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2015/16
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Australia's National Access Regime.
Australia is much discussed in Plan Nord reviews be-
cause of its huge iron ore production, economies of scale
and relative proximity to China, which is the world's
largest ore consumer.
"It's true that Québec is essentially a high-cost juris-
diction," and that Australia has a competitive advantage
in the Chinese market, Richer la Flèche concedes. But
he says Québec holds the transportation cost advantage
to the American and European markets, and any in-
crease in Chinese consumption will help boost prices in
all markets.
Levy says, "It should also be noted that Australian
iron ore has, generally, more impurities than iron ore
from Québec and Labrador," and therefore a significant-
ly higher processing cost. Kujavsky adds that, in combi-
nation with iron mines on Baffin Island, Canada has the
potential to become the world's third-largest producer,
with its own market power and economies of scale.
e critical mass of industrial development could
also be supported to some degree by the emergence of
an oil and gas industry in Québec. But Richer la Flèche
notes that, so far, the best prospects are in the south,
outside Plan Nord jurisdiction, including the Macasty
shale formation on Anticosti Island. Production there
might help to encourage port expansion at nearby Sept
Iles, but appears unlikely to directly assist in the develop-
ment of a northern rail line or power project.
Gagné and Richer la Flèche say that Québec oil de-
velopment got off to a rocky start five years ago with
proposals for hydraulic fracturing of shale formations.
In a province where oil and gas development has hith-
erto been largely unknown, Richer la Flèche says it now
seems unlikely that "fracking" will be broadly accepted
anytime soon. He notes that conventional oil prospects
have been identified in the Gaspé, and these may find
greater public favour. But they're too far south to pro-
vide support for Plan Nord.
For oil in particular, and to a lesser degree for industry
Terry, John A.
Torys LLP
(416) 865-8245
jterry@torys.com
Mr. Terry, a senior litigator, plays a key role leading Torys's
mining-sector work in the areas of dispute resolution, Aboriginal
matters, anti-corruption, foreign investment protection
and corporate social responsibility.
Turner, Francis J. (Frank)
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
(403) 260-7017
fturner@osler.com
Mr. Turner specializes in M&A and corporate finance. He has significant
expertise advising international organizations, including state-owned
enterprises and sovereign wealth funds, on acquisitions and strategic
alliances in Canada's mining sector.
Valasek, Martin J.
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
(514) 847-4818
martin.valasek@nortonrosefulbright.com
Mr. Valasek's international practice embraces both commercial
and investor-State arbitration (including NAF TA Chapter 11),
in sectors such as aerospace, construction, forestry, mining
and energy. He also advises on cross-border litigation matters.
Vézina, Sébastien
Lavery, de Billy, L.L.P.
(514) 877-2964
svezina@lavery.ca
Mr. Vézina practises securities and mining law. He advises on corporate
finance, partnerships and revenue-based financings. He is involved
in all phases of the mining cycle, from exploration, project development
and extraction, to mine closure.
Tenai, Steve J.
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
(416) 216-4023
steve.tenai@nortonrosefulbright.com
Mr. Tenai's practice includes class action, securities, commercial
and oppression litigation. He represents international and Canadian
mining companies in securities class actions, valuation litigation
and take-over bid proceedings.
Tenaille, France M.
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
(416) 369-7398
france.tenaille@gowlings.com
Ms. Tenaille is a leading corporate/commercial lawyer
and her practice includes private M&A, project finance and
related international transactions. She focuses particularly
on the Latin American mining, energy and natural resources sectors.
LEXPERT RANKED LAWYERS
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