Bennett Jones: Business Law Talks: Recent Episodes
Bennett Jones LLP
This is Business Law Talks, the Bennett Jones' podcast series that sits at the intersection of law and policy. Join our lawyers and advisors as they examine today's most complex issues to help guide companies doing business in Canada.
How do United States (US) tariffs and Canadian countermeasures affect Canadian businesses, and what can family enterprises do to prepare? In this timely episode of Beyond Succession, host Leah Tolton sits down with leading international trade lawyer Jessica Horwitz to explore strategies for navigating an uncertain trade environment.The discussion delves into the latest US tariff policies, unpacking their economic and legal implications for family enterprises in Canada. From supply chain disruptions to workforce impacts and recessionary concerns, the episode highlights practical steps to mitigate these challenges. Topics include adapting contracts, market diversification, and capitalizing on free trade agreements outside the US.
Explore Canada’s evolving clean energy tax credits and the political dynamics shaping their future in this episode of Clean Incentives. Host Brendan Sigalet is joined by Serge Dupont, a seasoned public policy advisor and head of Bennett Jones’ Public Policy group, and Hon. Jason Kenney, former Premier of Alberta and Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones, for an engaging conversation on the intersection of policy and clean energy investment.
Delve into the unique challenges and opportunities of Canada's family-owned agricultural businesses in this compelling episode ofBeyond Succession. HostLeah Toltonsits down withDave Smardon,President and CEO ofBioenterprise Canada,to explore why patient capital is critical for growth in an industry where 92 percent of farms are family-run. Together, they discuss the extended timelines required for successful expansion in agriculture and how this differs from other sectors. They also examine the shifting investment landscape, highlighting how Canadian agribusinesses secure capital compared to their European counterparts and the changes needed to foster growth.
Explore the intricacies of crisis management in family enterprises, where resilience, conflict mitigation and legacy protection are essential to navigating turbulent times. Crises—whether internal conflicts, unforeseen events or leadership disputes—can disrupt critical processes like succession planning and decision-making, challenging both the stability of the business and the harmony within the family. In this episode, host Leah Tolton is joined by Bennett Jones partner James Heelan to share insights on guiding family businesses through these critical moments.
In this episode of Clean Incentives, host Brendan Sigalet unpacks the opportunities and challenges of Canada's Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit with Bennett Jones partners Geoff Stenger and Yannick Beaudion. Together, they explore how this tax incentive can fuel major clean energy projects, the critical role of investment tax credits in securing financing, and key strategies businesses need to succeed when tapping into these incentives.
In this episode of Beyond Succession, host Leah Tolton is joined by Partner and Head of the Agribusiness Industry Team at Bennett Jones, Lorelei Graham, as they delve into the rich legacy and promising future of Canadian agricultural family enterprises. From household names like McCain and Weston to the community-driven farms that anchor our local economies, these businesses are living legacies with deep roots in the land and the hearts of their communities.
In this episode, hosts Brendan Sigalet and Derrick Osborne are joined by fellow Bennett Jones lawyers Shawn Munro, Luke Morrison and Sharon Singh, as they offer invaluable insights into the successful development and deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects. Together, they unpack the complexities of the CCUS tax credit, revealing how this crucial incentive can significantly reduce industrial emissions while fueling sustainable growth across Canada.
In the inaugural episode of Clean Incentives, hosts Brendan Sigalet and Derrick Osborne, alongside special guests Ashley White and Jason Roth, delve into the myriad of tax incentives available for businesses in Canada, with a focus on the newly enacted Bill C-59. This legislation introduces the Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs), aiming to provide $93 billion in federal incentives by 2034–2035. These incentives are designed to attract investment, foster Canadian innovation, create jobs and propel Canada’s economy toward achieving net zero by 2050.
The choppy waters of mergers and acquisitions can sink family-owned businesses if not done carefully. In this episode, we wade into the challenging process of M&A for family enterprises looking to continue their legacy. We are joined by Ted Kouri, Founder and President of Incite, as he shares his expertise on mid-market M&A advisory services. We discuss critical steps like formulating an M&A strategy, conducting due diligence, maintaining brand identity post-acquisition and leading change management.
In this episode, Mike Mack of X5 Management sits down with host and Bennett Jones Partner, Leah Tolton, to explore how succession dynamics create ripples across family and business relationships, influencing the enterprise's trajectory. We dive into the complex and nuanced interplay between succession planning, family ties, emotions and objectives.
In this Beyond Succession podcast episode, we look at the tools available to help family successors be effective board members or managers, as well as how families can best deal with gaps to ensure a smooth transition to avoid any potential conflict. Tune in for a blend of wisdom, strategy and foresight that can transform the challenges of succession into opportunities for legacy-building and enduring success.
We hosted Jeff Cullen on our Beyond Succession podcast to dig deep into a subject many entrepreneurs find challenging, yet vitally important: preparing your business for an exit. Jeff is a seasoned consultant and Certified Exit Planning Advisor at Sunbelt Business Brokers with over 20 years of business experience. From understanding business valuation methodologies and tax considerations, to planning for succession and managing liabilities, Jeff shares invaluable insights that could help you avoid common pitfalls and make your exit strategy as smooth and profitable as possible.
This episode explores essential family enterprise governance strategies. Leah interviews succession planning expert Lynne Fisher, National Team Leader of ExitSmart at MNP. Discover how proper governance can enable growth, continuity and harmony for generations to come.
In this episode of Beyond Succession, Leah Tolton is joined by Barbara Kimmitt KC, a partner in Bennett Jones' Tax group, as they discuss the intricacies of family business ownership transition planning and estate planning for entrepreneurs. They cover topics such as the differences between wills, enduring powers of attorney and advance directives, and how these documents play a crucial role in the smooth transition of family businesses.
The podcast where your most pressing questions about future-proofing your family business are answered. In this episode, Leah Tolton welcomes special guest Gregg Becker of Predictable Futures to talk about key considerations surrounding the continuity of the family enterprise. Join us as we address the unique challenges, and potential solutions, for businesses standing at this pivotal juncture.
Welcome to Beyond Succession, the podcast where your most pressing questions about future-proofing your family business are answered. Leah Tolton, a seasoned family enterprise and corporate lawyer who is passionate about helping family enterprise businesses, explores topics of governance, succession, and growth. In this episode, she is joined by Bennett Jones tax partner Jay Winters; together they walk us through the vital tax matters that will impact your business and family.
This episode features insights into the short-term priorities to get Canada back on a path of non-inflationary growth and the longer term road ahead to closing the investment gap, increasing innovation and raising productivity growth. Looking beyond this horizon, the authors also discuss how governments and businesses can create the conditions to compete in a changing world and to grow the economy sustainably. Listen to our June 2023 Economic Outlook webinar, featuring former Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge and former Executive Director in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Serge Dupont.
To mark this year's International Women's Day, we are proud to present a candid leadership conversation on the challenges women face in the legal field. Our five office managing partners are joined by moderator and Bennett Jones partner, Michelle Yung, as they share perspectives from their lived experiences. This discussion highlights the importance of acting purposely to create a workplace where women can thrive.