A corporation is an entity legally separate and distinct from its owners. Regardless of whether the corporation was created to generate profit, it can enter contracts, pay taxes, lend and borrow money, hire employees, as well as buy and sell its own assets. As a legal entity, a corporation has many of the rights and […]
When a commercial tenant fails to pay rent, a commercial landlord can terminate the lease, or, alternatively, seek to exercise the remedy of distraint. The landlord cannot do both. Distraint, or distress, is the seizure of a tenant’s property for potential sale by the landlord in order to pay off arrears in rent. The Residential […]
Ontario’s Construction Act governs terms and payment of contracts between property owners or tenants and their contractors, including subcontractors. Any “improvement” to property could fall under the purview of the Act. The Act defines an “improvement” as any alteration, addition, or capital repair to the land; any construction, erection, or installation on the land, including […]
It is ideal that your small or medium sized businesses be incorporated. Most of these businesses are controlled by just one person, a family, or maybe a small group of owners. We call these closely-held private companies. When the Canada Revenue Agency audits a closely-held private company, they pay particular attention to transactions involving the […]
When a business hires an employee, a contract is formed. It does not need to be written and the law will set out a number of implied terms of that relationship. It will often be prudent however, that the contract be committed to writing. A written employment contract is a means to outline the terms […]
Entering into a business partnership is common for entrepreneurs, especially when they find someone with similar ideas and ambitions. But ideas change, ambitions transform and partnerships can grow cold. A partnership can go bad for many reasons. Regardless of the issue, it’s critical for both you and your business partner to move forward in a […]
No matter the size of your company, contracts will be a crucial aspect of your business. You will need them to get started, and you will need them to grow. You may need contracts with vendors, employees and clients in the course of operations. It is essential that these contracts be legally binding and advantageous […]
Starting a business is a daunting, but exciting time that will almost certainly require some form of legal advice. Each person undertaking this process will have different needs and concerns. First Nations entrepreneurs might find that they require legal counsel that understand their unique business needs, and the distinct legal questions they might have. One […]
With the emergence of Covid-19 and its variants, followed by gathering restrictions and lockdowns, and increasing costs such as higher minimum wage, it has become increasingly difficult for businesses to keep up with the bills. Many businesses are now being forced to consider bankruptcy. Generally, businesses can go bankrupt in one of three ways, the […]
On October 17, 2018, the Canadian government officially legalized cannabis for non-medical use. This inevitably posed some unprecedented challenges and unique questions for employers. It is now three years later, and questions still remain. As an employer, you may have asked yourself some of these complicated but necessary questions: Do I have to accommodate an […]
