The gear parts of the automotive transmission.
The gear parts of the automotive transmission.
The gear parts of the automotive transmission.

MANUFACTURING

As environmentalists demand the evolution or banning of carbon-based products, retail is bulldozed by online shopping, and manual labourers are replaced by machines, manufacturing, distribution and retail are faced with an intense challenge – reinvent themselves or cease to exist. McMillan LLP lawyers enable manufacturing, distribution and retail leaders intent on surviving these challenges to move forward with new brands, products and services that meet and exceed changing consumer demands. Our lawyers work with some of the world’s leading retail brands in CPG, chemicals, industrial, automotive products and cannabis, as well as retailers and distributors in these markets. We help our clients contend with a myriad of competitive and economic pressures and minimize the cost and time associated with the production lifecycle through legal management of the supply chain.

McMillan’s manufacturing, distribution and retail lawyers are well-equipped to properly predict, evaluate and address any legal challenge or hurdle. Our patent and trademark lawyers help protect manufacturers’ most valuable asset – their intellectual property.

McMillan lawyers have guided many clients through seismic shifts that have changed the manufacturing industry, such as moving manufacturing to lower-cost offshore centres, vertical integration, and innovations in supply chain processes. On the sales side, we specialize in competition, trade and regulatory matters, as well as mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs and brand extensions. McMillan also has seasoned experts in franchise law, and lawyers who can draft and enforce supply and distribution agreements – when selling to mass and scale.

As manual labourers are replaced by machines, and the space for middle and senior management tightens, McMillan labour lawyers also help manufacturers, distributors and retailers navigate stressful situations. McMillan routinely advises clients on employing and managing workers, including complying with provincial and federal employment laws, executive compensation, taxes, pensions, developing and maintaining employee policies, as well as dealing with employee issues through litigation, arbitration and mediation.

When labour issues arise, particularly in the case of litigation or arbitration, human rights, harassment or discrimination, the repercussions can be far-reaching for the individual and negatively affect the organization, its reputation, brand and financial performance. McMillan’s labour lawyers use their knowledge of the law to help manufacturing, distribution centres and processing plants bring reputation-threatening labour action to a close. If necessary, we handle these circumstances via litigation and dispute resolution, before decreased production sales ensue.

In today’s competitive economy, manufacturing, distribution and retail are all under more pressure than ever to reinvent themselves and stay afloat. Amidst this, McMillan manufacturing, distribution processing & retail sales lawyers are the reputed, trustworthy, steady legal hand you need. Get in touch.

Primary Contacts

View All Contacts

J. R. Beaudrie

Partner, Business Law | Mergers & Acquisitions

John Clifford

Partner, Business Law | Mergers & Acquisitions | Chief Operating Officer

Insights (30 Posts)

Featured Insight

Don’t Wing It – Implications for Project Proponents under Canada’s Species at Risk Act

This bulletin discusses the application of the Species at Risk Act, a federal environmental statute whose potential impact on private parties is overlooked.

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May 31, 2023
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Prepare your business to comply with Canada’s new anti-slavery legislation

An in-person seminar aiming to discuss the scope of Bill S-211 and how this new legislation might affect businesses.

Details
June 1, 2023
Featured Insight

New Mandatory Reporting Requirement for Businesses: Canada’s Modern Anti-Slavery Bill Becomes Law

Canada imposes new reporting obligations on forced labour, and what it means for Canadian businesses.

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May 3, 2023
Featured Insight

Factors Considered by Courts When Appointing An Arbitrator: The Arbitrator Must be Ready to “Hit the Ground Running”

The decision of the ONSC in Van Doorn v. Loopstra Nixon, 2023 ONSC 1782 provides a helpful overview of a Court's considerations when appointing an arbitrator.

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May 2, 2023
Featured Insight

Plan for the Ban: New Consultation Launched for Plastics Labelling Framework and Federal Plastics Registry

A discussion on the federal consultations on plastics labelling and registry requirements.

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Apr 26, 2023
Featured Insight

Major changes proposed to Quebec’s land use planning and development regime: focus on environmental impacts

This bulletin summarizes the proposed amendments to Quebec’s land use and development regime that have environmental implications.

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Apr 3, 2023
Featured Insight

Fanning the Flames of Liability: The Ontario Court of Appeal Considers Product Liability Issues in Burr v. Tecumseh Products of Canada Limited

The decision of the Court of Appeal in Burr v. Tecumseh Products of Canada Limited, 2023 ONCA 135 provides a helpful overview of product liability law.

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Mar 20, 2023
Featured Insight

Canadian Businesses Should Prepare for New Mandatory Reporting on Supply Chains and Forced Labour

Canada prepares to impose new reporting obligations on forced labour, and what it means for Canadian businesses.

