Legal updates, regulatory guidance and practical perspectives for businesses operating in complex industries.
GACP and EU-GMP Certification for Cannabis Growers and Producers in Canada Canadian cannabis businesses looking to export into regulated pharmaceutical markets typically need to navigate two related but distinct quality certifications: Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) and European Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP). GACP establishes the baseline for producing high-quality starting material — covering everything…
Legal Services for Share Repurchases and Share Buybacks in Canada A share repurchase, also known as a share buyback, occurs when a corporation acquires its own issued shares from one or more shareholders. Share repurchases are commonly used for shareholder exits, corporate reorganizations, estate planning, tax planning, employee departures, dispute resolution, and succession planning. Unlike…
Legal Services for Subscription Agreements in Canada A subscription agreement is a key legal document used when a company issues securities to an investor. It sets out the terms under which an investor agrees to purchase shares, units, convertible securities, or other equity or debt interests from a corporation or other issuer. Subscription agreements are…
Understanding Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation, commonly known as CASL, regulates commercial electronic messages, certain installations of computer programs, alterations of electronic transmission data, electronic address harvesting, and misleading digital representations. CASL is not limited to fraudulent or high-volume “spam.” It can apply to ordinary emails, text messages, newsletters, direct messages, promotional notifications, referral…
The Purchase Of Business Process Defining Your Acquisition Strategy Before you even start looking at businesses for sale, it’s important to figure out what you’re actually trying to achieve. Are you looking to expand into a new market, acquire a specific technology, or perhaps gain market share? Having a clear strategy helps focus your search…
Canadians regularly use the phrase “fair use” when discussing copyrighted material. You may hear it when someone quotes an article, includes a film clip in a review, reposts an image, creates a parody, produces a reaction video, or uses existing content for educational purposes. However, “fair use” is primarily an American legal term. Canadian copyright…
Understanding Residency Requirements for Key Roles of a Corporation in Canada Minimum Resident Canadian Director Quotas When setting up a corporation in Canada, whether federally or provincially, there are specific rules about who can be a director, particularly concerning residency. For federally incorporated companies, the general rule under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) is that at…
Core Corporate Records Mandated by Statute Under Canadian law, specifically the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), corporations are legally obligated to maintain certain foundational documents. These records form the bedrock of the company’s existence and governance, and their proper upkeep is not merely good practice but a statutory requirement. Failure to maintain these documents can lead to…
Canada’s Federal Personal Privacy Law Is Changing Canada is once again overhauling its private-sector privacy regime. On June 15, 2026, the federal government introduced Bill C-36, the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act (PPCDA), which—if passed—would repeal Part 1 of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and establish a new federal framework…
FAQ
Have questions about Substance Law? Here are some of the most common queries to help you get started.
Timelines depend on the licence type, how complete the application is and the regulator’s current processing times. We prepare the application and supporting documents so the review runs smoothly, and we give you a realistic timeline at the start.
It depends on the services you provide. Money services businesses register with FINTRAC, and payment service providers performing retail payment activities register with the Bank of Canada under the RPAA. Some businesses need both; we review your model and tell you which apply.
In many cases, yes. A transfer is approved by the provincial regulator and depends on the licence conditions, the premises and the buyer’s eligibility. We handle the filings and coordinate with the other side of the deal.
It depends on the product, its claims and how it is sold. Some products are regulated as drugs or natural health products by Health Canada. We review the product and the sales model and explain what is permitted.
Yes. We advise clients across Canada on federal and provincial regulatory matters, and we coordinate with local counsel where a provincial rule requires it.
We always strive to offer our clients transparent, flexible and reasonable pricing and payment options. Where the scope of the engagement permits, we try to offer our clients innovative, fixed-fee pricing options instead of traditional hourly rates, and payment through EFT, Wire, E-transfer, and Credit/Debit Card.
Service areas / Jurisdiction
We advise clients across Ontario and throughout Canada on regulatory, licensing and compliance matters in cannabis, psychedelics and other regulated industries.
Cannabis retail, consumption and related licensing
Zoning, land use and local approvals
Compliance and enforcement matters
Health Canada, Canada-wide regulatory matters
CRA, excise, FINTRAC and related requirements
Psychedelics, hemp, wellness and emerging sectors
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Canada's Law Firm For Regulated Substances
