The objective of modern Aboriginal law, the Supreme Court of Canada has held, is reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. In recent years this has fundamentally transformed the legal landscape in Canada, with major implications for Aboriginal communities, industry, and the federal, provincial and territorial governments. In this environment of increasingly complex relationships, it’s essential to rely upon effective legal counsel with significant experience and a proven track record in this highly specialized area.
There’s a level of expertise that only half a century of experience can provide — and a level of success that only a trusted legal partner can deliver. Since the 1950’s, Gowling WLG is proud to have a long-standing tradition of excellence in all aspects of Aboriginal law. As part of a national full-service law firm, the Gowling WLG Aboriginal Law Group provides a range of services in both English and French across a variety of legal areas, including Aboriginal and Treaty rights, establishing trusts and economic development, comprehensive and specific claims, self-government, governance, environment, natural resources, consultation and accommodation, Impact Benefit Agreements, government relations and regulatory affairs, financial services, taxation and business law.
Gowling WLG is home to one of the largest and most respected Aboriginal law practices in Canada. Our lawyers are frequently recognized as top practitioners in the field in key legal directories such as Chambers Global, The Best Lawyers in Canada, Benchmark Canada Litigation and the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory. WLG lawyers have played key roles in landmark land claim agreements, as well as many of the key court cases, including the leading Supreme Court of Canada decisions. We facilitated a major resolution agreement between the James Bay Crees and Hydro Québec, negotiating Aboriginal overlap agreements in Labrador, and provided legal and public policy advice during Nunavut’s transition to a territorial government. We continue to work on behalf of numerous Aboriginal communities across Canada, as well as private industry, project proponents and all levels of government. As a result, our clients benefit from our in-depth insight into the views of parties on all sides of the table, and the national scope of our practice gives you the benefit of best practices and strategies from across the country.
In traditional areas such as land claims and Aboriginal and Treaty rights, there is an increasing focus on self-government, governance and economic development and complex business ventures. These arrangements all require significant experience and skill and must be structured to maximize benefits for all involved. Such structures must also be appropriate to the culture, history, customs and circumstances of a particular Aboriginal community and incorporate underlying Aboriginal rights and interests. Our highly skilled team also provides effective alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services such as mediation and arbitration. With one of the most distinguished and experienced ADR practices in the country, we focus on building long-term, collaborative partnerships through the provision of early dispute prevention, process planning, consultation design, and impartial third-party research to facilitate discussions and advance consensus.
Contact: Jaimie Lickers 1-905-540-2468 or jaimie.lickers@gowlingwlg.com