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Christian P. Gauthier

Capital Markets and M&A Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver and Toronto

Partner

Kwang Lim

Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Vancouver Managing Partner

Generative AI is taking the venture capital world by storm. Despite the slump in overall VC funding, investor interest in AI is intensifying. PitchBook notes that "in the world of startup valuations, there's generative AI—and everything else." The Wall Street Journal describes the current environment as "ChatGPT fever . . . Amid broader venture-capital doldrums, it is boom times for startups touting generative artificial intelligence tech." As VC investors look to the generative AI market and companies seek funding, there are several things to consider including valuations, the ever evolving regulatory landscape and a heightened need for robust diligence and corporate governance processes.

Booming Venture Capital Investment in Generative AI Considerations for Investors and Companies

Booming Venture Capital Investment in Generative AI: Considerations for Investors and Companies

Gordon N. Cameron

Canadian Corporate and Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones New York

Principal, Head of New York Office

Thomas A. Bauer

Tax Lawyer | M&A, Reorganizations & Cross-Border Deals

Partner 

Xenia Wong

Equity and Debt Securities Lawyer at Bennett Jones New York

Principal

The special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) IPO boom of 2021 fizzled in 2022 as SPAC IPO activity declined sharply—a trend that will likely continue in 2023. In 2021, there were a record-breaking 613 SPAC IPOs whereas, as of March 2023, there have only been seven SPAC IPOs. This marked decrease in SPAC IPO activity has been driven by rising interest rates, inflation and changes in the regulatory landscape due to increased scrutiny by the SEC.

Canada CrossBorder DeSPAC Transactions What US Listed SPACs and Canadian Companies Need to Know

Canada Cross-Border De-SPAC Transactions: What U.S.-Listed SPACs and Canadian Companies Need to Know

Linda Misetich Dann

Securities, Corporate Finance, M&A and Mining Transaction Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Harinder S. Basra

Corporate & Securities Lawyer | M&A

Calgary Managing Partner

<a rel="noopener noreferrer" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/corporate-commercial/ma-activity-slips-in-q3-but-year-to-date-numbers-better-than-before-pandemic-bennett-jones-lawyers/370559" target="_blank">Canadian Lawyer</a> reports on Bennett Jones' Q3 look at the M&A landscape. Linda Misetich Dann, Christian Gauthier and Harinder Basra say there is a lot of interest in dealmaking, with the latest numbers on M&A activity beating those from before the pandemic. M&A activity has slowed in the first nine months of 2022.

M A Activity YearToDate Is Better Than Before Pandemic

M&A Activity Year-To-Date Is Better Than Before Pandemic

While Canadian M&A activity slowed in Q3, many companies and investors continue to have the appetite and capital to do M&A transactions, including private equity funds who continue to seek accretive opportunities to deploy capital in a number of sectors in the Canadian economy. As was the case throughout the first half of 2022, deals are being done and opportunities are there, but investors are showing restraint and gone are the days of doing a deal at any cost.

Canadas M A Landscape Q3 2022 Its Not If Its When

Canada's M&A Landscape Q3 2022: It's Not If, It's When

John D. van Gent

Commercial Real Estate Finance Lawyer | Lending & Credit

Quinn Rozwadowski

Articling Student at Bennett Jones in Toronto

Articling Student

This article examines a common misconception in mortgage lending: the perceived need for guarantees from beneficial owners and general partners. It explains why such guarantees are typically unenforceable due to fundamental principles of agency and guarantee law. The piece also outlines clearer, more effective approaches to structuring mortgage loan relationships.

Would The Real Guarantor Please Stand Up

Andrew N. Disipio

Mining & Corporate Finance Lawyer | M&A, Equity & Debt Deals

Geoffrey P. Stenger

Energy, Infrastructure & Construction Lawyer | Bennett Jones Calgary

Alexis Fol

Project Development, Energy and Infrastructure Lawyer at Bennett Jones Montreal

Canada&rsquo;s M&amp;A market entered 2026 with moderated activity but sustained underlying strength, as dealmakers adopted a more selective and strategic approach. Large transactions drove a significant share of total value, with energy, mining and infrastructure leading activity. As regulatory clarity improves and investor confidence builds, the market is well positioned for increased dealmaking through the remainder of the year.

Canadas Q1 2026 MA Landscape

Large Transactions and Sector Concentration Shape Early-2026 Dealmaking

Canada's Q1 2026 M&A Landscape

Artem N. Barsukov FCIArb

International Arbitration Lawyer

Edward W. Hulshof

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Vancouver

Associate

Paige Lutz

Articling Student at Bennett Jones Vancouver

The Alberta Court of Appeal clarified that broadly worded arbitration clauses can extend to statutory claims, including those under the Tort-Feasors Act. Overturning the uncertainty created by Orica, the Court confirmed that parties will be held to their agreement to arbitrate, even where claims arise by operation of law. The decision reinforces commercial certainty and helps avoid parallel proceedings and inconsistent outcomes.

Alberta Court of Appeal Provides Antidote to Consternation on Scope of Arbitration Clauses

Anu Nijhawan

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

Lead Director and Partner

Hennadiy Kutsenko

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Counsel

Talia K. Bregman

Management-side Employment Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Recent guidance from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development provides important clarity on when cross-border remote work arrangements may give rise to a permanent establishment under international tax treaties. The analysis focuses on key indicators such as the duration of remote work and whether there is a commercial reason for an employee&rsquo;s presence in a jurisdiction. The article also outlines practical steps employers can take to mitigate tax risk and manage a globally distributed workforce.

Remote Work Without Borders But Not Necessarily Without Tax Consequences

Remote Work Without Borders—But Not Necessarily Without Tax Consequences: OECD Guidance for a Post-Pandemic World

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Pavan Pasha

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

In Cervantes v. Pizza Nova Take Out Ltd., the Ontario Divisional Court clarified that civil conspiracy claims must allege an agreement or common design among defendants. The Court held that compliance with a franchisor&rsquo;s requirements alone does not constitute conspiracy. This decision reinforces the need for precise pleadings and upholds the principle of corporate separateness in class action claims.

No Agreement No Conspiracy Ontario Court Affirms Civil Conspiracy Requires a Pleaded Agreement

No Agreement, No Conspiracy: Ontario Court Affirms Civil Conspiracy Requires a Pleaded Agreement

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