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Martin Ignasiak KC

Energy & Industrial Projects Lawyer

Head of Energy Regulatory

Shawn M. Munro

Energy Lawyer | Oil & Gas and Environmental Lawyer

Partner 

David J. Macaulay

Power & Renewable Energy Lawyer

Head of Power & Renewable Energy 

The growing data centre industry continues to be a focal point of the Alberta Government’s economic diversification strategy. Policy work aimed at attracting data centre investment to the province is ongoing and interest in data centre development is high, resulting in an unprecedented amount of connection requests being submitted to the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) to obtain power from the grid.

Large Load Integration on Alberta Electricity Grid

Large Load Integration on Alberta's Electricity Grid: The AESO's Proposed Approach for Data Centre Connections

Jessica Kennedy

Regulatory Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Partner

On Monday, May 12, 2025, more than 80 stakeholders gathered for an energy innovation event hosted by Energy Storage Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Nuclear Association and the Canadian Hydrogen Association. The event showcased Alberta’s leadership in integrating energy storage, hydrogen and nuclear technologies—key pillars for a secure, abundant and prosperous energy future.

How Alberta is Shaping the Future of Energy Solutions

Daron K. Naffin

Energy, Environmental & Regulatory Lawyer | Municipal & Expropriation

Tim Myers

Regulatory, Environmental, Aboriginal and Expropriation Lawyer

Thomas Machell

Associate

In a recent decision made pursuant to section 33 of the Pipeline Act, the Alberta Energy Regulator rejected an application filed by Qualico Developments West Ltd. (Qualico) seeking orders requiring Pembina Pipeline Corporation and Plains Midstream Canada ULC to share in the cost of the work required for Qualico to construct an arterial road across two existing pipelines in connection with a residential development being pursued by Qualico in the Edmonton area.

AER Denies Developers Request to Share Pipeline Crossing Costs

AER Denies Developer's Request to Share Pipeline Crossing Costs

Greg M. Johnson

Energy Tax & Corporate Lawyer | M&A, Reorganizations & PE

On April 3, 2024, the Alberta Government released <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-carbon-capture-incentive-program" target="_blank">additional details</a> on the Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program (ACCIP), which will support and accelerate the development of new carbon capture, utilization and storage infrastructure in Alberta. It is now open for industry and carbon sequestration hub operators to apply for ACCIP pre-approval, and the ACCIP rollout now includes more detail around the ACCIP's key features, eligibility criteria, eligible costs and the application process.

Government of Alberta Unveils Further Details Regarding the Alberta Carbon Capture Incentive Program

Dominique T. Hussey

Chief Executive Officer and Intellectual Property Litigator, Pharma/Biotech and Trademark Lawyer

Chief Executive Officer

Vincent M. de Grandpré

IP Lawyer | Life Sciences & Tech

Emily P. Kettel

Intellectual Property Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Partner, Trademark Agent

In Pharmascience v. Janssen Inc., the Supreme Court of Canada reaffirmed that methods of medical treatment remain unpatentable subject matter under the Patent Act because they are directed to the professional skill and judgment of healthcare practitioners. At the same time, the Court upheld the patentability of the dosing regimen claims at issue, clarifying that not all therapeutic or treatment-related claims constitute unpatentable methods of medical treatment. The decision provides important guidance on assessing patent eligibility for pharmaceutical and life sciences innovations in Canada.

Supreme Court of Canada Reaffirms that  Methods of Medical Treatment are Unpatentable

Supreme Court of Canada Confirms That Medical Professional Skill and Judgment Are Excluded From the Patent Bargain

Ethan Z. Schiff

Class Actions & Commercial Litigation Lawyer

Evana Yukanna

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Ontario court denies a late class action opt-out request, reinforcing settlement finality and confirming prejudice can arise before court approval.

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt Out Request

Ontario Court Reinforces Finality of Class Proceedings in Rejecting Late Opt-Out Request

Tyler McDonough

Commercial Litigation Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Logan Lazurko

Energy & Regulatory Lawyer | Environmental

On June 17, 2026, the Alberta Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed an appeal by Fort McMurray 468 First Nation challenging an Alberta Energy Regulator decision that the First Nation lacked standing to request regulatory appeals of approvals issued to AdhMor Ltd. for an oilfield waste management facility near Fort McMurray. The decision in Fort McMurray 468 First Nation v Alberta Energy Regulator, 2026 ABCA 197, offers important guidance on what it takes to get in the door at the AER.

Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms Cumulative Effects are no Substitute for Evidence

No Standing Without Specifics: Alberta Court of Appeal Confirms that Cumulative Effects are no Substitute for Evidence

Wesley R. Novotny

Corporate Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Wade Ritchie

Tax Lawyer at Bennett Jones Calgary

Zachary Thacker

In the April 28, 2026 Spring Economic Update, the federal government announced its intention to make permanent the C$10 million capital gains exemption available on certain sales of businesses to employee ownership trusts and worker cooperatives, which exemption was previously set to expire at the end of 2026. This amendment has now passed into law as part of Bill C-30, which received Royal Assent on June 18, 2026.

Capital Gains Exemption Made Permanent for Employee Ownership Trusts

A Major Boost for Canadian Business Succession

C$10 Million Capital Gains Exemption Made Permanent for Employee Ownership Trusts 

Curtis A. Cusinato

Vice Chair and Co-Head of M&A

Vice Chair and Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions

Tyler B. McAuley

Corporate Lawyer at Bennett Jones Toronto

Kevin Myson

Energy & Corporate Lawyer | M&A, Natural Resources & Transport

Canada&rsquo;s M&amp;A market remained resilient through the first half of 2026, with deal activity increasingly concentrated in large, strategically important transactions despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This quarterly update explores the sectors driving Canadian M&amp;A, including energy, digital infrastructure and real estate, and examines how policy developments, AI-related demand and shifting investment priorities are shaping dealmaking trends. It also highlights key opportunities and considerations for investors as activity is expected to accelerate in the second half of the year.

Shawn Munro in the Calgary Herald

From the Same Authors