First Nations Consultation,
Negotiation & Accommodation

Ensuring and protecting First Nations’ seat at the table

Consultation with First Nations and accommodation of First Nations’ interests is required when governments are contemplating conduct. We are recognized leaders for our work with Indigenous clients in negotiating and litigating the Crown’s obligation to consult with and accommodate constitutionally-protected Aboriginal rights, title and treaty interests.

Our lawyers continue to lead landmark consultation cases, and have collectively handled hundreds of negotiations with provincial and federal Crowns and/or third-party project proponents which have resulted in significant economic and cultural protection benefits for our First Nation clients. 

We can assist with all levels of negotiation and litigation, including:

  • Assessing the potential benefits in a proposed project
  • Managing the consultation process for First Nations
  • Negotiating accommodation arrangements and benefits packages
  • Preparing and executing litigation related to the Crown’s failure to discharge its legal duty

When needed, our team has decades of experience pursuing court action to enforce our clients’ consultation rights before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

Notable Experience

Consultation 

  • Coldwater Indian Band v. Canada (Attorney General) and Trans Mountain ULC; Squamish Nation v. Canada (AG) and Trans Mountain ULC, 2018-2020 – Multiple decisions regarding First Nation challenges to the approval of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project
  • Haida Nation v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests) – Intervenors for the Squamish Nation and Lax Kw’alaams Indian Band in the Supreme Court of Canada

Negotiation

  • Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation in accommodation negotiations and agreements relative to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
  • Numerous First Nations in forestry, fisheries, mining and energy matters on their territories
  • Numerous First Nations in negotiating comprehensive benefits agreements resulting from effects of the Pacific Trails LNG pipeline
  • Landmark accommodation agreements concerning the rapid development of the Port of Prince Rupert
  • Negotiating significant accommodation agreements for First Nations affected by mining development in British Columbia, Yukon and Ontario

Our Consultation, Negotiation & Accommodation Lawyers

Ankenman Frances
Frances Ankenman
Associate
Arbeau Jamie
Jamie Arbeau
Associate
Blomfield Kate M.
Kate M. Blomfield*
Partner
Ellison Michelle M.
Michelle M. Ellison*
Partner
Empson Craig
Craig Empson
Associate
Fred Victoria B.
Victoria B. Fred*
Independent Associate Counsel
Giltrow  Maegen KC
Maegen Giltrow* KC
Partner, Lead – Indigenous Law Group
Glowacki Lisa C.
Lisa C. Glowacki*
Partner
Haines Darren
Darren Haines
Associate
Hermansen Grace
Grace Hermansen
Associate
Holender Ewa
Ewa Holender
Associate
Hume Emma
Emma Hume
Associate
Hume Nathan
Nathan Hume*
Partner
Lee Kevin D.
Kevin D. Lee*
Managing Partner
Lehmann R. Brent
R. Brent Lehmann*
Partner
McDade Gregory J.  KC
Gregory J. McDade* KC
Senior Counsel
McDonald Hannah
Hannah McDonald
Associate
Nicholls Jeffrey R.
Jeffrey R. Nicholls
Associate
Pozniak Kristy A.
Kristy A. Pozniak
Associate
Rich John R.
John R. Rich
Senior Counsel
Shelford Jeremy
Jeremy Shelford*
Partner
Skeels Melinda
Melinda Skeels*
Partner
Stephan  Karl P.
Karl P. Stephan*
Senior Counsel
Sudeyko Natalia
Natalia Sudeyko
Associate
Tate James
James Tate*
Partner
Turner Simon
Simon Turner
Associate
Yabsley Gary R.
Gary R. Yabsley*
Senior Counsel