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Matthew J. Hunt

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner

Matthew Hunt speaks with <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/corporate-commercial/private-equity-remains-strong-in-q1-despite-tariff-uncertainty-report/392267" target="_blank">Canadian Lawyer</a> about private equity deal activity so far in 2025 and what the rest of the year might hold.

Whats Happening and What to Look for in Canadian PE Dealmaking

What's Happening and What to Look for in Canadian PE Dealmaking

Marshall Eidinger

Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Lisa Kakoske

Corporate and Securities Lawyer

As geopolitical tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs, reshape deal dynamics and investor sentiment, The PE Briefing: Q1 2025 from Bennett Jones provides an informed view on where smart capital is moving—and why. From infrastructure’s rising resilience to emerging consolidation trends and the evolving strategies of institutional investors, this briefing delivers actionable intelligence for fund managers, dealmakers, and LPs looking to stay ahead of risk and seize new opportunities in Canada’s dynamic market.

The PE Briefing Q1 2025

The PE Briefing: Q1 2025

Philip B. Ward

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Andrew Young

Associate

Private equity (PE) firms play a critical role in revitalizing struggling businesses by providing, among other things, financial support and operational expertise. PE transactions are often driven by a combination of strategic growth objectives and tax planning opportunities.

Turning Losses Into Gains Private Equity Tax Strategies With Distressed Businesses

Turning Losses Into Gains: Private Equity Tax Strategies With Distressed Businesses

Dominique Carli

Commercial Transactions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Globally, private equity is expected to double its current assets under management (AUM) to US$12 trillion by the end of 2029, driven in large part by private wealth investors, according to new Preqin research.

High Net Worth Investors to Boost Growth in Private Equity Opportunities Risks

High-Net-Worth Investors to Boost Growth in Private Equity: Opportunities, Risks and Other Important Considerations

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 In The News What's Happening and What to Look for in Canadian PE Dealmaking April 22, 2025 Authors Matthew J. HuntPartner Matthew Hunt speaks with Canadian Lawyer about private equity deal activity so far in 2025 and what the rest of the year might hold. He says the optimism that marked the beginning of the year has tempered but not disappeared. Matt adds that: the expectations for the rest of the year are a combination of structural deal momentum and economic caution understanding a company’s proximity to tariff exposure will play a key role in a transaction strategy despite broader market developments, the core themes of private equity conversations have remained consistent—clients on both sides are still focused on value and execution 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 Matthew J. Hunt, Partner • Co-Head of Private Equity Toronto • 416.777.7454 • huntm@bennettjones.com

What's Happening and What to Look for in Canadian PE Dealmaking

Authors