People

Services

Industries

Firm

About

Knowledge

Careers

News

Events

Contact

Connect

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Terms of Use

Accessibility

Legal

Calgary

Edmonton

Montréal

Ottawa

Toronto

Vancouver

New York

Sean Assié

Regulatory, Environmental and Aboriginal and Indigenous Law Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

Denise D. Bright

Public and Private Company Financial Transactions and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner 

David Bursey

Regulatory, Environmental, ESG and Aboriginal Law Lawyer for Energy and Natural Resource Clients at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Clients across Canada and internationally rely on Bennett Jones for strategic legal guidance in the energy sector. Our inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy reflects our deep knowledge of our clients’ businesses in energy-related industries.

Twenty Five Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexperts Special Edition on Energy

Twenty-Five Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexpert's Special Edition on Energy

Greg M. Johnson

Energy Industry Corporate Tax, Reorganization, M&A and Private Equity Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Wesley R. Novotny

Corporate Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Brendan Sigalet

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Associate

Part II focuses on the practical application of the Clean Technology, Clean Hydrogen, Clean Technology Manufacturing and Clean Electricity ITCs—many of which were enacted in 2024 through Bill C-59 and Bill C-69. The authors also examine the soon-to-be-legislated EV supply chain ITC

Climate Change Initiatives

Climate Change Initiatives: Selected Recent Changes and the Application of Existing Tax Principles to Clean Energy—Part 2

Mia Bacic

Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Sarah Harper

James D. Beeby

Corporate Finance, M&A, Private Equity and Venture Capital Lawyer

The PE Briefing: Q2 2025 explores the private equity landscape amid global and Canadian uncertainty, highlighting challenges such as tariffs, geopolitical tensions and extended due diligence slowing deal-making. Despite these hurdles, opportunities exist in resilient sectors like IT, AI and clean energy, driven by long-term trends such as electrification and liquidity demands in secondary markets. The report emphasizes the importance of adaptability, with ESG and AI becoming integral to strategies and notes a slowdown in Canadian deal activity alongside a rise in corporate carve-outs globally. Staying informed and agile remains critical for navigating volatility and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

The PE Briefing Q2 2025

The PE Briefing: Q2 2025

Laura James

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

David W. Little

Construction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) has acquired 100 percent of the issued shares of BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in an all-cash £1 billion take-private deal. 

BCI Acquires BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in 1 Billion Take Private

BCI Acquires BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in £1 Billion Take-Private

Lorelei Graham

Food and Agribusiness Lawyer, IP Lawyer, Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Across the Atlantic, the European Union (EU) and its member states have also been encouraging climate-resilient agri-tech innovation, but their approach to intellectual property incentives has been a bit different. The European Union has set ambitious climate goals (like achieving climate neutrality by 2050) and launched the European Green Deal, a broad policy agenda to support sustainable technologies. While funding and regulations (such as support for sustainable farming practices) are big parts of the EU strategy, there is also recognition that IP rights play an important role in fostering innovation. However, unlike Canada or the recent US pilot program, Europe has not implemented a unified “green channel” for patent examination at the European Patent Office.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part III: Green Without the Label: Europe's Pragmatic IP Approach to Agri-Tech Innovation

Steven L. Major KC

Commercial Dispute, Construction, Fraud, Police and Personal Injury Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Drew C. Broughton

Corporate Commercial and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Kevin Myson

Corporate, Commercial Transaction, Energy, Natural Resource and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Canada is navigating a "wild frontier" in the energy industry, with a unique opportunity to forge successful and sustainable partnerships both domestically and internationally. This was the rallying call at the Energy Business Forum during the 74th Canadian Energy Executive Association (CEEA) conference in Banff, Alberta, where industry leaders gathered to share visions for the future of Canada's energy landscape.

Key Takeaways From the Wild Frontier Energy Business Forum CEEA 74

Key Takeaways From the "Wild Frontier" Energy Business Forum at CEEA '74

Melanie Teetaert

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Jennifer (Jenn) K. Choi

Maruska Giacchetto

This article examines the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in J.P. Thomson Architects Ltd. v Greater Essex County District School Board, 2025 ONCA 378, which provides critical clarification on the interpretation of multi-step dispute resolution (MSDR) clauses. MSDR clauses, commonly used in commercial contracts, outline escalating steps such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes. The Court addressed ambiguities in the drafting of MSDR timelines, emphasizing that specified timeframes should be interpreted as minimum waiting periods rather than strict deadlines. The decision overturned a lower court ruling that barred a party from arbitration due to a perceived failure to meet a 30-day mediation request deadline. This article highlights the importance of precise drafting in MSDR clauses, discusses the implications of the Court's decision, and provides practical guidance for parties drafting or negotiating dispute resolution provisions in commercial agreements.

