Skip to main content
Amy-Carruthers-Lawyer-Vancouver

Amy Carruthers *

Partner Fasken
Developing energy and other resource projects in Canada is complex. We help energy and mining companies, and other resource developers, successfully navigate the complex regulatory, environmental, and Indigenous legal framework to acquire, invest in, develop and pursue projects and partnerships in Canada’s resource industries.
Jurisdiction British Columbia, 2000
Language(s) English
Office(s) Vancouver
Contact
*Law Corporation
Share
  • LinkedIn

Overview

Amy Carruthers is a corporate/commercial Partner in the Vancouver office with a solid background as a transaction lawyer and extensive experience in the energy industry. She is a member of the firm’s Global Energy and Climate Group and Indigenous Legal Matters Group. Amy drafts and negotiates complex commercial contracts regarding the purchase and sale of energy, investments in and other transactions involving resource projects, as well as relationships with Indigenous communities to foster reconciliation and facilitate project development. 

Her experience includes: the development, construction and financing of generation and transmission facilities and related infrastructure; the purchase and sale of existing projects and facilities; and the creation of companies, partnerships, joint ventures, and other contractual arrangements among project investors, participants and other stakeholders.

Amy has also advised on the development of consultation and accommodation plans and negotiation of consultation, funding and impact benefit agreements with First Nations and other Aboriginal groups; the purchase and sale of structured energy products including renewable energy credits and other green attributes; and compliance with Canadian derivatives regulations relating to energy transactions.

Some of the clients Amy works with include BC Hydro, Powerex, Vancouver Airport Authority, Leagold Mining Corporation, Prince Rupert Gas Transmission, and Coastal GasLink Pipeline.

Prior to joining Fasken in 2014, Amy worked with a regional firm in Vancouver for many years and then took a short break from private practice to work in-house with a client, where she gained invaluable experience from the client perspective. She now has almost 20 years of experience as a corporate/commercial solicitor.

Achievements

  • Recognized in Mergers and Acquisitions Law in Vancouver, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Aboriginal Law, Lexpert 2025 to 2026
  • Recognized in Aboriginal Law/Indigenous Practice and Energy Law in Vancouver, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2025 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Energy: Oil & Gas, Lexpert 2022 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Aboriginal Law (2022-2023 & 2026), Lexpert 2022 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Energy (Electricity), Lexpert 2018 to 2024
  • Recognized in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition – Energy, Lexpert 2021
  • Named in The Legal 500 Canada 2019, The Legal 500 Canada 2019
  • Lexpert Zenith Awards 2018 Winner, Lexpert Zenith Awards 2018
Lexpert Publication name with laurels Lexpert Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Energy: Oil & Gas The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory is the most comprehensive guide of legal talent in Canada
Lexpert Publication name with laurels Lexpert Recognized in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition – Energy The Lexpert Special Edition: Energy profiles Lexpert-ranked lawyers whose focus is in Energy and relevant practice areas.
Legal 500 Publication name with laurels The Legal 500 Canada Named in The Legal 500 Canada 2019 Recognized in Aboriginal Law in Canada

Experience

  • Ecoener invests in special purpose vehicle for wind energy project in BC, [Deal - ], Ecoener invests in SPV for Nilhts’i Ecoener Wind Farm Project.
  • Mavrck secures US$135 million investment from Summit Partners and acquires Later to build a platform that drives revenue for brands and creators, [Deal - Clout.io Holdings, Inc. dba Mavrck], Leading Influencer and Social Platforms Mavrck and Later Unite to Solve Measurement and Monetization for the Creator Economy.
  • Aris Gold in its completion of Soto Norte joint venture investment and becoming operator, [Deal - Aris Gold Corporation], Aris Gold closed the acquisition of a 20% joint venture interest in the Soto Norte gold project in Colombia, with the option to acquire a further 30% interest. At the same time, it became the operator of the project.
  • Motion Metrics International Corp sold for C$150 million, [Deal - Motion Metrics International Corp.], Scottish engineering firm acquires Canadian mining technology firm, a leading developer of innovative AI and 3D rugged machine vision technology used in mines worldwide.
  • One45 in its acquisition by Altus Assessments, [Deal - One45 Software Inc.], Acquisition of MedEd software company will enhance educational programs in medical schools.
  • The Estée Lauder Companies acquires DECIEM Beauty Group Inc. (enterprise value C$2.8 billion), [Deal - Selling Shareholders], Majority interest in DECIEM Beauty Group sold
  • Bain Capital Private Equity acquires Dessert Holdings, a leading premium dessert company, [Deal - Bain Capital LP], Bain Capital Private Equity acquires Dessert Holdings
  • Emil Anderson Maintenance Co. Ltd. to assume highway maintenance in the Skeena region, [Deal - Emil Anderson Maintenance Co. Ltd.], We advised Emil Anderson Maintenance Co. Ltd. on the acquisition of a highway maintenance business in Northwest BC from the Nechako Group. The transaction included the assignment of the Highway Maintenance Agreement for Service Area 26 with the Province of BC, the purchase of related assets and e...
  • Leagold Mining and Equinox Gold combine in at-market merger, [Deal - Leagold Mining Corporation], Advised Leagold on its merger with Equinox, creating a premier Americas gold producer.

