Natural Resources
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December 17, 2025
New regulation on special economic zones in Ontario comes into effect Jan. 1
A new regulation in Ontario, which sets out “criteria to designate special economic zones, trusted proponents and projects,” will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. According to a government release, the regulation “supports the advancement of job-creating investments and projects that are of strategic and critical importance to Ontario’s economic security.”
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December 17, 2025
Experts warn reading of UNDRIP into B.C. law could cause major legal uncertainty
Legal experts are warning that a landmark B.C. Court of Appeal ruling requiring all provincial laws to be interpreted in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) has introduced an unprecedented level of legal uncertainty in the province.
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December 16, 2025
Feds announce Buy Canadian policy now in effect
Canada has announced that core elements of the Buy Canadian policy have been implemented and are now in effect. It said the policy supports workers, strengthens domestic industries and creates a more diversified economy.
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December 15, 2025
B.C. court dismisses appeal; treaty-rights defence over severalty land can proceed
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal of a regional district and the province, upholding the finding that it may be arguable that lands that were transferred in fee simple under a treaty agreement may still have some characteristics of treaty land for purposes of s. 35 of the Constitution Act.
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December 12, 2025
CBA warns against undermining courts after B.C. premier’s remarks on ‘toxic’ impact of rulings
Canadian Bar Association president Bianca Kratt has issued a statement calling on governments to avoid statements that damage the legitimacy of courts following B.C. Premier David Eby’s recent comments describing court decisions concerning Indigenous rights as creating “toxic” uncertainty.
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December 12, 2025
An ‘AI crash’ could leave behind an environmental mess
The world’s artificial intelligence (AI) boom is accelerating at a pace that few anticipated even a year ago. Data centres are rising across continents. Chip manufacturers are operating at maximum capacity. Investors are pouring billions into technologies, the long-term returns of which remain uncertain. Analysts now warn that this acceleration may be building towards an “AI crash.”
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December 12, 2025
B.C. Court of Appeal rules UNDRIP part of provincial law
British Columbia’s top court has held that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is part of B.C. law and that the province’s mineral claims regime is inconsistent with UNDRIP.
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December 10, 2025
McCarthy Tétrault adds Alastair MacKinnon as partner in Calgary
McCarthy Tétrault has welcomed Alastair MacKinnon as a partner in its business law group in Calgary.
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December 10, 2025
Will relaxed bank regulation help jump-start Canada’s economy?
Canada’s economic growth has slowed in recent years, with business investment lagging and productivity measures falling behind peer economies. Ottawa has hinted that any meaningful revival may need to start with the institutions that have remained resolutely strong: Canada’s major banks.
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December 09, 2025
Court finds Canada owes a duty to First Nations regarding supply of clean drinking water
In a class action proceeding, the Federal Court has recognized a sui generis fiduciary duty owed by Canada to the Shamattawa First Nation, addressing the long-standing issue of inadequate access to safe drinking water on reserves.