Looking Into The Future: McCarthy Tétrault’s M&A Team Forecasts The Trends

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.

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

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.

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.

Since the end of the First World War, Canadians have recognized November 11 as Remembrance Day, a day to honour members of our armed forces who have died in the line of duty.

Quebec has recently adopted a series of significant consumer protection reforms that will impact how businesses design, market, and sell products and services, and provide after-sales service in the province.

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.

Canada has introduced a permanent Productivity Mega Deduction allowing immediate expensing of up to 100% of eligible capital property costs and Canadian development expenses acquired after September 15, 2026. This measure aims to boost business investment and strengthen Canada's tax competitiveness by expanding immediate expensing eligibility from 15% to approximately two-thirds of capital investments, while reducing the country's marginal effective tax rate to 6.4%.

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.

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.

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...

On December 18, 2025, the Government of British Columbia announced a new restricted licencing framework for businesses that sell incidental or add-on insurance products, with the framework taking effect on January 1, 2027.

Canada's language laws create distinct obligations for businesses operating across the country, with Quebec's Charter of the French Language imposing comprehensive requirements on commercial operations, workplace communications, and consumer interactions.