DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Dentons Canada LLP

Aboriginal Law

2 ranked lawyers

Band 2

Nationwide - Canada

Canada 2022 View ranking table

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What the team is known for

Dentons Canada provides advice to companies from the energy, forestry, transportation, mining and real estate sectors on a wide range of issues relating to Aboriginal project development. Its Aboriginal law group leverages the firm's national and international presence to provide an integrated Aboriginal, environmental and regulatory law perspective, with areas of expertise including land claims, treaty rights, benefits and access agreements, and related litigation. The group is well known for its experience in relation to large-scale pipeline and LNG matters, and well placed to advise on related disputes. The department has a particularly strong presence in Montréal, with additional capacity in Calgary and Vancouver.

Work highlights

A Dentons team led by Emil Vidrascu advised Hydro-Québec in relation to claims of Aboriginal title and rights to lands affected by the client's hydroelectric projects.

Notable practitioners

Ann Bigué, Ad E is a highly regarded lawyer with a long-standing reputation for her work negotiating with Aboriginal groups in relation to energy and natural resources projects. She is based in the firm's Montréal office.

Vancouver-based Mai Rempel is sought out by corporates for her indigenous and regulatory expertise. She is particularly well versed on issues relating to land and governance, and previously worked as in-house counsel at BC Hydro.

Department Information

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Overview

Clients benefit from the strength of Dentons’ highly experienced Aboriginal Law team to navigate the complexities that arise when Aboriginal rights and treaty rights are involved in business transactions and projects. The team has helped organizations across a wide variety of industry sectors to successfully resolve Aboriginal rights issues related to their business. Clients leverage our experience in negotiating mutually beneficial agreements with Aboriginal groups, and benefit from strategic advice on a variety of issues relating to Aboriginal rights and treaty rights, including the impact of Aboriginal land claims on the development of their projects and investments, and the implications of a government’s duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal Peoples, as appropriate.

The rights of Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples are protected under the Canadian Constitution and can impact both Canadian businesses and foreign companies that invest in Canada. Aboriginal rights—whether they have been defined by treaties or the courts, or otherwise exist in relation to activities, practices and traditions of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples—must be taken into account when doing business in Canada. Dentons’ Aboriginal Law team can provide the extensive knowledge and experience that clients need to be successful.