Matthew M. Huys

Matthew M. Huys

Partner, Litigation

Contact Information

mhuys@osler.com

tel: 403.260.7037

Office

Calgary

Bar Admission

British Columbia, 2018

Alberta, 2012

Education

Dalhousie University, J.D.

International Law School Exchange, Lund University, Sweden

University of Toronto B.A. (Hon.)

Language(s)

English

Matthew practices complex, high-stakes corporate litigation, with an emphasis on energy, construction, and securities disputes.

Matthew has a proven track record of understanding and advancing clients’ corporate interests with a strategic and persistent focus on achieving their objectives, whether in the courts or by way of negotiated resolution. He always manages files with a view to ensuring efficient and cost-effective resolutions to disputes, often under alternative fee arrangements.

Matthew advises energy companies on environmental and climate change litigation risk. He regularly speaks and writes on climate change litigation in Canada and abroad.

Matthew's practice includes all aspects of construction law including disputes involving contracts and specifications, construction liens, delay claims, bidding and tendering matters, negligence claims, bond insurance claims, and construction trusts.

Matthew is a member of Osler’s National Litigation Department and its construction litigation team. Some of Matthew's recent non-confidential matters include:

  • Representing Chemtrade Electrochem Inc. at trial and obtaining a $25M judgment, plus costs and interest, against Superior Plus Corporation;
  • Representing Pure Environmental in multi-million dollar litigation in the Court of Queen’s Bench, including successfully defending summary dismissal proceedings;
  • Successfully obtaining a permanent injunction for Shell Canada (as lead counsel) in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta;
  • Successfully representing Trans Mountain Pipeline in injunction and civil contempt proceedings in the British Columbia Supreme Court;
  • Acting for CNRL in multi-billion dollar litigation associated with the Horizon Oil Sands operation.

Matthew is called to the bar in both Alberta and British Columbia. He acts as counsel in complex commercial disputes in both provinces.

    • Trans Mountain Canada in successful injunction and contempt proceedings relating to the Trans Mountain Expansion at the British Columbia Supreme Court
    • Chemtrade Electrochem Inc in its successful trial verdict against Superior Plus Corporation over a $25M break-fee provision
    • Acting for Coalspur Mines Operations in a $75M construction dispute relating to failed structural steel connections
    • VAALCO in its US$307 million business combination with TransGlobe
    • Suncor Energy Inc. in its takeover of day-to-day operations at Syncrude oil sands mining joint venture
    • Energy Transfer Canada ULC in a $27M claim relating to capital make whole obligations
    • Pure Environmental Waste Management in a multi-million dollar litigation against a contractor relating to, among other things, deficiencies in the construction of a disposal well
    • Circle Cardiovascular Imaging in its strategic investment from Thoma Bravo
    • A multi-national oil company providing advice regarding climate change risk disclosure and climate litigation risk
    • The directors of a Mortgage Investment Corporation in a multi- million dollar class action proceeding, a derivative claim, and an oppression claim which sought to remove the directors from the company’s board
    • EnCana in a $11 million claim brought by a landowner for alleged damages sustained due to “fracking” in oil and gas operations
    • CNRL in a commercial dispute in relation to interests and obligations associated with the multi-billion dollar Horizon Oil Sands operation
    • ConocoPhillips in a multi-million dollar claim against Ensign at the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta involving the interpretation of the no-fault and take-over provisions in the CAODC Master Daywork Contract
  • Friends Who Argue Podcast: Parenting in Law

    Speaker, September 7, 2021

  • Energy Security Cubed Podcast: Climate Litigation - Climate over Security?

    Speaker, June 24, 2021

  • Climate Change and the Right to a Healthy Environment in the Canadian Constitution

    Co-Presenter, August 12, 2020

  • Canadian Shopping Centre Law Conference

    Speaker, Toronto, March 27-28, 2019

  • Luncheon Seminar - Climate Change Litigation

    Co-Presenter, CBA Natural Resources, Calgary, October 11, 2018

  • Breakfast Seminar - Climate Change Litigation

    Co-Presenter, Calgary, February 22, 2018

  • Document Management in Complex Litigation Files Legal Education Society of Alberta

    Speaker, Calgary, February 25, 2015

  • Document Management in Complex Litigation Files Legal Education Society of Alberta

    Speaker, Edmonton, February 18, 2015

Matthew is active in the Calgary community. He is currently the vice-chair of the Board of Brown Bagging for Calgary Kid’s Society, a local Calgary charity that provides lunches to approximately 5000 kids each school day.

In addition, he is a director and a member of the governance committee of The Grand Theatre Society, Western Canada’s oldest theatre.  

Matthew is also active in the legal community in Calgary and across Canada. He is formerly an appointed member of The Advocates’ Society Young Advocates’ Standing Committee. In that role, he participated in numerous working groups including the Standing Committee on Advocacy and Practice, National Standing Committee, Keeping Tabs Publication Working Group, Podcast Working group, and various other initiatives. Matthew is a current member of the Advocates’ Society Alberta Advisory Committee. Further, Matthew is an instructor in the University of Calgary Faculty of Law’s Trial Advocacy Program.

  • ICC Canada Arbitration Committee
  • The Law Society of British Columbia
  • The Advocates' Society
  • The Defense Research Institute
  • The Canadian Bar Association
  • The Calgary Bar Association
  • The Canadian Energy Law Foundation
  • Young Professionals in Energy

"Climate Change and the Right to a Healthy Environment in the Canadian Constitution", Canadian Energy Law Foundation, August 12, 2020 (co-author)

"An early chapter in climate change litigation", CBA National, June 1, 2020 (co-author)

COVID-19 Evolving Legal Considerations in the Canadian Market”, Update: Mar 17, 2020 (co-author)

"Exxon wins first climate change disclosure securities fraud case", Update: Dec 17, 2019 (co-author)

“Climate change litigation arrives in Canada”, (co-author, February 5, 2019).

"First of its kind – Ontario NDP tables civil liability for climate change bill", Update: Apr 3, 2018 (co-author) “Defining industry-specific contractual terms: Supreme Court of Canada revisits principles of contractual interpretation“, (co-author, February 16, 2017).

“Is it Unethical to Not Understand E-Discovery? Professional Liability and Discipline Litigation”, Volume XVI, No. 2, p 981-984, (co-author, 2015).

“Canada 2013 Year in Review, FCPA Professor”, (co-author, January 14, 2014).