Banking and Insurance
FSRA issues new guidance for mortgage-based investments disrupted by COVID-19
May 25, 2020
Ontario’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority recently issued guidance to mortgage brokerages and mortgage administrators related to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. In this article, Hartley Lefton, Lucie Tedesco and Arie van Wijngaarden discuss the increased protections for consumers involved in mortgage-based investments during periods of market volatility and disruption.
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Canadian Financial Regulators Issue Further Regulatory Updates in Light of COVID-19
April 15, 2020
Financial institution regulators across Canada have issued further special guidance to the entities they regulate, including banks and insurers, to address the COVID-19 crisis. This article summarizes and discusses some further regulatory updates to be aware of, as OSFI and other regulators will continue to be in close contact with financial institutions.
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FCAC responds to COVID-19
April 1, 2020
In this legal update, our counsel from our Business Law Group, Lucie Tedesco, outlines the measures announced by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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OSFI Announces Regulatory Flexibility to Foster Banks’ and Insurers’ Financial and Operational Resiliency in the Face of the COVID-19 Crisis
March 30, 2020
Partners Nancy Carroll and Hartley Lefton provide an update and break down how the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) continues to be in close contact with the banks and insurance companies it regulates to monitor the evolving situation with COVID-19. OSFI has announced regulatory flexibility to reduce operational stress on banks and insurers so they can focus on their financial resilience and contributions to financial stability.
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OSFI, Department of Finance and Bank of Canada take Measures Applicable to Financial Institutions in Canada in the Face of COVID-19
March 20, 2020
The federal Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), the Department of Finance Canada and the Bank of Canada have coordinated a number of measures to support the resilience of the Canadian financial system in a time of economic uncertainty and disruption due to COVID-19. Partners Nancy Carroll and Hartley Lefton break down how this reinforces the approach and stimulus-style proposals of the Government of Canada from March 18, 2020, including tax deferrals, wage subsidies, and direct supports.
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Cross-border business travel – What is the current situation?
April 15, 2021
As we have now entered the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and are witnessing a clear trend of rising numbers of new cases and active cases involving COVID variants, Canadians officials continue to thoroughly enforce all applicable travel restrictions and sanitary measures at the border to limit the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. While foreign nationals can still be allowed to travel to Canada in some specific cases, the situation can evolve quickly, and the requirements can change on short notice. This article identifies the five key points to keep in mind if you do need to travel to Canada from the United States.
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Digital Health Passes: Ready for Take-off?
March 18, 2021
The aviation industry continues to face uncharted territory as it grapples with the COVID-19 global pandemic. In light of the release of COVID-19 vaccines and mass vaccination efforts, industries and governments are evaluating how to facilitate air travel without risking public health.
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Ontario Capping Energy Prices for Large and Small Consumers Through the End of May
May 15, 2020
The government of Ontario has extended a freeze on electricity prices for individual consumers and introduced measures to cap prices for the largest electricity users in the province. Members of our Power Group highlight the different approaches taken to funding the two programs and the potential need for further actions down the road.
IESO COVID-19 Update: Reduced Demand and Outlook Uncertainty
April 29, 2020
One aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic that is not discernible from most people’s day to day activities is its effects on our electricity system. The Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator recently released information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Ontario’s electricity system and members of our Power Group highlight some of the results and provide their comments on the release.
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Retailer Checklist for Reopening in Canada
June 15, 2021
As COVID-19 infections decline across Canada and vaccinations ramp-up, provinces are gradually entering the first phases of their most recent reopening plans. Bricks-and-mortar retailers have reason to be optimistic, with the opportunity to boost operations and soon welcome customers in greater numbers. Adhering to government guidance and planning for each phase of reopening is essential for retailers to maximize recovery. This week’s Spotlight Series blog provides a checklist of best practices for retailers to follow as we increasingly open for business.
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Reopening Canada: A Guide for Non-Essential Retailers
July 30, 2020
Lawyers from across the firm outline key guidelines released to date for the reopening of non-essential retailers in jurisdictions across Canada.
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COVID-19 Update : Reopening of Physical Workplaces and Return to Work – Considerations for the Agri-Food and Manufacturing Sectors
May 6, 2020
Lawyers from across the firm outline key guidelines released to date in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Québec for the reopening of non-essential agri-food and manufacturing businesses.
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COVID-19: Impact on the Canadian Cannabis Sector
April 24, 2020
McCarthy Tétrault’s national cannabis law group describes the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has uniquely affected Canada’s cannabis industry.
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COVID-19 Update: Liquor an Essential Service – Regulators in AB, BC, ON and SK make changes to assist industry
March 31, 2020
In this update, leading lawyers across our offices outline the impact on liquor licensees of some of the recent restrictions and relaxations implemented by provincial liquor boards, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Toronto Exercises Bylaw Exemption to Permit 24/7 Inventory Deliveries in Response to COVID-19
March 17, 2020
A post from our Retail and Consumer Markets blog on the City of Toronto’s exemption of retail businesses from the usual application of its noise bylaws, paving the way for retailers to accept deliveries 24-hours a day to ensure the stocking of essential goods.
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Insights
Ontario Announces Shut Down of Non-Essential Construction
April 19, 2021
On April 16, 2021, as part of an announcement of new restrictions intended to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Ontario announced a shutdown of non-essential construction activities.
