In-House Counsel
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October 06, 2025
Privacy commissioner calls for more oversight of cabinet powers under new national security bill
Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne warned MPs that proposed federal legislation giving cabinet ministers power to issue secret orders to obtain Canadians’ personal information must be constrained by clear tests of necessity, proportionality and oversight.
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October 06, 2025
Canada announces move to fall budget cycle
Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne has announced a new capital budgeting framework that aims to better position Canada to build homes, infrastructure and industries by shifting to a fall budget cycle.
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October 06, 2025
The gathering storm of the Strong Borders Act: Criticisms of Bill C-2
In part one of this series, we examined the sweeping ambitions of Bill C-2. While its measures promise a tougher stance against financial crime, they have sparked an equally vigorous debate. This instalment dives into those criticisms, unpacking concerns about privacy, solicitor-client privilege and the operational burdens placed on regulated entities.
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October 06, 2025
Canada signals renewed interest in attracting U.S. technology H-1B visa applicants
Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed that the federal government is examining measures to draw skilled workers affected by the recently announced US$100,000 H-1B fee, with particular attention to technology professionals. The initiative comes amid concerns over policy uncertainty in the United States, positioning Canada as an alternative destination for specialized talent.
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October 06, 2025
Supreme Court to clarify patentability of methods of medical treatment
After over a decade, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear a pharmaceutical patent case: Pharmascience Inc. v. Janssen Inc., et al. The case concerns the patentability of methods of medical treatment, an area of law that the courts have been grappling with for many years. The Supreme Court is set to determine whether dosing regimens fall within the statutory definition of “invention” of the Patent Act or remain unpatentable subject matter.
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October 06, 2025
Saskatchewan to regulate non-lawyers in bid to increase access to justice
Saskatchewan has brought into force legislative changes that will allow “non-lawyer legal professionals” to deliver certain services to the public — something officials with the province’s law society say will enhance access to justice for “underserved” residents.
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October 03, 2025
G7 summit discusses competition issues related to algorithmic pricing
Canada hosted the G7 Competition Authorities and Policymakers’ Summit in Ottawa, which concluded Oct. 2, with discussions on digital competition, with a particular focus on algorithmic pricing and its impacts on competition, markets and the economy.
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October 02, 2025
Court rules Husky Energy failed to withhold required tax on $329M non-resident dividend
The Federal Court of Appeal has upheld a finding that Husky Energy improperly failed to withhold 25 per cent of nearly $329 million in dividends paid to Luxembourg corporations, finding that they were temporary custodians for the majority shareholders.
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October 02, 2025
The Strong Borders Act and a shifting anti-money laundering landscape
In the ever-evolving global fight against financial crime, no country can afford complacency. Criminals innovate constantly, devising complex networks of shell companies, anonymous trusts, cryptocurrency platforms and underground financial services to move and disguise illicit wealth.
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October 02, 2025
Line crossed: IRCC’s proposed administrative monetary penalties should alarm all Canadian bars
The federal government is quietly implementing a regulatory framework that should alarm every lawyer in Canada, regardless of practice area. Under the guise of addressing immigration “ghost consultants,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has crafted administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) that grant it unprecedented authority to discipline lawyers — the same lawyers who routinely challenge that department’s decisions in court.