McCarthy Tétrault

Our Cross-border Trade & Tariffs Roundup is now live!   With rapidly evolving trade policies, including the application of tariffs and retaliatory measures,  reshaping the international business landscape across industries, our Cross-border Trade & Tariffs Roundup is your go-to source for timely insights from our experts on Canada’s global trade relationships with the U.S., China, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Mexico, and beyond.   Check it out to understand how the latest developments are affecting your industries. Learn more ➡️ https://ow.ly/fsAQ50Vg0Np   McCarthy Tétrault’s market-leading International Trade & Investment Law Group can help you navigate evolving policies and plan for economic impacts. With decades of experience, we can help you develop strategies to continue doing business in the U.S. or to build new global partnerships. Reach out to John Boscariol, Martha Harrison, or any of our experts if you have any questions. #Tariffs #InternationalTrade

“Greenwashing” provisions in the Competition Act, due diligence requirements to tackle modern slavery, ESG shareholder activism and more — stay on top of the latest developments in ESG and sustainability that will impact your business in 2025 and beyond. Click through the slides to learn more and download ESG and Sustainability: Key Trends in Canada ➡️ https://ow.ly/iq1a50V6Xnz #esg #sustainability #environment Rachel Abrahams (Editor), Derek Baker, Michael Caldecott, Alyson Goldman, Martha Harrison, Kerri Howard, Kimberly Howard, Selina Lee-Andersen, Thomas McInerney, Stephan Possin, Una Radoja, Sheema Rezaei, Robert J. Richardson, CD (Editor), Gurvir Sangha (Editor), Gajan Sathananthan, Sonia Struthers (Editor), Riley Thackray, Rebecca Wieschkowski (Editor), Ashley J. Wilson and Gwenyth Wren.

In a recent ruling, the Tax Court of Canada reinforced the importance of consistency in tax assessments, ensuring that businesses are not unfairly subjected to new assumptions or penalties during tax appeals.   Key takeaways from the decision: 1. The Crown must accurately state the assumptions made by the Minister of National Revenue during assessment, and cannot introduce alternative facts under the “Assumptions” section of its pleadings. 2. The Court also clarified that the Crown cannot ask the Tax Court to impose penalties not initially assessed by the Minister. 3. This case emphasizes the critical importance of consistency in tax assessments and reinforces that only the Minister can impose penalties.   For a deeper dive into what this decision means for businesses, read our latest blog post by Dominic Bédard-Lapointe, Erich Schultze, and Al-Nawaz Nanji ➡️ https://ow.ly/9ocE50VlFZt #TaxLaw

Aujourd’hui, à l’occasion de la Journée internationale de la Francophonie, nous célébrons non seulement la langue française, mais aussi l’esprit de communauté et d’inclusion qui la porte. Au Québec et à travers le Canada, nous sommes fiers de compter 531 employés pour qui le français est une langue de travail, de partage et de croissance. Cette diversité linguistique nous enrichit et nous permet de mieux servir nos clients dans la langue officielle de leur choix, contribuant ainsi à bâtir un avenir encore plus inclusif.

On March 13, 2025, British Columbia's Attorney General introduced Bill 7, the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, which could grant the provincial cabinet the authority to override existing provincial laws. While the bill aims to address challenges posed by trade disputes with the United States, it also opens the door for broader economic and interprovincial initiatives. If passed, Bill 7 could allow cabinet to enact regulations that modify or even override provincial legislation to support economic stability and reduce trade barriers—without needing approval from the legislature. Key provisions include: • Empowering cabinet to respond to foreign challenges, modify enactments, and support economic cooperation. • Addressing interprovincial trade barriers and procurement directives. • Creating tolls or charges for public highways and ferries. As this bill moves through the legislature, its broad and unprecedented powers could have significant implications on businesses. Read the full blog post by Michael Feder KC, Patrick Williams, and Connor Bildfell ➡️ ow.ly/wqrJ50VkX3c #BritishColumbia #TariffResponseAct #Bill7

Our 2025 Canadian Power Outlook, steel and aluminium tariffs, changes to open work permits and more in our March Timely Topics ➡️ https://ow.ly/12oz50VkKbm

How can plan sponsors effectively deal with trapped defined benefit surpluses?   Deron Waldock, partner in our National Pensions, Benefits & Executive Compensation Group, speaks to Benefits and Pensions Monitor about the most effective strategies for navigating this challenge – including why he believes employer refunds to be “the gold standard.”   Read more ➡️ https://ow.ly/iWZL50Vk6at   #Benefits #DBsurplus

Martha Harrison recently spoke to CBC News about the complexities of Canada’s existing tariff system, and why she says the ongoing trade war between Canada and the U.S. is “especially troubling” from an international trade law perspective. “Our most important trading partner appears to be less aligned with Canada’s focus on international trade and with Canada’s position within the [Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement] arrangement.” Read the article for more of Martha’s insights and reach out to her if you have any questions ➡️ https://ow.ly/67Mo50VjW2f Subscribe to our Cross-border Trade & Tariffs Hub for the latest developments ➡️ https://ow.ly/wbKg50VjW3I #Tariffs #InternationaTrade

How will Canada’s amended competition and foreign investment law landscape drive both legal and enforcement risks for businesses with a nexus to Canada?   What to expect in 2025: ➡️ Heightened national security screening ➡️ Expanded investigative powers in civil conduct investigations ➡️ More complicated and potentially more onerous merger reviews by the Competition Bureau   McCarthy Tétrault’s national team of advisors takes a deep dive into the evolving legislation and enforcement landscape, breaking down the critical changes affecting businesses operating in Canada.   Download our Competition/Antitrust & Foreign Investment Outlook 2025 to learn more: https://ow.ly/V9JJ50UTcXV Authors: Michael Caldecott, Dominic Thérien, Jason Gudofsky, Oliver Borgers, Casey Halladay, Debbie Salzberger, Nikiforos Iatrou, Gideon Kwinter, Erin Keogh, Akiva Stern, Alykhan Rahim, William Rooney, Lucinda Chitapain, Samantha Steeves #competition #antitrust #foreigninvestment

Join us in person in Toronto, Calgary, or Vancouver for our Tax Perspectives: April 2025 to stay ahead with key insights into Canada’s evolving tax landscape. Our top-tier National Tax Group will provide timely updates on legislative changes and judicial trends, helping you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Register today ➡️ https://ow.ly/2Er950Vjkxb Reach out to any member of our Tax Group if you have any questions. #TaxLaw #Tax