Canada: International Law

The Supreme Court of Canada has delivered a landmark ruling affirming that courts possess a constitutionally protected right to review administrative decisions, striking down legislative attempts to completely bar judicial oversight. The decision clarifies when courts may decline to exercise this supervisory jurisdiction and establishes firm boundaries on Parliament's ability to shield public power from judicial scrutiny.

Ontario courts maintain a high threshold for challenging international arbitral awards, but recent decisions reveal when they will intervene. Two contrasting cases involving Mexico demonstrate the narrow circumstances...

The Ontario Court of Appeal examines whether a foreign arbitral award should be enforced when the arbitration proceeded under different institutional rules than those originally specified in the parties' agreement, following legislative changes in Dubai that transferred arbitration authority from DIFC to DIAC.

As CUSMA shifts to annual reviews and new tariff measures reshape North American trade, foreign companies entering Canada face a fundamentally different customs compliance landscape than existed two years ago.

Canada's approach to Chinese investment in the mining sector may be shifting following the release of the Canada–China Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap in January 2026. While recent years have seen significant barriers to Chinese investment in critical minerals, the new roadmap suggests a more nuanced stance that could open opportunities in less strategically sensitive mining segments such as base and precious metals.

The Federal Court of Appeal has overturned a Canadian International Trade Tribunal decision, establishing that duty relief under Chapter 99 of the Customs Tariff requires a closer physical connection between imported goods and qualifying items than mere simultaneous use. This ruling significantly narrows the interpretation of the "for use in" provision, affecting how importers can claim duty relief when goods are used together in commercial settings without direct physical integration.

As CUSMA shifts to annual reviews and new tariff measures reshape North American trade, foreign companies entering Canada face a fundamentally different customs compliance landscape than existed two years ago.

Global Affairs Canada has issued comprehensive guidance on Canada's "deemed ownership" rules under sanctions law, clarifying when companies not directly designated may still be subject to sanctions restrictions due to ownership or control by designated persons. The guidance addresses three distinct control tests—including ownership thresholds, board control, and de facto influence—and provides practical examples of how these provisions apply to complex corporate structures and proxy arrangements

Le Canada dispose d'une base bien établie d'accords de libre-échange et d'investissement offrant un accès préférentiel aux marchés mondiaux, tout en maintenant un cadre complet de sanctions économiques...