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Mar 14, 2023
Featured Insight

Plan for the Ban: New Year, New Canadian Plastics Regulation Update

An update on recent Canadian developments related to plastics and extended producer responsibility

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Jan 18, 2023
Featured Insight

Cleaning Up Canada’s Auto-Emissions – Canada Announces New Manufacturer Sales Targets to Reach the 2035 Transition to 100% Zero-Emission Vehicles

Canada proposes new auto manufacturing targets for zero-emission vehicles beginning for 2026 year models.

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Jan 17, 2023
Featured Insight

On the Right Track: Canadian Government’s Key Changes to Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations

The Canadian government has announced key changes to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations to streamline cross-border trade of dangerous goods.

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Jan 10, 2023
Featured Insight

A Foreign Affair at Home Not Abroad – Canada to Consult on the Merits of a Foreign Agent Registry

Canada announces that consultations on a possible "foreign agent registry" will begin soon. What is that and how is it different from a lobbying law?

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Jan 9, 2023
Featured Insight

Canada Embraces the Indo-Pacific: New Canadian Strategy Expands Opportunities for Two-way Trade and Investment

Canada announces new Indo-Pacific Strategy, applies to join Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and what it all means for Canadian businesses.

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Nov 30, 2022
Featured Insight

Too Quick to (Summary) Judge: The Shortcomings of Summary Judgment in Patent Actions in Canada

The FCA addresses the shortcomings of summary judgment in patent cases, along with issues relating to "common general knowledge" and experimental testing.

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Sep 27, 2022
Featured Insight

Mind the (ebike) Gap: How to Proceed with Product Recalls When There is a Regulatory Gap

While consumer interest in electric bicycles is increasing, regulatory interest in electric bicycles, or ebikes, is waning.

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Sep 22, 2022
Featured Insight

Plan for the Ban: Canada Proposes Plastic Labelling Rules and Federal Plastics Registry

Canada publishes two open consultation papers related to labeling regulations and a federal plastics registry for single-use plastics and plastic packaging.

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Sep 14, 2022
Featured Insight

Canada Catching Up on Regulation of PFAS Substances

An update on Canada's regulation of PFAS substances, in comparison to US and European regulation

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Jul 20, 2022
Featured Insight

Canada Poised to Increase Regulation of Forced Labour in Supply Chains

Developments in Canadian regulation of forced labour in supply chains and their potential impacts on Canadian businesses

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Jun 7, 2022
Featured Insight

Budget 2022 Amends Legislation to Tackle Unfairly Traded Imports

Changes announced in Budget 2022 make it easier for Canadian producers to tackle unfairly traded imports.

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Apr 13, 2022
Featured Insight

A Tale of [NORSTEEL in] Two Cities

The recent decision in Norsteel Building Systems Ltd. v. Toti Holdings Inc. highlights the importance of trademark clearance searching for businesses.

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Nov 10, 2021
Featured Insight

Primer on Canadian Federal and Provincial Cleantech Funding Programs

Across Canada, entrepreneurs are striving to develop technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve environmental sustainability, and provide other climate-related solutions to the domestic and international markets.

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May 25, 2021
Featured Insight

What Are You Suing Me For? I Had No Control: Lessor Fleet Liability

The decision in Barz concerns the interplay between Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation Act and Traffic Safety Act.

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May 12, 2021
Featured Insight

Sick, Lies, and Questionnaire: Arbitrators Uphold Terminations of Employees who Breached COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Two recent labour arbitration decisions held that attending work in breach of employer COVID protocols can lead to termination for cause.

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Dec 9, 2020
Featured Insight

July 24, 2020 Update Cross-Country Check-In: COVID-19 and the Environment

Canada's governmental and regulatory bodies have taken steps to temporarily alter legal requirements in light of COVID-19 to lessen the burden on businesses.

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Jul 24, 2020
Featured Insight

Ontario Provides Employers with Temporary Relief from COVID-Related Termination Risks

Ontario introduces creative measures (O. Reg. 228/20) to the Covid-related temporary lay off dilemma.

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Jun 1, 2020
Featured Insight

Privacy Penalties – Canadian Competition Bureau Wades Into Privacy Enforcement

Organizations operating in Canada are advised to immediately review their privacy-related policies and marketing to avoid false or misleading representations

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May 26, 2020
Featured Insight

COVID-19: “Essential” Information About the Consequences of Continuing to Operate a “Non-Essential Business” in Ontario and Québec

An outline of the potential consequences to continuing to operate a business ordered to close by the governments of Quebec and Ontario.

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Mar 25, 2020
Featured Insight

“She Got a Break Today” – Court Refuses to Deduct Earnings During Notice Period

"She Got a Break Today" - Court Refuses to Deduct Earnings During Notice Period

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Jun 14, 2017
Featured Insight

Ontario Court of Appeal to Franchisors: “Comply with your disclosure requirements, or else…”

Ontario Court of Appeal to Franchisors: "Comply with your disclosure requirements, or else..."

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Jun 9, 2017