Publications

As of June 13, 2009, Facebook Inc. allows Facebook users to create personalized usernames for their Facebook pages on a first-come, first-served basis.

On May 14, 2009, the Court of Appeal put an end to a controversy in the case law on the interpretation by Article 216 C.C.P. concerning the procedural means available to the insurer to protect its subrogation rights. The Court considered the following question: “Can an insurer, who is being sued by (…)

Introduced in 1979, the Quebec Stock Savings Plan (QSSP) was enormously successful in the 1980s, encouraging the emergence of numerous Quebec SMES. The SME Growth Stock Plan, which replaced the QSSP in 2005, achieved a more mixed success. The 2009-2010 provincial budget attempts to remedy this (…)

On September 24, 2008, the Court of Appeal reversed a decision by the Superior Court that had allowed an insured’s claim against its insurer for damages caused as a result of the removal of a product manufactured by the insured.The Court of Appeal ruled that a multi-peril civil liability (…)

Can an employer trim its costs by changing one element of its employees’ remuneration ? Entering the “Zone of Insolvency“ - What to do ? Ecomonic slowdown - Some concrete financing indications and how to react

On April 20, 2009, the Court of Appeal issued its judgment in three related cases concerning a defect in a fireplace that caused a fire resulting in the partial loss of the building owned by Alpha’s insureds. Alpha sued the immediate seller to its insureds as well as the prior owners under the rules (…)

It’s time to split your income The new rules for public sector contracts The Quebec tax authorities show their claws! Sales of goodwill and capital dividend accounts: watch out for the pitfalls!

On May 22, 2008, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered its decision in a case involving the notion of reasonable foreseeability in negligence actions. This judgment, written by the Chief Justice, confirms that tort law must compensate harm done on the basis of reasonable foresight, and must not be (…)

The Supreme Court of Canada ended a lengthy legal saga on November 20th, 2008 when it ordered St.Lawrence Cement Inc. to compensate residents of Beauport living near its cement plant. Comments on prescription, the assessment of damages and the granting of future damages.The Supreme Court's decision (…)

Various changes were recently made to the Act respecting labour standards essentially applicable to the following:* the introduction of a new type of authorized leave for employees who are also reservists of the Canadian Forces;* the clarification of the concept of spousal cohabitation with regard (…)

Acquisition of control of a corporation… Unexpected tax consequences The corporate veil again! Resigning as a director: It’s not merely a formality! Don’t forget the deemed year-end!