Articles 2019

Aujourdʼhui
Aujourdʼhui

Good Faith in Contractual Performance - The Implications of Recent SCC Decisions for the Franchise Relationship

  • 23 mars 2021
  • Andrew MacIver, Siskinds

The Supreme Court of Canada's two recent decisions in C.M. Callow Inc. and Wastech Services Ltd. revisited and clarified the principles of good faith contractual performance formulated in Bhasin. While it remains to be determined whether the common law duty of good faith is different from the franchise-specific duty of good faith and fair dealing, these general principles of contract law have important implications for parties to the franchise relationship.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

Got Damages? A Review of the Alberta Court of Appeal’s Clarification on Net Loss Damages Related to the Termination of a Franchise Agreement

  • 23 mars 2021
  • Peter Snell, Gowling WLG, and Pam Vermeersch, Gowling WLG

The recent decision of the Alberta Court of Appeal in 1777453 Alberta Ltd. v. Got Mold Disaster Recovery Services Inc. provides important insight into the calculation of net loss damages upon the termination of the Franchisee-Franchisor relationship. This article provides a brief of the case and analysis of how the Court clarified damages from a net loss perspective, along with other issues.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

Court Finds that Franchisee Took Commercially Reasonable Steps to Dissociate from Franchisor

  • 20 février 2021
  • Steven Goldman and Alana Spira

When the franchise relationship comes to an end, ensuring dissociation from the franchisor while continuing on with business can present challenges. In this case the Court dealt with a dispute as to whether there had been dissociation per the parties' agreement, and provides guidance on what constitutes commercially reasonable efforts.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

Penalty Clauses and Liquidated Damages Provisions in Franchise Agreements

  • 26 janvier 2021
  • Adrienne Boudreau and Jason Brisebois, Sotos LLP

Penalty and liquidated damages clauses may seem like an attractive option in the contractual legal toolkit for franchise agreements. However, there are potential drawbacks and drafting considerations to keep in mind. This article provides an overview of these clauses, their benefits, and thoughts on their utility in the franchise context.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

A Deeper Dive on the New Wishart Act Amendments

  • 19 octobre 2020
  • Dominic Mochrie, partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, and Christine Jackson, associate, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Long-awaited amendments to Ontario's Arthur Wishart Act have now come into force. This article highlights the new amendments and provides insight into their interpretation and potential impact.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

When is a Notice of Rescission a Notice of Rescission?

  • 30 juillet 2020
  • Rory McGovern and Daniel Freiheit

In 2352392 Ontario Inc. v. Msi, the Ontario Court of Appeal delivered a significant decision that will impact the application of Section 6(3) of the Arthur Wishart Act. The decision, technically read, allows court pleadings to constitute a valid notice of rescission under the Act.  However, the principles applied by the Court of Appeal shed light, more broadly, on a new level for how the Act will be interpreted in favor of franchisees.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

Fit for Rescission?

  • 13 mai 2020
  • Jennifer Pocock, Sakshi Pachisia, and David Kornhauser

In Raibex the Ontario Court of Appeal narrowed the availability of rescission for franchisees, stating that the availability of rescission under s. 6(2) of the Arthur Wishart Act was dependent on whether the franchisee was effectively deprived of the opportunity to make an “informed investment decision”. The recent decision of 2483038 Ontario Inc. v. 2082100 Ontario Inc. provided clarification on this issue and on who might constitute a franchisor’s associate pursuant to the Act.   

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

Cutting off Franchisee's Supplies Leads to Award of Punitive Damages

  • 10 mars 2020
  • Jonathan Messiano-Crookston and Alana Spira

In 0923063 B.C. Ltd. v. JM Food Services Ltd., 2019 BCSC 553, the court held that cutting franchisee's supplies off is breach of contract and of the duty to perform in good faith warranting punitive damages. This case update reports on the court's decision and analysis.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum

Franchising in Canada - 2019 Year in Review

  • 18 février 2020
  • John Clifford, W. Brad Hanna, Adriana Rudensky, Mitch Koczerginski, Andae Marrocco and Paola Ramirez

In this update we highlight key judicial decisions and legislative developments in 2019 affecting the landscape of franchise law in Canada.

Droit des franchises, Student Forum