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Hon. Jason Kenney PC, ECA

Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones

Senior Advisor

Jason Kenney spoke on <a href="https://veriten.com/stream/cobt-274/">Veriten’s C.O.B. podcast</a> to share his insights on what the upcoming Canadian federal election means for energy, trade and the Canada-United States relationship.

Kenney on Energy Tariffs and Canadas Relationship With the United States

Kenney on Energy, Tariffs and Canada's Relationship With the United States

Andrew N. Disipio

Securities, Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Hon. John R. Baird P.C.

Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones, Former Canadian Foreign Minister

Senior Business Advisor

Despite current trade and geopolitical developments and uncertainties, Bennett Jones discusses opportunities for Canada’s mining industry in 2025 and beyond, including optimism driven by policy shifts and heightened demand in key areas.

Bennett Jones Discusses Opportunities in Canadian Mining at PDAC 2025

Bennett Jones extends its deepest congratulations to Jason Kenney on being inducted into the Kainai Chieftainship as an Honourary Chief of the Blood Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy. "I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the Kainai Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy," says Jason. "One of my proudest achievements as Premier was to lead major advances in economic reconciliation, opening up new opportunities for Indigenous communities to thrive. The Kainai Nation has long been a leader in partnering with industry to achieve prosperity, as are a growing number of First Nations across Canada."

Jason Kenney Inducted into Kainai Chieftainship As Honourary Chief

Martin Ignasiak KC

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

On February 15, 2024, Bennett Jones' Calgary office welcomed nearly 80 project stakeholders and industry leaders—with hundreds more tuning in online—to talk about <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b1FD10721-2AE2-4DEA-B519-2C00D1AF25E2%7d%40en" target="_self">Synergy in Energy: Building Effective Indigenous Partnerships</a>. Moderated by <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b40C9AB29-DDA0-4813-AFED-69F340BCC10E%7d%40en" target="_self">Martin Ignasiak KC</a>, Head of Bennett Jones' <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b8D73F622-10EB-414C-A48F-1E6E23D0157D%7d%40en" target="_self">Energy Regulatory</a> team, the panel touched on trends, best practices and common challenges in energy-related transactions involving Indigenous stakeholders. Panel guests included: <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b9FD42D97-4982-4DC8-8762-BE06CCCD1415%7d%40en" target="_self">the Honourable Jason Kenney</a>, former Premier of Alberta; <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chana-martineau-ba-icd-d-31bb796/" target="_blank">Chana Martineau</a>, CEO of Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation; <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-morin-92548556/" target="_blank">Billy Morin</a>, Managing Director of Axxcelus Capital Advisory; and <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-schwartz-kc-327755291/" target="_blank">Tom Schwartz</a>, SVP of Liquids Pipelines Strategic Projects for Enbridge.

Pathways to Prosperity Exploring Indigenous Participation in Major Energy Projects

Pathways to Prosperity: Exploring Indigenous Participation in Major Energy Projects

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

Associate

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 In The News Kenney on Energy, Tariffs and Canada's Relationship With the United States April 25, 2025 Authors Hon. Jason Kenney PC, ECASenior Advisor Jason Kenney spoke on Veriten’s C.O.B. podcast to share his insights on what the upcoming Canadian federal election means for energy, trade and the Canada-United States relationship. Jason offers his perspectives on key energy issues including Canadian electricity exports to the United States, broader infrastructure challenges tied to electrification and economic growth, Canada’s continued reliance on US exports, Canada’s opportunity to grow LNG exports, and the potential for Alberta to become a hub for large-scale, gas-powered data centers. 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 Hon. Jason Kenney PC, ECA, Senior Advisor Calgary • 403.298.3027 • kenneyj@bennettjones.com

Kenney on Energy, Tariffs and Canada's Relationship With the United States

Authors