MacKinnon, Bennett & Co.

Acted for MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. in the sale of its C$52-million stake in Miovision, a leading provider of intelligent transportation solutions, to TELUS Ventures.

MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. and Idealist Capital

Acted for co-investors MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. and Idealist Capital in their growth capital equity investment in XNRGY Climate Systems, a leader in the design and manufacturing of energy efficient commercial HVAC systems.

Plusgrade Inc.

Acted for Plusgrade Inc. in its purchase of all the issued and outstanding shares of Israel-based technology and hospitality company, Ancillary Streams Ltd., a global software provider of upgrade solutions to hotels, known as “UpStay.”

MacKinnon, Bennett & Co.

Acted for MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. in connection with the C$32-million merger of its portfolio company Bird Canada Inc. with Bird Global, Inc.

E-Cycle Solutions Inc.

Acted for E-Cycle Solutions Inc. in its sale to JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation, a leading supplier of consumable electronic materials.

MacKinnon, Bennett & Co.

Acted for MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. in its equity investment in Raptor Maps Inc., a SAAS growth-stage startup operating in the solar industry.

Plusgrade L.P.

Acted for Plusgrade L.P., a recognized leader in providing innovative revenue-generating solutions for the global travel industry, and its partners in connection with an equity investment by Novacap.

Leaseweb Global B.V.

Acted for Leaseweb Global B.V., a leading hosting and cloud services company, in its acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of iWeb Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Internap Holding LLC and one of Canada's foremost providers of cloud services and server hosting.

Sequoia Capital

Acted as Canadian counsel to Sequoia Capital in its minority investment in SSENSE, a Montréal-based fashion e-commerce retailer, giving SSENSE a post-money enterprise value of over $5 billion. 

Wattpad Corp.

Acted for Wattpad Corp., a global multi-platform storytelling entertainment company headquartered in Canada, in its acquisition by Naver Corporation, a public South Korean Internet conglomerate. This transaction is valued at more than US$600 million.

MacKinnon, Bennett & Co.

Acted for MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. in the formation of MKB Partners Fund II, a private equity fund that invests in clean technology and smart city companies in the energy and transportation sectors.

Equinoxe Virtual Clinic Corp.

Acted for Equinoxe Virtual Clinic Corp., a leading Canadian virtual care provider, in the sale of all of its issued and outstanding shares to Right-Health Inc., a subsidiary of TELUS Corporation and the owner and operator of the Akira virtual care platform.

MacKinnon, Bennett & Co.

Acted for a group of investors led by MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. in connection with AddEnergie Technologies' $53-million Series C financing round.

Knight Therapeutics Inc.

Acted for Knight Therapeutics Inc. in its transformative acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Biotoscana Investments S.A., a Luxembourg company listed on the Brazilian stock exchange, for an aggregate purchase price of $369 million.

Family Shareholders of Dorel Industries Inc.

Acting for the controlling family shareholders, who partnered with Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. in the privatization of Dorel Industries Inc., a TSX-listed company, by way of plan of arrangement. 

Mexican-based Cannabis Producer

Acted for a Mexican-based cannabis producer with a share exchange and reverse takeover of a Canadian-based cannabis producer with assets in Colombia.

Knight Therapeutics

Acted for Knight Therapeutics Inc. in successfully defending against the activist campaign, proxy contest and contested meeting led by Medison Biotech Ltd. with respect to Knight's 2019 annual meeting.

Plusgrade L.P.

Acted for Plusgrade L.P. and its partners in the $200-million equity investment by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Plusgrade is a leading provider of revenue solutions to the travel industry, such as seat upgrades and other premium services, through its proprietary software platform.

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in its acquisition of DJ-Matic, a provider of in-store media solutions (music, video, digital signage) for businesses with clients in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in its $506-million acquisition of Newfoundland Capital Corporation Limited, one of Canada's leading radio broadcasters with 101 licences (82 FM and 19 AM) across Canada, and the financing of this acquisition, which included $450 million of new credit facilities and $138 million of equity, comprising a $83-million bought deal offering of subscription receipts, a $40-million private placement of subscription receipts to the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, and $15 million from the exercise of pre-emption rights from the Boyko Group.

MacKinnon, Bennett & Co.

Acted for MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. in connection with additional subscriptions and final close of fund, with commitments in excess of $50 million.

RELX Group plc

Acted for an affiliate of Elsevier, part of the RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries, in its acquisition of Science-Metrix Inc., which specializes in research evaluation and bibliometric analysis.

