Regulatory

Canada's regulatory environment is a complex web that interweaves federal and provincial bodies with local and international organizations involved in the regulatory approval process. Regulatory authorities are assuming an ever-increasing profile in business today, taking a more proactive role and gaining increasing influence over how business is conducted in Canada and around the world. Many major projects simply cannot proceed until numerous regulatory approvals are obtained. Our regulatory practice is set up to assist clients at local, national and international levels, and is comprised of lawyers with experience across the broad spectrum of regulated activities, including energy, telecommunications, natural resources, utilities, health, labour, environmental, First Nations, transportation, finance, insurance and food, drugs and medical devices.

From offering strategic advice to helping clients address the daily operational regulations affecting their enterprises, our clients call on us to lead them through regulatory processes both large and small. We have extensive capabilities leading clients through complex regulatory approval processes in the energy and utilities sectors, including advising both regulatory authorities and applicants on major project developments such as oil sands facilities, upgraders, refineries, onshore and offshore pipelines, power projects, international resource developments and real estate projects and in the food and drugs sector.

We are often called upon to act as competition counsel on mergers, acquisitions and amalgamations. Further, we help clients in various licensing and permitting processes and advise on all aspects of compliance with trade and market regulations. Our work has resulted in appearances at numerous local, provincial, federal and international tribunals, including securities commissions, law societies, accounting regulators and other regulatory bodies such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as courts, agencies, appeal boards, financial services commissions, tax authorities, transportation boards, health standards agencies, and international boards such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation. We have represented clients in matters involving applications, governance, financial matters, liability issues, organizational matters, labour conflicts and policy development, and have sought judicial reviews of decisions before various appeal bodies and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Given the broad depth and scope of our work, we also advise on and draft new Federal and provincial legislative and regulatory policies. We have also participated in government task forces and other initiatives designed to address the regulatory relationship between government and industry.