If your business is undergoing a merger, acquisition, or restructuring, the process can quickly become complicated. At Francis Lawyers, we strive to help businesses throughout the Ottawa, Ontario area—including Gatineau, Chelsea, Dunrobin, Kinburn, Arnprior, Munster, Kemptville, Ficko, Edward, and Cumberland—with their M&A legal needs.

For over 50 years, our team has helped businesses secure their future through customized legal strategies and an in-depth understanding of corporate transactions.

Our lawyers understand the monumental decisions tied to mergers and acqusitions and the impact they have on your business operations, employees, clients, and shareholders. Whether you’re acquiring a smaller competitor, merging with a partner, or carving out a new entity, we can guide your business with experience and clarity.

We are focused on understanding your business goals to help craft innovative strategies to make your transactions seamless. With decades of collective experience and a reputation for reliability in Ottawa and surrounding areas, we are here to tailor our approach to the unique challenges and opportunities your business faces.

Comprehensive Services for Mergers and Acquisitions

Bringing two entities together or absorbing another business into your operations involves significant decision-making. Some of the ways our firm can support your business throughout the merger or acquisition process include:

Initial assessments and risk analysis: Before any agreements are signed, we perform a thorough assessment of your goals, the target company’s operations, and potential risks. Whether you’re entering a friendly merger or a strategic acquisition, we evaluate all legal and business factors to make sure you understand every aspect of the deal.
Drafting and reviewing contracts: Contracts form the backbone of your merger or acquisition. From purchase agreements to shareholder contracts, we draft legally binding documents that protect your business interests. Our team also combs through existing agreements—such as employment contracts or client service agreements—to identify potential roadblocks or liabilities.
Due diligence investigations: Proper due diligence can help your business avoid unforeseen legal or financial risks. We conduct comprehensive investigations into the target company’s financial health, contracts, licenses, intellectual property, pending litigation, and compliance with industry regulations.
Financing and tax structuring: How you structure your merger or acquisition can affect future profitability. By working with your accounting team or financial advisors, we create tax-efficient strategies that align with short- and long-term goals. This is particularly important when allocating funding between assets, liabilities, and operational costs to maximize your benefits.
Regulatory approval assistance: Whether your transaction falls under the jurisdiction of Investment Canada Act reviews or the Competition Act, federal and local regulations come into play during a merger or acquisition. We strive to ensure your transaction is approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, minimizing delays to your plans.
Post-integration support: The signing of an agreement is only the beginning. Once the deal is finalized, our team will help integrate the target company’s systems, workforce, and assets into your existing structure. We provide legal strategies to simplify the transition.

By offering tailor-made solutions across various industries, Francis Lawyers has become a trusted name for businesses pursuing transformative growth.

Facing a Merger or Acquisition?

Call Us Today

Canadian Laws Governing Mergers & Acquisitions

Mergers and acquisitions in Canada are subject to legal frameworks designed to maintain transparency, fair competition, and compliance with federal policies. Businesses in Ottawa and nearby regions must comply with these regulations to avoid penalties or legal challenges during or after their transactions.

Competition Act

The Competition Act is a key regulation governing mergers and acquisitions. It ensures that any proposed deal does not result in reduced competition or a monopoly in the market. For large-scale transactions, the Canadian Competition Bureau requires businesses to provide detailed filings and financial disclosures to assess the potential impact on consumers and the economy.

Investment Canada Act

The Investment Canada Act regulates foreign acquisitions of Canadian businesses. If your deal involves an overseas buyer or investor, the transaction may be reviewed to make sure it aligns with national interests. Threshold assessments are based on factors such as transaction value, industry, and ownership.

Corporate and Securities Law

At the provincial level, Ontario’s Business Corporations Act governs corporate structures and internal agreements during mergers and acquisitions. Securities laws may also apply if publicly traded stocks are involved in the transaction.

Tax Implications Under Federal and Provincial Laws

Corporate mergers and acquisitions can bring tax implications under federal and provincial frameworks. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations may require your business to address issues such as capital gain taxes, harmonized sales tax (HST), and other liabilities. Strategies like rollovers and deferred tax benefits are often employed to optimize these implications.

Why Choose Francis Lawyers for Your Business?

Mergers and acquisitions are more than just financial decisions—they’re stepping stones for long-term success and growth. Francis Lawyers takes pride in being a pivotal part of your business development strategy. Our ability to manage the small details without compromising on the big picture gives our clients confidence in their ventures.

We aim to forge lasting attorney-client relationships that go beyond a single transaction. Building trust is our priority, and it has helped us serve businesses across Ottawa for more than five decades.