Competition Bureau Scrutiny and Proposed Transactions: Key Trends for the Ag Manufacturing Sector

The Government of Canada has put the agricultural sector squarely in the crosshairs of the Competition Bureau, Canada’s competition law enforcer.

This roundtable discussion will explore how recent developments are shaping merger review priorities in the sector, with a focus on the practical challenges facing agricultural manufacturers navigating an increasingly active enforcement environment under the Competition Act.

The discussion will cover what the Competition Bureau looks for when conducting a merger review, and what parties to transactions can do to “oil the wheels” of the review process both pre-signing and post-filing. We will also touch on key structuring considerations under the merger review regime of the Competition Act, including the treatment of joint ventures and minority interest transactions.

Facilitator: Kyle Donnelly, Partner, MLT Aikins

About the Facilitator:

Kyle offers a wealth of experience in competition and foreign investment reviews. He has advised a wide variety of Canadian and foreign clients in diverse industries, including significant experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device, transportation, energy, consumer products, technology and communications sectors.

Kyle’s law practice focuses on transactional matters, regulatory notifications and approvals, government investigations, critical regulatory litigation and general competition and communications law compliance counselling (including marketing and advertising laws).

Kyle is among the most experienced national security advisors in the country, having worked on a dozen full national security reviews under the ICA, including the first ever successful judicial review of a national security order, and the first ever approvals without conditions under the national security review regime for establishments of new Canadian businesses by Chinese investors.

He recently served a term at the Department of Justice Canada, representing the Commissioner of Competition in connection with merger reviews, abuse of dominance inquiries and deceptive marketing practices investigations.

The Impacts of Modern Slavery and the Risks to your Business

Modern slavery has attracted attention this year. Proposed Canadian legislation on modern slavery and US tariffs targeting countries with perceived enforcement concerns potentially impacts the legal landscape and reporting requirements. This presentation by Scott Exner of MLT Aikins LLP will focus on (i) an overview of the modern slavery reporting requirements, (ii) best practices for the modern slavery reporting requirements in Canada, (iii) the expected impact of Bill C-35 on the reporting requirements, and (iv) the impact of US tariffs targeting modern slavery in other countries.

Facilitator: Scott Exner, Partner, MLT Aikins

About the Facilitator:

Scott has extensive involvement in the agricultural industry, particularly the grain handling sector, and has been active in securing legislative change to promote growth and development in value-added agribusiness. Scott is recognized as one of the top 50 most influential people in the Canadian agriculture industry by Canadian Western Agribition.

Scott has represented landlords, developers, financial institutions, insurance companies, municipalities and national and multi-national corporations on real estate matters. He also has significant experience in the agribusiness sector, particularly with widely-held companies, providing advice on ESG, corporate finance and securities. As one of the founding partners of the MLT Aikins Calgary office, Scott has been extensively involved in the firm’s growth in Alberta since 2002.

He has acted for junior and senior issuers and underwriters on private placements and public offerings for companies in the agribusiness, real estate, steel, information technology and natural resources sectors in Canada and the United States.

AI Adoption: Frameworks for Success

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how Canadian ag manufacturers compete on a global scale - from predictive maintenance and quality control to autonomous machinery and precision robotics. But adopting AI effectively demands structured frameworks that address governance, risk, and practical implementation together.

This session brings together legal insight and real-world experience to give attendees a comprehensive view of successful AI adoption in an agricultural manufacturing environment. We will cover the legal dimensions of AI deployment, including governance structures, contracting risks with AI vendors, and accountability and data integrity issues, before shifting to the factory floor, where attendees will share their own experiences rolling out AI tools to improve efficiency and drive innovation. A key theme is physical AI: autonomous systems, robotics, and intelligent machinery that is transforming industrial work in the same way generative AI has transformed knowledge-based work.

This Momentum Series session is designed to be interactive and practitioner-focused, grounded in the legal and operational realities facing AMC members as they move from AI curiosity to AI implementation.

Speaker: Danielle Graff, Partner, MLT Aikins

About the Speaker:

Danielle co-leads the MLT Aikins Agribusiness and Food practice and is a technology, privacy, and intellectual property lawyer. She advises organizations on complex, high-impact initiatives at the intersection of innovation, technology, data, and regulation, helping clients navigate strategic opportunities while managing risk. Danielle is recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2023) of the Best Lawyers in Canada for Information Technology Law and Technology Law.

In her agribusiness and food practice, Danielle works with clients across the agricultural value chain, including crop input providers, grain handlers, processors, manufacturers, and emerging agtech ventures. She advises on digital agriculture platforms, data governance, technology commercialization, and regulatory compliance, with a particular focus on how data and emerging technologies are transforming the sector. Danielle also advises clients on the legal and governance challenges of artificial intelligence, including AI-related contracting risks, responsible deployment, and integration into existing operational frameworks.

Emerging Risks, Enduring Resilience: Navigating Cyber, AI, and Property Exposures in Today's Insurance Landscape

As the risk landscape grows more complex, agricultural manufacturers face an evolving convergence of threats — from cyber attacks and AI-driven exposures to business interruption and property damage.

This session will explore how organizations can better identify, assess, and mitigate these interconnected risks. Discussion will cover the growing sophistication of cyber threats and the dual role of artificial intelligence as both a risk multiplier and a risk management tool; strategies for minimizing downtime and financial loss from business interruption; approaches to managing property failure and damage in an era of extreme weather and aging infrastructure; and how insurers and businesses can collaborate on more resilient risk transfer and mitigation strategies.

Participants will leave with practical insights into structuring coverage, strengthening risk controls, and preparing for the next generation of business risks.

Facilitator: Dustin Halvorson, Partner, Managing Director, Commercial Lines

About the Facilitator:

Dustin Halvorson grew up on a grain farm in Southeast Saskatchewan (Torquay). Hartley, Dustin’s dad, aside from being a farmer, was a mechanic, welder, and innovator. Through the 70’s/80’s Hartley enjoyed learning about the new trends in farm equipment and would even take scraps off older equipment and play around making his own creations. This once included manufacturing his own home-made swather. When Dustin got into commercial insurance, he knew Agriculture would be an obvious niche to specialize in. Dustin has become a partner in Navacord, the national parent company to HK Henderson and is excited to expand his reach within AMC as he volunteers on the Membership Committee. Dustin is very excited to be able to facilitate a risk management conversation to help members align proactive risk management to their profitability and growth.