Welcome to the first Soundmark Law Update, a short roundup of Canadian and Ontario legal developments for businesses and creators. This issue covers what to budget for a trademark application, what the federal Privacy Commissioner is recommending on AI transparency, and what Ontario employers should check after the latest minimum wage increase.
Trademark filing fees: check your 2027 budget
What changed: On January 1, 2027, certain trademark fees will increase. Under the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s fee schedule, an online trademark application will cost $499.41 for the first class and $151.57 for each additional class, up from $491.06 and $149.04 respectively. These are government filing fees.
What to check: If you are budgeting for a launch or renewal near year-end, check the fee for your specific transaction. For fees subject to adjustment, the date the Registrar receives payment determines the applicable rate. For a new brand, allow time for clearance and for deciding which goods and services to cover. The fee change alone is a poor reason to rush those decisions. Explore trademark and copyright services.
AI transparency: review what customers are told
What changed: On October 23, 2026, the federal Privacy Commissioner published comments on Canada’s AI transparency consultation. The submission discusses when people should be told that AI collects or uses their personal information, or helps make significant decisions about them. The submission sets out recommendations for policy development. It does not itself create new obligations.
What to check: Pick one place where customers encounter AI, such as a support chatbot or an AI-assisted assessment. Write down what information it receives, what it does with that information, and what the customer is told at the time. Compare that account with the wording customers actually see. A gap between the two is a concrete place to start a review.
Ontario minimum wage: check the October payroll change
What changed: Ontario’s general minimum wage rose from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour on October 1, 2026. The province’s minimum wage guide also lists separate rates for certain categories, including eligible students.
What to check: Review October payroll for employees paid at or close to the applicable minimum, including any pay period that crossed October 1. Check your payroll settings and any hiring templates that still show the old rate. Explore contracts and business law services.
Browse Legal Updates for the series. If a development raises a question for your business, book a free 15-minute introductory consultation.
General legal information as of November 2026. It is not legal advice for a specific situation.
