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Sophie Virji

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

<a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bD7FA839C-D2BF-45DB-987B-4B0F546AAF6C%7d%40en">Sophie Virji</a> comments in <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/globe-advisor/advisor-news/article-youve-been-flagged-for-a-cra-audit-heres-what-happens-next/" target="_blank">The Globe and Mail</a> on the importance of cooperation during CRA audits.
In a recent article in <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/globe-advisor/advisor-news/article-youve-been-flagged-for-a-cra-audit-heres-what-happens-next/" target="_blank">The Globe and Mail</a>, Sophie Virji weighed in on the Canada Revenue Agency’s audit process. She noted that the records requested by the CRA are often quite general, making it difficult to discern the precise focus of the audit.

Youve Been Flagged for a CRA Audit Heres What Happens Next

You've Been Flagged for a CRA Audit—Here's What Happens Next

Ilan Ishai

Commercial, Class Action and Appellate Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Jessica B. Horwitz

International Trade Lawyer, Customs Lawyer, Regulatory Lawyer, Anti-Corruption and Economic Sanctions Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Bennett Jones lawyers Sophie Virji, Ilan Ishai and Jessica Horwitz are winners of the prestigious <a href="https://risingstarscanada.com/">Lexpert Rising Stars</a> awards for 2024. This distinguished honour celebrates leading Canadian lawyers 40 and under who have made outstanding contributions to their organizations, communities and the legal profession.

A Trifecta of Legal Excellence Sophie Virji Ilan Ishai and Jessica Horwitz are Lexpert Rising Stars

A Trifecta of Legal Excellence: Sophie Virji, Ilan Ishai and Jessica Horwitz are Lexpert Rising Stars

Anu Nijhawan

M&A, Corporate Financing and International Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Edwin G. Kroft KC

Tax Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones

Jehad Haymour

Tax Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Bennett Jones is nominated as Canadian Tax Disputes Law Firm of the Year in the ITR Americas Tax Awards 2024. The firm's top-ranked, award-winning national Tax Disputes team includes <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bC920257D-FADC-4664-B4DF-A41D9A6BED33%7d%40en">Ed Kroft</a>, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b24926EF2-00CF-413C-B89F-6D611D308FBA%7d%40en">Jehad Haymour</a>, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b75683043-B955-4606-99DF-3137AF061B3B%7d%40en">Deborah Toaze</a>, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7b1C6BC53C-228C-485C-8690-0F98025C88EF%7d%40en">Wes Novotny</a>, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bD7FA839C-D2BF-45DB-987B-4B0F546AAF6C%7d%40en">Sophie Virji</a>, <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bB53A4C40-DC13-47A3-A084-5BF743B4D5BE%7d%40en">Brynne Harding</a>, Sam McDonald and <a href="/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=core%3a%7bE5993169-416B-4DAF-90C9-32ACB2DFD1D3%7d%40en">Anna Lekach</a>. Working collaboratively across a national platform, they provide strategic advice and support to clients in avoiding, managing, resolving and, if necessary, litigating tax disputes.

Bennett Jones Short Listed as Canadian Tax Disputes Law Firm of the Year in ITR Tax Awards

Bennett Jones Short-Listed as Canadian Tax Disputes Law Firm of the Year in ITR Tax Awards

Darcy D. Moch KC

Partner 

David Bursey

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

David W. Little

Construction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

104 Bennett Jones lawyers have been recognized across 46 practice areas in the 2024 edition of <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bestlawyers.com/" target="_blank">Best Lawyers in Canada</a>. The recognized lawyers work in Bennett Jones' offices across Canada in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver, highlighting the firm's national expertise.

Bennett Jones Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada 2024

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

Anatomy of a Tax Dispute Understanding the CRA Audit and Objection Process

Authors


Bennett Jones Speaking Engagement Anatomy of a Tax Dispute Understanding the CRA Audit and Objection Process May 27, 2019 Authors Sophie VirjiPartner Sophie Virji presents "Anatomy of a Tax Dispute Understanding the CRA Audit and Objection Process" at the Canadian Tax Foundation's 2019 Prairie Provinces Tax Conference and Webcast. 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 Sophie Virji, Partner Calgary • 403.298.7970 • virjis@bennettjones.com