Do you need to rush to mediate - Ontario Court of Appeal

Do You Need to Rush to Mediate? Ontario Court of Appeal Clarifies Interpretation of Multi-Step Dispute Resolution Clause

The United States has long been a major player in both agri-tech innovation and the intellectual property (IP) landscape. In the past, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offered its own version of a green patent fast-track to encourage climate-friendly inventions. Notably, in 2009 to 2011 the USPTO ran a Green Technology Pilot Program that prioritized examination for certain eco-friendly patents. The pilot ended in 2012, but more recently the USPTO brought back the idea in June 2022, with the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, which was essentially an accelerated examination program for patent applications directed to fight climate change. Under this program, inventions designed to reduce or monitor greenhouse gas emissions, including many clean energy, sustainability or climate-smart agriculture innovations, could be examined out of turn. Importantly, like Canada’s program, the US pilot did not charge the usual petition fee for expediting. The goal was to spur green tech by making it faster and cheaper to secure IP rights.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part II: Innovation Interrupted: What the End of the USPTO's Green Program Means for Agri-Tech

Climate change is driving a surge in agricultural technology (agri-tech) innovations aimed at making farming more resilient and sustainable. From drought-resistant crops to carbon-capturing soil techniques, these climate-focused agri-tech solutions are crucial for global food security. An often-overlooked piece of this puzzle is intellectual property (IP) strategy, namely how patents and other IP rights are used to protect and incentivize innovation.

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I

Fast Tracks and Green Gaps Part I: Planting the Future: Why Canada's IP System May Be the Climate Innovation Sleeper Hit


Bennett Jones Client Work BCI Acquires BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in £1 Billion Take-Private June 23, 2025 Authors Mia BacicPartner Laura JamesAssociate David W. LittlePartner Charlene HillerPartner Larissa SakumotoAssociate Adam KalbfleischPartner Zirjan (Zee) J. DerwaPartner Mercy LiuAssociate Simon GrantPartner Sophie Schaffer-WoodAssociate Greg M. JohnsonPartner Wesley R. NovotnyPartner British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) has acquired 100 percent of the issued shares of BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in an all-cash £1 billion take-private deal. BCI is amongst the largest institutional investors in Canada. Its acquisition of BBGI was made by BCI’s Infrastructure & Renewable Resources program, which invests in tangible long-life assets, and includes a portfolio of direct investments in companies across a variety of sectors spanning regulated utilities, energy, telecommunications, transportation, timberlands and agribusiness. Bennett Jones is providing Canadian legal advice to BCI on this transaction. The Bennett Jones team is led by Mia Bacic (Private Equity & Investment Funds), including Laura James (Private Equity & Investment Funds), David Little, Charlene Hiller, Larissa Sakumoto (Infrastructure), Adam Kalbfleisch, Zee Derwa, Mercy Liu (Competition/Antitrust), Simon Grant, Frances Wu and Sophie Schaffer-Wood (Banking & Secured Transactions) and Greg Johnson and Wes Novotny (Tax). Share by Email Social Media Download Download Subscribe Republishing Requests For permission to republish this or any other publication, contact Amrita Kochhar at kochhara@bennettjones.com. For informational purposes only This publication provides an overview of legal trends and updates for informational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, please contact the authors. Authors Mia Bacic, Partner Vancouver • 604.891.5319 • bacicm@bennettjones.com Laura James, Associate Vancouver • 604.891.5170 • jamesl@bennettjones.com David W. Little, Partner Vancouver • 604.891.5146 • littled@bennettjones.com Charlene Hiller, Partner Vancouver • 604.891.5162 • hillerc@bennettjones.com Larissa Sakumoto, Associate Vancouver • 604.891.5389 • sakumotola@bennettjones.com Adam Kalbfleisch, Partner Toronto • 416.777.5757 • kalbfleischa@bennettjones.com Zirjan (Zee) J. Derwa, Partner Toronto • 416.777.6442 • derwaz@bennettjones.com Mercy Liu, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7874 • lium@bennettjones.com Simon Grant, Partner • Co-Head of Banking & Secured Transactions Practice Toronto • 416.777.6246 • grants@bennettjones.com Sophie Schaffer-Wood, Associate Toronto • 416.777.7882 • schafferwoods@bennettjones.com Greg M. Johnson, Partner Calgary • 403.298.4470 • johnson@bennettjones.com Wesley R. Novotny, Partner Calgary, Edmonton • 403.298.3447 • novotnyw@bennettjones.com

BCI Acquires BBGI Global Infrastructure SA in £1 Billion Take-Private

Authors