Articles vs. By-laws vs. Policies vs. Shareholder Agreements Author: Jasmine Salamon Date: September 9, 2026 Ontario corporations are typically governed by up to four key instruments: articles, by-laws, policies, and unanimous shareholder agreements (USAs). While often discussed together, each serves a distinct legal function, carries a different level of authority, and is subject to different […]
Authors: Marc Laatu Date: June 13, 2025 Leasing commercial space is a major step for any business in Ontario — whether you’re opening your first retail store, expanding an office, or renting a warehouse. Unlike residential tenancies, commercial leases are largely governed by contract law and offer much greater flexibility — and risk — for […]
Author: Marc Laatu Date: May 26, 2025 Introduction When starting a business in Ontario, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right business legal structure. The two most common options for a business legal structure are a sole proprietorship and a corporation. Each comes with distinct costs, benefits, and responsibilities — […]
Authors: Nidhi Verma, Marc Laatu Date: March 27, 2025 INTRODUCTION The Personal Property Security Act (PPSA) plays a crucial role in the world of business and finance, especially when it comes to securing loans or credit. Whether you are a business owner, debtor, or legal professional, understanding the PPSA is essential for safeguarding interests and […]
Authors: Anoop Chahal, Marc Laatu Date: April 15, 2024 Introduction The letter of intent, also known as an LOI, a term sheet or a memorandum of understanding (MOU), can be an effective first step when buying or selling a business. The purpose of a letter of intent in a business transaction is to set out the […]
Author: Jasmine Salamon Date: March 5, 2024 All corporations in Ontario are required to create, maintain, and preserve a range of corporate documents known as “Corporate Records”. These records are typically stored in the corporation’s minute book, which acts as the official record of the corporation’s activities and history. Typically, the Corporate Records are kept […]
Authors: Jasmine Salamon, Marc Laatu Date: January 19, 2023 There are many stages in the purchase or sale of a business. Part of a new series on our website, this article provides an in-depth review of the due diligence process so that you can know what to expect and how we can help. For a more […]
Authors: Jasmine Salamon, Marc Laatu Date: December 19, 2022 There are many stages in the purchase or sale of a business. Part of a new series on our website, this article is intended to help first time buyers (or sellers) understand key concepts which will arise during the transaction, with the focus of this article […]
Author: Jasmine Salamon Date: November 14, 2022 Effective January 1, 2023, the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA), will be amended to require that all Ontario private corporations create and maintain a registry of ‘individuals with significant control’ (ISC). In this article, we answer five frequently asked questions regarding the new Ontario ISC registry requirements so […]
Authors: Selena Filice, Marc Laatu Date: September 13, 2022 Buying a business can be both an exciting and stressful experience. The road from the initial discussion to closing the deal can be a long and complicated one. In this article, we cover five tips to make the most of your time and to work effectively […]