Senior Legal Counsel, Development

The role

As a key member of the Legal Affairs department, the Senior Legal Counsel, Development (Environmental, Indigenous relations and Regulatory Affairs) will provide strategic legal advice on environmental, impact assessment, Indigenous rights, consultation, regulatory, and contractual matters arising from the development of a major interprovincial rail infrastructure project. The role will partner with the Environment, Indigenous Relations, and Regulatory business teams to support regulatory approvals, engagement and consultation activities, negotiation of agreements with Indigenous communities and organizations, risk management, and the advancement of project objectives through practical, business-focused legal solutions. The Senior Legal Counsel will report to the Director, Legal Affairs, Development.

The responsibilities

The Senior Legal Counsel, Development (Environmental, Indigenous, and Regulatory Affairs) will operate at the intersection of project development, impact assessment, Indigenous relations, permitting, and strategic regulatory affairs. Responsibilities associated with this role include:

• Work closely with the Environment, Indigenous Relations and Regulatory business teams to provide integrated legal support on complex, multidisciplinary matters through practical legal advice and risk assessments.
• Advise the Indigenous Relations business team on a wide range of issues including the Crown's duty to consult and accommodate, Aboriginal and treaty rights, claims and assertions, overlapping claims, Indigenous governance, socio-economic development, and the establishment of business partnerships.
• Lead the negotiation, drafting, and implementation of agreements with various Indigenous communities, governments, organizations, and businesses.
• Develop and lead legal strategies supporting the Company's environmental, Indigenous relations, and regulatory objectives and commitments.
• Advise the Environment business team on a wide range of issues including the environmental regulatory regime applicable to an interprovincial high-speed rail project and ancillary activities, as well as management of environmental risks.
• Support the Company's impact assessment, regulatory and other permitting processes, including the review of key regulatory filings, studies, reports, and submissions.
• Prepare legal opinions, briefing notes, presentation materials, and decision-making documents for senior management.

The requirements

• Bilingual (French and English). 
• Law degree and member in good standing of the Quebec or Ontario Bar.
• 10 years of relevant legal experience in private practice, government, Crown corporation, regulatory agency, or in-house legal department, including at least 5 years in environment, Indigenous, regulatory, and/or constitutional law.
• Strong understanding of consultation and accommodation principles, Indigenous rights, Indigenous governance, and the broader legal framework applicable to Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
• Commitment to reconciliation and respectful engagement with Indigenous Peoples.
• Significant experience with impact assessments and environmental law.
• Experience advising on major infrastructure, energy, transportation, natural resources, or other large-scale project development matters is considered an asset.
• Experience in negotiating and drafting agreements related to environmental, Indigenous relations, and regulatory matters (such as Accommodation/ Environmental Mitigation Agreements, Indigenous Knowledge & Traditional Land Use Study Agreements, Collaboration Agreements, Indigenous Benefit / Financial Participation Agreements, Impact Assessment Act approvals and conditions).
• Exceptional attitude, legal judgment, and strategic thinking.
• Ability to anticipate risks and develop practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Able to work in a team-oriented multidisciplinary environment and interact effectively with others.
• Ability to travel periodically to Indigenous communities, where required to support project objectives and relationship-building activities.