Regulation | 13
PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR the Northern
Gateway Pipeline were, potentially, a perfect
way to throttle an emerging energy superpower in its crib. The pipeline aims to carry
oil sands crude to the West Coast. Gateway
and two or three other major export pipeline proposals would open Asian markets to
Canadian oil, break US hegemony over Canadian energy exports and herald the end of
an estimated $18-billion annual discount on
Canadian oil stranded in North America.
All those pipeline proposals are, in short,
vital to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's
vision of Canada as an energy superpower
in the making. But they all face trenchant
opposition from groups opposed to oil
sands development and concerned about
the potential for spills of tar-like bitumen.
More than 4,500 groups and individuals
sought standing to appear before the Gateway hearing panel. Some 1,500 people were
ultimately granted standing for 10-minute
Lexpert®Ranked Lawyers
Finnerty, Pat C.
Blake, Cassels &
Graydon LLP
(403) 260-9608
pcf@blakes.com
Mr. Finnerty's
emphasis is on
domestic and crossborder M&A, corporate
transactions, public
offerings, private
placements and special
committees. He has
extensive experience
in the acquisition,
structuring and
financing of oil sands
projects.
Flaman, Derek S.
Torys LLP
(403) 776-3759
dflaman@torys.com
Mr. Flaman's practice
encompasses
energy industry
transactions, including
M&A, joint ventures,
onshore and offshore
petroleum exploration,
development and
production matters
pipeline matters, and
marketing of energyrelated products.
Fontaine, Mireille
Gowling Lafleur
Henderson LLP
(514) 392-9444
mireille.fontaine@
gowlings.com
Ms. Fontaine
practises business
law and corporate/
commercial law with
a focus on M&A and
reorganizations, and
on private-sector
investments and buyouts, including US/
Canada cross-border
and international
transactions.
Foran, QC, Frank R.
Borden Ladner
Gervais LLP
(403) 232-9443
fforan@blg.com
Mr. Foran's practice
emphasizes
commercial litigation
and arbitration related
to energy, banking,
securities, insolvency
and construction
matters before all levels
of court and tribunals.
He is an ACTL Fellow.
Fortier, Michael J.
Torys LLP
(416) 865-8147
mfortier@torys.com
Fortier, Philippe
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
(514) 397-4176
pfortier@mccarthy.ca
Mr. Fortier's energy
and infrastructure
practice focuses on
the environmental
aspects of finance and
M&A transactions. His
experience includes
advising on significant
project development
(including permitting
and Aboriginal law)
issues.
Mr. Fortier's practice
focuses on M&A,
corporate finance and
joint ventures and he
has been involved in
multiple commercial
transactions and
contract negotiations
in the energy
sector. He acts for
public companies,
underwriters and
private companies.
