Dec. 19, 2024 - Despite a strong start to the year, activist activity in Canada in 2024 tapered to pre-pandemic levels. This reversion to more historic annual totals follows a notable resurgence of shareholder demands directed at Canadian public companies in 2023, when shareholder engagement reached its...
In the News
Patricia Olasker Speaks to Bloomberg About Davies’ Role in Canada’s Cannabis Market
In an article published recently in Bloomberg, Davies partner Patricia Olasker speaks about Davies’ involvement in Canada’s booming cannabis industry.
Davies ranks first among its peers for working on $5.8 billion worth of cannabis M&A this year, including advising the shareholders of MedReleaf Corp. in the sale of MedReleaf to Aurora Cannabis Inc. for approximately $3.2 billion.
According to Patricia, the firm originally entered the sector in order to meet the needs of the firm’s traditional clients. “They’re lenders, they’re investment banks, they’re retailers and shareholder activists, so our work is coming from conventional sources but addressing this new industry.”
She adds that she’s never seen an industry develop as rapidly as this one, calling it “unprecedented in the lifetime of most practising lawyers.”
The article explains that Davies has expanded its client base to include “more senior cannabis players,” which the firm advises on tax law, branding, marketing and compliance. It’s also educating the next generation about cannabis law through a new course at Osgoode Hall Law School, “Regulation of the Canadian Cannabis Industry,” which Patricia is co-teaching.
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