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Vasilis F. L. Pappas, FCIArb

International Arbitration Lawyer

Partner 

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Partner

Geoffrey P. Stenger

Energy, Infrastructure & Construction Lawyer

The Province of British Columbia has launched a six-week consultation on the implementation of the new Construction Prompt Payment Act. Industry stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the Act's scope, potential exemptions and timing of implementation before the consultation closes on July 7, 2026. This update outlines the government's proposed approach and key issues under consideration.

BC Government Announces it is Soliciting Feedback on Prompt Payment Legislation

Ashley M. White

Corporate & Commercial Transactions Lawyer | Power & Energy

Jason D. Roth

Construction & Infrastructure Lawyer | EPC & Project Development

Larissa D. Lees

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

Canada and Alberta have finalized a Co-operation Agreement to streamline impact assessments and reduce duplication between federal and provincial processes. The framework advances a &ldquo;one project, one review&rdquo; approach aimed at improving efficiency, coordination and regulatory certainty for major projects.

Alberta and Canada Sign Co-operation Agreement to Reduce Assessment Duplication

The Government of Alberta has announced plans for a 120-day approval timeline for major projects, aiming to accelerate development while maintaining Indigenous consultation and environmental protections. This initiative, aligned with federal policy and recent Alberta&ndash;Canada agreements, could create more predictable regulatory processes and meaningful investment opportunities across energy, infrastructure, CCUS and critical minerals projects. Industry participants should monitor implementation closely, as details on eligible projects and procedural interaction are still forthcoming.

Major Projects on the Horizon in Alberta

Government of Alberta Announces 120-Day Major Project Approval Timeline

On October 7, 2025, British Columbia introduced Bill 20, the Construction Prompt Payment Act. If enacted, it will overhaul payment timelines and create a fast-track adjudication process for construction disputes. The legislation is expected to significantly impact owners, contractors and subcontractors across the province.

BC Introduces Prompt Payment Legislation

Kristopher R. Hanc

M&A and Capital Markets Lawyer

Christopher J. Doucet

Corporate & Mining Lawyer | M&A & Corporate Finance

Aidyn Bhatia

Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has launched a broad consultation on modernizing the regulation of public companies, examining venture issuer status, financial reporting, resale restrictions, material change reporting and alignment with U.S. developments. The Consultation Paper includes a proposed qualified institutional purchaser exemption that could provide eligible reporting issuers with greater flexibility to raise capital without traditional resale hold periods. Stakeholders have until November 13, 2026, to submit comments.

CSA Publishes Sweeping Consultation on Modernizing the Regulation of Public Companies

Meg Tweedlie

Director, Student Talent

Samuel Judson

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Change of control provisions in commercial leases can create uncertainty for both landlords and tenants, particularly where terms such as &ldquo;control&rdquo; and &ldquo;effective control&rdquo; are undefined. This article examines the Canadian legal landscape, key case law and Section 23 of Ontario&rsquo;s Commercial Tenancies Act, and offers practical considerations for drafting and negotiating change of control provisions. It also highlights potential carve-outs and strategies to reduce ambiguity and the risk of future disputes.

change of Control of Commercial Tenants Drafting

Change of Control of Commercial Tenants: Drafting, Interpretation and Practical Considerations

Akhila Sandhu

Summer Student

Morgan Sutherland

Associate 

Michael C. Smith

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

The United Nations has adopted the first global regulatory framework for Automated Driving Systems, establishing safety, cybersecurity, testing and monitoring requirements for Level 3, 4 and 5 automated vehicles. This article examines the framework&rsquo;s implications for Canada, including how Transport Canada may incorporate the requirements into domestic vehicle safety standards and what manufacturers and suppliers should consider as regulation evolves.

First Global Regulatory Framework For Autonomous Vehicles

First Global Regulatory Framework For Autonomous Vehicles: Key Takeaways For Canada And The Auto Industry

Martin Ignasiak KC

Energy & Industrial Projects Lawyer

Head of Energy Regulatory

Michael P. Theroux KC

Commercial Litigation, Arbitration & Energy Litigation Lawyer

Brynne Harding

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

The Supreme Court of Canada has resolved one of the most consequential questions left open by <em>Vavilov</em>, and which has divided jurisprudence in lower courts since then&mdash;whether judicial review is constitutionally guaranteed or can be barred by privative clauses.

Big Implications for Appeals from Administrative Tribunals

The Supreme Court Settles the Constitutional Floor for Judicial Review in Democracy Watch v Canada

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Jenna Vivian

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

The Supreme Court of Canada&rsquo;s decision in SS&amp;C Technologies Canada Corporation v. Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, 2026 SCC 29, revisits the doctrine of spoliation and confirms that courts must draw an adverse inference when intentional destruction of relevant evidence is established. The decision provides guidance on the test for spoliation, the scope of mandatory adverse inferences and the importance of preserving evidence during litigation.

The Supreme Court of Canada Affirms Mandatory Adverse Inference in Cases of Spoliation

The Supreme Court of Canada Affirms Mandatory Adverse Inference for Spoliation

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Western Canadian Infrastructure Project Owners Forum

From the Same Authors