Environmental Disputes

Environmental regulation in Canada is a complex, multi-jurisdictional field, and even diligent operators may face sudden and unexpected events requiring an immediate response. It is essential to have trusted, experienced counsel to provide informed advice and vigilant representation when the need arises.

We are leaders in environmental litigation, regulatory defence and dispute resolution. Our collaborative, multidisciplinary team includes litigators with experience acting in a broad range of areas, including:

spill response
toxic tort and contaminated lands litigation
environmental arbitration and mediation
forestry disputes, including environmental protests
clean-up of contaminated sites
class action law suits
complex insurance matters triggered by environmental claims
defence of charges under federal and provincial legislation, including administrative monetary penalties
proactive advice on compliance and operating approvals
advising and responding to orders and investigations

We regularly advise private sector corporations, municipalities and individuals charged with environmental offences or named in government compliance and remediation orders. We have been involved in numerous cases involving Indigenous communities and the duty-to-consult process.

Our environmental advocates have appeared before the federal and provincial courts, as well as administrative tribunals and boards.

Experience

The City of Vancouver in ongoing Federal Court legal proceedings relating to 2015 fuel spill in Burrard Inlet from the vessel Marathassa. This may be a formative case in Canadian law on the scope of recoverable environmental remediation costs under Canada’s current spill response regime.
The Town of Georgina in defending against a claim for remediation and lost opportunity costs, and loss of property value arising out of alleged wrongful deposit of contaminated fill on plaintiff’s property. The case notably required forensic analysis more than a decade before the claim was commenced.

The City of Vancouver in ongoing Federal Court legal proceedings relating to 2015 fuel spill in Burrard Inlet from the vessel Marathassa. This may be a formative case in Canadian law on the scope of recoverable environmental remediation costs under Canada’s current spill response regime.
The Town of Georgina in defending against a claim for remediation and lost opportunity costs, and loss of property value arising out of alleged wrongful deposit of contaminated fill on plaintiff’s property. The case notably required forensic analysis more than a decade before the claim was commenced.

Testimonials

Client feedback

“Their performance has been excellent. Their effectiveness in resolving the matter, timely reports and expertise in providing good legal advice are some the qualities that I value the most…”