Team > Lawyers > Kowbel, Christine
Christine practices environmental and aboriginal law, advising clients on various environmental and First Nations issues that arise in the commercial transactions, regulatory and litigation contexts. She often works closely with environmental consultants and engineers in providing her clients with practical advice respecting legal obligations and managing risk.
In her practice, Christine regularly conducts and coordinates environmental due diligence and assists in the negotiation and drafting of agreements related to First Nations and environmental matters. Christine counsels project proponents on matters of federal, provincial and territorial jurisdiction, environmental assessment processes, consultation with the public and with First Nations, public hearings, regulatory licences and permits and approvals. She often prepares opinions for clients on various aspects of environmental law, including regulatory compliance, emergency notification, waste transportation and disposal, land rehabilitation, director and officer liability, environmental risk management, and corporate disclosure.
Christine also provides specialized mining industry advice, representing clients with respect to permitting and regulatory aspects of exploration, development, operation and closure of mining projects. Her other clients include companies in the development and operation stages in a wide range of sectors, including energy, forest products, transportation, and real estate, as well as governments and other organizations.
Professional Activities
- Canadian Bar Association: Environmental Law, Administrative Law, and Natural Resources, Member
- Environmental Law for Environmental Specialists, Douglas College, Guest Lecturer
- The Law Society of British Columbia, Member
- Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Member
- Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Newsletter, Reporter - Canada
Bar Admissions
- Northwest Territories (2009)
- British Columbia (2002)
Education
- University of Victoria (LL.B., 2000)
Experience
Christine has:
- Advised clients on the permitting and development of mines and other major projects in various provinces and territories, including BC, Yukon, Nunavut, NWT, Alberta and Saskatchewan
- Advised a number of clients on the current and potential future liabilities relating to the acquisition of current and historic industrial properties
- Represented two major mining companies in the acquisition of advanced exploration properties in Nunavut
- Continued representation of a company developing a gold mine in Nunavut
- Continued representation of a company operating a diamond mining project in the Northwest Territories
- Advised clients on environmental management systems (including ongoing compliance with ISO certification requirements) and due diligence
- Represented various industrial corporations in defending charges under environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations
- Represented a natural resource company in obtaining an injunction to prohibit interference with project development and activities
- Assisted various clients during disputes relating to mineral tenure issues and competing interests in land
- Assisted clients with identifying, obtaining and defending permits, fisheries authorizations, water licences, environmental assessment certificates and other authorizations for mines, mills, hydroelectric facilities, and other natural resource projects
- Assisted clients in matters before all levels of Court in British Columbia, as well as various boards and tribunals located in BC and the Canadian North. She has also prepared applications on behalf of clients to the Supreme Court of Canada
News / Publications
Mining Law Update (Spring 2010)
Mining Law Update (Spring 2009)
Mining Law Update (Spring 2008)
Mining Law Update (Winter 2008)
Energy Law Newsletter and Feature Article on New Federal and Alberta Climate Change Initiatives (Spring 2007)
Mining Update (Winter 2007)
Conferences
"Due Diligence in Natural Resources Transactions", 14th Annual Due Diligence Conference, Federated Press, Vancouver, BC (March 16, 2010)