Neovia Probiotics Inc.

Acted for Neovia Probiotics Inc., an indirect subsidiary of a leading French agricultural cooperative group, in its acquisition (by way of a plan of arrangement) of Epicore BioNetworks Inc., a TSXV-listed company specializing in the sale of environmental biological products and specialty feeds.

Meyer Housewares Canada Inc.

Acted for Meyer Housewares Canada Inc. in connection with its acquisition from Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited, of the Padinox business in Prince Edward Island, which manufactures and distributes kitchenware.

KIK Custom Products Inc.

Acted for KIK Custom Products Inc. in its acquisition of Lavo Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of laundry detergent, household cleaners, fabric softeners and bleach in Canada.

Valtech S.E.

Acted for Valtech in its acquisition of all the outstanding shares of Non-Linear Creations Inc., a multinational digital services company with headquarters in Toronto as well as offices in Brazil and the United Kingdom.

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in connection with its acquisition of all the outstanding shares of C Music Entertainment Ltd. (also known as C Music TV).

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in connection with its acquisition of all the outstanding shares of Yokee Music Ltd.

Sweet Park Holdings Inc.

Acted for The Bensadoun Family Foundation, a principal shareholder of Aritzia Inc., in connection with Aritzia Inc.'s secondary offering of 20,100 million subordinate voting shares at a price of $17.45 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $350,745 million, sold via an investment vehicle managed by Berkshire Partners LLC.

Knight Therapeutics Inc.

Acted for Knight Therapeutics Inc. in connection with its $87-million bought deal of common shares and the exercise of the over-allotment option to purchase an additional $13-million worth of common shares.

Group of Leading Financial Institutions

Acted for a group of leading financial institutions in connection with the $1.25-billion refinancing for Air Canada. The group included TD Securities Inc., as representative of the initial purchasers of $200-million of Air Canada's 4.75% senior secured notes due 2023, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender under a new US$1.1-billion senior secured credit facility.

MacKinnon, Bennett & Co.

Acted for MKB Partners Fund in connection with its investment, together with Automobiles Peugeot, in Communauto Inc., one of the largest car-sharing services in the world.

Knight Therapeutics Inc.

Acted for Knight Therapeutics Inc. in connection with its $200-million bought deal offering of common shares and the exercise of the over-allotment option to purchase an additional $30-million worth of common shares.

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in connection with its acquisition of Nümedia, which provides intelligent media solutions to its clients, including enabling in-venue music.

itravel2000

Acted for itravel2000 in the sale of its retail travel business to Red Label Holdings Inc. parent company of TravelBrands and Redtag.ca

Stingray Group Inc.

Acting for Stingray Group Inc. in its acquisition of the Much television channels known as MuchVibe, MuchRetro, MuchLoud and Juicebox from Bell Media Inc.

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in connection with the acquisition of Digital Music Distribution Pty. Ltd. (DMD), Australia's most important digital music services provider.

First Quality Enterprises, Inc.

Acted as Canadian counsel to First Quality Enterprises, Inc., and its affiliates in connection with the acquisition of Fempro I Inc. and related companies.

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in connection with its acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares in the share capital of Brava NL BV, Brava HDTV and Djazz TV BV, distributors of three successful thematic channels dedicated to high-end music and cultural content distributed to an estimated 35 million subscribers in 50 countries.

Knight Therapeutics Inc.

Acted for Knight Therapeutics Inc. in connection with the entering into a distribution, license and supply agreement with Profound Medical Inc.

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in connection with its initial public offering on the TSX.

Stingray Digital Media Inc.

Acted for Stingray Business in connection with the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Groupe Viva.

Logibec Inc.

Acted for the management team of Logibec Inc. in connection with the sale of Logibec Inc.'s shares to US private equity firm GI Partners. Logibec is a leading Canadian healthcare IT company specializing in the development, marketing, implementation and support of clinical and administrative information systems for the health and social services sectors.

Knight Therapeutics inc.

Acted for Knight Therapeutics Inc. in connection with its $87-million bought deal of common shares and the exercise of the over-allotment option to purchase an additional $13-million worth of common shares.

Knight Therapeutics Inc.

Acted for a wholly owned subsidiary of Knight Therapeutics Inc., in the US$125 million cash sale of its Neglected Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher, which was granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the approval of Impavidor (miltefosine) for treatment of patients with visceral, mucosal and cutaneous leishmaniasis, to Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Knight Therapeutics Inc.

