Canada’s business landscape is constantly evolving, driven by rapid technological advancements, shifting regulatory frameworks and unprecedented global challenges. As Canada’s Global Law Firm, Dentons connects you with local legal expertise in the markets that matter most to you.
We are currently in the process of updating our “Doing Business in Canada” guide to reflect and highlight current issues, regulatory and policy changes, legal precedents and trends affecting business owners.
Below, you will find our curated thought leadership collection with current trends and forward-looking perspectives covering key areas shaping the dynamic legal landscape, across Canada and around the world. If you’re seeking specific insights or want to understand how Canadian and global trends may influence your business, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can navigate the complexities of the global market to help you achieve your goals, wherever your business takes you.
Corporate
Beyond borders: Private equity fund managers’ survey of current topics in cross-border M&A: 2023 review and outlook for 2024
This data-driven report features findings from interviews of 150 private equity fund managers across the world, revealing how dealmakers find success in North American M&A, the most appealing sectors and regions they’re focusing on, and the key risk factors that impact their plans and strategies for mitigation. Read the report here.
Securities and Corporate Finance: 2023 review and outlook for 2024
In 2023, Canadian capital markets faced challenges from global market volatility, persistent inflation, rising interest rates, a global recession and geopolitical turbulence. Despite a decline in market performance, there was an increase in equity and debt underwriting activities. Read the report here.
Proxy season guide 2024
The Canadian corporate governance landscape encompasses legislative, regulatory and advisory developments that impact proxy-related materials and annual disclosure for public companies. To understand past significant changes and gain valuable insights into ongoing developments and future matters, read the guide here.
An update on Corporations Canada reporting requirements: 2023 review
Corporations Canada recently provided an update regarding the latest diversity reporting requirements under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) for distributing corporations that are governed by the CBCA and shared key findings from its 2023 annual review. Read the publication here.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Litigation and Dispute Resolution: 2023 review and outlook 2024
Global financial instability, high inflation, central bank rate hikes and geopolitical uncertainties have significantly impacted the Canadian legal landscape, giving rise to new industry developments and a noticeable increase in cases filed nationwide. For insights from 2023 and forecasts for 2024, on how executives and in-house legal teams can prepare and protect business interests, read the report here.
Deal or no deal? A concise guide to negotiating contracts while minimizing the risk of disputes
Parties negotiating contracts frequently litigate whether they have a binding agreement. This guide provides advice to clients negotiating contracts to help you minimize the risk of disputes, in addition to highlighting actions or inactions that could put you at risk of inadvertently entering into an agreement. Read the guidance here.
Energy and environmental law
Energy regulatory trends to watch in 2024: Power struggles
Tensions between federal environmental goals, especially greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and provincial economic priorities dominated Canada’s energy regulatory landscape in 2023. This trend is expected to continue and intensify in 2024, influenced by upcoming elections in the U.S. and Canada. Read the publication here.
Environmental regulatory trends to watch in 2024: Another year of challenge
In 2024, challenges to federal environmental regulations in Canada are expected to intensify, continuing the debates from 2023 as stakeholders seek to balance shared provincial and federal jurisdiction over the environment. Read the publication here.
Greenwashing: The next “big thing”? : 2023 review
As companies increasingly promote their ESG credentials, unsubstantiated claims of being sustainable can lead to allegations of “greenwashing” as well as liability, compliance and reputational risks. Learn about the laws applicable to voluntary corporate ESG disclosures and greenwashing in 18 jurisdictions around the globe, including Canada. Read the report here.
Canadian batteries and EVs: 2023 review and outlook for 2024
The Canadian batteries and EV industry is surging with positive momentum. Advances in the regulatory framework, public and private initiatives and shifting consumer trends are driving the growth of electrified transportation in Canada. To discover the key developments that will strengthen Canada’s position and role in the global supply chain for batteries and EVs, read the publication here.
Tax
Global Tax Guide to Doing Business in Canada 2024
Canada imposes corporate and personal income tax on its residents (including Canadian subsidiaries of foreign entities) for income and capital gains earned globally. To find out how Dentons can help you successfully expand your business operations in Canada, read the report here.
