May Timely Topics: Civil procedure overhaul, our tariff roundup, and more

Timely Topics with McCarthy Tétrault curates the latest market trends on a monthly basis to help you stay informed of developments that can affect your business. Please contact us if you have any questions on the topics below.

Here are this month’s trending topics:

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Justice Reform: Ontario's civil procedure overhaul explained

Transformative changes to Ontario’s civil litigation rules have been proposed, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize delays. Key reforms include an end to examinations for discovery, an online-only entry point into the system, joint experts, and more. Make sure you understand how dispute resolution could change in Ontario.

Read our analysis

Public comments on the proposed changes are open until June 16, 2025. Talk to one of the authors, Moya Graham, Byron Shaw, Ivan Merrow, or Meaza Damte for guidance on these changes or submitting a comment.

Tariffs

Trade War Turbulence: Navigate the tariffs with our roundup

Access crucial insights into the rapidly evolving trade and tariff situation with our Cross-Border Trade & Tariffs Roundup. Get timely legal, policy, and commercial advice from some of Canada’s most highly regarded trade lawyers and policy advisors. This hub for major tariff developments should be number one on your browser bookmarks.

Subscribe for the latest analyses

John Boscariol and Martha Harrison, two of Canada’s most experienced trade lawyers, are frequently interviewed by mainstream media, including the CBC, Bloomberg, and the Globe and Mail. Contact them for astute and actionable advice during this unprecedented period in international trade.

Procurement

Beat the competition with our Public Procurement 2024 review

Competition is fierce in the procurement space. Read our Public Procurement 2024 Year in Review to learn what worked and didn’t work in 2024 so you can get an edge in 2025.

Read our review

Our Public Procurement Group is one of the biggest in Canada, with over 25 lawyers nationally and, covering a wide range of industries and sectors. Contact us for expert advice in this competitive space.

Energy and Telecommunications

Quebec Budget 2025 proposes rate increase for the public utilities tax

Under the latest provincial budget, substantial rate increases are proposed for the public utilities tax, affecting electricity producers and suppliers, telecommunications providers, and gas distributors. Read our overview to understand the financial impacts on your business, which could be substantial.

Read the overview

These changes could significantly affect your forward budget planning as well as the financial performance of existing projects. Talk to one of the authors, Christian Meighen, Geneviève Favreau, or Emma Murrin for guidance.

This newsletter is designed to provide general information only. This newsletter does not provide legal advice on specific issues. You are encouraged to consult with legal counsel should you require assistance in addressing a particular issue or concern.

Tell us what you think! Do you have feedback for the Timely Topics newsletter or topics you’d like for us to explore? Let us know at marcomms@mccarthy.ca.

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