Bridget Gilbride

Bridget Gilbride is a partner in our Vancouver office. She is an experienced litigator focused on Indigenous legal issues and environmental law. Bridget advises on permitting, environmental assessments, and Indigenous and Aboriginal legal issues such as the duty to consult, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and section 35 of the Constitution. Bridget’s core focus is advising clients advancing projects, through provincial and federal approval processes, and representing them in regulatory hearings and litigation. She has acted as counsel at all levels of court in British Columbia, Yukon, and the Federal Court, as well as at the Supreme Court of Canada and numerous administrative tribunals.

Bridget assists clients in understanding the law and their obligations with respect to Indigenous legal issues in Canada, as set out in legislation, the constitution, and by the courts. This area of law is constantly evolving and Bridget provides flexible, respectful, and practical advice to clients developing relationships with Indigenous communities and, when necessary, represents their interests in court challenges, injunctions and regulatory proceedings.

Bridget has extensive experience in obtaining project approvals, including environmental assessment and permitting; administrative appeals and judicial reviews of project approvals; contaminated sites; compliance with statutory and regulatory conditions; and resisting and obtaining injunctions.

Bridget advises proponents of proposed and existing mining and energy projects, from first concept into operation, on all aspects of environmental, regulatory, and Indigenous legal issues. In particular, she represented BC Hydro in the environmental assessment joint review panel hearings, and has subsequently defended numerous court challenges to project approvals for the Site C Clean Energy Project, a large hydroelectric dam and generating station, that will provide clean energy to British Columbia. She has also represented clients at the Supreme Court of Canada on important cases defining aspects of Aboriginal law in Canada.