Regulatory Expertise - For over 30 years, Carla built her career working tirelessly as a Natural Resources Regulatory Lawyer on natural resource projects, from exploration to closure and reclamation, for mining, oil and gas, and energy projects.

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She has particular interest and expertise in representing interests in regulatory permitting, technical reviews and environmental impact assessments.

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She is a contaminated sites expert, having worked on Canada’s Federal Contaminated Sites Program, including Canada’s top three most contaminated sites: The Giant Mine Remediation Plan, Faro Mine and the Sydney Tar Ponds. She was lead Federal Counsel for the Giant Mine Remediation Plan for over 5 years and received the Justice Canada, Deputy Minister Award for Legal Excellence for her work on this project in 2010.

 

Major Projects for which she was lead Federal Counsel or part of the Federal legal team(s), include Canada’s Diamond Mines, and the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline. She has also been asked to serve as a subject matter expert for Clean Energy initiatives, such as Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Growth Program, as a panel member reviewing innovative remediation technology for mining reclamation, including Alberta’s Oil Sand projects.

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She has held senior management positions within government, and has developed policy relating to environmental liabilities, securities and the use of financial assurances.

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She has extensive experience dealing with complex multistakeholder interests and Indigenous legal and policy issues.

 

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Arbitration and Federal Appointments:

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Carla is using her wealth of experience as a lawyer, regulator and decision-maker to provide arbitration services, and to act as a review panel member for major resource developments under the Impact Assessment Act of Canada.

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Vice Chair (Acting Chair) - Inuvialuit Arbitration Board, under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement​ -On April 29, 2022, on the recommendation of the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Governor General in Council appointed Carla as Vice-Chairman of the Inuvialuit Arbitration Board under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.

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Arbitrator - Pipeline Arbitration Committee (NRCAN - NEB Act) -as of April 26, 2023 - Appointed by Minister of Natural Resources Canada - pipeline dispute pursuant to the National Energy Board Act.

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Commissioner - Impact Assessment Agency of Canada - as of March 11, 2021 - Appointment by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change as a Review Panel Commissioner , with cross-appointment status for integrated assessments with the Canada Energy Regulator and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

 

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​Other Areas of Interest:

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Land, Water Rights and Security 

Complex multi-jurisdictional and multi-stakeholder environmental issues

Marine and Oceans Law

Forestry Issues and Litigation

Conservancies and Trusts 

Gulf Islands and Islands Trust Issues