Legal updates, regulatory guidance and practical perspectives for businesses operating in complex industries.
An Old-Fashioned Way To Promote That An Establishment Is Licensed to Serve Alcoholic Drinks LLBO stands for the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario. Although the LLBO no longer exists, the term remains widely used throughout Ontario by business owners, municipalities, landlords, event organizers, and members of the public. You may see “LLBO” on the sign…
Legal Services for Asset Purchase Agreements in Canada An Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) is one of the most common legal agreements used when purchasing or selling a business. Unlike a share purchase, where ownership of a corporation changes hands, an asset purchase generally allows the purchaser to acquire selected assets while leaving many historical liabilities…
Strategic Preparation For Business Valuation in the Sale of a Company Before you even think about listing your business for sale, getting a solid handle on its worth is a major step. This isn’t just about picking a number out of thin air; it involves a careful look at what makes your company tick and…
Basics of Obtaining Share Ownership of a Company in Canada Defining A Shareholder And Share Ownership A shareholder is essentially an owner of a corporation. When you buy shares, you’re acquiring a piece of that company. These shares represent your ownership interest and, depending on the class of shares, can come with various rights. In…
Understanding Share Sales in Canadian Corporations When you decide to sell your Canadian corporation, you generally have two main paths: selling the company’s assets or selling the company’s shares. Most often, the person selling prefers to sell the shares. This is usually because it can lead to better tax outcomes, particularly with the way capital…
Understanding Share Transfers in Canadian Corporations Defining Share Ownership and Shareholder Status In Canada, owning shares in a corporation means you hold a piece of that company. This ownership grants you specific rights and responsibilities. When you acquire shares, you become a shareholder, which is a formal status within the corporate structure. The articles of…
Share Issuance Basics for Companies in Canada Issuing shares is a fundamental step in the life of a Canadian corporation, representing the sale of ownership stakes. When your corporation issues shares, it’s essentially selling pieces of itself to investors in exchange for capital. This capital can then be used to fund operations, expansion, or other…
Can Foreign Natural Health Product Companies Sell to Canadians Without an NPN? Many foreign natural health product (NHP) companies are interested in entering the Canadian market but are discouraged by the regulatory burden associated with obtaining a Natural Product Number (NPN), obtaining a Natural Health Product Site Licence, and complying with Canada’s comprehensive Natural Health…
Ontario’s Provincial Rules and Requirements for Preparing and Selling Food Legislative Intent and Scope The Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001 (FSQA) was created to provide a legal structure for managing the safety and quality of food and agricultural products in Ontario. Its main goal is to ensure that any food sold, processed, or produced in…
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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.
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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