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Navigating the Construction Industry during COVID-19 – Some Practical Considerations following Reopening of Operations
July 8, 2020
This article provides an insight on some practical considerations that construction industry stakeholders should take into account in order to optimize their operations, prevent future claims and minimize damages amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic. The blog post also addresses some tools to be considered in order to solve possible disputes in real time and raises awareness on things to consider for future bids and contracts.
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Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) – Frequently Asked Questions
June 25, 2020
As we continue to actively monitor the latest developments related to the rollout of the Commercial Rent Assistance (“CECRA”) program, we have received a number of questions from prospective applicants seeking clarification with respect to the application process. Through conversations with representatives at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (“CMHC”) and our review of CMHC’s online resources, we have assembled a list of frequently asked questions in order to guide prospective applicants through the application process.
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Preparing for the Economic Reboot – Key Considerations for Project Stakeholders
June 23, 2020
As governments begin to develop plans for this reboot, it is likely that projects in the infrastructure, mining and energy sectors will play an important role in delivering economic stimulus. These projects will be expected to provide immediate employment and investment opportunities, tangible outcomes, and knock-on benefits to suppliers, service-providers, and communities.
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Reopening Canada: A Guide for the Construction Industry in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec
June 17, 2020
Lawyers from across the firm summarize guidelines released to date for the continued operation and/or reopening of the construction industry. This article will continue to be updated as further guidelines are introduced and reopening plans are announced or updated.
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Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance – May 19 and May 20, 2020 Updates From CMHC
May 21, 2020
Clarifications and new information regarding the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program (CECRA) in light of additional details released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on May 19 and 20, 2020
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Suspension of Construction Sites: Who will Bear the Costs? A Few Points to Consider
May 8, 2020
The suspension of construction projects in Québec due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well their reopening announced on April 28, 2020, are likely to result in significant costs for the various stakeholders involved in the construction sector. This article outlines some scenarios for consideration regarding potential disputes that could arise regarding the reimbursement of these costs.
Legal Implications of COVID-19 on Commercial Real Estate
May 7, 2020
Partners James Papadimitriou, Charlene Schafer, and Isabel Henkelman share the key impacts of COVID-19 on the commercial real estate sector and back to work considerations as we prepare for reopening the economy.
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Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance – Additional Guidance for Property Owners and Tenants
April 29, 2020
Clarifications and new information regarding the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program in light of additional details released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on April 29, 2020.
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COVID-19 Update: Government of Alberta includes Construction as an “Essential Service” / Limitation and Procedural Deadlines Still in Effect for Builders’ Liens
April 7, 2020
The effect of emergency pandemic legislation on construction in Alberta.
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COVID-19 Update: Rent Payment and Commercial Lease Enforcement During the Pandemic
March 27, 2020
Leading lawyers across practices provide useful insights relating to commercial tenancy issues in different jurisdictions across the country arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and considerations for possible remedies between landlords and tenants.
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New amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure Permit the Electronic Perfection of Construction Liens
March 25, 2020
Despite the suspension of limitation periods in Ontario, including deadlines for preserving and perfecting constructions liens under the Construction Act, Ontario has now amended the Rules of Civil Procedure to permit the electronic filing of certificates of action to perfect a construction lien.
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Podcasts
On Episode 8: Commercial Leases in Unreasonable Times, Adam Goldenberg speaks with Abraham Costin and Annie Gagnon-Larocque about how COVID-19 is affecting relationships between commercial landlords and tenants – and what it may mean for the future of commercial real estate.
This episode explores a topic of interest to everyone, not only lawyers, and although it may contain legal information, it does not provide legal advice.
This program qualifies for up to 0.5 hours of CPD credit under the mandatory education regimes in British Columbia and Ontario.
Barreau du Québec Continuing Education: This program contains 0.5 hours of content. Upon completion of this podcast, contact us to request your certificate of attendance.
Dans l'épisode 7 (in French only) : Se préparer à une relance progressive de la construction au Québec, Chrystelle Chevalier-Gagnon discute avec M. Jean Charest, ancien premier ministre du Québec, Anca Neacsu, associée en droit des affaires, et Miguel Bourbonnais, associé en litige, des enjeux juridiques soulevés par la pandémie de la COVID-19 dans l’industrie de la construction.
Dans l'épisode 5 (in French only) : Vos questions répondues : Droit Immobilier, Chrystelle Chevalier-Gagnon discute avec Annie Gagnon-Larocque, avocate en droit immobilier, des questions les plus fréquemment posées par les locateurs et les locataires ces derniers jours.
*Cet épisode explore un sujet qui intéresse tout le monde, pas seulement les avocats, et bien qu'il puisse contenir des informations juridiques, il ne fournit pas de conseils juridiques.
Client Solutions
Real Estate Solutions
We can assist commercial real estate clients who are dealing with urgent or longer-term issues relating to COVID-19 develop and evaluate novel approaches to address the impacts of the crisis.
Learn more about this client solution
The Esports Boom: A Temporary ‘Sports Fix’ or in a League of Its Own?
June 09, 2020
The esports industry has been significantly affected by COVID-19, especially as traditional sports have been put on hold for the foreseeable future. Will this boom in the industry last or can we expect things to normalize once the economy reopens?
E-commerce Businesses Now Face PST Registration in Saskatchewan
6 August, 2020
Operators of web and e-commerce platforms may now face new PST registration and collection obligations in Saskatchewan.