Court declares both corporation and its director vexatious litigants

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:3 mins read

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently released its decision on a vexatious litigation application in Lenczner Slaght LLP v. Glycobiosciences Inc et al, 2025 ONSC 829. The law firm, Lenczner Slaght (Lenczner), brought an application pursuant to section 140 of the Courts of Justice Act to declare both the…

The U.S. Tariff Effect: Ensuring the psychological health and safety of a reduced workforce part II

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:5 mins read

Psychological safety and mental health in the workplace In the last article in our series covering The U.S. Tariff Effect, we reviewed health and safety considerations of a reduced workforce. This is a continuation of that article, focused on psychological safety and the mental health of the workplace. Provinces across…

Byte by byte: Navigating key construction risks on data center projects

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:6 mins read

Data centres are a crucial part of modern digital infrastructure, facilitating cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and global data storage. As demand for data processing increases, the construction of large-scale data centres is accelerating. Canada, with its cool climate, vast and accessible land mass, and stable energy supply, has become a…

Hockey assault not appropriate for summary judgment

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:4 mins read

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently released its decision in Cox et al v Ball et al, 2025 ONSC 199, declining to grant summary judgment to a municipality and a pub arising out an assault by one hockey player on another during a local tournament. This decision highlights the…

35 years of ETFs: The evolution of a Canadian innovation

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:12 mins read

In 2021, we published an article to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the launch of the first exchange-traded fund (ETF) in Canada. At that time, the global economy was at a vulnerable point, navigating the uncertainty which came with the COVID-19 pandemic. ETFs played an important role in the overall stability…

The City of Toronto adopts a tariff response plan restricting some government procurement to Canadian companies

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:4 mins read

On March 26, 2025, the city council of the City of Toronto (the City) unanimously adopted Mayor Chow’s 10-point plan (the Plan) to respond to U.S. tariffs. Two points come into contact with international trade considerations. Proposed measures First, procurement. The Plan proposes the following changes to the City’s procurement…

OSC delegates, CIRO regulates

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  • Reading time:4 mins read

Registration changes for Ontario investment dealers, mutual fund dealers and futures commission merchants Effective April 1, 2025, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) will delegate certain registration functions to the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). The changes will affect firms registered in Ontario in one or more of the following categories,…

Upcoming changes to insurance licensing in Québec for out-of-province representatives

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:3 mins read

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is introducing key regulatory amendments aimed at simplifying and modernizing the certification process for insurance and mortgage brokerage representatives in Québec. These changes will streamline licensing requirements and enhance flexibility in the conduct of the probationary period for representatives in insurance of persons, group…

Board diversity: A made in Canada approach?

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:13 mins read

Board diversity remains a key consideration in Canada despite changing views in the United States. Cross-listed issuers may want to exercise caution in their disclosure approach. Takeaways Proxy advisors, institutional investors and other stakeholders in the United States (U.S.) have rescinded or changed their policies for public companies with respect…

Managing unforeseen risks in supply chain contracts: Choice of law considerations

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:11 mins read

While the topic of U.S. tariffs has dominated recent headlines and turned the attention of business leaders and legal advisors to supply chain matters, often there are more basic legal considerations at play that are not adequately scrutinized by those carrying out cross-border business: basic contractual terms respecting unforeseeable events,…

Consumer rights and protection across Canada’s supply chain operations

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:7 mins read

Consumer protection laws in Canada consist of a combination of federal, provincial, and territorial legal requirements that businesses must follow when contracting with consumers. Within supply chains, consumer protection issues can arise at various stages, including the manufacturing process, where companies must ensure product safety and compliance with regulatory standards.…

The extraterritorial reach of B.C.’s privacy laws: Court upholds privacy commissioner’s order against foreign AI company

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:7 mins read

Driven by the development of AI and other technologies, companies are gaining increasing ability1 to access and extract volumes of information from various online sources across jurisdictions. The ease and far-reaching capabilities of these data extraction or “scraping” tools give companies a competitive advantage that is enticing. With this ability,…

To include or not include, that is the (real estate) question! Competitor property controls under the new competition act

