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Duncan McPherson

Energy, Water and Aboriginal Business Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Partner

Lawrence (Laurie) E. Smith KC

Leading Canadian Energy, Pipeline and LNG Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Of Counsel

Keely Cameron

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Following its <a href="/Insights/Blogs/Canada-Proposes-New-Plan-to-Invest-15-Billion-in-Climate-Action-Raise-Carbon-Price-to-170-Tonne">recent announcement of A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy</a>, an accelerated climate plan for Canada, the Government of Canada released the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/changements-climatiques/hydrogen-strategy/23080" target="_blank">Hydrogen Strategy for Canada: Seizing the Opportunities for Hydrogen</a> on December 16, 2020. The Strategy seeks to galvanize Canadian production, use, and export of clean hydrogen as an important element in reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, while maintaining Canada's role as a leading global energy player.

Canadas Hydrogen Strategy

The New Energy Economy Series

Canada's Hydrogen Strategy

Alberta's Industrial Heartland is well-positioned to play a foundational role in developing Canada's hydrogen economy.

Albertas Industrial Heartland as Canadas Potential First Hydrogen Node

Alberta's Industrial Heartland as Canada's Potential First Hydrogen Node

Update on Impact of CUSMA on Canadian Energy Stakeholders

John Weekes, Darrel Pearson, Lawrence Smith and Margaret Kim write in <a href="http://www.energyregulationquarterly.ca/articles/nafta-2-0-drilling-down-the-impact-of-cusma-usmca-on-canadian-energy-stakeholders#sthash.Swk50fep.Cxn4h1JO.dpbs" target="_blank">Energy Regulation Quarterly</a> on the impact of the new Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on Canadian energy stakeholders. They look at the political dynamic of the agreement, the changes it will bring and key takeaways.

Drilling Down on the Impact of CUSMA on Canadian Energy Stakeholders

The U.S. and global economies proved resilient in 2025. There were reasons, particularly around U.S. President Donald Trump&rsquo;s April 1 &ldquo;Liberation Day,&rdquo; to fear a global trade war or corrections in financial markets that would cause a recession in the United States and a sharp slowing of the global economy. In fact, while growth in the United States and most major economies slowed in 2025, other policy and market factors offset at least in part the early effect of disruptive policies by the U.S. administration. The United States&rsquo;s trading partners chose to avoid an all-out trade war, and most negotiated some form of accommodation with President Trump.

Economic Outlook 2026

Adapting to a New World: From Ambition to Investment

Ahmed Elmallah

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Counsel, Patent Agent, Trademark Agent

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Stephen D. Burns

Technology Lawyer, Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner, Trademark Agent

Stephen Thaler has appealed the Commissioner of Patents&rsquo; refusal to recognize his AI system, DABUS, as an inventor under the Patent Act. The case raises legal and practical questions as AI systems play a growing role in generating novel inventions. The outcome could influence how Canadian innovators protect AI-driven discoveries, particularly in pharmaceutical R&amp;D.

Appeal Filed Thaler Challenges Refusal to Recognize AI

Appeal Filed: Thaler Challenges Refusal to Recognize AI as an Inventor on a Patent—Implications Beyond Inventorship

David Wainer

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

This end-of-year overview examines the Federal Government&rsquo;s rapid expansion of AI-related funding in 2025, from large-scale investments in data centres and public compute infrastructure to programs supporting AI access, adoption and domestic research. It also explores the new commitments announced in Budget 2025 and signals key trends to watch in 2026 as Canada strengthens its AI ecosystem.

Canadas AI Efforts in 2025 A Year in Review

Canada's AI Efforts in 2025: A Year in Review

Laura Inglis

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Christine Plante

Civil Fraud Recovery, Employment and Shareholder Disputes Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

David M. Price

Employment Services Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Effective January 1, 2026, Alberta will increase job-protected long-term illness and injury leave from 16 to 27 weeks. This update aligns Alberta with other leading Canadian jurisdictions that recently implemented similar extended leaves. Employers will need to revisit their workplace policies to ensure compliance with the new requirements. The blog explains the legislative amendments and their implications for employers.

Alberta Aligns with Other Provinces in Extending Long Term Illness and Injury Leave

Ashley L. Paterson

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Morgan Sutherland

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

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

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BennettJones

Smith Lawrence

Energy Regulatory