Canada Federal Budget 2024
The federal government introduced Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation, which contains tax measures aimed at generating increased tax revenue from wealthier Canadians, making the tax system more “fair.” For a detailed analysis of the key tax components in the budget, read the report here.
How Budget 2024 affects Canadians’ taxes – Enhancements to CRA powers
New tax proposals outlined in Budget 2024 introduce several measures aimed at enhancing the Canada Revenue Agency’s powers to ensure taxpayers comply with their tax reporting and payment obligations. To learn more of these proposed changes and its implications, read the publication here.
Regulatory
Payments and open banking regulatory trends to watch in 2024: Charting the future of financial transactions
2024 is set to be a pivotal year for payments and open banking in Canada, as new federal regulatory frameworks in both areas come to fruition after years of consultation and development. Read the publication here.
International trade trends to watch in 2024: Pursuing multiple government priorities
In 2024, Canada will pursue multiple priorities in international trade and geopolitics. With the resurgence of industrial and protectionist policies, alongside a continued focus on supply chain regulation and sanctions, the year is poised to be pivotal for trade. Read the publication here.
Foreign investment review trends to watch in 2024: Navigating national security reviews in uncertain times
In 2024, Canada will generally remain open to foreign investment. However, expected amendments to the Investment Canada Act could introduce greater obstacles and potential delays for investors, with pre-closing national security clearance becoming mandatory. Read the publication here.
Consumer product regulatory trends to watch in 2024: Regulation of consumer product and packaging quality through an environmental lens
In 2024, the regulation of consumer products and packaging is likely to shift further toward environmental protection. While historically focused on human health, recent trends are increasingly targeting the environmental impact of consumption and waste. Read the publication here.
TMT regulatory trends to watch in 2024 – Telecommunications
In 2024, Canadian telecommunications regulators are expected to continue promoting the deployment of advanced networks and investment in infrastructure, while also focusing on initiatives to enhance consumer welfare and foster competition. Read the publication here.
Canada publishes modern slavery reporting guidance
In December 2023, Public Safety Canada released its long-awaited guidance on Canada’s modern slavery reporting legislation, the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act. The guidance provides insights into the expectations of Public Safety on certain reporting requirements included in the Act and sets out guidance that goes beyond what is required in the Act. Read the key elements of the guidance here.
Sanction Year in Review 2023
The world of sanctions policy and enforcement saw quite a busy year in 2023—and plenty of signs that things won’t slow down in 2024. To help you keep track of the highlights, we present our annual report with global developments and policy updates from Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. Read the report here.
Employment and Labour
Canadian Employment and Labour Year: 2023 review and outlook for 2024
Canadian employers face a multitude of issues, including generative AI, the ongoing evolution of hybrid workplaces and the increasing frequency of labour strikes. To understand the notable legal developments and legislative changes in wrongful dismissals, human rights, labour relations, OHS, pensions and business immigration, as well as upcoming trends to watch, read the report here.
Right to disconnect proposed for federally regulated employees
As of August 2024, Ontario is the only province in Canada to have legislation addressing disconnecting from work, specifically imposing a requirement on employers to have a disconnecting from work policy but not going as far as to grant employees a right to disconnect. While it is unknown whether the federal government intends to follow the same structure as Ontario or to take a divergent approach, based on the use of the term “right” in Budget 2024 it is anticipated the federal government’s goal is to provide employees with statutory protection from off-work communications. Read the article here.
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Final Québec anonymization regulations published
On May 15, 2024, the Québec government published the final version of the Regulation respecting the anonymization of personal information, providing insight into the requirements that organizations will likely need to meet in order to lawfully anonymize personal information in accordance with the recently amended Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector. Read our analysis here.
Media and Entertainment
Producing in Canada: A guide to Canadian film, television and interactive digital media incentive programs
Canada is recognized as a major player in film, television and interactive digital media production. To find out how Dentons can help you stay up to date with the advantages associated with producing in Canada and the various incentives provided by both federal and provincial governments, read the guide here.