Acting for Knight Therapeutics Inc. in connection with its $75-million bought deal private placement of special warrants.

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

Acted for J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint book runner and representative of the initial purchasers in connection with US$400-million unsecured notes of Air Canada.

Knight Therapeutics Inc.

Acted for Knight Therapeutics Inc. in connection with its $180-million bought deal private placement of special warrants.

Paladin Labs Inc.

Acted for Paladin Labs Inc. in connection with its acquisition by Endo Health Solutions Inc. in a stock and cash transaction valued at approximately $3 billion.

Elleway Acquisitions Corp.

Acted for Elleway Acquisitions Corp. in connection with the purchase of outstanding secured indebtedness of Travelzest plc from Barclays plc and the related acquisition by subsidiaries of Aldenham Canada Acquisition Corp. of the assets of Itravel 2000, The Cruise Professionals Limited and Travelcash from Grant Thornton Limited, the receiver of the corporations owning such businesses and its subsequent proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Bain Capital Luxembourg Investments S.à.r.l.

Acted for Bain Capital Luxembourg Investments S.à.r.l. in connection with a bought deal, secondary offering of 8,000,000 subordinate voting shares of BRP Inc. by Bain, CDPQ and other selling shareholders for total gross proceeds of approximately $222,800,000.

Citibank Canada

Acted for the initial purchasers and lenders in connection with Air Canada's $1.4 billion refinancing transaction, consisting of private offerings of new senior secured notes and a new senior secured credit facility.

CIBC World Markets Inc.

Acted for a syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC World Markets Inc. in connection with Cogeco Cable Inc.'s public debt offering on a bought deal basis of $300 million of senior secured debentures due 2023.

Bain Capital

Acted for Bain Capital, a principal shareholder of BRP Inc., in connection with BRP's initial public offering on the TSX consisting of 12,200,000 subordinate voting shares of BRP at a price of $21.50 per share, for gross proceeds of $262.3 million, making it the largest Canadian IPO in 2013.

Stingray Group Inc.

Acted for Stingray Group Inc. in connection with its acquisition of eMedia Networks' Canadian commercial accounts.

Studio Mel's La Cité du Cinéma and Locations Michel Trudel

Acted for Studio Mel's La Cité du Cinéma and Locations Michel Trudel in connection with the sale of substantially all of their outstanding assets to Global A.R. Ltée.

Pharmascience Inc.

Acted for Pharmascience Inc. in connection with its $17.25-million investment in its strategic partnership with BELLUS Health Inc.

Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust

Acted for Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust in connection with its $143.75-million offering.

Eurocopter Holding SAS

Acted for Eurocopter Holding SAS, a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V., in connection with its acquisition of Vector Aerospace Corporation in a transaction valued at $635 million by way of a takeover bid.

Baosteel Resources International Co., Ltd.

Acted for Baosteel Resources International Co., Ltd., part of The Baosteel Group and one of the largest steel producers in China and worldwide, in connection with its investment in Noront Resources Ltd., by way of a private placement.

Pharmascience Inc.

Acted for Pharmascience Inc. in connection with the acquisition of Aegera Therapeutics Inc.

Canaccord Genuity Corp.

Acted for Canaccord Genuity Corp. and a syndicate of underwriters in connection with the $156-million bought deal secondary offering by ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. of shares of Air Canada.

JP Morgan

Acted for the initial purchasers led by J.P. Morgan in connection with Bumble Bee Foods, LLC's US$605 million offering of senior secured notes, the proceeds of which were used to fund part of the acquisition of Bumble Bee Foods by Lion Head LLP.

MKB Solar Rooftops Inc.

Acted for MKB Solar Rooftops Inc., an affiliate of MacKinnon, Bennett & Co. in connection with the creation of Potentia Solar Inc., an independent power producer in Ontario generating electricity through solar-powered energy systems. The other shareholders of Potentia Solar Inc. are Victoria Square Venture, a subsidiary of Power Corporation and Conundrum Capital Group.

Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.

Acted for the Special Committee of Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. in connection with the acquisition of Innergex Renewable by Innergex Power Income Fund by way of a plan of arrangement through a reverse takeover deal valued at $1 billion.

Benvest New Look Income Fund / New Look Eyewear Inc.

Acted for Benvest New Look Income Fund in connection with the conversion from an income trust structure to a corporation under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act, involving its operating subsidiary, New Look Eyewear Inc., and Sonomax Hearing Healthcare Inc.

Sentient Global Resources Fund III, LP

Acted for Sentient Global Resources Fund III, LP in connection with its $13,554,000 private placement in Strateco Resources Inc.

