This Blaneys’ Podcast features an exciting and insightful discussion of Canada’s brand new legalized recreational cannabis arena. The topics discussed will be of interest to any existing industry members, or to those thinking about becoming involved in the industry, whether from a production, processing, retail, or support services perspective. The panel members include:

Lou Brzezinski - Blaneys Partner and Podcast host, Co-Chair of the Blaney Cannabis Law Group

Nicholas Wong - Blaneys Partner and member of the Cannabis Law Group and Intellectual Property Law Group

Angela Smith - Founder and CEO of Catalyst Life Science Consulting, a consultancy firm offering regulatory expertise to the cannabis industry

Daryl Hodges - Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ancient Strains, a cannabis investment company and producer among world cannabis markets

The Podcast was produced by Lou Brzezinski and Varoujan Arman, Blaneys’ in-house Podcast producer and sound editor, also a partner in the Commercial Litigation Group and member of the Cannabis Law Group.

In this special episode of the Blaneys Podcast, we sit down with Maria Scarfo, the firm’s managing partner. Maria discusses the challenges faced by the legal industry with the retention of female lawyers, client expectations, her management style, and some of the unique qualities of Blaney McMurtry LLP.

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, Lea Nebel, co-chair of the firm’s Construction Law Group, discusses the large-scale revamping of Ontario’s Construction Lien Act, now known as the Construction Act, as of July 1, 2018.

Business law is developing in a new direction in Canada. That direction is firmly based on profitability and material prosperity. However, that prosperity is increasingly being linked to a more sustainable, environmentally responsible, and widely shared model of carrying on business.

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, U.S. immigration law expert Henry Chang considers the issues that Canadians will encounter at the Canada-U.S. border, as a result of recent changes including the Cannabis Act, the Pre-clearance Act, and the new United States Customs and Border Protection policy on border searches of electronic devices. 

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, the head of Blaney McMurtry LLP’s Family Law Group, and a certified specialist in family law, James Edney provides an advance run down of the changes proposed for a coming major amendment to Canada’s federal Divorce Act; the first such overhaul in twenty years.

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, commercial litigator Varoujan Arman describes the steps involved in the civil litigation process, along with outside the box strategies to obtain favourable settlements. 

In this second of a two part Blaneys Podcast on commercial leasing in Canada, Dennis Tobin discusses key issues for negotiating an offer to lease in the Canadian real estate market. In an easy to listen to discussion format, this podcast addresses the following topics: remedies for breach of a commercial lease, subleasing and assignment and the differences between the two; how franchisees and franchisors might structure their lease arrangement; the significance of the “Use” clause; how your lease may impact proposed renovations; and a discussion of what “co-tenancy” clauses are and why you may use one in your offer to lease.

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, Henry Chang, a dual-licensed (California/Ontario) immigration expert, discusses current Canadian-U.S. immigration issues.  He discusses problems with Canada’s pending Preclearance Bill, which will give significant powers to U.S. immigration officers located on Canadian soil.  He also discusses refugee applicants crossing the border into Canada from the United States, Canadian permanent residence options, limitations on the sponsorship of parents and grandparents into Canada, problems encountered by Canadians entering the United States, and problems encountered by U.S. citizens entering Canada.  

In this first of a two part Blaneys Podcast on commercial leasing in Canada, Dennis Tobin discusses key issues for negotiating an offer to lease in the Canadian real estate market. He highlights some of the priority issues from the perspectives of the landlord, purchaser, mortgagee and the tenant. He also discusses how the offer to lease relates to the lease. Co-tenancy, options to extend, percentage rent, termination rights and additional rent issues are discussed. Dennis reveals some “red flags” to watch out for and offers tips for negotiating an enforceable retail lease. 

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, Roger Horst, a pioneer of the class action regime in Ontario, discusses the ins and outs of this unique area of civil litigation. He provides an overview of all stages in a class action claim including certification, settlement and trial. Having acted for both the defendant and the plaintiff class, Roger has a well-rounded view on all sides and uncovers common issues with class actions including financing and risk.  

In this episode, insurance coverage litigator Jason Mangano explains the concept of additional insured coverage and the impact of the Ontario Court of Appeal’s Durham v. Carniero decision.

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, Sheldon Inkol discusses defamation law and the issues commonly encountered on the internet. 

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, Chris McKibbin, a member of Blaneys’ Fidelity Insurance Group, discusses fraud recovery and fidelity subrogation, setting out the different strategies available in identifying fraud recovery targets and maximizing recoveries.

In this episode, James Edney discusses the legal issues relating to matters of finance that arise during family law disputes.

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, David Mackenzie, one of our insurance coverage experts, discusses the new and still developing area of insurance that offers coverage to businesses for cyber risk and data breaches.

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, our residential real estate expert, Roman Pekaruk, walks through the important things to watch out for and keep in mind when participating in a residential real estate transaction.

In this episode of the Blaneys Podcast, our usual host, Lou Brzezinski sits on the other side of the table to answer questions about the firm's involvement in the Target insolvency proceeding on behalf of unsecured creditors.

In this episode, Steve Popoff discusses the approaches to succession planning for the transitioning or winding up of a business.

In this podcast, Maria Kotsopoulos discusses the timely issue of workplace harassment. The Blaneys Brief segment features Talia Gordner discussing a recent case on whether your private Facebook profile can be brought under scrutiny during a civil lawsuit.

Supporting Materials:
Conrod v. Caverley, 2014 NSSC 35 (CanLII)
Ontario Human Rights Code

In this podcast, Margaret Rintoul discusses the common issues that arise regarding wills and estates and powers of attorney in the context of family disputes. The Blaneys Brief segment features a discussion by articling student Paul Pimentel, a member of Transparency International Canada, regarding its mandate.

In this episode, James Edney discusses the legal issues surrounding the custody of children during family law disputes. The Blaneys Brief segment features Chad Kopach discussing a case that had to consider ghosts.

Supporting Materials:
1784773 Ont. Inc. v K-W Labour Association et al, 2013 ONSC 5401 (CanLII)

In this podcast, Bill Anderson discusses the practical realities of employee termination from the workplace, including wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal. The Blaneys Brief segment addresses an Alberta judge who lost patience with the “Freeman on the Land” movement, who believe Canada’s laws do not apply to them. 

Supporting Materials:
Meads v. Meads, 2012 ABQB 571 (CanLII)

In this podcast, Margaret Rintoul discusses the common issues that arise, and the obligations involved, when an individual is given a power of attorney. The Blaneys Brief segment features a discussion by Catherine MacInnis on “contractual troubleshooting,” where a party to a contract has been wronged.

Supporting Materials:
Power of Attorney Checklist