Legal updates, regulatory guidance and practical perspectives for businesses operating in complex industries.
Invalidating a Canadian Trademark For Non-Use Under the Trademarks Act The Purpose of Section 45 Proceedings Section 45 of the Trademarks Act provides a mechanism for cleaning up the Register of Trademarks. Essentially, it allows for the removal of or invalidation of trademark registrations that are no longer in use in Canada. This is important…
What Can and Can’t Be Done To Legally Promote Cannabis Companies in Canada Navigating the marketing landscape for cannabis in Canada requires a thorough understanding of what is strictly off-limits. The Cannabis Act and its associated regulations place significant restrictions on how licensed producers and retailers can promote their products. These rules are designed to…
Dissolution of a Company in Canada: The Guide Understanding The Dissolution Process Reasons For Corporate Closure Corporations cease to operate for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, a business simply hasn’t met its financial targets, or perhaps the owners are ready to retire. Other times, a corporation might have been established without a full grasp of…
Challenging a Notice of Proposal From the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario What Constitutes a Notice of Proposal? A Notice of Proposal (NOP) from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is a formal communication indicating that the Registrar intends to take a specific action regarding your licence. This action could be a…
Immediate Actions When You Receive a Letter or Notice From Health Canada Getting a notice from Health Canada requires quick action to identify the type of legal document, understand critical deadlines, and collect supporting evidence before responding. Identifying the Type of Health Canada Notice or Legal Document Different Health Canada notices require different responses and…
The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is the national self-regulatory organization (SRO) responsible for overseeing Canada’s investment industry, including investment dealers, mutual fund dealers, and the trading activity on Canadian debt and equity marketplaces. Established on January 1, 2023, CIRO was formed through the strategic amalgamation of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC)…
The Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) represents a significant modernization of Canada’s food safety system, having largely come into force on January 15, 2019. This comprehensive legislation, along with the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR), consolidates and modernizes food safety requirements previously found across several federal statutes—such as the Fish Inspection Act, the…
Ontario’s Laws for Establishments That Prepare Food The Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) as the Legal Foundation The Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) serves as the bedrock for public health legislation in Ontario. It outlines the authority and responsibilities of public health units, medical officers of health, and inspectors. A key function of…
For businesses in Ontario, particularly those operating as U-Brew or U-Vint facilities, that plan to offer customers the ability to manufacture their own beer, wine, or other fermented beverages on the premises, obtaining a Ferment on Premise Licence is a critical regulatory requirement. This licence is issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario…
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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
