Martin Ignasiak

Martin Ignasiak, Partner, Litigation

Contact Information

  • tel: 403.260.7007
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Areas of Expertise

Bar Admission

Alberta, 1999 ; Northwest Territories, 2012

Education

  • University of Alberta, LL.B.
  • University of Alberta, B.Comm.

Office

Calgary

Language(s)

English

Biography

Martin is a partner in Osler’s Calgary office whose practice focuses on regulatory and environmental law. He has extensive experience in developing and executing strategies for obtaining necessary regulatory approvals for large scale industrial projects, including oil sands facilities, coal mines and electric generation facilities. In his capacity as a regulatory lawyer, Martin regularly advises clients on aboriginal issues and has negotiated impact benefit agreements.

Martin has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta and before the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. He has also appeared before, among others, the National Energy Board, the Energy Resources Conservation Board, Alberta Utilities Commission, Joint Review Panels established under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board, the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board and the Nunavut Water Board.

Notable Matters

  • Regulatory counsel for TOTAL Joslyn North Mine Oil Sands Project and for TOTAL E&P Canada’s TOTAL Upgrader.
  • De Beers Canada Inc. in connection with its Snap Lake Mine water licence approval and the regulatory approvals for the Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine.
  • Regulatory counsel for the Petro-Canada Oil Sands Inc. Fort Hills Sturgeon Upgrader.
  • Regulatory counsel for expansions at the Suncor Energy Inc. oil sands facility, including the North Steepbank Mine Extension, the Voyageur Upgrader and Firebag.
  • Acted for Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. in connection with the Mary River Iron Ore project in Nunavut.
  • Regulatory counsel for Imperial’s Kearl Oil Sands Project.
  • Regulatory counsel for Cardinal River Coal’s Cheviot Coal Mine development.
  • TransAlta Corporation with regard to various applications before the Alberta Utilities Commission.
  • TransCanada Pipelines and four related TransCanada companies with regard to abandonment cost estimates under the Land Matters Consultation Initiative - Stream 3 before the National Energy Board.
  • Acted on behalf of industry in litigation concerning the applicability of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act in Prairie Acid Rain Coalition v. Canada (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) and True North Energy Corporation [2004] F.C. 1265 affirmed 2006, and Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development v. Canada (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) and Cardinal River Coals Ltd. [2005] F.C. 1123.
  • Counsel for Lehigh Inland Cement’s Coal Conversion Project (Environmental Appeals Board).

Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Calgary Bar Association
  • Alberta Chamber of Resources

Industry Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in Canada 2013: Environmental Law
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2012: Energy (Oil & Gas)

Publications/Events/Education

  • Canadian Oil Spills Cast Shadow Over Pipeline Boom (quoted), Law360, June 21, 2012.
  • Bill C-38: What Does it Mean for Industry? - Presentation to the Canadian Bar Association, Calgary, AB, June 2012.
  • Lessons Learned from the Kearl Oil Sands Project, Association of Canadian General Counsel, St. John’s, NL, September 2008.
  • Reclaiming Alberta Oil Sands: Confronting the Challenges and Implementing Strategies for Securing Environmental Approvals, Oil and Gas Law Summit, Calgary, AB, January 2006.

Pro Bono/Community Work

  • Edmonton Police Commission [former member 2002-2005; and Chair 2003-2005] 

Downloadable Profile

Martin Ignasiak