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Christian P. Gauthier

M&A & Capital Markets Lawyer | IPOs

Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions

Kwang Lim

Corporate and Securities Lawyer

Vancouver Managing Partner

Generative AI is taking the venture capital world by storm. Despite the slump in overall VC funding, investor interest in AI is intensifying. PitchBook notes that "in the world of startup valuations, there's generative AI—and everything else." The Wall Street Journal describes the current environment as "ChatGPT fever . . . Amid broader venture-capital doldrums, it is boom times for startups touting generative artificial intelligence tech." As VC investors look to the generative AI market and companies seek funding, there are several things to consider including valuations, the ever evolving regulatory landscape and a heightened need for robust diligence and corporate governance processes.

Booming Venture Capital Investment in Generative AI Considerations for Investors and Companies

Booming Venture Capital Investment in Generative AI: Considerations for Investors and Companies

Linda Misetich Dann

Corporate Finance, M&A and Mining Transaction Lawyer

Partner 

Harinder S. Basra

Corporate & Securities Lawyer | M&A

Calgary Managing Partner

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/corporate-commercial/ma-activity-slips-in-q3-but-year-to-date-numbers-better-than-before-pandemic-bennett-jones-lawyers/370559" target="_blank">Canadian Lawyer</a> reports on Bennett Jones' Q3 look at the M&A landscape. Linda Misetich Dann, Christian Gauthier and Harinder Basra say there is a lot of interest in dealmaking, with the latest numbers on M&A activity beating those from before the pandemic. M&A activity has slowed in the first nine months of 2022.

M A Activity YearToDate Is Better Than Before Pandemic

M&A Activity Year-To-Date Is Better Than Before Pandemic

While Canadian M&A activity slowed in Q3, many companies and investors continue to have the appetite and capital to do M&A transactions, including private equity funds who continue to seek accretive opportunities to deploy capital in a number of sectors in the Canadian economy. As was the case throughout the first half of 2022, deals are being done and opportunities are there, but investors are showing restraint and gone are the days of doing a deal at any cost.

Canadas M A Landscape Q3 2022 Its Not If Its When

Canada's M&A Landscape Q3 2022: It's Not If, It's When

Craig R. R. Garbe

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer | Funds, REITs & JV Deals

Partner

S. Paul Mantini

Commercial Real Estate & Corporate Lawyer | Infrastructure

The scheduled launch of Ontario's competitive internet gaming market is fast approaching. Though originally targeted for December 2021, it is now expected that the launch is more likely to occur in Q1 2022, assuming that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's (AGCO) new subsidiary "iGaming Ontario" is able to finalize and enter into agreements with prospective operators by that time.

Ontarios iGaming Market Nears Launch Update for Prospective Operators and Suppliers

Ontario's iGaming Market Nears Launch: Update for Prospective Operators and Suppliers

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer

Chief Executive Officer

Vincent M. de Grandpré

IP Lawyer | Life Sciences & Tech

Emily P. Kettel

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner, Trademark Agent

In Pharmascience v. Janssen Inc., the Supreme Court of Canada reaffirmed that methods of medical treatment remain unpatentable subject matter under the Patent Act because they are directed to the professional skill and judgment of healthcare practitioners. At the same time, the Court upheld the patentability of the dosing regimen claims at issue, clarifying that not all therapeutic or treatment-related claims constitute unpatentable methods of medical treatment. The decision provides important guidance on assessing patent eligibility for pharmaceutical and life sciences innovations in Canada.

Supreme Court of Canada Reaffirms that  Methods of Medical Treatment are Unpatentable

Supreme Court of Canada Confirms That Medical Professional Skill and Judgment Are Excluded From the Patent Bargain

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Evana Yukanna

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

Ontario court denies a late class action opt-out request, reinforcing settlement finality and confirming prejudice can arise before court approval.

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt Out Request

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt-Out Request

Martin Ignasiak KC

Energy & Industrial Projects Lawyer

Head of Energy Regulatory

Tyler McDonough

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Logan Lazurko

Energy & Regulatory Lawyer | Environmental

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 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

Vice Chair and Co-Head of M&A

Vice Chair and Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions

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.

Christian Gauthier and Thomas Bauer Comment on Energy Trusts in the Globe and Mail

From the Same Authors