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Legal and Regulatory Seminar 2023

Home / Legal and Regulatory Seminar 2023

A member-exclusive legal and regulatory event for
direct sellers operating in Canada.

Agenda

Date: Feb. 8, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., EST
Location: Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre

10 a.m.

Welcome and introductions

Host: Peter Maddox, President, DSA Canada

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10:10 a.m.

Cybersecurity management

Speaker: Domenic Presta, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP

Learn about Cybersecurity risks and their impact on Canadian businesses, and the development of cybersecurity management plans.

Miller Thompson
Image of Domenic Presta, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP.

10:40 p.m.

Compensation plans, and how to make yours better

Speaker: Michael Weinberger, Associate, Siskinds

Michael will be examining best practices when it comes to compensation plans, policies and procedures, and other affiliated agreements.

siskinds law firm
Mike 340x456

11:10 a.m. – Legal and compliance experts panel

Image of Sue Timmermeister

Sue Timmermeister
Strategic Development and Business Services, Director
Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd.

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Colleen Leithman
Director Legal Affairs, Canada and Corporate Secretary
The Avon Company of Canada Ltd.

Philippe Guerreau

Philippe Guerreau
President
SeneGence

11:50 a.m.

Competition Bureau update

Speaker: Dawn-Marie Jamieson, Senior Competition Law Officer, Competition Bureau

Dawn-Marie will provide guidance on the Competition Bureau’s policies and procedures relating to the administration of sections 55 and 55.1 of the Competition Act – Multi-Level Marketing Plans and Schemes of Pyramid Selling.

competition bureau

12:20 p.m.

Lunch

1 p.m.

Advertising and influencers

Speaker: Shelley Samel, Senior Legal Counsel, Ad Standards

Ad Standards’ mission is to ensure advertising in Canada is truthful, fair and accurate. Shelley will provide a valuable update on important advertising topics, including influencer marketing.

Ad Standards Logo
Image of Shelley Samel from Ad Standards

1:30 p.m.

Tax and customs issues in direct selling

Speakers: John Bassindale, Partner, Millar Kreklewetz LLP.

 

This session will consider some of the important business issues facing direct selling businesses in Canada, including an update on special GST/HST/PST rules for direct sellers, details of customs and tariff classification of starter kits, and advice on fine-tuning independent sales consultant (ISC) agreements for Independent Contractor versus Employee issues.

Millar Kreklewetz
John Bassindale 2

2 p.m.

Product regulation update

Speaker: Lewis Retik, Partner, Gowling WLG

Lewis will lead a discussion on the challenges and opportunities created by Canada’s product approval process, particularly as it relates to health products.

Gowling WLG
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2:30 p.m.

Customs and importation discussion

Speaker: Warrington Ellacott, Chair, Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters

Warrington will lead a presentation and discussion on some of the important issues facing companies who import products into Canada, particularly related to the Canadian Border Services Agency and customs obligations.

Importers and Exporters Canada logo.
Image of Warrington Ellacott from Importers and Exporters Canada

3 p.m.

Round table session

Moderated, topic specific break-out sessions.

Spend time with each of our legal and regulatory experts, to look further into the important issues that are impacting direct selling businesses.

3:50 p.m.

Closing remarks

4 p.m.

Seminar ends

Speakers

John Bassindale 2
John Bassindale
Image of Warrington Ellacott from Importers and Exporters Canada
Warrington Ellacott
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Peter Maddox
Image of Domenic Presta, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP.
Domenic Presta
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Lewis Retik
Image of Shelley Samel from Ad Standards
Shelley Samel
Mike 340x456
Michael Weinberger

 

Speaker Bios

John Bassindale 2

John Bassindale is a partner at Millar Kreklewetz LLP in Toronto, a top-ranked boutique law firm focusing on all aspects of Canadian commodity tax, customs and trade matters.  John’s practice includes both planning and litigation, including litigation before the Tax Court of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal.  He has contributed numerous articles on a variety of tax matters to various Canadian tax publications aimed at both lawyers and accountants.  John has served on the executive of the Ontario Bar Association’s Tax Law Section for several years including as Section Chair.  John now serves on the executive of the Canadian Bar Association’s Commodity Tax, Customs and Trade Section.

