Publications
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Creditors suspected of wishing to eliminate a competitor: The Court refuses to annul their votes against a plan of arrangement
On May 14, 2012, the Honourable Normand Gosselin, J.S.C., ruled on an amended motion seeking the sanction of a plan of arrangement concerning a debtor, Norgate Métal Inc. ('Norgate'). The judgment is special in that Norgate asked the Court to annul some of the votes that had been cast against the (…)
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The Court of Appeal rules on the scope of section 59 of the Labour Code with respect to a definitive business closure
The Québec Court of Appeal rendered an important decision on the legality of termination of employment for some 190 employees of the Wal-Mart store in Jonquière. In the context of several proceedings, which were filed to obtain compensation for those job losses, the United Food and Commercial (…)
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Investment and Financial Security Advisors: Respect your clients’ goals and document your files!
Two recent decisions of the Court of Appeal remind us of the duty on investment advisors and financial security advisors to know their client and the correlative duty of information. In both cases, the Court of Appeal held that the advisor had breached his duty to know his client, assess the (…)
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Quarterly legal newsletter intended for accounting, management, and finance professionals, Number 17
The Application for Rectification by the Court Is Not a Cure for all Ills: Prevention is Better than (Attempting!) a Cure Register your Trade-marks! The Importance of Having a Detailed Power of Attorney in the Event of a Person’s Incapacity Effect of a Unanimous (…)
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Legal newsletter for business entrepreneurs and executives, Number 14
Last Call: Do you have any private corporation shares in your RRSP? Plan Nord: Maximize your business opportunities Can the refusal to sign a non-competition clause constitute a just and sufficient cause for dismissal?
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The Court of Appeal reiterates the admissibility in evidence of reports done in the course of administrative investigations
In a decision rendered on July 5th, the Court of Appeal reiterates the admissibility in evidence of reports done in the course of administrative investigations in the context of a civil trial, confirming the importance of any administrative investigation that follows an accident.
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Advance notice policies: A tool to consider with regard to shareholder nominations for electing directors
On July 20, 2012, the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the 'Court') rendered a judgment that sheds new light on the shareholder nomination process for electing the directors of a business corporation. In fact, the Court confirmed that a corporation’s policy, which aimed to impose an advance (…)
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Due diligence in leasing
It is fairly common and in fact recommended, to proceed with a due diligence review of a property before its acquisition. At a minimum, title to the property is confirmed through a title search review. Often times, a much more thorough review is completed. Matters such as zoning and other legal (…)
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The British Columbia Court of Appeal rejects the territorial theory of Aboriginal title and dismisses the appeal by the Tsilhqot'in Nation
On June 27, 2012 the British Columbia Court of Appeal issued its highly anticipated decision in the case William v. British Columbia. In a unanimous decision, the Court affirmed many of the trial judge’s holdings regarding the claims to Aboriginal rights and title brought by the (…)
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The Supreme Court of Canada will hear the Vivendi case
On August 9, 2012, the Supreme Court of Canada granted the application for leave to appeal filed by Vivendi Canada Inc. against the decision rendered in February 2012 by the Québec Court of Appeal. This decision authorized Mr. Michel Dell’Aniello to bring a class action against Vivendi Canada (…)
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The Court of Appeal clarifies the legal nature of a real guarantee
Quebec law has for a long time distinguished the personal guarantor from the real guarantor: a personal guarantor is personally bound to repay a creditor should the principal debtor fail to perform its obligations; a real guarantor does no more than give some of its assets as collateral to a (…)
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Liability insurance, professional activities and gross fault: the Québec Court of Appeal sets the record straight
On August 2, 2012, the Court of Appeal rendered a major decision on professional liability insurance . As a result of this ruling, insureds and insurers alike should review the wording of such policies, especially gross fault exclusions and the definition of "professional activities". The (…)
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The Arbitrator’s decision in the case of Centre Jeunesse de Montréal – It has the authority to set rules for proper dress, piercings, tattoos and personal appearance in the workplace
The employer, Centre jeunesse de Montréal – University Institute (hereinafter the "Centre"), adopted a dress code as well as a piercings, tattoos and personal appearance policy for its employees (hereinafter the "Policy").Although the validity of the Policy was contested by (…)