Representative Matters
Corporate Transactions
Advised on and implemented corporate restructurings for Indigenous Nations to integrate their economic enterprises.
Acted as general corporate counsel to address the unique considerations of issues related to reserve lands held in trust for the benefit of an Indigenous Nation and the most advantageous corporate structure to maximize profits for the joint venture.
Conducted due diligence on behalf of several Indigenous Nations regarding proposed off-reserve joint venture partners and a corporate restructuring.
Provided legal opinion addressing the benefits of off-reserve corporations relocating to the reserve. Addressed statutory considerations, taxation implications, leasing issues and employment training.
Provided legal opinions to major financial institutions to address security issues on-reserve.
Counsel for an Indigenous Nation to establish a credit union owned by an Indigenous Nation on-Territory.
Counsel for an Indigenous Nation to establish housing as a business on-reserve. Addressed corporate structure, liability, on-reserve security and financing issues.
Counsel for two Indigenous business owners to establish on-reserve franchises. Addressed corporate structure, taxation issues and liability.
Counsel for an Indigenous Nation to establish a long-term care facility on-reserve. Addressed statutory and licensing obligations and liability issues.
Aboriginal and Treaty Rights and Governance
Counsel for an Indigenous Nation in negotiations with a mining company that was infringing Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
Counsel for an Indigenous Nation in strategizing regarding the pursuit of a claim against the provincial and federal governments for breach of Aboriginal and Treaty rights, trespass and breach of fiduciary duties arising from flooding of reserve lands and facilitation of all community meetings regarding same.
Counsel for an Indigenous Nation in negotiations with a generating facility for breach of Aboriginal and Treaty rights and trespass and breach of fiduciary duty arising from flooding of reserve lands.
Counsel for an Indigenous Nation in negotiations with the municipal, provincial and federal governments for the addition of acquired lands to be attributed the same rights and privileges as the Indigenous Nation’s existing Settlement Lands.
Counsel for Indigenous tobacco manufacturers to draft legislation to regulate on-Territory tobacco trade to regulate growers, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters, including all industry and community consultations required.
Drafted a comprehensive Business Licensing Law and Limited Liability Company Law for an Indigenous Nation, including all community consultations required.
Drafted and implemented a comprehensive Probate Code and Regulations for an Indigenous Nation, including all community consultations required. Advised the Nation’s Surrogate Court Judges and Clerks regarding procedural and substantive issues arising under the Probate Code. Drafted numerous estate distribution orders for the Surrogate Court Judges.
Energy Projects
Legal counsel to project proponent constructing a 270 km transmission line on Western James Bay to service remote Indigenous Nations. Throughout the project cycle, provided strategic legal advice on corporate structuring, regulatory and environmental matters and project finance.
Acted as general corporate counsel to an Indigenous-owned corporation established to provide consulting services, project facilitation, co-ordination, operation and maintenance for several energy projects in Ontario. Retained by the corporation to negotiate with Ontario Power Generation Inc. regarding past grievances for the flooding of traditional territories and to negotiate the acquisition of sites.
Advised an Indigenous Nation on all aspects of establishing its own independent electric utility, including corporate structuring issues, taxation, legislative issues, corporate finance and regulatory issues.
Advised an Indigenous Nation on all aspects of establishing its own wind farm energy project, including corporate structuring issues, legislative issues, corporate finance and regulatory issues.
Advised an Indigenous Nation regarding the applicability and transferability of Energy Tax Credits and Canadian Renewable and Conservation Expenses for a wind energy project.