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Alberta has emerged as one of Canada’s most proactive jurisdictions for the development of large‑scale data centres, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence (AI). Through a combination of targeted legislation, intergovernmental coordination, and policy direction to energy regulators, the province has adopted a regulatory approach that departs in important respects from the traditional treatment of large industrial electricity loads. Key takeaways for proponents Alberta is modernizing its regulatory framework to accelerate…

British Columbia recently introduced legislative amendments that will restrict the electrical capacity available for new data centre projects within the Province. As of Feb. 1, 2026, the allocation of new electrical capacity for data centre purposes in British Columbia is subject to system-wide aggregate limits that are allocated under a competitive process administered by the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro). As outlined below, these limits are both…

In Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, the development and connection process for data centres is driven by Ontario-specific electricity rules and institutions. Grid access and connection obligations are governed primarily by the Electricity Act, 1998,1 the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) Transmission System Code2 (TSC) and Distribution System Code3 (DSC), and the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) connection approval and market participation requirements. Recent policy initiatives, such as Bill 40, signal increasing scrutiny…

Since 2016, Québec has actively positioned itself as a prime destination for data centres, leveraging its abundant renewable energy, competitive electricity rates, and ambition to strengthen digital sovereignty. Supported by a government-owned utility that controls electricity generation, transmission and distribution, the province offered a compelling value proposition: low-cost power and a naturally cold climate that reduces cooling costs. This strategy has been successful. The number of data centres has grown…

The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) has published rule amendments to harmonize advisor compensation (the Amendments). Following CIRO’s 2024 position paper that consulted on three potential regulatory approaches to allow payment of advisor compensation to advisor-owned corporations for all CIRO-regulated dealer members (Dealers), the Amendments propose to adopt the Incorporated Approved Person compensation option. In a material shift from the 2024 proposals, under the proposed Amendments, both ancillary activities and…

Artificial intelligence has entered a new phase in Canadian health care. BLG recently hosted health care leaders, hospital representatives, technology companies, and industry stakeholders at its Artificial Intelligence in Canadian Health Care Symposium in Toronto. Discussions throughout the symposium revealed a clear shift in how health care organizations are thinking about AI. A year ago, many conversations focused on experimentation and use cases. As of 2026, attention is increasingly turning…

In McCarthy v. Bison Transport Inc., 2026 ONSC 3729, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice upheld a termination for just cause arising from an employee’s second failed drug test. The decision highlights the importance of clear workplace policies, consistent enforcement, and the limits of the duty to accommodate in the absence of an actual or perceived substance-dependency disability. Key takeaways for employers on just cause dismissal McCarthy v. Bison Transport…

In Democracy Watch v. Canada (Attorney General), the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that the Constitution guarantees the availability of a legality review for all aspects of an administrative decision. Privative clauses purporting to oust the courts from this supervisory role are unconstitutional. The Supreme Court held that general political oversight of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner (the Commissioner) by Parliament does not provide an adequate alternative remedy…

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published Staff Notice 33-322 – Review of Registered Firms’ Cybersecurity Practices and Additional Guidance (the Staff Notice) on July 15, 2026, following a focused review of 73 registered firms’ cybersecurity practices. The message is not especially surprising: cybersecurity is a core business risk, and registered firms are expected to have practical, documented and regularly refreshed controls that fit their size, complexity and operations. Practical takeaways Right-size your…

Court-appointed receivers, monitors and trustees play a central role in Canadian insolvency proceedings. As officers of the court, they are expected to act independently and impartially, and in accordance with their statutory and court-ordered duties. Given this role, a recurring question in Alberta insolvency practice is whether parties may cross-examine a court officer on the contents of a report. There is a clear general principle in Alberta: receivers, monitors and…