Career & Education

Education

  • LLB University of Toronto
  • BA (Honours), Philosophy University of British Columbia

Community involvement

  • Gala Committee Member Forum for Women Entrepreneurs 2017 to present
  • Director BC Women in Energy Network 2012 to 2016
  • Mentor Canadian Bar Association, Women Lawyer Forum 2011 to present

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Member, Indigenous Relations Working Group and Commercial Activities Working Group Canadian Hydropower Association 2016 to present
  • Member International Energy Credit Association 2014 to present
  • Member Canadian Bar Association 2000 to present

Knowledge

  • 2026 Update on Trends in Indigenous Equity Investments in Canada, 4/28/2026
  • 2025 Update on Trends in Indigenous Equity Investments in Canada, 4/24/2025
  • Update on Trends in Indigenous Equity Investments in Canada, 4/22/2024
  • Current and Announced Funding Programs for Indigenous Equity in Canada, 4/2/2024
  • Indigenous Equity in Energy and Infrastructure Projects in Canada, 11/22/2023
  • What to expect from BC Hydro's New Clean Power Call, 6/26/2023
  • Four Trends in Indigenous Equity Participation in Canada, 3/6/2023
  • Initial Work Underway To Develop a New BC – Indigenous Fiscal Framework, 11/21/2022
  • Energy in Transition: Meeting the Net-Zero Target Challenge, 10/18/2021
  • Senate adopts Bill C-15 (the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act) at Third Reading, 6/17/2021

Events

  • (Re)Mining for the Future: Reimagining Mining, 2/23/2026
  • Symposium 2022 - Update on Indigenous Legal Issues, 11/3/2022
  • Journey Towards Truth and Reconciliation: Considerations For In-House Legal Counsel, 11/18/2021
  • Symposium 2021 - Getting Consent in the New Era of UNDRIP Legislation, 11/17/2021
  • Unlocking the Value of IBAs for Existing Facilities, 6/25/2019
  • Unlocking the Value of Impact Benefits Agreements (IBAs) for Existing Facilities, 3/6/2019

News

  • Bulletin on Indigenous equity investments co-authored by Amy Carruthers and Tara Bishop referenced in The Logic, 6/10/2026
  • Bulletin on Indigenous equity investments co-authored by Amy Carruthers, Erin McKlusky and Tara Bishop referenced in Time Magazine, 3/23/2026
  • Bulletin co-authored by Amy Carruthers and Erin McKlusky referenced in Time Magazine, 6/27/2024
  • Fasken Celebrates International Women’s Day 2019, 3/8/2019
  • Fasken Partner honoured with a 2018 Lexpert Zenith Award, 6/20/2018
  • The 2018 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognizes 200 Fasken lawyers, 4/12/2018

Publications

  • Recent Developments in Climate Change Law Relating to the Western Climate Initiative, 10/23/2008

Speaking Engagements

  • Legal implications of refurbishing your hydro facility: Indigenous legal issues, 9/25/2019
  • The Future of Indigenous Relations, 11/22/2018
  • Indigenous Law Update and Trends Contracting with Indigenous Groups, 11/23/2017
  • First Nations: Emerging Trends and New Opportunities, 10/26/2016
  • Climate Change Compliance and Beyond: Applying the Regulatory Framework to Commercial Activities and Transactions North of 60º, 11/12/2009
The Future of Indigenous Relations Canada's Forum on Hydropower location location Ottawa, ON
Indigenous Law Update and Trends Contracting with Indigenous Groups Canada's Forum on Hydropower location location Ottawa, ON