Early this year, we launched our annually published Canadian Regulatory Trends to Watch series, where our leading regulatory lawyers shared their perspectives on the trends expected to define 2025. Covering everything from energy and AI to consumer products, foreign investment and trade, this year’s insights explore the regulatory shifts impacting industries across Canada. Our analysis offers actionable insights into the regulatory developments that matter the most to you.
In case you’ve missed them, see the links to our articles below:
Trends to watch in foreign investment review: Evolving scrutiny of foreign investments into Canada: Closer, broader and (potentially) more aggressive
The Canadian government’s review of foreign investments may evolve significantly in 2025, with certain transactions likely to require pre-closing national security clearance, with a potentially broader ambit of review including economic security and against a backdrop of elevated global tensions (including Canada-US) and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Sandy Walker provides an overview of trends to watch over the next year, including key developments relating to the Investment Canada Act and what they mean for foreign investors.
Regulatory developments affecting financial services in Canada: What (really) matters for 2025
Regulatory developments underway in Canada this year are set to reshape the financial services landscape. Understanding and embracing these changes is not only crucial to maintaining regulatory compliance, it is also essential when it comes to exploring new business opportunities. Learn more from Lisa Ford and her team about key regulatory developments that matter most for 2025.
Regulatory trends to watch: Climate-related disclosure requirements in Canada
Climate-related disclosure requirements in Canada continue to evolve, with 2025 likely to be the year when generally applicable mandatory climate-related disclosure requirements crystalize. Bill Gilliland discusses the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board’s finalized climate-related disclosure standards and the Canadian Securities Administrators’ expected proposal for a new mandatory climate-related disclosure rule in 2025.
Regulatory trends to watch: Canada’s legislative framework for building environmental performance
In the past year, Canada has significantly reinforced its regulatory framework for building environmental performance, aligning with its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero carbon goals by 2050. Mira Gauvin, Mélanie Power, Jade Lemieux, James Proctor and Gerikson Castillo discuss key regulatory trends and developments shaping the building sector and outline what to expect in 2025.
Regulatory trends to watch: Constitutional law questions of significance in 2025
As political, social, economic and environmental challenges shape 2025, Canadian courts will look to the fundamental rules and principles found in the Constitution to guide their response.
Laurie Livingstone, Brandon Barnes Trickett, Mélanie Power and Tom Nichini outline some of the most significant constitutional questions facing Canadian courts this year, from debates over the notwithstanding clause to landmark cases before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Consumer products trends to watch: Will the regulator come knocking? Increased enforcement of the consumer product industry
Canadian authorities responsible for consumer product safety, compliance and the environment are increasingly leveraging existing regulatory tools in ways that will drive enforcement and shape the industry in 2025. Monica Song, Yulia Konarski and Emma Fillman discuss key enforcement trends to watch in the consumer products space, including the application of legislative schemes to online marketplaces, increased scrutiny of deceptive marketing practices, particularly greenwashing, and higher penalties for non-compliance.
Artificial intelligence trends to watch in 2025: Regulation of AI
The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) has led governments worldwide to regulate its providers and users, but recent political changes are likely to reshape the Canadian AI regulatory landscape in 2025. Kay Scorer, Ryan Bernard, Kathryn Gullason and Bob Tarantino discuss the Canadian government’s efforts to regulate AI in 2024, review approaches in other jurisdictions and look ahead to the future of AI regulation in Canada.
Energy regulatory trends to watch: Changes to environmental and energy regulation emissions cap and clean electricity regulations
Over the past year, Canada’s energy regulatory landscape has been defined by ongoing debates between the provinces and federal government over climate change initiatives and energy production restrictions. Bernard Roth and Ben Kriwokon cover key regulatory trends to watch in 2025, including the federal government’s Clean Electricity Regulations and proposed Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap.
Agricultural regulatory trends to watch: Biosecurity on farms and “ag-gag” laws
The security of farm properties and prevention of trespass have been key focuses in agricultural regulation across Canada over the past year, with recent biosecurity and “ag-gag” legislation poised to shape the future of the sector. Morgan Camley, Ivy Yang and Kathryn Gullason discuss the future of Bill C-275 and other legislative developments designed to protect biosecurity on farms.
These articles were originally published on dentons.com.
To access all the articles in the Dentons’ Canadian Regulatory Trends to Watch in 2025 series, click here.
