Use has long been an integral component required to obtain, maintain and enforce registered trademarks in Canada.

Prior to June 17, 2019, applications for registration of a trademark filed in Canada required the identification of one or more basis of registration typically selected from proposed use in Canada, actual use in Canada, or registration and use in a foreign country of origin. If an application was based on proposed use, registration would not be granted until a declaration of use in Canada had been submitted. After June 17, 2019 an applicant no longer needs to identify a basis of registration.

Has Canada done an about face and eliminated use as a requirement for trademark protection in Canada?