
Publication
Trademark tussles just got spicier: Canada now offers costs awards
Costs awards in trademark opposition proceedings have been long anticipated in Canada.
Canada | Publication | November 2019
Trust and transparency have been challenging in the cannabis industry: whether related to product trust and transparency or to public disclosure of conflicts of interest. And the need for trust and transparency has not gone unnoticed by securities regulators. In reviewing disclosure relating to M&A and other significant corporate transactions by cannabis issuers, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) suggested that there was inadequate transparency and disclosure of financial and other interests.
In connection with its review, the CSA issued guidelines this week to publicly traded cannabis companies regarding enhanced transaction disclosure and some timely reminders about existing disclosure requirements, specifically:
See CSA Staff Notice 51-359 – Corporate Governance Related Disclosure Expectations for Reporting Issuers in the Cannabis Industry.
While directed to cannabis issuers, the CSA states that its guidance is applicable to all issuers, including those in emerging growth industries.
The Staff Notice described instances of inadequate transparency and disclosure related to the cross-ownership of entities involved in M&A or other significant corporate transactions (including where one party to a transaction or any of its directors or officers may have a conflict of interest as a result of ownership, control or direction of equity, debt, other investments, or business relationships related to the transaction counterparty (each, a “financial interest”)).
The new guidance aims to ensure that investors are provided with sufficient information required to make informed investment or voting decisions in the context of corporate transactions.
Corporate Transactions
Director Independence
Written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Publication
Costs awards in trademark opposition proceedings have been long anticipated in Canada.
Publication
On April 1, after more than a year of consultation, research and consideration, Ontario’s Civil Rules Review (CRR) working group released its proposed reforms to the Rules of Civil Procedure – the rulebook that governs litigation in the province.
Publication
Canada’s 45th general election will take place on April 28. Businesses and non-profits that are considering engaging in the political process during this time must know the law and understand how to navigate the rules and restrictions imposed by the Canada Elections Act (CEA).
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