This section keeps you up-to-date on the latest news and upcoming public appearances of Lavery professionals.
News
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2007 Prix de la Justice du Québec Award Minister Jacques P. Dupuis honours our partner, Mtre Jean Saint-Onge, Ad. E.
On October 15, 2007, the Minister of Justice and Minister of Public Security, Mr. Jacques P. Dupuis, awarded the Prix de la Justice Award to our partner, Mtre Jean Saint-Onge, Ad. E., in recognition of his exceptional contribution to promoting the well-being of children who are victims of mistreatment. The event was held in the National Assembly’s Legislative Council chamber in the presence of the family and friends of the recipient. Mr. Justice J. J. Michel Robert, Chief Justice of the Quebec Court of Appeal and chairman of the selection committee, was also in attendance.When presenting the award to him, the Minister of Justice highlighted Mtre Saint-Onge’s commitment to promoting the fundamental values of justice within Quebec society: accessibility, quality and universality.For more than 20 years, Mtre Saint-Onge has devoted himself through the Marie-Vincent Foundation to the cause of children who are victims of mistreatment. He has made the Foundation’s mission his own, which is to help Quebec children less than 12 years old who are victims of mistreatment, and more particularly sexual abuse. The Foundation raises funds to finance preventive and educational activities and provide support to the young victims and their families.“To be faithful to a cause for twenty years is already remarkable in itself. But to devote oneself voluntarily, without counting one’s hours, with conviction and fervour, as is the case for Mtre Saint-Onge, wins our admiration and respect” said the Minister.Mtre Saint-Onge was also honoured in early 2007 by the Québec Bar, which simultaneously conferred on him the Mérite 2007 award and a new honour, the title of Advocatus Emeritus (Ad. E.).
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Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust completes a $110M offering of convertible debentures
On October 10, 2007 Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust, one of the largest commercial property owners and managers in the Province of Quebec, completed a public offering of $110 million principal amount of 5.80 % convertible unsecured subordinated debentures.The offering was completed on a bought deal basis through a syndicate of underwriters led by National Bank Financial Inc. that comprised RBC Dominion Securities Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc., Canaccord Capital Corporation and Genuity Capital Markets G.P.The underwriters were represented by a team of Lavery, de Billy comprised of Marc Rochefort, Michel Servant, Réda Saad and Jean-Michel Fournier (corporate finance and securities) and Philip Nolan (tax).
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Daniel Alain Dagenais involved in organizing an international conference on sustainable consumption
On October 3 and 4, Daniel Alain Dagenais will participate in the organization of the second international conference of the Fondation Claude Masse on the theme “For a general framework of action favouring sustainable consumption”.This conference will bring together speakers from England, France, Sweden and the United States, who will present the initiatives taken by their countries to promote sustainable consumption.Also, speakers from Quebec and elsewhere in Canada will continue the discussion on Canadian actions and acquired knowledge in this field. The focus will be on energy, the food sector and waste management.The Fondation Claude Masse is dedicated to issues related to consumer law.
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CLHIA Annual Conference: Evelyne Verrier will speak
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) is organizing a conference to be held from September 26 to 28 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Evelyne Verrier will be a speaker at the Quebec Affairs Workshop. This annual conference brings together legal advisors working for life and health insurance companies in Canada and some private practice lawyers.
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Canadian Royalties completes a $75 million primary distribution
Canadian Royalties Inc. recently announced the closing of a $75 million treasury offering of 27,300,000 common shares at the price of $2.75 per share. This transaction was accomplished with the support of a syndicate of underwriters composed of BMO Capital Markets, Desjardins Securities Inc., Raymond James Ltd. and Blackmont Capital Inc.This financing marks the transition from exploration to development. The funds raised will be used for the procurement of the equipment necessary to carry out the corporation’s Nunavik Nickel Project, located near Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan Mine in Nunavik, Quebec.Michel Blouin, Sébastien Vézina and Benoît Mallette advised Canadian Royalties in this financing.
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Merrex Gold completes a private placement for over $7 million
Merrex Gold Inc. recently announced the completion of a private placement of 7,792,000 shares at the price of $0.95 per share for a total of $7,402,400. The transaction was completed with the support of a syndicate composed of Pacific International Securities Inc., Paradigm Capital Inc. and Wellington West Capital Markets Inc.The funds raised will be used to fund exploration and development activities related to the corporation’s projects in Mali, including diamond drilling at Merrex’s Siribaya Gold Project.Michel Blouin and Sébastien Vézina advised Merrex Gold in this financing.
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Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2007: new mentions!
Our lawyers are named once again in the new edition of the Lexpert Directory. The lawyers listed are all members of our labour and employment law team. Here is the list of new nominees:Jean Beauregard: labour relationsMichel Gélinas: labour relationsJean-François Hotte: occupational health and safety
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Evelyne Verrier and Marie-Claude Perreault participate in a CPBI conference
From September 24 to 26, the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI) will holds its 2007 Quebec Regional Conference at the Manoir Richelieu. Evelyne Verrier will act as the moderator of the discussion following Marie-Claude Perreault’s presentation on the duty to accommodate. The event usually brings together over 500 participants working in the investment, pension plan and group insurance industry.
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Two new appointments for Élisabeth Pinard
Élisabeth Pinard was recently named a member of the Ethics and Conduct Committee of the Board of Directors of Université Laval. Her two-year mandate runs form June 26, 2007 to June 25, 2009, inclusively.She will also serve on the Court of Appeal Committee of the Québec Bar for 2007-2008.
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The Best Lawyers in Canada 2008 presents the lawyers who will be listed
The Best Lawyers in Canada directory recently presented the list of lawyers who will appear in its second edition, in 2008. The list includes five new names from Lavery, de Billy:Paul Cartier: Product LiabilityJean-Pierre Casavant: Product LiabilityRobert W. Mason: Product LiabilityJ. Vincent O’Donnell: Product LiabilityIan Rose: Insurance Law
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The Quebec Bar Organizes a Conference on Class Actions
With the collaboration of our partner, Jean Saint-Onge, the continuing professional education department of the Quebec Bar will again offer its members a thematic workshop. To be held on October 25 and 26, the workshop will be entitled “Recours collectif: Développements récents au Québec, au Canada, aux États-Unis et en Europe” [Class actions: recent developments in Quebec, Canada and the United States]. Mr. Saint-Onge will chair the conference, in addition to being a speaker. Michel Yergeau will also participate as a speaker.
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Two Lavery, de Billy lawyers receive the Bar of Quebec’s Mérites 2007 awardTwo Lavery, de Billy lawyers receive the Bar of Quebec’s Mérites 2007 award
Exceptionally, the Bar of Quebec is giving the Mérite du Barreau award for this year to two lawyers from our firm. Michel Yergeau will receive a Mérite award to draw attention to the whole of his professional work, including the development of environmental law and public consultation practices in Quebec. Jean Saint-Onge will also receive a Mérite award for his continued support of the Bar of Quebec as well as his contributions to the community, notably as Chairman of the Board of the Fondation Marie-Vincent for the past 10 years. The Bar of Quebec will also honour 30 lawyers, including Odette Jobin-Laberge, J. Vincent O’Donnell, Jean Saint-Onge and Michel Yergeau, when a new title is awarded: Ad.E. This honorary title recognizes the excellence of lawyers having outstanding careers. Recipients will be able to add the letters Ad. E. following their name.