Michael Fortier
Canada Guide 2025
Band 2 : Environment
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 865 8147Share profile
Band 2
About
Provided by Michael Fortier
Practice Areas
Michael provides practical advice to clients on key environmental, Indigenous and strategic aspects of developing, permitting and constructing energy, infrastructure, mining and real estate projects. He guides clients in their negotiations with Indigenous peoples and regulatory agencies, especially to resolve impasses, to advance complex, multi-party negotiations and to develop strong, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous peoples. He also provides counsel on consultation and accommodation obligations as well as the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples.
Michael often crafts a practical, successful resolution to disputes whether acting as counsel, mediator or facilitator. His dispute resolution practice includes approval hearings, civil litigation (especially with respect to contamination), mediation, negotiation and regulatory prosecutions and other proceedings, including with respect to the Environmental Protection Act, Ontario Water Resources Act, Pesticides Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, Fisheries Act and Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
As part of Michael’s active transactional practice, he regularly assists buyers, sellers, lenders, borrowers, underwriters and investors through all the environmental and Indigenous aspects of transactions, from the design and coordination of deal-specific liability assessments, through the negotiation of agreements and in handling closing and post-closing details.
For existing operations in a wide range of sectors, Michael provides regulatory advice on a broad range of environmental, health and safety issues, including with respect to environmental assessments and other vital permits, including for electricity generation and transmission, water, wastewater, transportation, waste, mine and remediation/closure projects inspections; investigations; liability assessments; climate change; contaminated sites; air, renewable energy, sewage and other approvals. He also advises on the transportation, import and export of dangerous goods, nuclear substances, hazardous products and wastes.
Articles, highlights and press releases
3 items provided by Torys LLP
The Growing Importance of ESG in M&A Transactions
As environmental, social and governance factors have grown as a focus for companies and their shareholders and employees, they are now increasingly important to the success of M&A transactions too. This article explores key ESG factors influencing the M&A realm, along with risks and opportunities.
ESG and Indigenous communities – the need to focus on relationships
As the importance of Indigenous matters grows, discussion is focusing on how Indigenous issues can be better integrated into ESG standards & ratings. Here we highlight how a collaborative, qualitative, inclusionary approach better reflects the unique status & diversity of Indigenous communities.
10 Key Indigenous Issues in Infrastructure and Natural Resources Projects M&A
Indigenous issues are increasingly playing an important role in the acquisition of significant infrastructure and natural resources projects in Canada. Here we outline ten key factors that may arise in these deals, including how to successfully navigate short and long term disputes and challenges.
The Growing Importance of ESG in M&A Transactions
As environmental, social and governance factors have grown as a focus for companies and their shareholders and employees, they are now increasingly important to the success of M&A transactions too. This article explores key ESG factors influencing the M&A realm, along with risks and opportunities.
ESG and Indigenous communities – the need to focus on relationships
As the importance of Indigenous matters grows, discussion is focusing on how Indigenous issues can be better integrated into ESG standards & ratings. Here we highlight how a collaborative, qualitative, inclusionary approach better reflects the unique status & diversity of Indigenous communities.
10 Key Indigenous Issues in Infrastructure and Natural Resources Projects M&A
Indigenous issues are increasingly playing an important role in the acquisition of significant infrastructure and natural resources projects in Canada. Here we outline ten key factors that may arise in these deals, including how to successfully navigate short and long term disputes and challenges.