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Rights of first refusal and rights of first offer are often used interchangeably, but they carry very different legal consequences in Alberta land transactions. This post explains how Alberta legislation and case law treat each right, why only a ROFR can support a caveat, and what parties should consider when structuring agreements to protect their interests.

Right of First Refusal vs Right of First Offer in Alberta Land Transactions

Right of First Refusal vs. Right of First Offer in Alberta Land Transactions 

Edward (Ted) Yoo

Intellectual Property Lawyer and Canada/US Patent and Trademark Agent at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Partner, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Ahmed Elmallah

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Counsel, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Joshua Kim

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Edmonton

The Alberta Court of King&rsquo;s Bench decision in SHAC Solutions Inc v Guenther confirms that intellectual property includes confidential processes, trade secrets and institutional know-how. The Court&rsquo;s injunction highlights the power of confidentiality agreements and the irreparable harm that can result from misuse of confidential information.

Protecting Your Proprietary Information Lessons from SHAC Solutions Inc v Guenther

Protecting Your Proprietary Information: Lessons from SHAC Solutions Inc v Guenther

Shahrose Javed

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Andrew L. Jeanrie

Commercial Real Estate and Infrastructure Development Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Inclusionary zoning is a planning tool that requires certain new residential developments to include a prescribed percentage of affordable housing units.&nbsp;IZ was introduced as a unique zoning tool for Ontario&mdash;it would use zoning bylaws not only to dictate the uses permitted in a given area, but also as a tool to control the market price of what that zoning permits.<br />
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Ontario Moves to Pause Inclusionary Zoning Obligations

Inclusionary Zoning in Ontario: Ontario Moves to Pause Inclusionary Zoning Obligations 

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