Sam is recognized as a leading lawyer in Canada with 19 years of experience advising clients in the resource sector, with a strong focus on Indigenous and project development matters. His practice is national in scope, acting for clients across Canada on a wide range of Indigenous law issues, including consultation, negotiation and the regulatory process. Sam has significant industry expertise in the energy and mining sectors and has represented clients on commercial and transactional matters across all project phases. Previously, Sam held a senior position with an international energy company overseeing all Indigenous-related matters on a proposed liquefied natural gas project in Kitimat, British Columbia. Sam provides effective, timely and practical advice informed by his experience working both for and within industry. Sam is a director of the Association for Mineral Exploration (British Columbia), and the co-chair of the Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Committee of the Business Council of British Columbia. He is a frequent speaker and commentator on Indigenous law issues in Canada.
Legislative and policy shifts in climate change environmental regimes, both federally and provincially, have all affected the energy sector, which must adapt to those changes
Courts have emphasized that the Indigenous consultation standards on both governments and proponents of pipeline and other infrastructure projects are high but achievable
