The forced hiatus in business activity and the economic shock caused by COVID-19 have hit many Quebec business owners hard. The impact is especially heavy for owners saddled with the burden of succession planning and finding no one to take over the reins. Currently, 30 to 60,000 Quebec businesses are in danger of disappearing within […]
In a recent decision, the Superior Court of Quebec addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the contractual obligations of parties to a commercial lease. This decision is likely the first of many to address this increasingly pervasive issue for businesses operating in Quebec. The decision In Hengyun International Investment Commerce Inc. v. 9368-7614 Québec Inc.,1 the Court […]
On June 12, the Quebec government introduced bill 164, An Act to modernize legislative provisions as regards the protection of personal information (“the Bill”), first announced nearly a year ago. Once adopted, the Bill will result in significant changes to various laws in order to modernize the regulatory framework for the protection of personal data in Quebec. […]
On July 14, 2020, The BlackNorth Initiative, led by The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism (the “Council”), released the Law Firm Pledge, asking leaders from Canada’s law firms to commit to specific actions and targets designed to end anti-Black systemic racism and create opportunities for those in underrepresented Black, Indigenous, and […]
In this period of gradual resumption of activities amidst an ongoing pandemic, we are being asked to shift into “solution mode”. Life as we knew it has given way to a new reality that requires change and adaptation. Workplaces are no exception, as explored in our recent article, “Change management post-COVID-19”. Read More
On July 9, 2020, the Province of Ontario independent Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce (the “Taskforce”) delivered 47 “high impact” policy proposals (the “Proposals”) in the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce Consultation Report. The Taskforce is seeking feedback on the Proposals by September 7, 2020 with a view to implementing many of the Proposals by year-end. In […]
Should an employer proceed with a hiring process after learning that a candidate’s disability may affect his or her ability to perform the job safely? The Quebec Court of Appeal considered this issue in CDPDJ v. Société de transport de Montréal. Read More
On May 7, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an application by commercial advertisers wishing to appeal a September 25, 2019 ruling by the Quebec Court of Appeal, which upheld the City of Montréal’s principal appeal on the matter of the legality of a ban on billboards in the Plateau Mont-Royal borough. Consequently, the […]
Friday, June 12, 2020 On June 4, 2020, the Canadian Securities Administrators (the “CSA”) published the final amendments to National Instrument 44-102 – Shelf Distributions (“NI 44-102”) and changes to Companion Policy 44-102CP – Shelf Distributions (“44-102CP”) which, among other things, eliminate the requirement to obtain exemptive relief from certain regulatory requirements necessary for issuers to conduct an at-the-market offering […]
As our economy takes its first steps toward reopening and we look ahead to the post-COVID-19 world, many companies are grappling with the fallout of the various defaults or breaches of contract they have experienced during the crisis. While much has been written about “force majeure” and what companies should do if they are unable […]
Join Green and Spiegel’s Managing Partner Stephen Green for a complementary Canadian immigration webinar focusing on investment, entrepreneurship and growing your business in Canada. We are specialists in providing access to the Canadian market to international founders. We partner with government-designated organizations in Canada to help Start-ups establish themselves in Canada while helping them receive […]
Should an employer proceed with a hiring process after learning that a candidate’s disability may affect his or her ability to perform the job safely? The Quebec Court of Appeal considered this issue in CDPDJ v. Société de transport de Montréal. In this case, the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (the “CDPDJ”) claimed […]