Canada: Contracts and Commercial Law

La récente rupture des négociations commerciales entre le Canada et les États-Unis ainsi que les mesures tarifaires qui ont suivi ont amené les entreprises canadiennes à revoir leur façon de gérer leurs échanges commerciaux transfrontaliers. Si la hausse des coûts représente l’enjeu le plus immédiat, le véritable défi tient plutôt à l’imprévisibilité de la situation, qui pourrait bien s’inscrire dans la durée.

Le Bureau de la concurrence du Canada a conclu une entente historique avec Empire Company Limited, société mère de Sobeys et autres enseignes d'épiceries, limitant l'utilisation de contrôles de propriété dans l'immobilier commercial. Cette mesure d'application de la loi soulève des questions importantes sur l'avenir des clauses restrictives et d'exclusivité dans le secteur de l'épicerie et au-delà.

Artificial intelligence features are rapidly being embedded into the enterprise software that organizations rely on daily. From customer relationship management platforms and document management systems to human resources tools and financial reporting software, technology vendors are racing to integrate AI capabilities into their existing products, particularly SaaS offerings. For clients, this trend presents a mix of opportunity and risk.

Par l’adoption du décret 1358-2026, le gouvernement du Québec autorise, du 7 septembre 2026 au 31 janvier 2027, le Centre d’acquisitions gouvernementales (le « CAG ») à déroger aux principes généraux voulant que les appels d’offres publics soient ouverts sans discrimination aux entreprises étrangères en provenance d’un état lié par un accord intergouvernemental avec le Québec.

Under Order in Council 1358-2026, the Québec government authorizes, from September 7, 2026 to January 31, 2027, the Centre d'acquisitions gouvernementales (the “CAG”) to depart from the general principle that public calls for tenders must be open and without discrimination to foreign suppliers from jurisdictions bound by an intergovernmental agreement with Québec.

Dealmakers know there’s no “one size fits all” to buy-side strategy in private M&A auctions: every target, seller and sales process is unique. That said, there are certain guiding principles that savvy buyers skillfully apply as a given auction warrants.

The enforcement risk profile today is not limited to borrower default. It increasingly turns on lender‑versus‑lender dynamics, with second mortgagees moving from passive stakeholders to active actors seeking to take out firsts and step into their position.

Canada’s defence sector is undergoing a procurement transformation. The shift is anchored by Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy (the “Strategy”) released in February 2026, and supported by significant public investment.

Manitoba has enacted Bill 51, the Public Sector Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Governance Act (the Act), which will govern how public sector entities use AI and manage cybersecurity. The Act received Royal Assent on June 1, 2026, but is not yet in force. It comes into force on a day fixed by proclamation, which has not yet happened. Once it is in force, many of the Act's practical requirements will still depend on regulations that have not yet been written.