Mistake #2: Not Having an Operating Agreement (Partnerships and Corporations)An “Operating Agreement” is a contract between the founders of the business. This includes people involved in the management, people who provide capital, and people who do both. This agreement sets out operative issues … [Read more...]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business (Part 4)
Mistake #4: Not Being Adequately InsuredNew businesses often have insufficient insurance. In deciding what kind and how much insurance to secure, a new business owner should carefully examine the needs of the business. Here is a summary of the most common forms of insurance coverage.Property … [Read more...]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business (Part 3)
Mistake #3: The Contents of LeasesWhen you start a small business, you will need to consider where that business will be located. If your business is not a home-based one, this may be the first time you have had to deal with a commercial lease. Although such leases generally favour the landlord, … [Read more...]
Bankruptcy: The End or the Beginning?
Headed for bankruptcy? Find out what you need to know.This article will be helpful to someone who is trying to deal honestly with overwhelming personal indebtedness and who has a genuine desire to make a fresh start financially.Briefly noted are two of the changes to Canada’s Bankruptcy and … [Read more...]
Top 5 Legal Mistakes in Starting a Small Business (Part 1)
So you want to start a small business? You have your business plan at the ready, you can get a start-up loan with an interest rate that is at an all-time low, and your determination is at an all-time high. You are ready to go. Ironically, now – during this flurry of energy, excitement, and … [Read more...]
The Case for P3s: Public Private Partnerships
Introduction Canada’s civil and social “infrastructure deficit” is estimated to be up to $125 billion which is approximately 6-10 times the level of all current annual government infrastructure budgets combined. In this context and facing a potentially protracted worldwide economic slowdown, many … [Read more...]
Parliamentary Democracy 101
In the Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” He was, of course, referring to the democratic model of the United States. However, the same words can be used to define Canadian parliamentary democracy: government of the … [Read more...]
Prorogation: A Powerful Tool Forged by History
In early December 2008, the situation for Stephen Harper’s second government appeared dire. Although he had won the election of October 14, Canadians gave his Conservatives only a minority government. Now, in the few short days since he had convened Parliament, he had so angered the opposition … [Read more...]
The Canadian Crown: The Role of the Governor General
In late 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid two notable visits to the Governor General of Canada at Rideau Hall and offered Her Excellency, Michaëlle Jean, advice which sparked controversy among intellectuals, pundits and editorialists. Canadians from across the country soon joined the … [Read more...]
Social Networking: Discretion Advised
The Internet has been one of the most transformative vehicles for change in recent history. For example, Web 2.0 phenomena, such as social networking, are indicative of a more profound social change as the first generation to grow up in an Internet world begins to change the rules of how we choose … [Read more...]