Genuity Capital Markets and Syndicate of underwriters

Acted for Genuity Capital Markets and a syndicate of underwriters in connection with a bought deal offering by Air Canada of units comprised of shares and warrants for aggregate gross proceeds of $260 million.

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Fonds de solidarité FTQ and Investissement Québec

Acted for Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Fonds de solidarité FTQ and Investissement Québec, the Initial Limited Partners, in the formation and investment in Teralys Capital Fund of Funds, L.P., a $700-million Québec-based venture capital Fund of Funds.

Cycle Capital Management Inc.

Acted for Cycle Capital Management Inc. on the formation of its first $80-million investment fund devoted to the clean technology and renewable energy sector, Cycle Capital Fund I, L.P.

AbitibiBowater Inc.

Acted for AbitibiBowater Inc. (now known as Resolute Forest Products) in connection with the sale of its Snowflake, Arizona mill to Catalyst Paper Corporation in a transaction valued at US$161 million.

Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.

Acted for Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. (now known as Resolute Forest Products) in connection with its merger of equals with Bowater Incorporated to create a company with a combined enterprise value of US$8 billion.

Schonbek Worldwide Lighting Inc.

Acted for Schonbek Worldwide Lighting Inc. and its affiliated companies in connection with their sale to Swarovski US Holding Ltd., a subsidiary of Swarovski International Holding.

La Senza Corporation

Acted for La Senza Corporation in the negotiated takeover bid by Limited Brands, Inc. valued at $710 million.

Key Principal Partners Corp.

Acted for Key Principal Partners Corp. and its affiliates Plastival Canadian Holdings Inc. and Plastival US Holdings Inc. in the Canadian aspects of the funding of their approximately $52.5 million purchase of Plastival Inc. (Canada) and Plastival, Inc. (US).

Canadian Forum Investments Inc.

Acted for Canadian Forum Investments Inc. in its acquisition of the Montreal Forum historic property in a transaction valued at $45.2 million.

SS&C Technologies, Inc.

Acted for SS&C Technologies, Inc. in connection with its $207-million acquisition of Financial Models Company Inc. in a contested takeover bid situation.

Atis Group Inc.

Acted for Atis Group Inc. in regard to Focus Doors & Windows Inc.'s acquisition, through newly-formed Nova Scotia subsidiaries, of the assets of Les Industries Melco Canada Ltée and Les Fenêtres Vimat Inc., as well as the shares of Les Industries Plastimont Ltée and of 2639-8966 Québec Inc. (known as Lavaltrie).

State Property Fund of Ukraine

Acted for the State Property Fund of Ukraine on the successful challenge before the Federal Court (Trial Division) and the Federal Court of Appeal of the validity of the registration of a $60 million arbitral award against the State Property Fund of Ukraine. The Federal Court of Appeal's ruling secured the release of an Aircraft Antonov AN124-100 that had been impounded in Goose Bay, Newfoundland.

Thread Collective

Acted for 12625164 Canada Inc., an affiliate of Thread Collective Inc. in connection with a transaction whereby Thread Collective Inc. transferred to 12625164 Canada Inc. all of its assets relating to its Psycho Bunny business and the subsequent investment by The BB Family International Trust in 12625164 Canada Inc.

Speaking Engagement

American Bar Association, Business Law Section 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting, International Expansion and Cross-Border Transactions Subcommittee Meeting, “The North American Cannabis Market: A Dynamically Evolving Legal and Commercial Environment”; Webinar

Sept. 23, 2020

Article

2020 Global Report on Cannabis Policy, Canada chapter, co-author

June 25, 2020 - World Law Group, at 12-29
Read the report.

Bulletin

Canadian Securities Authorities Address Cannabis Issuers’ Conflicts of Interest

Nov. 13, 2019 - Staff of the securities regulatory authorities in Ontario, British Columbia, Québec, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia (collectively, Staff) has released CSA Multilateral Staff Notice 51-359 ‒ Corporate Governance Related Disclosure Expectations for Reporting Issuers in the...

Bulletin

Québec Increases Minimum Age for Cannabis Consumption to 21

Nov. 12, 2019 - The Québec government recently ratified an Act to tighten the regulation of cannabis (Act), marking its latest action to impose stricter rules on cannabis consumption than those set out by the federal government. Beginning on January 1, 2020, persons under the age of 21 will be prohibited...