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:17 mins read

The Affordable Housing and Groceries Act (Bill C-56), which came into force on Dec. 15, 2023, and Bill C-59, which received Royal Assent on June 20, 2024 included sweeping amendments to the abuse of dominance provisions (s.79) and the civil anti-competitive agreements provisions (s.90.1) of the Competition Act (Act) which…

CIPO’s modernization efforts cause patent delays in Canada

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:6 mins read

This article is an update to "Failure to launch: CIPO’s modernization efforts cause patent delays". In July 2024, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) launched its new MyCIPO Patents online portal for filing, tracking, and managing patents files, as part of their modernization effort and alignment with the World Intellectual…

More durable goods: Key impacts of Québec’s new repair and durability regulation for manufacturers and merchants

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:4 mins read

On Jan. 22, 2025, the Québec government published its draft regulation (the Proposed Regulation) on the right to repair, following the assent of Bill 29: An Act to protect consumers from planned obsolescence and promote the durability, repair, and maintenance of goods (the Act) in Oct. 2023. The Proposed Regulation…

Supporting Black entrepreneurs in Canada: A Q&A with Groupe 3737’s Louis-Edgar Jean-François

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:4 mins read

Louis-Edgar Jean-François, CEO of national non-profit Groupe 3737, joined Ravi Latour, BLG partner and co-chair of the firm’s Race Action Committee, for a conversation in honour of Black History Month 2025. The discussion touched on how Groupe 3737 is fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Black communities in Canada and how…

The evolving tariff threat: Impact on med-tech and life science industries

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:6 mins read

February has brought rising concerns over tariffs, with potential consequences extending well beyond traditional industries. The United States has imposed new tariffs on steel and aluminum,1 and the threat of higher tariffs on Canadian products looms large.2 As tensions rise, some Canadian provinces have begun exploring retaliatory measures, such as…

A new tempest this way comes

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:6 mins read

Earlier we wrote about a communication by President Trump about the unfairness of the Value Added Tax. Now the U.S. Commerce Secretary has added his official perspective on the matter. Mr. Lutnick “has warned that Canada's national sales tax will be subject to retaliation.” Retaliation is, of course, a curious…

Simply the best (evidence): Capital Markets Tribunal rules on read-ins

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:10 mins read

On Dec. 23, 2024, the Capital Markets Tribunal (CMT) released its decision in TeknoScan Systems Inc. et al. (Re), 2024 ONCMT 32, in which it made important rulings on the use of transcripts of compelled examinations in enforcement hearings. The CMT held that read-ins from transcripts of compelled examinations of…

The U.S. tariff effect: Ensuring the health and safety of a reduced workforce part I

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:9 mins read

This is one article in our U.S. tariff effect series, featuring a multi-part analysis of the impact of tariffs on Canadian employers With the imposition of tariffs by the current U.S. Administration on the horizon, including increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports recently announced, employers may be faced with difficult…

Canada-U.S. tariff war resumes

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:6 mins read

On March 4, 2025, the Trump administration proceeded to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S. Canada retaliated swiftly, announcing tariffs in respect of a limited range of U.S. products, fanning the flames of a trade war between longstanding allies and trading partners. Background President Trump first signed…

The evolving tariff threat: Impact on hospitals in Canada

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:5 mins read

Rising concerns over tariffs suggest consequences that could go far beyond traditional industries. The United States has imposed higher tariffs on Canadian products, including medical equipment and pharmaceuticals.1 With rising tensions, several Canadian provinces have started responding to the tariffs with measures such as restricting U.S.-based businesses from accessing provincial…

Avoiding compliance déjà vu: CIRO’s compliance report for 2025

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:8 mins read

The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) released its latest annual compliance report (the Report). The Report details some of the current issues which CIRO regulated dealers should focus on for their supervision and risk management efforts. Completed CIRO integrations to date The Report begins by discussing some of the compliance…

“Political Advertising” rules for Ontario and federal elections

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:7 mins read

This year is shaping up to be an important year for Canadian democracy. The Ontario provincial election is slated to take place on Feb. 27, 2025, while the federal election will be held no later than Oct. 20, 2025. Individuals and entities seeking to publicly engage in the political process…

British Columbia class actions 2024 year in review

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  • Reading time:12 mins read

