Federal or Provincial Incorporation – Which One To Choose?

Incorporating a Business Incorporating a business involves the formal process of establishing a company as a distinct legal entity distinct from its owners. This process confers upon the business its own rights, obligations, and liabilities. Incorporating a business offers a level of protection not available to unincorporated entities, including limited liability and the capacity to […]

Estate Planning: Bare Trusts

What is a Bare Trust? A bare trust is a distinct type of trust in which legal and beneficial ownership of assets are separated. In this arrangement, the legal owner, referred to as the trustee, has limited rights and responsibilities concerning the management of trust assets. The trustee’s primary role in a bare trust is […]

Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act

The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians (the “Act”) came into effect on January 1, 2023, with the aim of improving affordable housing in Canada. The Act imposes a comprehensive prohibition on the acquisition of residential property by non-Canadian individuals for a period of 2 years. This prohibition encompasses both direct and […]

Tendering a Real-Estate Transaction: When and Why it is Necessary?

To be tendered describes a state of preparation. When closing the sale of a property, the closing date is a term of the agreement, which like any other, can be breached.  To make a claim for the breach of the closing date, the claiming party must demonstrate that they would have closed if not for […]

Power of Attorney Documents (POAs) – Just How Important Are They?

Powers of Attorney documents (POAs) individuals execute at the same time as their wills thinking it is a package deal but just how important are they? POAs are very powerful because the person designated in the POAs is able to make very important decisions on your behalf. There are two types of POAs, power of […]

Federal Beneficial Ownership Requirement: What you should know

As of January 22, 2024, the Canadian government requires every federally registered privately held corporation registered under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), must prepare and maintain a register of individuals with significant control over the corporation (“ISC Register”) and file that information with Corporations Canada. Who are individuals with significant control over the corporation?  […]

Notice of Default in Commercial Leases: Court Confirms the Legal Requirements

In commercial leases usually, there are provisions which allow for the landlord to use their right of termination, to end the lease if there is a default on the part of the tenant, only when there notice of default provided to the tenant in the timeframe set out in the agreement. However, the Court has […]

Vacant Property – What Taxes You Need To Be Concerned About?

Canada and various municipalities have implemented tax on properties which are kept vacant for a specific period of time. Here is a highlight of the main taxes in Canada and municipalities. Underused Housing Tax Canada [1] What it is? The Underused Housing Tax is an annual federal 1% tax on the ownership of vacant or […]