In the News

Brian Kujavsky Speaks to Canadian Lawyer About Québec’s Proposed Regulations on Cannabis Edibles

Oct. 18, 2019 - Canadian Lawyer recently featured Brian Kujavsky’s perspectives on the Québec government’s plan to restrict the sale of cannabis edibles in the province. In the article, Brian explains why Québec has taken a more stringent approach to cannabis than other jurisdictions and shares his...

In the News

Brian Kujavsky Speaks to The Lawyers Daily on Québec Homegrown Cannabis Ruling

Sept. 17, 2019 - The Lawyer’s Daily recently featured Brian Kujavsky’s insights on the implications of the Québec Superior Court’s ruling striking down the provincial ban on homegrown cannabis, including a possible constitutional legal battle over the sale of cannabis edibles. In the article (available to...

Bulletin

Québec Court Rules Restriction on Growing Cannabis at Home Is Unconstitutional

Sept. 10, 2019 - As a result of a recent decision of the Québec Superior Court (QSC) in Murray Hall c. Procureure générale du Québec¹, residents in Québec are no longer prohibited from growing or possessing cannabis plants at home for personal purposes. Under the Cannabis Regulation...

Bulletin

In High Demand: Health Canada Releases Final Regulations for Cannabis Edibles, Extracts and Topical Products

June 17, 2019 - Health Canada has released the final regulations (Regulations) that will govern cannabis edibles, extracts and topical products. The Regulations will come into force on October 17, 2019, in substantially the same form as the draft regulations published by Health Canada in December 2018. Market...

In the News

Brian Kujavsky Highlights Key Issues for Cannabis Investors in Hedge Fund Law Report

June 14, 2019 - In a recent interview with Hedge Fund Law Report (available to subscribers), Brian Kujavsky outlined key considerations for investors seeking to enter the cannabis space. Brian believes there are two reasons why investors might choose to invest in the United States rather than Canada. ...

In the News

Brian Kujavsky Speaks to Hedge Fund Law Report on Investing in Cannabis

May 30, 2019 - Brian Kujavsky was interviewed recently by Hedge Fund Law Report, a leading news service on hedge fund law and regulation, for an article (available to subscribers) on investing in the cannabis industry. Brian commented on the former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ rescission of all...

Article

Cannabis Deal Traffic Flows in Both Directions Across the Border: Considerations for U.S. Law Firms, co-author

Apr. 15, 2019 - Business Law Today (American Bar Association)
Read the article.

In the News

Patricia Olasker and Brian Kujavsky Profiled as Top Cannabis Lawyers by Business Insider

Jan. 11, 2019 - An article published this week in Business Insider features Davies partners Patricia Olasker and Brian Kujavsky among a select group of lawyers who have cut a trailblazing path into the booming cannabis industry. The article describes how Davies’ involvement in the industry was driven by...

Bulletin

Legalization of Cannabis: A Guide for Employers

Oct. 19, 2018 - With the legalization of recreational cannabis as of October 17, 2018, Canadian employers must be prepared to understand their rights and responsibilities vis-à-vis their employees. Substance and Drug Use Policy Employers are encouraged to adopt or amend their substance and drug use policies...

Bulletin

Ontario Releases Framework for Private Retail Cannabis Sales

Sept. 28, 2018 - With less than three weeks before cannabis becomes legal for adult use in Canada, Ontario has finally tabled its approach to retail distribution. Among the myriad aspects of the recreational cannabis industry left to the discretion of the provinces, retail distribution may have the largest impact...

Bulletin

Québec Releases Framework for Recreational Cannabis

Nov. 21, 2017 - The Canadian government is going full steam ahead with its plans to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes in July 2018, but it has left some of the toughest decisions relating to the sale, distribution, cultivation and promotion of cannabis to the provinces and territories. As a result, a...

Bulletin

“Publish What You Pay” Standards Now in Force for Canada’s Extractive Industries

June 02, 2015 - On June 1, 2015, the federal government declared into force the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act. This Act is the long-promised legislation to establish mandatory reporting standards for payments that Canadian extractive companies make to governments worldwide (commonly known...

Bulletin

Plan Nord, Take Two

Apr. 29, 2015 - On April 8, 2015, the Québec government released its Plan Nord toward 2035, 2015-2020 Action Plan (Plan Nord), a 20-year plan designed to provide main policy directions and priorities for the development of northern Québec. Plan Nord revamps the previous plan announced in 2011 by...

Speaking Engagement

MySteel, Canada Mission of 2012, “Acquiring Canadian Mining Interests”

Sept. 11, 2012