Gregory J. McDade KC

Leading First Nations Litigation

• Kamloops v. BC and Canada, Pre-Colonial Reserve litigation (in settlement discussions)
• Tzeachten First Nation, Skowkale First Nation and Yakweakwioose First Nation et al. v. CLC et al. (BCSC), an aboriginal title and colonial reserve claim (settled);
• Saik’uz and Stellat’en First Nations v. Rio Tinto Alcan et al, the first case to go to trial to enforce nuisance law based upon aboriginal rights
• Rio Tinto Alcan v. Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council (2011), Supreme court of Canada, consultation in respect of damming of the Nechako River
• Deh Cho v AG Canada (2011), supporting establishment of the Edezhie Protected Area, 25,000 sq.km in NWT
• Kwikwetlem v. BCUC (2010, BCCA), Interior to Lower Mainland Hydro transmission line
• Huu-ay-aht v. Min. of Forests (2005, BCSC) Province’s FRA policy declared invalid;
• Squamish Nation v. MSRM, (2004, 2005, BCSC) inadequate consultation on Garibaldi ski hill;
• Tsawwassen First Nation v. Port of Vancouver, (2004) civil action re Port, Ferry activities, (settled with Accommodation Agreement);
• Deh Cho Dene v. Canada, (2004-5, Fed Court) Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, (settled with Accommodation Agreement);
• Haida v. Minister of Forests, (2004), Supreme Court of Canada and BC Court of Appeal (2007), counsel for Intervenors (Squamish and Lax Kw’alaams), and (1996) counsel for Haida at trial on first Petition re TFL;
• Esquimalt and Songhees Nations v. Canada and BC, (2006) Victoria Legislative Buildings site; {settled}
• Gitxsan v. Min of Forests (2002, BCSC) consultation re TFL transfer;
• Mathias v. Canada, (1997-9, Fed Court), Senior Co-Counsel (with John Rich); Squamish Nation action re former Kitsilano reserve; longest Federal Court trial in Canada

Environmental Litigation

• Morton v. British Columbia, (2010), provincial regulation of aquaculture found unconstitutional
• Counsel, Cohen Commission into the decline of Fraser River Sockeye Salmon, (2010-2011) (for Dr. Alexandra Morton)
• MiningWatch Canada v Min. of Fisheries, (2010), Supreme Court of Canada decision re federal environmental assessment for mining
• Greenpeace Canada v. MacMillan Bloedel (1996); Supreme Court of Canada decision re Clayoquot protests in 1994;
• Friends of Oldman River Society (1991) Supreme Court of Canada decision establishing enforceability of Canadian environmental assessment;
• NEB v Hydro-Quebec (1994); Supreme Court of Canada decision confirming constitutionality of environmental assessment;