Administrative Law

Administrative law is a subset of public law that aims to regulate the relationship between the government and the governed (i.e., people and businesses) and serve as a check on governmental power. More specifically, it represents the body of general principles, including constitutional limitations, that shape the exercise of such power by public authorities.

Whether your business growth is hampered by governmental regulatory schemes, licensing issues or legislative limitations; or you are an individual who is subject to discriminatory or other types of measures that infringe upon your personal rights, Gowling WLG can help you navigate the complexities of administrative law and achieve your objectives.

Industry-leading experience

Our leading professionals have exceptional experience in both the public and private sectors, affording us a 360-degree perspective that equips us to provide sophisticated administrative, constitutional, regulatory and public policy advice on virtually any matter.

Leveraging our deep industry experience and strong track record of success, we give you a competitive advantage, delivering technically sound, strategic guidance and absolute certainty on what needs to be done and when.

Diverse experience

Our clients include businesses of all types, as well as all levels of government and their agencies, trade and professional associations, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, non-governmental agencies, Crown corporations, utilities companies, developers, and educational institutions.

Our professionals have represented the interests of our clients before public sector and government committees (including in the context of investigations), government task forces, administrative tribunals across Canada, and all levels of provincial, national and federal court.

We frequently act for individuals and businesses in constitutional cases concerning Division of Powers under ss. 91 and 92 of the Constitution Act, 1867, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. We also represent clients in human rights complaints under provincial human rights legislation or the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Attuned to your world

In a world with increasing regulation and compliance requirements, you need to know what changes are around the corner and how they could affect your business. Our international network of business law professionals are actively engaged with critical regulatory departments and industry organizations across the globe. Harnessing the power of these relationships, we help clients stay in the know and advance proposed regulatory amendments with key decision-makers.

Recent work

• Counsel to James Smith Cree Nation in a Saskatchewan Coroner's Inquest into the mass casualty event that occurred on their reserve in September 2022 [2023-24]
• Counsel to Ross River Dena Council on a judicial review before the Yukon Supreme Court regarding the proposed BMC Mineral's Kudz Ze Kayah mine in the Ross River Area of Yukon [2024 YKSC 1]
• Counsel to various clients challenging notices of violation before the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada [2023-2024]
• Counsel to several collective societies before the Copyright Board on a redetermination of a decision setting royalty rates for retransmitted television signals [2024 CB 1]
• Counsel to Responsible Plastic Use Coalition before the Federal Court challenging Federal Government orders related to "Plastic Manufactured Items" [2023 FC 1511]
• Counsel to the respondent, Ontario Teacher Candidates' Council on an appeal from a Charter challenge to Ontario teacher licensing requirements [2023 ONCA 788]
• Counsel to the intervener the Speaker of the House of Commons in Canada v. Power, a Supreme Court of Canada appeal about damages claims arising out of legislation that is ultimately determined to be unconstitutional [SCC Case No. 40241]
• Counsel to the respondent Northwest Territories and the intervener Yukon Government in an appeal from a judicial review regarding s. 23 of the Charter and the bilingualism obligations of territorial courts [2023 SCC 31]
• Counsel to Piikani First Nation in a number of applications challenging Federal and Provincial decisions to deny project approval to the Grassy Mountain Coal Project (Alberta Court of King's Bench, Alberta Court of Appeal, Federal Court) [2023]
• Counsel to Mantle Materials Group Ltd. before the Environmental Appeals Board (Alberta) challenging Environmental Protection Orders [2023]
• Counsel to Papaschase First Nation on an interlocutory motion relating to treaty rights in the Alberta Court of King's Bench [2023]
• Counsel to an intervening self-governing First Nation in an appeal from a judicial review of a decision made under one of the Nation's laws [2022 BCCA 33]
  Instructors at the Osgoode Hall Law School Administrative Law upper-year course [2023-24]
• Counsel to Piikani First Nation in Stoney Nakoda Nations v His Majesty the King In Right of Alberta As Represented by the Minister of Aboriginal Relations (Aboriginal Consultation Office), [2023 ABKB 700]
• Counsel to Galderma Canada Inc in Galderma Canada Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), [2024 FC 46]
• Counsel to Le-Vel Brands, LLC in Le-Vel Brands, LLC v. Canada (Attorney General), an appeal from an application for judicial review of a Health Canada decision, [2023 FCA 177]
• Counsel for the applicant in Coutlee v. Lower Nicola First Nation, [2024 FC 47]
• Counsel for the applicant in Prince Edward Island Potato Board v. Canada (Agriculture and Agri-Food), [2023 FC 535]
• Counsel for the applicant in Siemens Canada limitée c. Lévesque, [2023 QCCS 483]
• Counsel for the appellant in Ville de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Service de police) v. X, [2023 QCCQ 6477]
• Counsel for responding parties in Waldron v. Canada (Attorney General), [2024 FCA 2]
• Counsel for the respondent in Abrametz v Law Society of Saskatchewan, [2023 SKCA 114]

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To learn more about how we can help you succeed, please contact any member of our team.