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Gatlin Smeijers

Environmental Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Sander A.J.R. Grieve KC

Global Mining Finance, M&A, Exploration, Development and Extraction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Andrew N. Disipio

Securities, Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

On April 17, 2025, the Ontario government introduced Bill 5, called the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 (Bill 5), an extensive legislative proposal aimed at accelerating resource development and reducing regulatory burdens across Ontario's key industries, including mining. Notably, Bill 5 also proposes a new discretionary authority to deny the issuance of mining leases and cancel existing claims and tenures for the purpose of protecting the "strategic national mineral supply chain".

Ontario Moves to Fast Track Mining Expand Discretion Over Tenure

Ontario Moves to Fast Track Mining, Expand Discretion Over Tenure

<a href="/People/G/Grieve-Sander">Sander Grieve, KC</a> writes in the April 2025 issue of <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canadianminingjournal.com/featured-article/time-to-get-serious-or-become-uninvestable/" target="_blank">Canadian Mining Journal</a> on why Canadian governments must get serious about attracting investment to our mining sector—or risk Canada becoming uninvestable.

Time To Get Serious or Become Uninvestable

Time To Get Serious or Become “Uninvestable”

Hon. John R. Baird P.C.

Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones, Former Canadian Foreign Minister

Senior Business Advisor

Hon. Jason Kenney PC, ECA

Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones

Senior Advisor

Despite current trade and geopolitical developments and uncertainties, Bennett Jones discusses opportunities for Canada’s mining industry in 2025 and beyond, including optimism driven by policy shifts and heightened demand in key areas.

Bennett Jones Discusses Opportunities in Canadian Mining at PDAC 2025

Benjamin J. Gal

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

The Ontario government launched into 2025 with a series of announcements on mineral exploration, its critical minerals strategy and cooperation with the United States. While we cannot lose sight of the subsequent election call, there is an indication of renewed priority for the sector at Queen's Park.

A Flurry of Mining Announcements in Ontario to Start 2025

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

Partner 

On December 31, 2025, the Federal Government published the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. 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.

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. 
<div>&nbsp;</div>

Ontario Moves to Pause Inclusionary Zoning Obligations

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

Sander Grieve in Canadian Mining Journal

From the Same Authors