The full-service practice at Bennett Jones LLP typically advises clients within the energy, infrastructure and natural resources sectors. The team is particularly noted for its breadth of knowledge in the import and export of dangerous goods and hazardous materials. Clients also benefit from the practices’ national presence which enables the team to oversee far-reaching environmental-related matters such as project development, M&A, insolvencies and financing transactions. The team is also well-equipped to oversee environmental regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessments and environmental law enforcement under both federal and provincial laws and is led by Leonard Griffiths, Radha Curpen and Brad Gilmour. Griffiths often advises on environmental management systems, Curpen is noted for her vast expertise on the handling of hazardous materials, while Gilmour’s focus lies within litigation, having represented clients before the Provincial Court of Alberta. Sarah Gilbert is the practices’ go-to name for all environmental and health and safety matters.

With environmental experts residing across its Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Calgary offices, the team at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP provides clients a seamless coast-to-coast service; its vast environmental knowledge extends into risk assessments, audits and project approvals and the team is well-equipped to oversee complex business transactions, property acquisitions and financings. Aside from its non-contentious expertise, the practice is also well known for its litigation capabilities, having represented clients before all levels of Canadian courts and tribunals concerning varying environmental disputes. Toronto-based Jonathan Kahn heads the practice and his focus lies within environmental regulation and management, corporate compliance and due diligence. Charles Kazaz, who splits his time between the Toronto and Montreal office, is recognized for his mining, industrial and waste management knowledge. Tony Crossman oversees the Vancouver natural resources and environmental team which handles all regulatory, compliance and litigation matters. Calgary-based Terri-Lee Oleniuk is noted for her wealth of knowledge on project-related environmental matters while Lana Finney, a new name at the Toronto office, is a leading practitioner for a wealth of matters, including the environmental issues arising from transactions. 

McCarthy Tétrault‘s team is entrusted by major public and private Canadian and international organizations, including both US and European based multinationals with a Canadian presence. In addition, the team is also sought by government bodies and leverages a breadth of knowledge across a range of sectors including manufacturing, transportation, clean technology, waste management, energy generation and transmission and mining. Further strengths include the team’s project capabilities whereby they advise on matters within the extractive and energy sectors including environmental assessments, advocacy work, project execution and commissioning. Calgary-based Kimberly Howard and Quebec-based Cindy Vaillancourt lead the practice. Howard’s expertise includes environmental, energy and regulatory law, while Vaillancourt is best known for her environment, energy mining and regulatory knowledge. Further mention is given to Selina Lee-Andersen for her in-depth knowledge of environmental and aboriginal law.

Fasken has a reputable environmental law practice which excels at handling the environmental risks associated with M&A transactions and permitting. Additional strength lie within the handling of environmental assessments and defence of environmental offences. Utilizing its multidisciplinary approach, the team takes advantage of its regulatory and Indigenous practice to provide clients with seamless advice. Clients also benefit from its climate change and carbon markets expertise. Environmental law and compliance expert Pierre-Olivier Charlebois; he co-leads the team alongside Rosalind Cooper who specializes in the defence of environmental disputes and prosecutions at all judicial levels. Ron Ezekiel is noted for his environmental assessment and permitting expertise.

Regulatory appeals, civil actions and prosecution defence are often overseen by the team at Gowling WLG with its coast-to-coast expertise enabling it to represent clients in all environmental litigation cases. Toronto-based environmental and Indigenous law specialist, Adam Chamberlain, leads the practice while Wally Braul is noted for his presence in Western Canada, splitting his time between Vancouver and Calgary, where he oversees the full spectrum of environmental issues. Harry Dahme is the key contact for handling environmental risks arising from corporate transactions, whereas Jennifer Danahy‘s expertise includes the design and implementation of environmental management systems and Rodney Northey‘s focus lies within regulatory approvals and strategies; all are based in Toronto. Jessica Boily, Alexandra Sadvari and Mark Youden were promoted to partner in January 2022.

The team at Torys plays a prominent role in the coverage of both ESG and climate change issues. Clients such as Enbridge Gas and CIBC Pembina Pipeline benefit from the team’s governance model and ESG policy expertise. In addition to non-contentious expertise, the team is also well-equipped to oversee high-profile and complex litigation, having acted as lead counsel in over 50 major environmental disputes before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Dennis Mahony is best known for overseeing major infrastructure projects through obtaining appropriate approvals and leading advocacy on cases, meanwhile Michael Fortier‘s specialisms include advising international companies on environmental issues arising from their projects, deals and disputes. Tyson Dyck is noted for his advice to major financial institutions facing sensitive ESG issues.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has offices across Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary. Its national presence attracts clients from a range of sectors including oil and gas, shipping, real estate development, pipelines and energy. The team advises on all provincial, territorial and international environmental laws. Areas of expertise consist of environmental permits and compliance, contaminated sites litigation, spill reporting and incident response as well as environmental assessments. Rick Williams leads the practice from the Vancouver office and is best-known for his commercial, regulatory and litigation expertise.

The team at Dentons is recognized for having extensive knowledge on climate change and sustainability. As part of the firm’s global environment and natural resources group, the practices utilizes its multidisciplinary abilities to advise on environmental assessments, ESG compliance, renewable energy projects, site remediation and environmental transportation issues. The team has a particular focus on developing areas such as renewables, clean fuel standards and extended producer responsibility for manufactured products. The practice is led by Alex G MacWilliam who is based in Calgary.

With ample project approval and regulatory defence expertise, the team at Lawson Lundell LLP has overseen matters in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Yukon, NWT and Nunavut. The team often integrates its regulatory, environmental and Indigenous law practices to advise clients seamlessly. Expertise also lies within the negotiation of environmental management and monitoring agreements, whereby they assist government agencies and Indigenous and Inuit organizations. Brad Armstrong and John Olynyk co-lead the practice. Armstrong operates from the Vancouver office, while Olynyk oversees the team from Calgary.

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright has extensive decarbonization and contamination expertise and is well-equipped to oversee wind power projects. Both Alan Harvie and Max Collett lead the practice from Calgary and Vancouver respectively. Joshua Sprague was promoted to partner in January 2022.