Sweeping Amendments to Trademark Act ‘Globalizes’ Registry System; Fails to Address Protection of Indigenous Knowledge Canada’s Trademark Act is getting a major renovation on June 17, 2019 to align our trademark registration system with international standards. Here’s a quick breakdown on what to expect, and some tips on what you can do this week to… Read more »
+ Read MoreOn May 21, 2019 (happy belated birthday to the author), Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (“Minister”) announced Canada’s new Digital Charter, a set of 10 principles aimed at Canada’s increasingly digital and data-driven economy. The Digital Charter is the result of extensive consultations through the National Digital and Data Consultations launched in… Read more »
+ Read MoreOn April 29, 2019, the BC Government introduced Bill 8 – Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2019 (“Bill 8”), containing proposed changes to the Employment Standards Act (“ESA”). The Bill provides targeted adjustments rather than sweeping reform, all of which are designed to increase employee rights and protections. If passed, Bill 8 will: – increase protections… Read more »
+ Read MoreWe are proud to announce that MT+Co. lawyers Merle Alexander, Rob Miller and Jim Titerle have been selected in the upcoming 2019 Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition – Energy, profiling Lexpert-ranked lawyers in practice areas that include energy mandates. Also included are journalist-written feature articles on the latest developments in the energy industry, including oil… Read more »
+ Read MoreIntroducing Braden Lauer Braden Lauer recently joined MT+Co., bringing with him his experience and passion in the world of franchising, licensing and distribution. MT+Co. now services franchisor and franchisee side domestic and international clients, offers franchise disclosure compliance products for all Canadian provinces, and gives licensing and product distribution advice. Introducing the “New-School Franchising” Column… Read more »
+ Read MorePPPA + SLAPP The Honourable David Eby, Attorney General, has introduced legislation aimed at enhancing freedom of expression and public participation, entitled the Protection of Public Participation Act (“PPPA”) into the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. In his introduction of the PPPA (Bill-2) to the BC Legislature, Eby noted that the “…purpose of this act… Read more »
+ Read MoreThe Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC“) in Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd., 2019 SCC 5 (“Orphan“) ruled that trustees in bankruptcy and insolvency cannot walk away from the environmental liabilities of a bankrupt estate. Chief Justice Wagnar, for the majority, decided that: earmarking the assets of a bankrupt estate for outstanding provincial environmental… Read more »
+ Read MoreThe battle over the interpretation and implementation of section 35 rights guaranteed by the Constitution Act, 1982 (“Constitution”) has played out primarily in Canadian courts, with Indigenous communities and individuals expending tremendous amounts time and resources trying to prove inherent rights. In issuing the Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples (“Directive”) on January 11,… Read more »
+ Read MoreA recent decision of the BC Supreme Court is a good reminder of the importance of extremely careful drafting of non-competition clauses. In Campbell & Fairweather Psychology Group, 2018 BCSC 1916 (“Campbell”), Justice Baird dismissed an application for an interlocutory injunction based a non-competition clause. The plaintiffs owned a psychology clinic in Nanaimo, BC and… Read more »
+ Read MoreThe federal government has taken steps towards a second wave of cannabis legalization by announcing a set of proposed rules governing the production and sale of cannabis edibles, extracts, and topical body products, and initiating a 60 day public consultation process, including in particular with respect to Indigenous peoples. The first wave of legalization came… Read more »
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