Legal and Regulatory Requirements in Canada

Whether you operate locally, globally, virtually, or in physical spaces, our experts have the tools and knowledge to ensure your organization meets relevant international, local, and industry regulatory and compliance requirements. Regardless of the size of the business, it can be difficult to understand and comply with Canada`s various forms of legal and regulatory requirements. Since federal and state governments each have their own sometimes competing regulations, the risk of non-compliance is real for businesses. This is complicated by the different regulatory requirements that occur depending on the sector, product, service offering, and even the type of legal entity under which a company operates. Add to this the cross-border requirements that a national operation must meet, and the complexity can become dizzying. KPMG can help you identify, mitigate and manage regulatory and compliance risks The government`s increasing focus on environmental issues in recent years has brought these laws to the forefront. And while the goal of greater environmental awareness can`t be criticized, it once again increases the regulatory burden on compliance teams. Over the past decade, we have seen significant regulatory changes and reforms as stakeholders demand greater transparency and accountability from businesses and governments. This has led to policy and regulatory changes that impact how businesses operate and report both locally and globally. Overview of regulatory trends and evolving compliance requirements impacting organizations There is a division between the management of these requirements at the federal and provincial levels.

While labour relations and employment are largely a provincial responsibility, some industries are federally regulated. The key to compliance is expert planning. The reality is that operational requirements and regulations in Canada are not diminishing, but are becoming increasingly prescriptive and complex. This poses a significant challenge for businesses that are serious about complying with regulations. Strategic preparedness is essential to navigating Canada`s legislative and regulatory landscape. But – as in any other jurisdiction – doing business in Canada has its own laws, regulations and requirements, especially when it comes to governance, risk and compliance. Why choose a single lawyer when you have an integrated global network of legal and business professionals? Those operating in Canada are also subject to additional requirements; the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and CASL, Canada`s anti-spam legislation which, according to Deloitte, is “one of the strictest laws of its kind in the world, making its application and interpretation particularly sensitive.” This can lead to complexity for organizations operating in a number of provinces. Compliance teams must ensure that they are aware of and comply with the various requirements to which they are subject. Conditions surrounding matters such as wages, hours of work and leave, pregnancy, and parental leave may be subject to federal and state regulations.

As if that weren`t enough, Canada`s labour laws – both federal and provincial – underwent a series of changes in 2019 that increased the regulatory burden on compliance teams. The growing threat landscape has prompted many industries and boards to adopt new regulatory guidelines and compliance frameworks to ensure transparent and ethical business practices to protect stakeholders. KPMG in Canada has teams of experienced professionals who can provide advice and guidance on industry-specific compliance requirements for business situations. Industry-specific regulatory and compliance issues. Canadian Workplace Standards include requirements for labour legislation, workplace standards, health and safety standards, and labour relations programs. At Osler, we support businesses of all sizes and in all sectors through the complex set of rules. We act as a strategic business partner and work with you to understand your short- and long-term needs, goals and objectives. We can help you create the policies, standard operating procedures and documentation you need to conduct due diligence in a regulatory environment. Our experts can also train your business on regulatory requirements critical to compliance. To do this, we partially assess the processes and resources you already have in place and adjust the processes to help ensure your immediate and ongoing compliance. And we can help you integrate these processes into your day-to-day operations, based on your core business needs and the long-term success of your business. Our experts at Osler know how to advise you on compliance issues so you can focus on your business.

After approval by the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Justice prepares a draft law. This is done in collaboration with the policy development and legal services teams of a government department or agency. The Chief Compliance Officer must be satisfied that his or her local offices are able to meet the required requirements. The challenge of following regulatory obligations in many branches or subsidiaries, let alone complying with them, should not be underestimated. The Ministry of Justice issues a Charter statement for each new government bill.