Hassin Dawson Law Group

Hassin Dawson Law Group Strategic legal advice for entrepreneurs, professionals, and families.

Experienced in advising financial institutions and advisors on regulatory, risk, and compliance matters across Ontario.

Is your business ready for tomorrow? After working with as many business owner clients as we have, we’ve learned someth...
06/03/2026

Is your business ready for tomorrow?

After working with as many business owner clients as we have, we’ve learned something crucial: The best time to start succession planning isn't when you're ready to exit – it's while you're still passionate about growing your business.

Consider these questions:
1️⃣ If something unexpected happened tomorrow, would your business continue to thrive?
2️⃣ Do you know the true value of your enterprise today?
3️⃣ Have you considered how to transfer both your expertise and your ownership?
4️⃣ Is your succession plan aligned with your personal wealth and tax strategy?

Many successful owners are surprised to discover that their business succession plan has gaps that could impact:
➡️ Family harmony
➡️ Business continuity
➡️ Tax efficiency
➡️ Legacy preservation
➡️ Shareholder agreements

A Canadian study by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that 48% of family business owners plan to pass ownership and/or management of their businesses to the next generation. But 47% of them don’t have a succession plan, and 27% haven’t involved the next generation in preparing for the changes.

The report also noted that 70% of family business transfers fail between generations. 60% of those failures are due to breakdowns in communication and trust, and 25% result from inadequate training. Only 5% of business transfers survive four generations.

You can check out the study here: https://pwc.to/4dJMgFN

We’re here to help business owners transform succession uncertainty into confident clarity.

Being an executor is a significant responsibility. Executors are often tasked with making financial, legal, and sometime...
05/27/2026

Being an executor is a significant responsibility. Executors are often tasked with making financial, legal, and sometimes emotional decisions.

This can include:

➡️ Managing estate assets
➡️ Paying off debts and taxes
➡️ Distributing assets in line with the will

It’s an important role — and often a complex one.

That’s why it matters who you choose, and even more importantly, that you tell them and ensure they understand your wishes, and their responsibility.

Let your executor know in advance. Talk to your family about your wishes. These conversations don’t just avoid confusion. They protect relationships and bring clarity during difficult times.

We can help families create wills and estate plans that make things easier later — by having thoughtful conversations now. A strong plan brings your wishes into focus, ensures your executor has a clear path, and reduces stress when it matters most. It can help to consider questions like:

✅ Who will carry out your wishes?
✅ Do they know what you want?
✅ Is your plan structured to support them?

If you're not sure, we’re here to help. Let’s talk about how planning today can create clarity for tomorrow.

Why coordinated counsel leads to stronger outcomes As your business and personal affairs grow, so does the complexity be...
05/20/2026

Why coordinated counsel leads to stronger outcomes

As your business and personal affairs grow, so does the complexity behind them.

You may have an accountant focused on tax, a financial advisor guiding investments, and a lawyer helping structure and protect what you’ve built.

Individually, each brings valuable expertise. But when advice isn’t aligned, it can create gaps, inefficiencies, or missed opportunities.

Uncoordinated advice can look like:
• Legal structures that don’t reflect tax realities
• Agreements that don’t align with long-term financial goals
• Professionals working in silos instead of as a team

Coordinated counsel looks different:
• Professionals who understand the full picture
• Legal advice that complements tax and financial strategies
• Decisions that work together — not at cross purposes

Good legal advice doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s strongest when it’s informed by (and aligned with) the broader team supporting you.

At Hassin Dawson Law Group, we work collaboratively with your other advisors to ensure your legal strategy supports your overall goals.

Because the best outcomes come from a team working together in your interest.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Victoria Day long weekend! 🇨🇦 As we head into the unofficial start of summer, we hope ...
05/15/2026

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Victoria Day long weekend! 🇨🇦

As we head into the unofficial start of summer, we hope you have a chance to relax, recharge, and spend time with family and friends.

Our office will be closed on Monday for the holiday and will reopen on Tuesday.

Enjoy the long weekend!

A significant tax change is coming for securities dealers. At some point in the future the CRA intends to treat most mut...
05/13/2026

A significant tax change is coming for securities dealers.

At some point in the future the CRA intends to treat most mutual fund trailing commissions as subject to GST/HST. This administrative position was originally set to come into force July 1, 2026. However, upon further industry consultation, CRA has recently signalled that there may be a material extension to the implementation deadline.

This is a major shift from the long-standing position that these commissions were generally exempt.

What’s driving the change?

The CRA now views trailing commissions as payment for ongoing services (like regular client support, plan reviews and investment advice) rather than part of the original sale of financial products.

What this means in practice:
• Dealers may need to register for GST/HST
• GST/HST will need to be charged, collected, and remitted
• Systems, contracts, and invoicing processes may need updates

While the tax may be recoverable through input tax credits, the compliance requirement is real, and being prepared is important.

If your business earns or pays trailing commissions, now is the time to review your structure and processes.

We have significant experience in providing advice to financial practitioners and institutions and advising on complex regulatory compliance matters.

If you’re wondering about how these changes will impact your individual practice, or your entire distribution network – we can help.

We’re thrilled to share an exciting update about the growth of our firm! Emily Hassin Law is joining forces with Glenn T...
05/06/2026

We’re thrilled to share an exciting update about the growth of our firm!

Emily Hassin Law is joining forces with Glenn T. Dawson Law Professional Corporation, and will be operating as Hassin Dawson Law Group.

