In this article — “Privacy and data-related law reform to continue in 2025” — we discuss the significant reform of privacy legislation at the federal and provincial levels in Canada. Key topics include enhanced enforcement regimes, new requirements for compliance, and internal governance mechanisms for businesses.

This article is authored by Adam Kardash, Co-Chair and partner with Osler’s Privacy and Data Management Group, partner Joanna Fine and associates Maryna Polataiko and Andy Nagy.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.

In this introduction, we share insights on key legal developments in 2024 and their implications for Canadian business. The highlights covered here are further explored in the 30 articles that make up this report.

This introduction is authored by James Brown, who is a partner in our Corporate practice, and Jacqueline Code, partner and Chair, Research.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook, published on December 4, 2024, provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.

In this article — Highlights of the new Competition Act and pending changes for foreign investment — we review recent amendments to the Competition Act and anticipated changes to foreign investment laws. The Competition Act amendments greatly expand the private enforcement of Canada’s competition laws. Increasing penalties for noncompliance can be expected.

This article is authored by Shuli Rodal, partner and Chair of Osler’s Competition and Foreign Investment Group, and Chair of the Competition/Antitrust Group, along with Michelle Lally and Kaeleigh Kuzma, partners in the Competition/Antitrust and Foreign Investment Group.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com. 

In this article — Businesses facing increasing costs for supply chain compliance — we review the Modern Slavery Act and its implications for business reporting obligations. With increasing global attention to this issue, it is important for businesses to establish policies and procedures setting clear expectations for all representatives to act ethically at all times. Further legislation requiring businesses to take certain steps to prevent the risk of forced or child labour is anticipated in the future.

This article is authored by John Valley, partner, Osler’s Corporate group and Chair: Environmental, Social and Governance group; Alan Kenigsberg, a partner in Osler’s Tax Group; Malcolm Aboud, Counsel in Osler’s Risk Management and Crisis Response Group and Disputes department; Chelsea Rubin, an associate in Osler’s Competition/Antitrust, Foreign Investment and International Trade Groups, and Sarah Firestone, an associate in Osler’s Disputes department.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.

In this article — "The landscape for Internet gaming in Canada evolves" — we discuss the heightened interest from provincial governments in creating a regulatory framework for responsible gaming following Ontario’s success. Opening up the market will create greater opportunities for revenue generation. The gaming regulatory landscape is expected to rapidly evolve in the coming years.

This article is authored by Eric Levy, Chair of the Gaming Group at Osler and Andrea Whyte KC, partner in the Corporate Group along with Ted Liu, a partner in the Technology Group and Jacqueline Code, partner and Chair: Research.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.

In this article — It’s debatable: unresolved corporate governance issues impacting 2025 — we discuss the importance of adopting best practices in the areas of corporate governance which are currently being scrutinized and debated. With diversity, equity and inclusion, for example, companies should review their policies and practices to ensure they comply with applicable human rights legislation. Continued diversity progress will largely depend on businesses recognizing the strategic value of implementing and enhancing DEI practices.

This article is authored by Andrew MacDougall, a partner in Osler’s Corporate Group, John Valley, a partner in the Corporate Group and Chair of the Environmental, Social and Governance practice and Wesley Cohen and Kiana Blake, both associates in the firm’s Corporate Group.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.

In this article — What’s new in Québec’s consumer protection law? — we review the requirements of Québec’s Bill 29 and proposed Bill 72 and how these will affect businesses in their dealings with consumers. The focus of this legislation is to provide greater safeguards for consumers in their purchase of goods and services. It will be incumbent upon businesses to consider any required changes to their practices and policies to comply with these laws.

This article is authored by Constantine Troulis and Elizabeth Sale, both partners in Osler’s Financial Services Group, Alexandre Fallon, a partner in the Disputes department, Amanda Gravel, an associate in the Disputes department, and Rachelle Saint-Laurent, an articling student at the firm.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.

In this article – “Canadian mandatory climate disclosure rules in the forecast” — we discuss how Canadian companies should plan to respond to the impending mandatory climate-related disclosure requirement. Key topics include international and U.S. approaches, implications for Canada, and greenwashing.

This article is authored by John Valley a partner in the Corporate Group at Osler and Chair or the Environmental, Social and Governance practice, and Jason Comerford, also a partner in the Corporate Group.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.

In this article — The rise of retail: accessing private markets — we discuss how there are now greater opportunities for the mass affluent and retail investors to participate in private asset investing. The availability of this form of investing is also helping to fuel the growth of Canadian companies. The democratization of private asset investing is expected to accelerate and continue to evolve in 2025.

This article is authored by John Black, Co-Chair of Osler’s Investment Funds practice, John Groenewegen, Brett Anderson and Shawn Cymbalisty who are partners in the firm’s Corporate Group, Chima Ubani, a partner in the Emerging and High Growth Companies Group and Chair: Venture Fund Formation, and Isabella Casciola, an associate in the Corporate Group.

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.

In this article – “Two years of CIRO: enforcement, harmonization and what’s next” — we review the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization’s accomplishments as well as its top priorities for the future. Key topics include regulatory harmonization, enforcement trends, dual registration, advisor compensation and client-focused reforms.

This article is authored by Lawrence Ritchie, partner and Chair of Osler’s national Risk Management and Crisis Response practice, Alex Cobb, a partner in the Disputes practice and Lorraine Lynds, partner in the Corporate Group, together with Lipi Mishra and Jayne Cooke, associates in the Disputes practice. 

Osler Legal Outlook is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus — your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 600 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Osler Legal Outlook provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler and for the full Osler Legal Outlook, please visit our website at osler.com.