Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, from language learning models to AI image generators. However, the use of AI in decision-making processes is raising novel legal questions. A recent decision by the Federal Court in Canada has shed light on the legal implications of using AI in the administrative decision-making process. In Haghshenas v. Canada…
Many British Columbians are making the decision to purchase a unit in a development that is not yet constructed. This decision is usually the largest purchase a person will make in their lifetime and is often both an exhilarating but also nerve-wracking experience. And while there are advantages to “purchasing pre-sale” there are also some risks and other issues that…
On February 1, 2017, British Columbia (B.C.) became the sixth province in Canada to introduce franchise legislation with the coming into force of the Franchises Act, and Franchises Regulations, respectively. Whether you are inquiring into becoming or already are a practicing franchisor or franchisee, you should be informed as to what your legal obligations and rights are when franchising in…
Conflict in commercial relationships happen, and the mechanisms chosen to handle these disputes should be given a sufficient amount of thought and planning. All too often, parties turn to litigation to resolve their legal disputes before considering other dispute resolution processes. One process that has become increasingly visible and relied upon as an effective alternative to pursuing litigation is arbitration.…
In a previous post, we explored trademarks. The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) defines a trademark as a “sign or combination of signs used or proposed to be used by a person to distinguish their goods or services from those of others.” Perhaps at first the trademarks simply represent the good or services that a business provides; however, over time,…
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the details for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program on April 24, 2020. The program aims to provide the support needed by small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The government hopes that introducing this program will contribute towards a quicker and easier economic rebound once restrictions are lifted. In…
The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been wide reaching, especially for the energy sector. It has, and continues to, experience unforeseen challenges to its daily operations. For example, closures, employees quarantining or self-isolating, and disrupted supply chains. These difficulties have only been exacerbated by unprecedented declines in oil prices. As a result, it’s reasonable to assume that many oil…
Without a doubt, Canada is facing a significant slowdown due to the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. Businesses have shut down, international supply chains have been disrupted, international travel has slowed, and borders have closed. The pandemic has had, and will continue to have, unprecedented effects on the global economy. Ultimately, this will leave many individuals and businesses unable to follow…
The coronavirus outbreak has affected everyday life with the media playing a large role in instilling panic through sensationalized headlines. The general public’s fear of the unknown coupled with misinformation has already led to a shortage in personal supplies such as hand sanitizer, face masks, and toilet paper. Thus, it is logical to assume that the real estate market, too,…
Ever wonder about the rules and regulations surrounding recreational cannabis legalization and border crossing? A general rule of thumb is that taking cannabis across the border, whether entering or exiting Canada, is illegal. Read more to learn about the specifics pertaining to border crossing regulations. Entering Canada Despite its legalization in Canada, pre-existing cannabis border rules have not changed. Any…