Rod Northey appointed to federal environmental assessment panel

15 August 2016

It was announced today that Rod Northey, a partner at Gowling WLG and one of Canada’s leading environmental lawyers, has been appointed by the federal minister of environment and climate change to serve on a panel of experts tasked with improving Canada’s environmental assessment processes.

Among its responsibilities, the panel will conduct a thorough review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 and — in consultation with industry associations, environmental groups, First Nations communities and organizations, and various experts — compile a comprehensive report of proposed reforms that will be submitted to Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.

“Gowling WLG is extremely proud that the government has chosen Rod to serve on this panel. Rod is uniquely qualified to help shape the environmental assessment processes of the future that will benefit all Canadians for generations to come,” said Peter Lukasiewicz, CEO of Gowling WLG Canada. “Rod’s appointment is a testament to market-leading expertise of our environmental law team.”

Northey is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a specialist in environmental law and has more than 26 years of experience in the field. With a practice focused largely on environmental approvals, hearings and appeals, he has advised on environmental assessment strategies at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. Over the course of his career, he has also accrued extensive experience working with numerous First Nations groups on a range of environmental issues.

In 2015, Northey authored the 2016 edition of the Guide to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, published by LexisNexis.

“I’m honoured and excited by this opportunity,” said Northey. “I look forward to working with this panel and being part of a national consultation on how to improve federal environmental assessment.”

Between 2004 and 2006, Northey served on an Ontario Ministry of the Environment panel responsible for improving provincial environmental assessment processes for green projects in energy, transportation and waste sectors. He was also a member of the task force that resulted in the development of Ontario's two-million-acre Greenbelt.

Outside of his legal practice, Northey serves as chair of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and the Greenbelt Fund.

Gowling WLG's Environmental Law Group combines the strength and flexibility of a global, full-service law firm with the expertise and quality of service of a boutique environmental practice. Our top-ranked lawyers help clients anticipate new developments in environmental law, address complex regulatory approvals, and meet evolving standards across different jurisdictions.