Doing Business In Canada – 2013 Edition

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.

Alternative practice structures (APS), already firmly established in the United States, are generating significant interest and activity in the Canadian market, particularly in regard to accounting firms.

In Ontario's fast-paced and constantly changing business landscape, contracts are the basis of all commercial relationships in law. Whether you're a businessperson ordering stock for resale, a tech firm providing...

What are the essential requirements for franchise disclosure documents in Ontario? Jennifer Shayko breaks down the key legal obligations franchisors must meet when preparing disclosure documents under the Arthur Wishart Act, covering content requirements, delivery methods, and critical timing considerations that can impact franchise agreements.

Christopher Anderson and Michael Kandev are featured legal professionals at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, a prominent law firm. Their professional backgrounds and expertise are highlighted through biographical information and imagery from the firm's Toronto office.

The Court does not have discretion under the Ontario Business Corporations Act ("OBCA") to refuse a shareholder's request for the corporation to produce audited financial statements.

The amendments were developed with the input of stakeholders, including members of the judiciary, the legal profession, government ministries and the public, in response to ongoing concerns regarding chambers delays, scheduling inefficiencies, inaccurate time estimates, and matters that are set down for hearing but ultimately do not proceed as scheduled

On October 25, 2022, the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") adopted a new self-certified investor prospectus exemption under Ontario Instrument 45-107 (the "Exemption")...

Explore the legal structures available for conducting business in Canada, from corporations and partnerships to branch operations. Understand key considerations including director residency requirements, shareholder rights, liability protections, and the strategic choice between federal and provincial incorporation for foreign investors entering the Canadian market.

Putting a unanimous shareholders' agreement in place is an exercise in good governance. It gives a group of owners an agreed framework for running the corporation, sharing its profits and dealing with the departure of a shareholder, and it settles those questions at a point when everyone is still working well together. Every agreement is different, because the answers depend on who the shareholders are and what each of them wants from the business.

Canada and the United States have entered a new phase of trade conflict, with Canada implementing retaliatory surtaxes on C$27.6 billion of U.S. goods while the United States escalates beyond tariffs to outright import prohibitions on Canadian alcohol, dairy products, and motorcycles. The dispute now extends into government procurement policy, raising questions about compliance strategies and supply chain restructuring as both nations tighten customs enforcement.

The Canadian government has removed seven types of energy projects from federal impact assessment requirements, shifting review responsibilities to the Canada Energy Regulator and provincial processes. This regulatory change affects pipelines, electrical transmission lines, oil sands facilities, and power plants, fundamentally altering how major energy infrastructure projects will be evaluated and approved across Canada.

In Knauff v. Ontario (Human Rights Tribunal), 2026 ONCA 653, a five-judge panel of the Court of Appeal for Ontario revisited the test governing motions for leave to appeal from decisions of the Divisional Court.

OSFI has issued new guidance for federally regulated financial institutions on the risks and governance of generative and agentic artificial intelligence. Published on July 13, 2026...

The Canadian federal government has announced a firm commitment to privatize operations at the country's four largest airports through long-term concessions, marking a decisive shift from earlier exploratory discussions. Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed that while the government will retain ownership of airport lands and assets following the Australian leased-airport model, private investment will be sought to operate Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal-Trudeau, and Calgary international airports.

Canada's tax system imposes income taxes at both federal and provincial/territorial levels on corporations and individuals, with rates varying significantly based on business structure, location, and other factors.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the launch of a new way of inviting applicants for permanent residence to submit their applications via Express Entry.

Canada's foreign investment review regime under the Investment Canada Act establishes two distinct processes: a net benefit review for investments exceeding prescribed financial thresholds, and a national security review applicable to any investment involving Canadian operations. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for global investors seeking to navigate mandatory approvals, timing considerations, and potential conditions or prohibitions.

Canada's Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) establishes a comprehensive registration regime for arrangements with foreign principals involving influence activities related to Canadian political or governmental processes. Organizations across sectors—including businesses, NGOs, universities, and industry associations—must assess whether their existing or proposed arrangements trigger registration obligations, with significant administrative and criminal penalties for no

Canada is proposing to eliminate its federal zero-emission vehicle sales mandate and replace it with technology-neutral greenhouse gas emission standards. The shift comes amid declining EV sales, affordability concerns, and trade uncertainty with the United States, raising questions about how the automotive industry will balance climate goals with market realities. What will this regulatory transformation mean for manufacturers, consumers, and Canada's electrification timeline?