Corporate governance in Canada: What boards need to watch

This article was originally published in Global Legal Post’s Law Over Borders: Corporate Governance Comparative Guide 2026, a multi-jurisdictional guide examining corporate governance frameworks, regulatory developments and emerging trends around the world.

As boards navigate economic uncertainty, geopolitical volatility, rapid technological change and shifting stakeholder expectations, issues such as AI oversight, board composition, shareholder engagement and activism and sustainability disclosure are shaping corporate governance practices.

In their contribution to the guide’s Market Insights: Canada chapter, Jennifer Longhurst and Samantha Pettinato, Partners in our Mergers & Acquisitions Group, examine key issues influencing corporate governance in Canada, including AI governance, board diversity, auditor independence, M&A and shareholder activism and ESG considerations. It highlights the need for Canadian leaders to build and maintain effective and adaptive corporate governance frameworks, and the tools to support that work.

---

Read the Market Insights: Canada chapter

Key issues influencing corporate governance in Canada

Read the publication

Looking for an overview of Canada's corporate governance framework?

Read our companion Canada chapter, which examines the laws, regulations, institutions and market forces that shape governance practices for Canadian public companies. It also answers questions about the key stakeholders and external factors informing Canadian corporate governance practices, the top concerns facing businesses today, and the impact of M&A and activism on governance.

Related reading: New to the Canadian market?

Explore Doing Business in Canada 2026: A Practical Guide for Global Investors for an overview of Canada’s legal, regulatory and business environment, including corporate structuring, securities regulation, taxation and competition law, as well as other key considerations for businesses investing or operating in Canada.

Considering taking a Canadian public company private? Our Canadian Going Private Transactions guide outlines the key steps involved in a going-private transaction.