CLE Online

Welcome and Introduction

Maria Morellato, QC — Mandell Pinder LLP, Vancouver
Leah George-Wilson — Gowling LaFleur Henderson LLP, Vancouver

Latest Developments in the Case Law

The latest precedent-setting cases and their implications for provincial and federal decision-makers, administrative tribunals, industry proponents, and First Nations:

• Nunatsiavut v. Canada (Department of Fisheries and Oceans), 2015 FC 492
• Alexandra Morton v. Minister of fisheries and Oceans and Marine Harvest Canada Inc, 2015 FC 57
• Louie v. Louie, 2015 BCCA 247
• R. v. Kokopenace, 2015 SCC 28
• Fort Nelson First Nation v. British Columbia, 2015 BCSC 1180
• Gottfriedson v. Canada, 2015 FC 706
• Ominayak v. Penn West Petroleum Ltd, 2015 ABQB 342
• Saik’uz First Nation and Stellat’en First Nation v. Rio Tinto Alcan Inc, 2015 BCCA 154
• Yellowknives Dene First Nation v. Canada (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development), 2015 FCA 148

Kennedy A. Bear Robe — Miller Thomson LLP, Vancouver
Grand Chief Edward (Akile Ch'oh) John — First Nations Summit Society, West Vancouver
Glen R. Thompson — Ministry of Justice, Victoria

Questions & Discussion

Networking Break

Indigenous Legal Orders and Laws

• the Supreme Court of Canada has expressly recognized the right of First Nations to be pro-actively involved in the management of their territorial lands; how can Indigenous legal orders and laws be recognized, incorporated, and accommodated?
• useful examples and cases studies to draw from
• Impact Benefit and Co-Management agreements—the journey of Imperial Metals and the Tahltan Community and the value of strong partnership

Pierre Lebel — Chairman, Imperial Metals Corporation, Vancouver
Millie Nickason, LLB, MPA — Faculty of Law, University of BC, Vancouver
Erin Tully — Department of Justice, Vancouver

Questions & Discussion

Lunch with Featured Speaker: "New Approaches to Reconciliation in Economic and Social Development" 

Geoffrey Plant, QC — Gall Legge Grant & Munroe LLP, Vancouver

Aboriginal Title to Seabeds, Lake and River Beds

• to date, Aboriginal title has focused on territorial land rights, but how does Aboriginal title apply to seascapes as well as landscapes?; explore the jurisprudence and first principles that inform this question
• explore the possible evidentiary basis for such title.

Isabel Jackson — Department of Justice, Vancouver
Clarine Ostrove — Mandell Pinder LLP, Vancouver
Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson — White Raven Law Corporation, Surrey

Questions & Discussion

Networking Break

Resource Development and Environmental Assessment Processes—Pitfalls and Best Practices

• updates on LNG, Kinder Morgan, Site C, and Northern Gateway
• lessons learned on navigating environmental regulatory process and stewarding resource development issues within the Aboriginal law context
• how can the Environmental Assessment Process be improved?

Becky Black — Ministry of Justice, Victoria
Terri-Lee Oleniuk — Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Calgary
Scott A. Smith — Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Vancouver

Questions & Discussion

Aboriginal Title and Private Property

• the Tsilhqot'in litigation did not consider private property's relationship to Aboriginal title, yet Aboriginal title may be claimed in relation to private lands in future cases
• neither Aboriginal title nor private property interests are absolute in Canadian law, yet Aboriginal title has constitutional protection whereas private property does not
• discuss how Aboriginal title may be reconciled with private property interests using the Supreme Court of Canada's developing framework

Professor John Borrows — Faculty of Law, University of Victoria, Victoria

Questions and Discussion