The year 2024 was another noteworthy year for class actions in British Columbia. In this article, we provide an overview of key developments and trends from 2024, and areas to watch in 2025. Key legal developments of 2024 1. Supreme Court of Canada confirms constitutionality of government-led class actions The…

Creative deal-making navigates Canadian national security review in the critical minerals sector

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:6 mins read

A recent transaction has illustrated how creative deal-making, in the right circumstances, can address Canadian governmental concerns with respect to foreign investment in the critical minerals sector. Canada’s federal government announced in 2022 that under its new “Critical Minerals Policy” (Policy), investors considered to be owned or influenced by “non-likeminded foreign…

Health Canada’s evolving regulatory framework for machine learning-enabled medical devices

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:8 mins read

The rapid adoption of machine learning-enabled medical devices (MLMDs) is transforming patient care, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance diagnostics, treatment, and healthcare efficiency. However, the regulatory landscape is evolving to address the novel challenges these technologies introduce, particularly regarding safety, effectiveness, and adaptability. In response, after releasing draft guidance in…

Le Tribunal administratif du travail confirme le congédiement d’un cadre supérieur pour fautes graves

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:10 mins read

BLG vient d’obtenir un deuxième jugement favorable pour sa cliente, Kleen-Flo Tumbler Industries Limited. Dans l’affaire Desaulniers c. Kleen-Flo Tumbler Industries Limited, 2025 QCTAT 471, la terminaison d’emploi d’un cadre supérieur mettait en cause des allégations de détournement de cartes-cadeaux et de divulgation d’informations confidentielles et sensibles appartenant à l’employeur.…

Country of origin for customs purposes

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:4 mins read

Determining country of origin From a customs perspective, determining the country of origin of imported goods are crucial for several reasons, including: determining whether imported goods are entitled to most-favoured-nation (MFN) or preferential tariff treatment; determining whether imported goods are subject to tariffs or safeguard measures (e.g., anti-dumping or countervailing…

Product of Canada vs Made in Canada: What are the requirements for Canadian country of origin claims?

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:5 mins read

With growing consumer demand for Canadian-made products, companies are choosing to make various forms of Canadian country of origin claims on products, e.g. “Product of Canada”, “Made in Canada” etc. (Canadian Product Claims). Companies should be aware that different laws and regulations1 may apply to Canadian Product Claims, and this…

(Country of) origin story: Navigating country of origin claims in Canada and at the U.S. border

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:3 mins read

The simmering trade war launched by the U.S., Canada’s closest trading partner, is pulling Canadian producers in different directions. On the one hand, Canadian businesses are concerned – and rightly so – that their exports to the U.S.–protected by bilateral and regional trade agreements for nearly forty years – may soon…

The return of the steel tariffs

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:9 mins read

In two separate “national security” proclamations issued last week, the President of the United States “restored” tariffs on steel and aluminum that it had imposed on these same articles in 2018 and had suspended following agreements with the affected parties. One of those parties was Canada. One of those agreements…

Diving deeper into the PPPA: Reynolds v Deep Water Recovery Ltd.

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  • Reading time:9 mins read

The Protection of Public Participation Act, S.B.C. 2019, c. 3 (the PPPA) creates a pre-trial procedure that allows a defendant to apply to the court for an order dismissing a proceeding that arises out of an expression on matters of public interest. But what happens when the proceeding deals with…

A tax to-do list for Canada’s next government

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:10 mins read

The recent prorogation of Parliament is unfortunate on many levels, most notably for extending by some months the period of time that many government initiatives remain in limbo. The business community is used to managing risks, but some are more avoidable than others. In these particularly trying times, the last…

The U.S. tariff effect: A multi-part analysis of the impact on Canadian employers

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:7 mins read

The Trump Administration’s decision surrounding the potential imposition of new tariffs in the near future has introduced significant uncertainty for Canadian businesses, employees and trade unions alike. While much of the focus has been on trade and economic policy, these measures also have critical implications for employment and labour law…

iGaming in Canada: 2024 deals a strong hand and a few wildcards for 2025

  • Post category:BLG law firm
  • Reading time:14 mins read

A review of Canadian iGaming developments in 2024 and what’s to come in 2025. What you need to know All eyes on Alberta. While optimism around the timing surrounding a potential 2025 launch of a regulated online gaming market in Alberta has been tempered, efforts remain underway to create a…