Our environmental lawyers provide advice and assistance to clients in obtaining environmental permits, licences and approvals from federal and provincial regulators. We represent clients in the environmental assessment process, the negotiation of environmental issues in commercial transactions and the resolution of environmental disputes between property owners. We provide advice and representation to corporations and their directors, officers, and employees respecting compliance with federal and provincial laws and advice and assistance in the design and implementation of environmental management systems. We also provide advice respecting environmental insurance issues and claims against third parties in connection with contaminated land. We have extensive experience in working with outside technical consultants in many specialized areas and can assist clients in identifying and arranging appropriate technical support.
Environmental issues arise frequently in the context of commercial transactions.
An important function of our Environmental Group is to offer specialized assistance to other lawyers in the firm when these matters arise and to work together to facilitate the client's objectives. Although we attempt to provide proactive advice to clients to address environmental concerns before they become litigious, we also have extensive experience representing clients in environmental proceedings before all levels of courts and tribunals. Our specialized services to financial institutions include assistance in the preparation and negotiation of environmental provisions in loan agreements, environmental due diligence, including assistance in structuring and carrying out environmental site assessments, advice and representation in realization on security and negotiations with the Ministry of the Environment and other regulators to minimize lender liability. They are not intended to be a complete statement of the law or an opinion of our firm. Although we endeavour to ensure their accuracy, they should not be acted upon without a thorough examination of the law after considering the facts of a specific situation.