This next step allows us to expand our ability to serve clients, while ensuring continuity for those who have long relied on Glenn’s trusted counsel. Glenn will continue to support his clients and remain an important part of the practice as he begins to transition his work.

By bringing our practices together, we’re strengthening the resources, experience, and support available to our clients — while maintaining the relationships and level of service they value.

We’re proud to move forward together and look forward to continuing to serve the Sarnia community.

Canada’s federal financial regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), recently announ...
04/29/2026

Canada’s federal financial regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), recently announced a targeted fast-track approvals framework for new entrants into the federally regulated financial system.

At first glance, it may sound like a procedural update. But it reflects something more meaningful about how Canada’s financial regulatory landscape is evolving.

Historically, becoming a federally regulated financial institution, whether a bank, trust company, or federal credit union, has been a rigorous and often lengthy process. That level of scrutiny plays an important role in protecting the stability and integrity of Canada’s financial system.

What OSFI is proposing now is not a relaxation of standards, but a more structured and transparent pathway for certain applicants. The framework, expected to launch in June 2026, is designed to provide clearer guidance, more predictable timelines, and a more risk-based review process while maintaining strong prudential oversight.

Initially, the fast-track process will apply to a targeted group of applicants, including provincial credit unions seeking to become federal credit unions and entities with innovative banking models, such as fintechs or crypto-asset custodians.

In many ways, this initiative reflects a broader trend we are seeing across financial regulation: regulators working to balance innovation and competition with system stability and public confidence.

📄 Learn more about OSFI’s proposed framework: https://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/en/data-forms/applications-approvals/targeted-fast-track-approvals-framework-new-entrants?utm_source=web&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=osfi-bsif-email

For organizations considering entry into the federally regulated financial sector, understanding how approval frameworks like this operate can be an important part of planning. We’re here to help clients navigate financial regulatory approvals and related compliance considerations.

One of the most common issues I see in business transactions isn’t a problem with the deal itself. It’s the due diligenc...
04/22/2026

One of the most common issues I see in business transactions isn’t a problem with the deal itself. It’s the due diligence.

For small and mid-sized businesses, opportunities can move quickly. A new partnership, an acquisition, an investment, or a significant contract may come together faster than expected. When that happens, the ability to quickly gather and review key information becomes critical.

➡️ That’s where a thoughtful due diligence process comes in.

In many cases, the process starts with a checklist. Not because business decisions should be reduced to a list, but because a structured review helps ensure important issues aren’t overlooked.

Depending on the situation, due diligence for a small or mid-sized business may involve reviewing corporate records, shareholder arrangements, existing contracts, regulatory obligations, financial information, intellectual property, and potential liabilities.

For many business owners, these aren’t things they look at regularly. They sit in the background until a transaction brings them into focus.

Taking the time to organize and review them early can help avoid surprises later and can make negotiations and decision-making much smoother.

If you’re preparing for a transaction, bringing on a partner, or simply want to make sure your corporate records and documentation are in order, we’re happy to help guide you through the process. Private message us or give us a call. (519) 918-2236.

A will outlines your wishes when you're gone. But what happens if you’re still here and can’t speak for yourself? That’s...
04/15/2026

A will outlines your wishes when you're gone. But what happens if you’re still here and can’t speak for yourself?

That’s where a power of attorney (POA) comes in. And it’s one of the most overlooked, yet essential, pieces of a complete legacy plan.

In Ontario, there are two main types of POAs:

1️⃣ Power of attorney for property
This allows someone you trust to manage your financial affairs, including paying bills, handling investments, or even selling property.

2️⃣ Power of attorney for personal care
This person makes decisions about your health, housing, and personal care if you become incapable of making those choices yourself.

But here’s what a POA can’t do:

✖️ Change your will
✖️ Transfer their authority to someone else
✖️ Act outside the scope you’ve outlined in the document

Why it matters:

Without a POA, your loved ones may need to follow various administrative processes, including potentially applying to the Court for decision-making authority — a stressful and time-consuming process at an already difficult time.

That's why it’s important to think ahead with care and clarity. We’re here to help you draft your POA document and ensure it communicates your wishes clearly and complies with provincial legislation.

Because a POA isn’t just paperwork. It’s confidence and care for you and the people who matter most.

Yesterday marked one year since I took the leap into self-employment and officially launched my own practice. If I’m bei...
04/08/2026

Yesterday marked one year since I took the leap into self-employment and officially launched my own practice.

If I’m being honest, the past year has been one of the most challenging and rewarding of my career.

Starting a firm isn’t just about opening the doors and waiting for work to arrive. It’s about building something from the ground up. Systems, processes, relationships, routines. It’s learning to wear many hats at once and figuring things out along the way.

There were moments this year that felt uncertain. Moments that required patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t perfectly clear.

There were many days where I moved between client calls, regulatory work, and family life (sometimes in the same hour!), reminding me that building a practice is as much about balance as it is about ambition.

But there were also so many moments that reminded me exactly why I chose to do this.

The clients who trusted me with important matters. The colleagues and professional partners who offered guidance and encouragement. The friends and family who supported this decision from day one.

And of course, the small everyday reminders of why this work matters: helping someone navigate a complex situation, bringing clarity to a difficult decision, or simply being someone they can rely on when it counts.

Building Emily Hassin Law has been a deeply personal journey. I started this practice because I wanted to combine the experience I gained working inside large institutions with a more personal, community-focused approach to serving clients.

One year in, I’m incredibly grateful for the people who have trusted me to be part of their work, their businesses, and their lives.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. Here’s to year two!

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Sarnia, ON

Website

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hassin-dawson-law

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