He commences with the business law group in Calgary
Regulatory and Indigenous law expert Alastair MacKinnon has joined the partnership at McCarthy Tétrault, commencing with its business law group in Calgary.
In particular, he practises with the energy, indigenous, and infrastructure groups. He makes the jump from Lawson Lundell LLP, where he was a partner for nearly three years according to LinkedIn.
MacKinnon is an expert on tolls and tariffs hearings and has assisted the proponents and users of infrastructure and energy projects. He has tackled complex constitutional, environmental, and Indigenous law matters.
He served as counsel in a toll and tariff issue related to the Enbridge mainline. He also advised an oil sands producer on Trans Mountain Expansion Project-related toll and tariff matters.
MacKinnon guided two major oil producers embroiled in a toll dispute regarding the Keystone Pipeline System. He also assisted a not-for-profit society in Calgary on electric distribution rate matters.
He has appeared before the Canada Energy Regulator, the Alberta Energy Regulator, and the Alberta Utilities Commission. Moreover, he has worked on project development in the mining, power and oil and gas sectors, helping to obtain approvals from provincial and federal authorities.
“Alastair’s regulatory expertise deepens our ability to support clients in nation-building energy, infrastructure and natural resource projects and enhances our national Indigenous law practice,” said Eva Bellissimo, head of McCarthy Tétrault’s business law group, in a statement.
MacKinnon has handled the prosecution and defence of challenges to regulatory decisions through appeals and judicial reviews. He has assisted clients in disputes involving utility rates, constitutional challenges, the adequacy of Indigenous consultation, and environmental credit issues arising from renewable energy projects.
He was the Alberta government’s counsel in an action challenging the constitutionality of Alberta’s Policy on Consultation with First Nations on Land and Natural Resources, 2013, and has advised the government on several Indigenous law matters. He also advised a major oil sands developer in relation to Indigenous law matters.
