2016 Legal Trends

Federal and provincial privacy regulators have concluded a multi-year investigation into OpenAI's data practices, finding contraventions of Canadian privacy legislation in how personal information was collected and used...

Canada's privacy regulator has released new draft guidance establishing comprehensive due diligence standards for organizations evaluating third-party service providers under PIPEDA. The framework introduces eleven best practices covering everything from data flow mapping and AI training data sourcing to vendor lock-in risks and ongoing monitoring obligations, signaling heightened expectations for privacy accountability in vendor relationships.

The Canadian market is ripe with opportunities for U.S. companies seeking to expand beyond domestic borders. Before diving in, however, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of Canada's legal system...

On March 19, 2015, the United States District Court in the District of Minnesota gave preliminary approval to a proposed settlement for the December 2013 data breach suffered by Target Corporation.

Canada's federal government has introduced Bill C-36, marking a significant departure from its predecessor Bill C-27 by unbundling AI regulation from privacy reform and establishing a new regulatory framework centered...

These regulations, which include fines of up to $100,000CAD for non-compliance, will come into force on November 1, 2018.

Since Canada's anti-spam legislation (CASL) was enacted in 2014, businesses have been faced with the challenge of keeping adequate records of their authority to send commercial electronic messages under CASL's various categories of express and implied consent.

Canada's proposed Bill C-36 introduces sweeping reforms to private sector privacy law, replacing PIPEDA with the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act.

Canada's proposed Bill C-36 would fundamentally transform private-sector privacy law by replacing PIPEDA with the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act. Organizations face stricter data collection tests, new consent exceptions, explicit AI governance rules, and penalties reaching $25 million or 5% of global revenue for knowing violations.

The Ontario government recently amended the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) to include mandatory breach reporting.

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.

British Columbia's snap election on October 24, 2026, brings unprecedented compliance challenges for businesses seeking to engage in policy discussions. With some of Canada's strictest lobbying rules, stringent election financing laws, and new foreign influence regulations all converging during the campaign period, organizations must navigate a complex web of registration requirements, spending caps, and reporting obligations while avoiding significant legal and reputational risks.

Canada's broadcasting, telecommunications, and satellite industries face significant regulatory changes this fall as Parliament advances key legislation. From the CRTC's implementation of the Online Streaming Act amid U.S. trade tensions to new lawful access requirements for service providers and the establishment of Canada's first space launch framework, these developments will reshape operational requirements across the communications sector.

On September 24, 2026, the Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced it had entered into a consent agreement with Kalibrate Canada Inc. (Kalibrate) to address concerns regarding Kalibrate’s collection and distribution of detailed retail fuel data through its Kalibrate Market Intelligence product (KMI). More broadly, the matter signals the Bureau’s willingness to challenge information-sharing arrangements under multiple provisions of the Competition Act (Act), including through abuse of dominance where the intermediary itself is alleged to be dominant.

On June 22, 2021, the Senate passed Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, which will amend the Criminal Code to allow provincial governments to determine when and how to conduct...

On May 31, 2018, the United States announced that it would be imposing tariffs on certain Canadian steel and aluminum products.

Canada’s mining sector is at an important inflection point. Against a backdrop of growing global demand for critical minerals and increased competition for investment capital, the Canadian federal government has recently introduced a series of tax measures designed to encourage investment and strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s mining industry. For investors, these measures may meaningfully influence the after-tax economics of projects and financing structures across the mining value chain.

Ontario's Ministry of Energy and Mines has proposed exempting electricity transmission projects procured by the Independent Electricity System Operator from the traditional leave to construct approval requirement. This regulatory change could significantly streamline the development timeline for bulk system transmission infrastructure, including the pending Toronto Third Line procurement, while maintaining environmental assessment and Indigenous consultation requirements.

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), on behalf of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), recently granted ZED Network Inc.

On January 1, 2004, the <I>Limitations Act, 2002</I> came into force in Ontario. This statute governs the limitation periods applicable to claims governed by the law of Ontario. The new statute makes significant changes to limitation periods generally. These changes will have a significant impact on claims related to pension matters.