Continuity Podcast - SPACs: A Trending Way To Go Public

Kaitlin Mak is a legal professional at Gowling WLG, a global law firm. This profile page provides information about her practice areas, experience, and professional background. Learn more about her expertise and how she can assist with your legal needs.

The eighth annual Blakes Canadian Public M&A Deal Study focuses on recurring and emerging issues in the structuring and negotiation of Target-supported public company acquisitions in Canada.

Today, November 5, 2026, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance, tabled a new federal budget (“Budget 2026”), setting out the Government of Canada’s spending promises and policy proposals for the next year and beyond.

Ontario's PULSE report and Bill 140 propose sweeping governance reforms for municipally owned electricity distribution utilities and their holding companies, mandating independent boards and new capital planning requirements by 2027. These changes aim to attract institutional investment for $120 billion in infrastructure expansion, but will require utilities to restructure shareholder agreements, recruit new directors, and implement complex governance arrangements within an extremely compressed timeline.

Rising costs of living create challenges for, especially, families with young children. To address child care accessibility and affordability...

Are you considering a career in real estate and construction? Get invaluable advice directly from Mason Bennett, CFO at Beedie. Start your journey on the right foot.

On August 13, 2026, the Government of Ontario released the draft framework for its Data Centre Playbook (the “Playbook”), a policy tool that will inform the government’s decisions on which data centres may connect to Ontario’s electricity grid.

The Budget introduces a number of measures aimed at encouraging Canadian businesses to develop, commercialize and scale in Canada. For technology companies, founders and investors, these measures span different stages of the company lifecycle, from early-stage investment and product development to growth, expansion, exit and reinvestment

Canadian boards are increasingly likely to receive take-private proposals as private equity activity surges, with $26.5 billion deployed in 2025 and mega-deals dominating 2026. Directors must navigate complex fiduciary duties, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder interests while maintaining defensible processes that withstand scrutiny.

It is important that corporations which have continued under the CNCA bear in mind that the date of their continuance becomes their new anniversary date.

The eighth annual Blakes Canadian Public M&A Deal Study focuses on recurring and emerging issues in the structuring and negotiation of Target-supported public company acquisitions in Canada.

On October 7, the Government of British Columbia introduced Bill 20 in the B.C. legislature. Bill 20 implements long-anticipated reforms aimed at providing greater payment and cash-flow certainty for stakeholders...

Canada has announced C$27.6-billion in counter-tariffs on U.S. imports, effective September 8, 2026, targeting over 700 product classifications across steel, aluminum, dairy, electronics, and other sectors. The measures represent a dollar-for-dollar response to U.S. Section 338 tariffs, with rates ranging from 15% to 50% depending on the product category. The government has also introduced a C$7.5-billion support package for affected Canadian workers and businesses.

On December 11, 2025, Hydro-Québec announced that a new call for tenders for wind power projects will be launched in spring 2026 to meet Quebec's growing demand for electricity.

On October 20, 2026, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) published its Consultation on Legislative and Regulatory Modernization for Space Activities (Consultation), which seeks input on the potential modernization of Canada’s legislative framework for space activities through the creation of a new Space Act.

On November 5, 2026 (Budget Day), the Government of Canada released its 2026 federal budget (Budget 2026). Budget 2026 announces tax simplification as a core priority of the government, and this theme runs through many of the tax measures proposed. A second tranche of simplification measures is slated to be announced in the 2027 Spring Economic Update.

Welcome to the October issue of Blakes Competitive Edge, a monthly publication of the Blakes Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment group. Blakes Competitive Edge provides an overview of recent developments in Canadian competition and foreign investment law, including updates on enforcement activity by the Canadian Competition Bureau (Bureau), recent initiatives and key trends.

The Government of Canada has introduced new regulations aimed at further reducing the presence of certain...

Effective January 1, 2027, Manitoba is expanding its land transfer tax regime to apply to beneficial (unregistered) transfers of land, even where legal (registered) title is not being transferred. The amendments bring Manitoba’s regime more closely in line with Ontario’s and Quebec’s current regimes and will affect transactions involving bare trusts, nominees and other ownership structures that separate legal and beneficial ownership of land.

A recent federal policy update and Quebec legislative changes are changing the healthcare landscape in Quebec, and may impact a variety of businesses operating in this sector.