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Charles Willms Vancouver Lawyer

Charles F. Willms *

Counsel Fasken
In ensuring fulfilment of the Crown’s consultation obligations, proponents should be involved in all phases of the process, especially where Indigenous groups raise concerns that should or could be answered by proponents, and may not be addressed adequately by the Crown.
Jurisdiction British Columbia, 1980
Language(s) English
Office(s) Vancouver
Contact
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Overview

Charles F. (Chuck) Willms has considerable experience in Indigenous, corporate social responsibility (CSR), commercial and constitutional matters.

Chuck’s industry knowledge encompasses the construction, energy, forestry, and mining sectors. Having represented clients at both levels of federal court, Chuck has also appeared before the supreme courts of BC and the Yukon; Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, and BC, Alberta; and Yukon courts of appeal. He has appeared numerous times in the Supreme Court of Canada.

He has extensive experience in alternate dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. He is consistently ranked by top legal publications as one of the best lawyers in Canada for Indigenous law.

 

Achievements

Client Work

  • Site C Litigation, [Case - BC Hydro and Power Authority], Advised BC Hydro & Power Authority on a number of challenges to Site C project approvals.
  • Vancouver International Airport and Musqueam Indian Band sign momentous agreement for shared benefit, [Case - Vancouver Airport Authority], Advised Vancouver Airport Authority regarding the negotiation and completion of landmark long-term relationship agreement with Musqueam Indian Band for shared benefit. Fasken Martineau was counsel to the Vancouver Airport Authority with a team that included Amy Carruthers, Kerry Kaukinen and Chuc...
  • Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala First Nation v. British Columbia (Energy Mines and Natural Gas), 2016 BCCA 163;, [Case - BC Hydro], A First Nations group and independent power project proponent applied for judicial review of a direction given to BC Hydro pursuant to a commitment made by a minister of the provincial government to in relation to a run of the river power project. The part of the application seeking relief agains...
  • Voters Taking Action on Climate Change v. British Columbia (Energy and Mines), 2015 BCSC 471, [Case - Texada Quarrying], Fasken Martineau acted for the respondent, Texada Quarrying Ltd. (TQL) in the judicial review of two decisions regarding the proposed expansion of their coal storage and handling operation on Texada Island. The first of the two decisions was that of the Chief Inspector of Mines - Minister of En...
  • Site C Indigenous Legal Issues, [Case - BC Hydro and Power Authority], Site C is a large hydroelectric dam, generating station and related facilities being constructed on the Peace River in northeast British Columbia, that will provide enough electricity to power the equivalent of 450,000 homes. BC Hydro began constructing Site C in 2015 following a lengthy review a...
  • Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44, [Case - Confidential Clients], On June 26, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada released its widely anticipated decision in Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44 providing more certainty on the test for Aboriginal title and the application of provincial laws to Aboriginal title lands. In short, semi-nomadic or noma...
  • Haisla Nation v. Bear Creek Contracting Ltd., 2012 BCSC 1912, [Case - Bear Creek Contracting], Link to decision: Haisla Nation v. Bear Creek Contracting Ltd., 2012 BCSC 1912
  • Allard v. Assessor of Area #24 - Cariboo, 2012 BCSC 1278, [Case - James T. Allard], Link to decision: Allard v. Assessor of Area #24 - Cariboo, 2012 BCSC 1278
  • Whistler (Resort Municipality) v. Whistler Aggregates Ltd., 2012 BCSC 151, [Case - Whistler Aggregates], Application for an anti-suit injunction requiring the discontinuance of litigation brought in the state of Texas. Gavin Cameron was counsel to Radu and Marina Baciu and Sep-Plast Consulting Ltd.

Career & Education

Education

  • LLM Harvard Law School
  • LLB, (Gold Medallist) University of Victoria
  • BSc Simon Fraser University

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Former Director, British Columbia Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (BCSSGA)
  • Former Member, BC Roadbuilders and Heavy Duty Construction Association
  • Former Member, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Member of Aboriginal Affairs Committee (PDAC)
  • Former Member, British Columbia Business Council - Aboriginal Affairs Committee
  • Former Member, Law Society of Yukon
  • Former Member, Law Society of Alberta

 

Knowledge

  • Northern Gateway Pipeline – FCA Finds Failure to Fulfill Duty to Consult, 7/14/2016
  • SCC Dismisses Leave in Saik’uz and Uashaunnuat Seeking Private Remedies Prior to Proving Aboriginal Title, 10/16/2015
  • BC Supreme Court Refuses Exemption from Mediation for Aboriginal Fishing Rights Claim, 8/31/2015

Events

News

Publications

  • Canadian Mining Law, 7/31/2014
  • Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, 11/23/2007
  • Supreme Court of Canada Rejects Provincial Ability to Justify Infringements of Treaty Rights: R. v. Morris, 2006 SCC 59, 12/1/2006

Speaking Engagements

  • Aboriginal Program - Revenue Transparency and the Disclosure to Aboriginal Communities: Helpful Tool or Impending Obstacle?, 3/8/2016
  • Aboriginal Forum, 3/7/2016
  • Aboriginal Forum: Sharing experiences and strategies from Canada’s north, 3/2/2015
Aboriginal Program - Revenue Transparency and the Disclosure to Aboriginal Communities: Helpful Tool or Impending Obstacle? PDAC 2016 Convention location location Toronto
Aboriginal Forum PDAC 2016 Convention location location Toronto
Aboriginal Forum: Sharing experiences and strategies from Canada’s north PDAC 2015 Convention location location Toronto

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