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

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

Hon. Jason Kenney PC, ECA

Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones

Senior 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

John Baird served as a speaker at the Edmonton Real Estate Forum. His presentation, titled "Geopolitical Risks and Their Impact on Canada: Why Rising Concerns Shouldn’t Be Ignored," addressed crucial issues surrounding geopolitical dynamics and their implications for the Canadian real estate market. John’s insightful analysis provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical landscape and how it intersects with the real estate sector.

Geopolitical Risks and Their Impact On Canada Why Rising Concerns Shouldnt be Ignored

Geopolitical Risks and Their Impact on Canada: Why Rising Concerns Shouldn't be Ignored

Jason D. Roth

Infrastructure Development Project, Engineering, Construction and Procurement Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Yannick Beaudoin

Project Development, Energy and Infrastructure Lawyer at Bennett Jones Montreal

Jane Bird

Complex Public and Private Construction and Infrastructure Advisor at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Bennett Jones ranks silver in the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://emagazine.renewcanada.net/?pid=ODc8775789&v=1.23" target="_blank">2024 Top100 Infrastructure Project Report</a>, published by ReNew Canada.

Bennett Jones Ranks Silver in 2024 Top100 Infrastructure Projects

Richard Dion

Economic Analyst and Forecasting Advisor at Bennett Jones Ottawa

Serge Dupont

Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones Ottawa

The global and Canadian economies are still adjusting to the shocks of COVID and war. Inflation remains elevated, and monetary conditions are restrictive. There are legacies, in particular high public and private debt.
Concurrently, the forces of demographic ageing, climate change, and digitalization are intensifying in a new fragmented world, transforming our economies, and requiring more public and private investment. These two factors—short-term adjustment and structural change—set the background for our 2024 Economic Outlook.

2024 Economic Outlook The Long-Term Is Now

2024 Economic Outlook: The Long-Term Is Now

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

John Baird and Christy Clark on the Shape of Canadas Infrastructure Stimulus

Authors


Bennett Jones Speaking Engagement John Baird and Christy Clark on the Shape of Canadas Infrastructure Stimulus May 14, 2020 Authors Hon. John R. Baird P.C.Senior Business Advisor Christy ClarkSenior Advisor John Baird and Christy Clark join ReNew Canada and Global Public Affairs in a conversation on the shape of Canada’s infrastructure stimulus measures. As key decision-makers who made and executed the infrastructure investments following the 2008 recession, John and Christy will discuss: What were the lessons from previous economic downturns and the processes used that could help target investment this time? What type of projects governments should we invest in to get a quick stimulus but will also drive a lasting legacy? How will regional dynamics shape the type of projects funded? What are the big ongoing challenges stimulus funding should look to address (e.g., housing, climate change, indigenous reconciliation)? The webinar will be held on May 14, 2020, between 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. You can register here. 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. John R. Baird P.C., Senior Business Advisor Toronto • 416.777.5767 • bairdj@bennettjones.com Christy Clark, Senior Advisor Vancouver • 604.891.5160 • clarkc@bennettjones.com