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Vincent M. de Grandpré

IP Lawyer | Life Sciences & Tech

Partner

Melissa M. Dimilta

Intellectual Property Lawyer

Partner, Trademark Agent

As part of a deeply interconnected global sector, the life sciences industry in Canada is undergoing significant change alongside broad macroeconomic and geopolitical shifts.&nbsp;The Bennett Jones Life Sciences team looks at the top issues and developments affecting the industry in 2026.

2026 Life Sciences outlook

Legal and Market Trends to Watch This Year

Life Sciences Outlook 2026

Benjamin K. Reingold

Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Emma Danaher

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Associate 

Canada is advancing regulatory modernization through reforms aimed at improving efficiency, reducing duplication, and aligning with global standards. Key initiatives include streamlined biosimilar approval requirements, a proposed foreign reliance pathway for drug approvals, and amendments to medical device regulations. Together, these changes are expected to lower costs and accelerate market access for life sciences companies starting in 2026 and beyond.

Canada accelerates Regulatory Modernization

Biosimilar Approvals, Foreign Reliance Pathways and Global Harmonization

Canada Accelerates Regulatory Modernization

Lorelei Graham

IP Lawyer | Food & Agribusiness

This blog examines why Canada&rsquo;s Federal Court is the preferred venue for pharmaceutical patent litigation. It highlights its specialized expertise, efficient procedures and consistent, precedent-driven decisions.

Northern Advantage Canadas Federal Court as a Venue for Pharmaceutical Patent Litigation

Northern Advantage: Canada's Federal Court as a Venue for Pharmaceutical Patent Litigation

Dominique T. Hussey

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

Chief Executive Officer

Dominique Hussey and Melissa Dimilta co-author the Canada chapter in the first edition of World Trademark Review's <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/review/the-trademark-litigation-review/2024" target="_blank">Trademark Litigation Review</a>.
This guide casts an expert eye on some of the most pressing issues facing those involved in litigation on both sides of the divide, blending analytic insight with on-the-ground expertise from key regions.

WTR Trademark Litigation Review 2024

WTR: Trademark Litigation Review 2024

Amanda C. McLachlan

Corporate & Regulatory Lawyer | Disputes, Investigations & Compliance

In Friel v. HUB International Limited, 2026 ONCA 313, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the enforceability of a forum selection clause designating the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for resolving a dispute between a former employee in Ontario and his employer's Delaware-based parent entities over the exercise of vested share options. The decision provides important guidance for employers that structure equity incentive arrangements through related entities and reinforces the significance of clear contractual language delineating employment relationships from equity participation rights.

When Agreements Collide The Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds Forum Selection Provision in Friel v HUB

When Agreements Collide — The Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds Forum Selection Provision in Friel v. HUB

Edwin G. Kroft KC

Tax Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Andrew Young

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Associate

The June 2026 issue of Bennett Jones on Tax Disputes provides insight into recent tax litigation developments, including the Tax Court's decision in 941624 Alberta Ltd. v. The King on the large corporation objection rules, updates from the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, and summaries of recent tax decisions and appeal activity.

Bennett Jones on Tax Disputes Issue 42

Bennett Jones on Tax Disputes: June 2026

Keely Cameron

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Gracie Boser

Articling Student

The Alberta Court of Appeal has clarified the nature of co-lessee liability for unpaid Crown royalties under the Mines and Minerals Act. In two companion decisions, the Court confirmed that co-lessees are jointly (not jointly and severally) liable, meaning a claim extinguished against one may impact all. The decisions also address how vesting orders and insolvency stays affect the Crown&rsquo;s ability to pursue royalty arrears.

Vesting Order Bars Claims

 However Co-Lessee Liability for Unpaid Crown Royalties May Remain

Vesting Order Bars Claims for Unpaid Crown Royalties

Jean Tessier

Commercial Transactions Lawyer

Alison G. FitzGerald

International Arbitration Lawyer

Andrew Bozzato

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

In mid-February, the federal government launched Canada's first <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/industrial-strategy/security-sovereignty-prosperity.html" target="_blank" id="Defence Insdustrial Strategy | Government of Canada">Defence Industrial Strategy</a>, aiming to transform the Canadian defence industry by prioritizing Canadian suppliers and materials, investing in Canadian innovation and commercialization, and streamlining procurement.

Impacts of the Federal Defence Industrial Strategy on the Canadian MA Landscape

Impacts of the Federal Defence Industrial Strategy on the Canadian M&A Landscape

Brian P. Reid

Construction & Energy Litigation Lawyer

Kaamil Khalfan

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Aaron Tell

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary 

The Alberta Court of King's Bench has clarified that the two-year trial deadline under the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act does not apply once a construction lien and certificate of lis pendens have been discharged from title through the posting of security. In 1951789 Alberta Ltd v Britannia Block General Partnership Inc., the Court confirmed that section 46(2) applies only where a lien and CLP remain registered against the land. The decision provides important guidance for parties involved in construction lien disputes and highlights the distinction between statutory lien remedies and delay-based applications under the Alberta Rules of Court.

Security Measures The Alberta Court of Kings Bench Clarifies

Security Measures: The Alberta Court of King's Bench Clarifies the Law of Lien Security

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Primer on Remedies in IP Infringement Cases

From the Same Authors