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Alixe A.L. Cameron

Corporate Commercial and Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

Julia Amelio

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Associate

Luke Stretch

Commercial Real Estate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

G2S2 Capital Inc., under its banner Armco Alberta, has announced the acquisition of Bow Valley Square, an iconic four-tower, LEED Platinum-certified office complex in the heart of downtown Calgary. Bennett Jones is acting as legal counsel to G2S2 Capital Inc.

G2S2 Capital Inc Acquires Bow Valley Square in Calgary

G2S2 Capital Inc. Acquires Bow Valley Square in Calgary

Steven Bodi

Corporate Commercial Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Denise Brunsdon

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner, Trademark Agent

David Cassin

Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Bennett Jones is pleased to announce 12 new partners. These remarkable individuals and leaders at the firm serve clients from our offices across Canada in our key industry groups and practice areas.

Bennett Jones Welcomes 12 New Partners for 2024

Bennett Jones Welcomes 12 New Partners

Munaf Mohamed KC

Civil Fraud, Commercial Litigation and International Asset Recovery Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Lead Director and Partner

Brynne Harding

Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

A bold Alberta Court of King's Bench decision, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abkb/doc/2023/2023abkb209/2023abkb209.html?" target="_blank">Alberta Health Services v Johnston, </a><a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abkb/doc/2023/2023abkb209/2023abkb209.html?" target="_blank">2023 ABKB 209</a>, declined to follow Ontario appellate authority on the issue and established the tort of harassment in Alberta to fill a "gap in the law".

Alberta Gains New Tort of Harassment and Limits Defamation By Government Actors

Alberta Gains New Tort of Harassment and Limits Defamation By Government Actors—Online and IRL

James J. Heelan KC

Commercial/Securities Litigation, Employment and Professional Negligence Lawyer and Mediator at Bennett Jones Edmonton

Matt Riskin

Commercial Litigation, Health and Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Edmonton

On September 29, 2022, the members of the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada and of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada announced that they have approved the amalgamation of their respective self-regulatory organizations, subject to certain conditions outlined in their combination agreement.

Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada Announces Amalgamation with Investment Industry

Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada Announces Amalgamation with Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada

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

Denise Brunsdon on A National Discussion About the Canadian Justice System

Authors


Bennett Jones Speaking Engagement Denise Brunsdon on A National Discussion About the Canadian Justice System January 29, 2022 Authors Denise BrunsdonPartner, Trademark Agent Denise Brunsdon joins the A Room of Your Own Book Club virtual event, "A National Discussion About the Canadian Justice System with Lawyer & Author Marie Henein and A Room Of Your Own Book Club Founder Tanya Lee," to discuss the justice system with Canadian high school students. The virtual event is aimed to engage young people across Canada and educate them on the justice system. Their participation is encouraged as they can join the discussion in breakout groups. 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 Denise Brunsdon, Partner, Trademark Agent Calgary • 403.298.3060 • brunsdond@bennettjones.com