Scope of Proponents’ Legal Obligation to Consult Indigenous Communities in Energy Projects

Presented by the CBA Alberta Environmental, Energy & Resources (North) Section

On Demand. Originally presented on Feb. 12, 2026.

Both Federal and provincial governments have the same underlying constitutional duty to consult, but the specific procedures and regulatory bodies differ. Federal Projects are governed by legislation such as the Impact Assessment Act, and the process involves agencies such as the Canada Energy Regulator (CER). These agencies coordinate the Crown consultation process and rely on proponent engagement to inform their assessments.

Provincial Projects are also governed by legislation and have their own established processes and guidelines. For example, in Alberta, the Aboriginal Consultation Office (ACO) manages the process, providing direction to proponents and evaluating the adequacy of their consultation records. 

This event will feature a panel of distinguished advocates with extensive expertise in the Indigenous, environmental, and regulatory spaces. They will provide attendees with an overview of their career trajectories and share their experiences navigating the issue of meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities in respect to provincial and/or federal energy and/or utility projects they have undertaken in their respective legal practices. A brief Q&A with the panel will follow. If you are thinking about expanding your practice in the area of energy, environmental and/or resources law, this is an event you will not want to miss!

PRESENTERS

Keltie Lambert (Partner, Witten LLP)
Deirdre A. Sheehan (Partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP)

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