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

Ashley L. Paterson

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Nicholas Heinrich

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate

This blog reviews Zanin v. Ooma, Inc., where the Federal Court upheld arbitration clauses and class action waivers in a proposed federal class proceeding. It confirms that provincial consumer protection laws generally do not apply to federal statutory claims unless mirrored in federal legislation. The decision highlights ongoing uncertainty following the Federal Court of Appeal&rsquo;s narrower approach and leaves room for future challenges.

Federal Court Rejects Application of Provincial Consumer

Decision Limits Application to Federal Law Claims

Federal Court Rejects Provincial Consumer Protection Claims

Neely Jarvis

National class actions in Canada frequently give rise to overlapping proceedings across multiple jurisdictions, particularly in life sciences and product liability litigation. This update examines Strathdee v. Johnson &amp; Johnson Inc. and the Ontario Superior Court&rsquo;s approach to abuse of process, preferability and national coordination in parallel class actions. The authors explore the growing importance of coordinated defence strategies, inter-jurisdictional cooperation and active case management in navigating multi-jurisdictional litigation risks.

National Coordination of ClassActions

Lessons from Strathdee v. Johnson & Johnson

National Coordination of Class Actions

Morgan Sutherland

Associate 

Health Canada has proposed amendments to the Medical Devices Regulations focused on modernizing the MDEL framework. The changes would affect importer&ndash;distributor relationships, mandatory supplier disclosures, and safety documentation requirements. This update summarizes the key proposals and their potential impacts on MDEL holders and applicants.

Health Canada Proposes Amendments to MDEL Holders and Applicants

Emrys Davis

Competition & Antitrust Litigation Lawyer

Michael A. Eizenga L.S.M.

Leading Canadian Class Action Litigator

Partner 

Gannon Beaulne

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

<p>In our 2025 edition of <em>Looking Forward</em>, we review notable class action developments from the past year and consider what recent trends in the law might tell us about what to expect in the years ahead.</p>

Class Actions Looking Forward 2025

Class Actions: Looking Forward 2025

Christine Plante

Employment Lawyer | HR Legal Counsel

Sara G. Parchello

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Tami Oguntona

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Calgary 

Articling Student 

Bill C-31 proposes significant amendments to the Canada Labour Code that would prohibit most post-employment non-compete clauses and potentially other employment-related restrictions in federally regulated workplaces. While the legislation has not yet been enacted, employers should begin assessing the potential impact of the proposed changes, including the limited exemptions available for certain business transactions and senior executive roles.

Restricting Covenants in Federal Workplaces

Proposed Updates to Canada Labour Code Expected To Prohibit Post-Employment Restrictive Covenants

Ruth E. Promislow

Privacy, Cybersecurity & AI Lawyer

Caroline Poirier

IT, Privacy & Data Protection Lawyer

Suzie Suliman

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate, Trademark Agent

The 2025 GPEN Sweep highlights growing global scrutiny of how digital platforms handle children&rsquo;s personal information, revealing increased data collection alongside limited safeguards. While improvements have been made in areas such as account deletion, significant gaps remain in effective age assurance, transparency, and protective design. The findings signal that regulators are likely to intensify guidance and enforcement efforts to better protect children&rsquo;s privacy online.

Global Privacy Sweep Highlights Growing Expectations for Childrens Privacy Online

Global Privacy Sweep Highlights Growing Expectations for Children's Privacy Online

Nina Butz

Jackson Spencer

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

This article highlights recent decisions demonstrating courts&rsquo; strict approach to certifying privacy class actions in Canada. It shows how failures to establish an identifiable class, viable claims, or compensable harm can be fatal at certification. The rulings reaffirm courts&rsquo; gatekeeping role and signal continued challenges for plaintiffs advancing privacy-based claims.

Courts show Continued Commitment to Closely Scrutinizing Proposed Privacy Class Actions

Recent Decisions Reinforce Certification Challenges

Courts Continue Close Scrutiny of Privacy Class Actions

Ana Nizharadze

This article examines the growing wave of drip pricing class actions following recent amendments to the Competition Act. It analyzes key Federal Court decisions that clarify how courts assess &ldquo;unattainable prices,&rdquo; fixed and obligatory fees, and damages at the certification stage. With several appeals and new cases underway, these rulings offer early guidance on how disclosure obligations may evolve in 2026 and beyond.

From First Price to Final Cost Drip Pricing Cases on the Rise

"Drip Pricing" Cases on the Rise

From First Price to Final Cost

Lukas VanDusen

Competition & Antitrust Lawyer | Foreign Investment

This article reviews the Competition Tribunal&rsquo;s first decision interpreting the new public interest standing provisions under the Competition Act. It establishes a three-part test for leave and emphasizes the need for a strong evidentiary record, including a viable litigation plan and demonstrated capacity to pursue complex claims. The decision underscores the Tribunal&rsquo;s gatekeeping role while providing guidance for future applicants and respondents.

Ashley Paterson Moderates OBA Public Law Class Actions Panel

From the Same Authors