To learn more, visit Millar Kreklewetz LLP.

Image of Warrington Ellacott from Importers and Exporters Canada

In his almost 25 years of service at Whirlpool Corporation, Warrington has developed extensive expertise in several key areas including environment and climate policy, consumer product safety, connectivity and trade. Since 2008, Warrington has served as Senior Manager, Government Relations responsible for all Canadian regulatory, compliance and standards matters. He currently serves as Chair of IE Canada, and is also Past Chair of Canada’s Appliance Manufacturers Association and a volunteer Canadian Ski Patroller.

To learn more, visit the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (IE Canada).

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Peter Maddox has served as the President of DSA Canada since 2018. As President, he is passionate about promoting the growing positive impact that direct selling has on Canadian individuals and communities, as well as ensuring that the Association remains an influential representative of its member companies. His role at DSA involves managing files as diverse as strategic planning, government relations, regulatory affairs, media relations, member engagement and being the public face of the organization.

Peter has extensive experience with associations and in marketing roles, having previously held positions with the Canadian Propane Association and Canadian Tire Corporation. Originally from Australia, Peter has worked for both the Australian Professional Engineers Association (now Professionals Australia) and the Australian Pharmacy Guild. He has an MBA from Chifley Business School and a Marketing Degree from the University of Tasmania, and is currently studying to become Certified Association Executive.

Image of Domenic Presta, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP.

Domenic Presta provides clients with creative solutions and expert advice on technology-related issues arising from corporate commercial matters.

Helping clients stay ahead of emerging industry trends, his practice is focused on commercial transactions involving information technology, with particular expertise in the areas of Open Data, Consumer-Directed Finance, Bank-Fintech collaborations, regulatory compliance, and data security.

Notably, Domenic has expertise in data security and regulatory compliance within the financial services industry, having previously worked as senior IT counsel for a top six Canadian multinational bank. This gives him unique insight into the needs of clients from across the financial services sector, as he guides them through the complexities of innovation and technology that continue to transform the financial services industry.

To learn more, visit Miller Thomson LLP.

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Lewis Retik is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Ottawa office. He leads the Food and Beverage Group and co-leads the Cannabis Group.

His practice is focused primarily on regulatory and commercial law with respect to commercializing regulated products, including: regulatory licencing, product distribution, product classification, manufacturing, advertising, packaging, and labelling.

Lewis has extensive experience working with companies of all sizes, ranging from recent startups to large international companies in regulated industries, including: food, natural health products, cosmetic, drugs, and technology. He also addresses regulatory compliance and commercial issues that relate to e-commerce, multi-level marketing, direct selling, consumer protection, and products that use the radio frequency spectrum.

He is often responsible for working with clients to develop regulatory strategies that are both consumer-friendly and compliant.

In addressing client issues, Lewis regularly interacts with senior government officials within such departments and agencies as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Competition Bureau, Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Environment Canada.

To learn more, visit Gowling WLG.

Image of Shelley Samel from Ad Standards

Shelley Samel joined Ad Standards in 2022 as Senior Legal Counsel. Shelley has been practising advertising and marketing law for over twenty years – she started her own boutique firm in 2014, prior to which she was a partner in the marketing and advertising law group of a Canadian-based international law firm. Shelley advised some of Canada’s largest and most respected companies and their agencies in all matters relating to advertising and marketing, promotions and data privacy. She is a recognized leader in the field, having received numerous prestigious awards for her expertise. Shelley received her law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the bar in Ontario in 2000.

To learn more, visit Ad Standards.

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Michael Weinberger’s practice focuses on helping businesses seeking growth in Canada. In particular, Michael has developed three areas of expertise: Firstly, advising direct selling companies expanding into Canada. Secondly, guiding clients through privacy regulation and compliance. Thirdly, helping individuals buy, sell, and start companies. He is committed to giving effective advice to local, national, and international businesses in English, Spanish, French, and German.

To learn more, visit Siskinds.

Who Should Attend?

All employees of DSA Canada Active and Supplier Member companies can attend, including those from U.S. and international offices.

Check out our Member Directory and our Supplier Directory to see if your company is an active member.

Not a Member?

Contact us to find out how you can attend this event. There are also other benefits you could be enjoying as a member. Learn more.