People

Services

Industries

Firm

About

Knowledge

Careers

News

Events

Contact

Connect

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Terms of Use

Accessibility

Legal

Calgary

Toronto

Edmonton

Ottawa

Vancouver

New York

Montréal

Matthew J. Hunt

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Marshall Eidinger

Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Lisa Kakoske

Corporate and Securities Lawyer

As geopolitical tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs, reshape deal dynamics and investor sentiment, The PE Briefing: Q1 2025 from Bennett Jones provides an informed view on where smart capital is moving—and why. From infrastructure’s rising resilience to emerging consolidation trends and the evolving strategies of institutional investors, this briefing delivers actionable intelligence for fund managers, dealmakers, and LPs looking to stay ahead of risk and seize new opportunities in Canada’s dynamic market.

The Q1 2025 PE Briefing

The Canadian government has announced new measures in its <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.budget.canada.ca/update-miseajour/2024/home-accueil-en.html?utm_campaign=fin-fin-update-miseajour-24-25&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_fall-economic-statement" target="_blank">2024 Fall Economic Statement</a> to facilitate increased pension fund investment in the country’s venture capital (VC) sector. This includes a commitment of $1 billion to recapitalize the Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI 2025) and a further $1 billion to support mid-cap growth companies.

Attracting Pension Fund Investment in Canadian Venture Capital

On August 29, 2023, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario announced amendments to its Standards for Internet Gaming and released further guidance on its implementation on February 8, 2024. These amendments, which came into effect on February 28, 2024, are designed to strengthen consumer protection, with a focus on protecting youth and other potentially vulnerable groups.

Ontario iGaming New Amendments that Restrict Advertising and Marketing Activities

Ontario iGaming: New Amendments that Restrict Advertising and Marketing Activities

The Canadian Venture Capital Association released its annual look at the state of venture capital (VC) funding in Canada in their <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cvca.ca/research-insight/market-reports/year-end-2023-vc-pe-canadian-market-overview#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20Canadian%20VC%20witnessed,interest%20rates%20and%20economic%20uncertainties." target="_blank">2023 Market Overview</a>. The report provides a deep analysis of the country's market and insights on the latest VC trends and strategic shifts. So now that the numbers are in, what's hot and what's not in Canadian VC funding? Where is the money coming from and where is it going? And what should companies and investors be thinking about as they look ahead?

Whats Hot and Whats Not in Canadian Venture Capital Funding

What's Hot and What's Not in Canadian Venture Capital Funding

Simon Grant

Banking & Finance Lawyer, Fintech Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner 

Jessica B. Horwitz

International Trade Lawyer, Customs Lawyer, Regulatory Lawyer, Anti-Corruption and Economic Sanctions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Andrew Bozzato

Corporate, M&A, Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

FINTRAC imposed a record $176.9 million penalty on cryptocurrency exchange Cryptomus for thousands of AML/KYC violations. The case underscores regulators&rsquo; increasing focus on compliance, with additional sanctions from the BCSC for operating without registration. Exchanges serving Canadian clients must ensure strict adherence to AML, KYC and securities laws to avoid similar consequences.

176 9 million fine against cryptocurrency exchange from FINTRAC demonstrates costs of non compliance

C$176.9 Million Fine Against Cryptocurrency Exchange From FINTRAC Demonstrates Costs of Non-Compliance

David J. Wahl, FCIArb

Construction Arbitration & Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Christopher Petrucci

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Alex Payne

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Ontario Superior Court in Feldt Electric Ltd v Gorbern Mechanical Contractors held that non-compliance with an adjudicator&rsquo;s determination does not automatically invalidate a lien. The decision underscores the importance of jurisdiction and procedural fairness in construction disputes under Ontario&rsquo;s prompt payment and adjudication regime.

Liening on Fairness

Lorelei Graham

Food and Agribusiness Lawyer, IP Lawyer, Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Michelle Galati

Corporate Commercial and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

Investment in agribusiness experienced a boom in the early 2020s, when investor enthusiasm for food security, supply chain resilience and agricultural innovation surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Venture capital deployed unprecedented levels of funding into agrifood technology, while private equity groups targeted food processing, logistics and packaging platforms. At its peak, Canadian venture funding across the economy reached record highs in 2021 and 2022, and agribusiness was a direct beneficiary of that exuberance.

AI and Tech Are Powering Agribusiness Deal Flow

Kwang Lim

Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Vancouver Managing Partner

Angela Blake

M&A, Securities and Corporate Finance Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Laura James

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

M&amp;A activity in Canada rebounded in Q3 2025, with total deal value rising sharply year-over-year. Our update explores shifting deal structures, the rise of earnouts, cross-border dynamics, and the sectors driving growth.

Canadas Q3 2025 MA Landscape

Canada's Q3 2025 M&A Landscape

Dominique Carli

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Wittington Investments has launched a C$100 million fund to support Canadian food producers with equity or debt financing. Success depends on legal readiness, from IP protection to governance, ensuring businesses are prepared to attract and secure investment.

Legal Readiness for Food Producers Navigating Wittington Investments C100M Fund

Legal Readiness for Food Producers: Navigating Wittington Investments’ C$100M Fund

How EVs Are Moving Energy Forward in Ontario

From the Same Authors