Ontario’s Top Court upholds decision significantly limiting proposed securities class action against Barrick Gold
In its decision last week in Drywall Acoustic Lathing and Insulation (Pension Fund, Local 675) v. Barrick Gold Corporation, the Court of Appeal for Ontario has upheld the decision of Superior Court Justice Jasmine Akbarali to refuse to grant leave to proceed under Part XXIII.1 of the Securities Act for a proposed misrepresentation class action against mining giant Barrick Gold Corporation. On the original motion, leave to proceed had been denied in relation to a number of alleged misrepresentations Barrick made in its public filings and it had been granted only in relation to two alleged misrepresentations issued in February ... [more] Full article
Ontario’s top court defines “material change” in securities litigation
In a pair of companion decisions released on May 24, 2023 (Markowich v. Lundin Mining and Peters v. SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.) the Court of Appeal for Ontario respectively overturned and ... [more] Full article
Ontario’s top court overturns decision refusing leave to proceed with misrepresentation claim against mining company
In a decision released on May 24, 2023 in Markowich v. Lundin Mining, the Court of Appeal for Ontario overturned a Superior Court of Justice decision refusing leave to proceed ... [more] Full article
SCC agrees to hear appeal on whether Securities Commission penalties can survive bankruptcy
On March 31, 2023, Canada’s top court granted leave to appeal from the B.C. Court of Appeal’s decision in Poonian v. British Columbia (Securities Commission) that a securities commission administrative ... [more] Full article
- Court of Appeal Confirms No Duty to Disclose Beneficiary Changes
- Superior Court refuses leave to securities class action based on the difference between “Material Facts” and “Material Changes”
- Ontario’s top court reinstates securities class action against Cannabis company
- Fiduciary Duty for advisors not created by “Best Interest” standard alone
Securities Litigation Contributors
Kenneth A. Dekker
Kenneth Dekker, a partner of the firm, is a successful trial and appellate lawyer who is valued by his clients as a resourceful and practical litigation counsel. Over more than two decades, Ken has litigated noteworthy cases in a range of fields that include class action defence, securities and broker-dealer litigation and regulatory defence, corporate and shareholder disputes (including oppression and winding up cases), defamation, civil fraud litigation, disputes over contracts, injunctions, professional liability litigation, employment litigation and cross-border litigation issues. Ken has appeared before all levels of courts in Ontario, including the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Court of Appeal for Ontario, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken also represents and advises clients in regulatory matters before the Investment Industry Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Ken has been ranked as Repeatedly Recommended for Securities Litigation by Lexpert, for Corporate and Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers of Canada, and he has been given the highest available rating of AV, or pre-eminent, by his peers on Martindale-Hubbell.
Peter R. Greene
Peter is a widely recognized and renowned litigator with substantial expertise in high profile and complex Commercial Litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Peter acts as counsel for insurance companies on professional liability, E&O claims, Director's and Officer's liability, and surety, fidelity and dishonesty bond claims. He has particular expertise in securities litigation and Regulatory Hearing, and has acted for Canada's largest investment firms. He regularly acts as defence counsel in large Class Actions before the courts in Ontario, and before national and provincial Regulatory agencies, boards and tribunals. Peter is regularly involved in large product liability and construction contract cases involving Construction Liens or Surety Bonds.
Meredith Hayward
Meredith has earned an impressive reputation for her skill and abilities in Commercial Litigation and Administrative Law, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, before the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Masiel A. Matus
Masiel has a broad commercial litigation practice and represents both national and international clients in a variety of complex matters. Masiel has experience litigating cases involving professional negligence, commercial leasing and real property disputes, insurance, contract disputes, shareholder disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, employment matters and defamation claims.
Ardita Sinojmeri
Ardita joins Affleck Greene McMurtry LLP as an Associate Lawyer after completing her articles with the firm. Her growing practice encompasses a broad range of litigation matters including securities litigation, insurance defence, employment disputes, and shareholder disputes. Ardita earned her Juris Doctor from Western University’s Faculty of Law. Prior to joining the firm, she participated in a number of initiatives aimed at helping individuals and businesses struggling through COVID-19. Ardita looks forward to putting her legal, business, and community engagement skills to use in all the firm’s practice areas.
- Advisor’s Costly Conflict: Court Upholds OSC's $500K Penalty and Industry Ban against Advisor who inherited from elderly client
- The Ontario Court of Appeal Confirms: Independent Contractors Have a Duty to Mitigate
- Superior Court clarifies that unmet shareholder expectations do not always amount to oppression
Christopher Somerville
Chris brings a creative, strategic, and practical approach to litigation. His wide-ranging experience and expertise encompass numerous areas of law, including corporate/commercial, securities, employment, construction, product liability, asset recovery, and administrative law.
David N. Vaillancourt
David's practice expertise focuses on all matters of Commercial and Civil Litigation, Competition and Administrative Law. David has acted for clients in a wide range of disputes, including shareholder and partnership disputes, securities litigation, class action defence, proceedings under the Competition Act, employment law disputes, contract disputes, breach of confidence/intellectual property disputes, fidelity bond claims, and professional negligence claims. David has appeared before all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and has also appeared before the Competition Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal. David has appeared as lead counsel in numerous trials, hearings, and motions. David has been successful in numerous adversarial proceedings, and also has successfully negotiated the resolution of dozens of cases.
