Osler Updates Osler Updates

How Alberta achieved Canada’s lowest renewable-electricity prices

The Alberta government scored its Boxing Day bargains early. On Dec. 13, Premier Rachel Notley announced that Alberta set a new record by procuring...

Livent decision and the scope of auditor liability

In a significant decision on December 20, 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada provided important guidance on the scope of responsibility of auditors in...

CRA releases new guidelines for GST voluntary disclosures

On December 13, 2017, the Canada Revenue Agency released a revised update of its memorandum on the GST/HST voluntary disclosure program.

2017 Legal Year in Review

Our observations about what we believe to be some of the most significant legal developments affecting Canadian business over the past year and their...

Alberta’s first Renewable Electricity Program competition brings record-low wind power prices

On December 13, 2017, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) announced the results of the first round of the Alberta Renewable Electricity...

Ontario Court of Appeal confirms high bar for reversing arbitral awards under the UNCITRAL Model Law

The Ontario Court of Appeal recently confirmed the very high bar in Ontario to overturning international arbitral awards under the United Nations...

Ontario planning process undergoes significant changes: Bill 139 receives Royal Assent

On December 12, 2017, Bill 139 received third reading and Royal Assent in the provincial legislature, coming into force as the Building Better...

Blockchain and smart contracts, cloud computing and agile development

This past year saw the acceleration of transformational technologies that are increasingly impacting businesses as well as broader society.

Using growth targets to supplement growth strategy disclosure

The increase in initial public offering (IPO) activity in 2017 saw an increase in the use of “growth targets” to supplement the company’s...

Cannabis in 2017: Setting the stage for legalization

A groundbreaking shift in policy in 2017 set the stage for the legalization of cannabis for recreational use in Canada, which the Canadian government...