Natural Resources

  • June 01, 2026

    Court dismisses appeal over permit to construct radioactive waste facility

    The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by a nuclear labs company challenging the quashing of a permit issued by the environment minister for the construction of a radioactive waste disposal facility.

  • June 01, 2026

    Don’t use artificial intelligence in reasons for decision

    The Quebec Superior Court has set aside a decision of a labour arbitrator because the arbitrator’s reasons were written with the assistance of artificial intelligence: Assn des ressources intermédiaires d’hébergement du Québec (ARIHQ) c. Santé Québec - Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, 2026 QCCS 1360.

  • May 28, 2026

    Alberta’s Bill 22: Incremental reform in animal protection law

    For a number of years, I have written in Law360 and elsewhere about issues and developments in animal law. Alberta’s Bill 22, the Animal Protection Amendment Act, 2026, which received royal assent on May 14, is a notable step in the evolution of animal welfare protection across Canada. The legislation is the province’s first major overhaul of its animal protection framework in two decades. More importantly, perhaps, one might say it reflects how animal welfare advocacy continues to influence legislatures in incremental but meaningful ways.

  • May 25, 2026

    Appeal Court remits certification of proposed class action relating to Fairy Creek protests

    The British Columbia Court of Appeal has sent back for reconsideration a proposed class action alleging that the RCMP violated Charter rights through exclusion zones and other enforcement tactics during the Fairy Creek protests.

  • May 25, 2026

    Molloy, Ramesh and Wasim named associates at Aird & Berlis

    Aird & Berlis has three new associates: Devon Molloy, Shruti Ramesh and Humna Wasim.

  • May 25, 2026

    SCC to hear landmark appeal of UNDRIP role in B.C. law

    The Supreme Court of Canada is set to hear an appeal of a finding that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) forms part of B.C. law and that the province’s mineral claims regime is inconsistent with the Crown’s duty to consult Indigenous Peoples.

  • May 25, 2026

    Saskatchewan Court of Appeal case of Village of Buena Vista v. Garner: A boundary dispute

    This appeal involves nine parcels of land between Last Mountain Lake and an old railway right of way owned by the provincial Crown that was converted into a walking path. The walking path is administered by the village.

  • May 22, 2026

    Alberta to vote on whether to hold binding separatist referendum

    Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced that, on Oct. 19, residents will be able to vote on whether they want to hold a binding referendum on separating from Canada, saying she was troubled by a recent court decision.

  • May 22, 2026

    Lost opportunity, rising risk: Why the RNLUP must now move to decision

    In June 2023, following nearly two decades of consultation, revisions and public processes, the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) completed and submitted the Recommended Nunavut Land Use Plan (RNLUP). Under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) and the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act (NuPPAA), the plan requires review and approval by three signatories: Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the government of Nunavut and the government of Canada. Yet nearly three years later, the plan remains neither accepted nor rejected.

  • May 21, 2026

    Manitoba to open trade office in India as part of diversification push

    Manitoba has announced plans to establish a regional representative office in India as part of the province’s broader effort to diversify exports beyond the United States.