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ARTICLE · 14 APRIL 2026

Injunctions Against Former Employees – Why Speed And Specificity Are Critical!

McCarthy Tétrault
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In Quality Chain Canada Ltd. v Xu, 2026 BCSC 424, the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") dismissed an interlocutory injunction application brought by Quality Chain Canada Ltd.

CanadaEmployment and HR
McCarthy Tétrault Employer Advisor
McCarthy Tétrault Employer Advisor
Jessica Hoskins
Jessica Hoskins
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In Quality Chain Canada Ltd. v Xu, 2026 BCSC 424, the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") dismissed an interlocutory injunction application brought by Quality Chain Canada Ltd. ("Quality Chain") against three former senior employees and their new business. The Court's decision turned on two key failings: Quality Chain waited too long to seek injunctive relief, and it failed to identify with sufficient specificity the alleged "confidential information" it sought to protect.

Factual Background

Quality Chain is a wholesale retailer that sources and sells truck accessories, including tire chains and traction devices, to customers across Canada.

During their employment, Quality Chain's Chief Financial Officer, Director of Supply Chain and Logistics, and Director of Sales (together, the "Individual Defendants") engaged in negotiations and due diligence with the objective of purchasing Quality Chain themselves, but that objective was not achieved, and Quality Chain was

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