Increasing demand for remote work has presented new challenges for businesses, particularly where it comes to recording time for work completed.  While time theft has historically been difficult for employers to prove, the rise of remote work has ushered in new methods such as activity tracking software which has simplified the employer’s ability to prove…

Employees and self-employed persons who contribute to Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) plan will now have access to expanded EI sickness benefits. Those who made their claim on or after December 18, 2022, may receive up to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits, extended from the previous limit of 15 weeks.   EI Sickness Benefits are…

The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges for Canadians. Employers and employees have had to adapt to changing public health measures throughout the past few years. Provincial governments lifted most, if not all of their public health mandates in early 2022. Although public health mandates are no longer in effect for most Canadians, employers still have…

Celso Boscariol, K.C., President of the EU Chamber of Commerce in Canada, and Partner at Watson Goepel LLP, delivered a webinar presentation on Thursday, March 17, 2022. The webinar was a joint effort between the EU Chamber of Commerce in Canada West, INOVA, Watson Goepel LLP and the Portuguese Steelwork and Construction Association. Celso discussed…

The B.C. government has announced a one-year extension to the deadline for pre-existing owners to file with the Land Owner Transparency Registry (“LOTR”).  Reporting bodies with an interest in land will now have until November 30, 2022 to file a transparency report without incurring penalties.  The government has explained that the rationale behind this extension is…

Relevant corporations, trustees of relevant trusts, and partners of relevant partnerships which have an interest in land are required to file a transparency report under the Land Owner Transparency Act (“LOTA”) by November 30, 2021. Failure to do so could result in significant fines being levied against the corporation or other entity.  The following summarizes…

The government of BC has released further details regarding InBC, a $500M strategic investment fund for BC businesses, that was first announced last year.  The fund is a major initiative under StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan and Budget 2021 to position the province as a front-runner in the post-pandemic economy. The purpose of InBC is…

This is the 2nd part of a business startup series. See the first installment of this series: Incorporating your business: Record books and why using a lawyer makes sense.   Please note, the following general information applies only to businesses located in the Province of British Columbia, as legal requirements in other jurisdictions may vary. In…

Celso Boscariol, K.C., a Partner in our Business Law Group, has been promoted to Officer, Order of the Star of Italy, a civilian honor (similar to the Order of Canada) that is awarded to Italians abroad for special merit in the promotion of friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and other countries such as Canada.…

What types of agreements does my new business really need, and why are they so important? How can I best protect my business’ intellectual property? These questions and more were answered when business/technology lawyer Anand Athiviraham, and business/IP lawyer Cameron Funnell,  presented at Vancouver Startup Week 2020. Their presentation, Top Legal Tips for Tech Entrepreneurs,…