DBH Law

Insolvency volumes in Canada have hit their highest level since 2009, driven by escalating financial strain on mortgage holders. According to Equifax Canada’s latest market pulse report, first-quarter insolvency filings surged 18.8% year-over-year as consumers reached a financial breaking point under the weight of high interest rates.

Insolvency volumes hit highest rates since 2009, Equifax warns A new report from Equifax Canada says insolvency volumes have risen to the highest level since 2009 amid escalating financial strain on homeowners.

Alberta's oil and gas sector drives economic growth across the province, but it also presents a uniquely complex employment law landscape for operators, contractors, and service companies.

From worker misclassification to contract pitfalls and labour standards compliance, the legal risks are significant and constantly evolving.

Our latest blog outlines what energy sector employers need to know: https://ow.ly/pQYA50Z2klE

Employment Law Issues in Oil & Gas | Alberta Navigate employment law challenges in Alberta's oil and gas sector. Info on contractor classification, safety compliance, disputes.

Family disputes over land can span generations, but courts have limits on how far back they are willing to look.

The recent Alberta Court of Appeal decision in Graham v. Graham is a strong reminder that limitation periods apply strictly, even in emotionally charged, multi-generational estate conflicts involving valuable real estate.

Our latest blog breaks down the key takeaways: https://ow.ly/LheK50YUzoC

Estate Disputes & Alberta Ranch Property Claims Learn how limitation periods impact estate disputes in Alberta. Insights for Calgary property litigation cases.

In Alberta, construction liens offer strong security, but they are not indefinite. A recent court ruling serves as a warning: if you do not move your case toward trial quickly, you could lose your secured status.

Under the province's construction laws, a court can cancel a lien or release the money held as security if a trial hasn't happened within two years. In this instance, the court released over $1 million in security because a contractor delayed their lawsuit for more than three years without a clear explanation. While the contractor can still pursue the debt, they are now an unsecured creditor, which makes collection much harder.

Our latest blog post explains the two-year rule and why contractors must act fast to protect their payment security: https://ow.ly/31k250YQC5I

Builders’ Lien Security Explained by Alberta Court of Appeal Alberta court reinstates lien security in major construction dispute. Learn key takeaways for Calgary builders’ lien claims and delays.

The report shows that the number of self-employed Canadians with paid employees peaked at about 867,000 in 2005. By 2025, that number had dropped to 716,000, a decline of 17 per cent, even as Canada’s population grew by roughly one-third.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ https://ow.ly/6z6Q50YP2JR

Canadian entrepreneurship in 'sharp decline,' warns think tank A free-market think tank is warning that high taxes and big government are snuffing out private sector entrepreneurship in Canada.

Estate planning is intended to provide clarity and stability, yet not every will is prepared well in advance. "Deathbed wills" - those created or amended shortly before death, often in hospital or under urgent circumstances - frequently become the subject of intense estate litigation.

The emotional and physical state of a person nearing the end of life can complicate the validation of their final intentions. For families and executors, understanding the legal hurdles involved in defending or contesting such a will is essential for ensuring that a person's true wishes are honoured.

Read our latest blog to learn more about the legal complexities of deathbed wills and how Alberta courts evaluate their validity:

Deathbed Wills Valid in Alberta Are deathbed wills legally valid in Alberta? Learn how courts assess last-minute wills, capacity, and undue influence in estate disputes.

Alberta cracks down on unpaid oil and gas property taxes.

$250M in unpaid oil and gas property taxes likely unrecoverable: Alberta government | CBC News Alberta's government — along with the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the province’s energy regulator — say they want to crack down on oil and gas companies that don’t pay their property taxes.

Convertible notes have become a preferred financing tool for Ontario startups, offering a streamlined way to raise capital without an immediate company valuation. By structuring investment as debt that converts to equity in a future round, founders can secure necessary runway while deferring complex valuation discussions.

While these instruments offer speed and flexibility, they carry significant legal implications. Terms such as valuation caps, discount rates, and maturity dates require precise negotiation to prevent unintended equity dilution or governance shifts. Balancing the interests of founders and investors is essential for long-term stability.

Visit our blog to read more on the legal mechanics of convertible notes and how to structure them for success.

https://ow.ly/YUVM50YuLVm

Convertible Notes Explained for Alberta Startups Learn how convertible notes work in startup financing, including valuation caps, discounts, and legal risks for founders and investors.

The recent decision in Volpi v. Lifemark Health Corp. reinforces that Alberta employers have a proactive duty to accommodate mental health conditions. Even without an explicit request, signs of disability may trigger a legal obligation to inquire whether support is needed.

In this case, the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal found that an employer’s failure to adequately investigate an employee’s declining mental health before accepting a resignation constituted discrimination. This ruling serves as a critical reminder that vigilance and proactive communication are legal requirements under the Alberta Human Rights Act.

Read more about this decision and its implications for the workplace in our latest blog:

Mental Disability and the Duty to Inquire in Alberta Workplaces Alberta Human Rights Tribunal rules employer discriminated by failing to inquire into employee’s mental health before accepting resignation.

The province was directed — in a recent Court of King’s Bench of Alberta decision — to reconsider its refusal of a 17 per cent salary increase over four years recommended in 2023 by an independent compensation commission.

Court rules against province over contested pay raise for Alberta judges A disputed pay hike for provincially appointed judges is back in the hands of the Alberta government following a judicial review.

Calgary’s Backyard Suites Incentive Program will provide up to $15,000 to support the construction of the home — as well as 40 per cent of costs associated with underground services, up to $20,000.

Calgary begins incentive program for backyard suite construction - Calgary | Globalnews.ca Homeowners in Calgary who are thinking about building a backyard suite on their property could receive up to $35,000 in funding as part of a new incentive program.