Recently, through its investigation into the retail pricing practices of a regional Canadian furniture retailer, the Competition Bureau of Canada has expanded the list of potentially problematic pricing claims to now include âurgency cuesâ, i.e., the use of marketing tactics to increase a consumerâs perception of having to act immediately and/or to elicit a âfear of missing out.â
Throughout January and February 2023, Baker McKenzieâs Canadian international trade team is publishing a series of articles focusing on developing Canadian trade compliance issues. This article focuses on developments under Canadaâs Free Trade Agreements.
The Canada Border Services Agency announced anticipated annual updates to the Customs Tariff and its trade verification priorities. It has also announced the implementation date for CARM Release 2 and typical administrative and statutory trade remedy proceedings. In addition to these developments, it is possible that in 2023, Canada may implement its proposed amendments to the Valuation for Duty Regulations, continue to scrutinize the apparel industry, and apply enhanced scrutiny of imports and exports to determine whether goods were manufactured by forced or child labor or are at high risk for sanctions circumvention.
Baker McKenzie was invited to serve as the global editor of the Chambers Advertising & Marketing 2022 Practice Guide which features 8 high-profile jurisdictions and provides the latest legal information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, advertising claims and clinical studies, comparative advertising, social/digital media, influencer campaigns, consumer promotions, sports betting/gambling, and cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens.
On August 9, 2021, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada significantly escalated sanctions against Belarus in a multilateral effort to put pressure on the current Lukashenko regime. These sanctions were announced on the first anniversary of the fraudulent elections held in Belarus on August 9, 2020 and follow a series of previous measures against Belarus, including most recently the coordinated measures between the UK, US, Canada and the EU in June (see our previous blog post here) and the sectoral sanctions also introduced by the EU in June (see our previous blog post here).
On 24 March 2021, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (âMinisterâ) issued updated Guidelines on the National Security Review of Investments (âUpdated Guidelinesâ). The Updated Guidelines outline additional factors and clarify existing factors the Canadian government will consider in assessing investments for potential national security concerns under the Investment Canada Act (ICA). These…
Effective March 22, 2021, Canada has imposed new sanctions against four Chinese officials and a Chinese entity under the newly enacted Special Economic Measures (Peopleâs Republic of China) Regulations (the âRegulationsâ), in response to the alleged human rights situation in Xinjiang. Becoming a listed person under the Regulations has two noteworthy consequences.…
UK sanctions On 18 February 2021, the UK announced sanctions against Myanmar military generals for serious human rights violations, which come into force immediately. The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has announced there are 3 individuals subject to immediate asset freezes and travel bans for serious human rights violations by the military and…
The Canadian government has temporarily extended three key time limits applicable under the national security provisions of the Investment Canada Act (ICA), potentially introducing more uncertainty for foreign investors and impacting deal timelines for transactions involving Canada. The extended time limits will apply to most transactions implemented or subject to a filing under the ICA between 31 July and 31 December 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented shock to the global economy, prompting, among other things, competition law enforcers to reassess how they approach competitor collaborations. In particular, many regulatory agencies have implemented policies aimed at assisting businesses in their efforts to mitigate supply chain disruptions and other effects while ensuring that essential goods and services are available to those who need them. Baker McKenzie has previously reported on these developments globally and in specific jurisdictions such as the European Union and the United States, in our Baker McKenzie Coronavirus Resource Center.