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

Denise D. Bright

Corporate & Securities Transactions Lawyer

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>
<div>
<div id="ftn1">
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>

New Pension Priorities in Bankruptcy and Insolvency are Closer to Reality

New Pension Priorities in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Are Now Reality

On April 28, 2022, the federal government introduced <em>Budget Implementation Act, 2022, No. 1 </em>(Bill C-19) for first reading, to implement certain aspects of the federal government's 2022 Budget. Included in Bill C-19 is a proposed amendment to the <em>Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985</em> (PBSA) which, if adopted, would make governance policies mandatory for all federally regulated registered pension plans (Federally Regulated Plans). It expands on previously proposed legislation, introduced in 2021, that would have made governance policies a requirement solely for Federally Regulated Plans that are negotiated contribution plans.

Governance Policies to be Required for All Federally Regulated Pension Plans

Hennadiy Kutsenko

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

On February 4, 2022, the Canadian federal government released <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://fin.canada.ca/drleg-apl/2022/ita-lir-0222-1-eng.html" target="_blank">draft legislation</a> to implement a variety of proposed tax measures, which are discussed in a number of separate articles by Bennett Jones. In this article, we discuss certain of the measures that, if adopted as proposed, would implement the federal government's 2021 Federal Budget commitment to provide greater flexibility and simplify the making and reporting of contribution errors affecting defined contribution (DC) pension plans.

Fixing Contribution Errors for Defined Contribution Pension Plans

What You Need to Know About Draft Amendments to the Federal Income Tax Act and Regulations

Jesslyn G. Maurier

Technology, Media and Entertainment, Corporate Commercial and Corporate Governance Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Bennett Jones recently hosted a two-part webinar series on ESG and institutional investors. The first session looked at their role in ESG, private markets and investment, how risks and opportunities are being assessed in the boardroom, ESG performance in the energy industry and some predictions on what is ahead. The second session looked at ESG and pension plan administration with a focus on the issues at the interface of ESG and the duties of pension fiduciaries, as well as some predictions on what is ahead.

ESG and Institutional Investors Part Two

ESG and Institutional Investors: Part Two

Simon P. Crawford

Leading Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Vanessa Kiraly

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

In<em> Oliva v. Dickson (2025 ONSC 6666)</em>, 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

Daniel (Dan) R. Chubb

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Joan Bilsland

Knowledge Management Research Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Knowledge Management Research Lawyer

Luke Stretch

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canadian courts generally treat real estate deposits as forfeitable upon a purchaser&rsquo;s default, distinct from unenforceable penalty clauses. However, under the Redstone factors, courts may grant relief from forfeiture where a deposit is grossly disproportionate to the vendor&rsquo;s damages or where retaining it would be unconscionable in the circumstances.

When A Deposit Becomes A Penalty

When a Deposit Becomes a Penalty: Relief From Forfeiture in Real Estate Transactions

Andrew N. Disipio

Mining & Corporate Finance Lawyer | M&A, Equity & Debt Deals

Hon. John R. Baird P.C.

Senior Advisor | International Trade, Investment & Security

Senior Business Advisor

Sander A.J.R. Grieve KC

Global Mining Finance & M&A Lawyer | Bennett Jones Toronto

<p>Members of Bennett Jones' mining team shared their insights across three panels held at the firm's Toronto office during this year's PDAC convention. The discussions addressed the opportunities and complexities of this evolving landscape&mdash;and what Canada must do to capitalize on the moment.</p>

Optimism Abounds at PDAC 2026 and Bennett Jones Panels

Dana Talucci

Corporate Commercial Practice at Bennett Jones Toronto

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

Leanne C. Krawchuk KC

Corporate, Mining & Construction Lawyer | Capital Markets

Partner, Corporate

James T. McClary

Private Equity and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Private equity investment in mining has grown over the past decade, driven largely by opportunities in mining sub-industries such as materials, software and industrial machinery despite persistent risk and scalability concerns. The article analyzes global and Canadian deal trends, structures and strategies, offering insights on where PE capital is being deployed and the outlook for investors and mining companies.

Bennett Jones in AmLaw Daily

From the Same Authors

New Pension Priorities in Bankruptcy and Insolvency Are Now Reality

Governance Policies to be Required for All Federally Regulated Pension Plans

Fixing Contribution Errors for Defined Contribution Pension Plans

Latest Insights

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

When a Deposit Becomes a Penalty: Relief From Forfeiture in Real Estate Transactions

Optimism Abounds at PDAC 2026 and Bennett Jones Panels

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

Stay Informed. Stay Ahead.