Biography
Megan is litigation counsel in the Vancouver office of Cochrane Saxberg LLP. She is a Cree woman and Band Member of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. Megan has a diverse litigation practice with a focus on Aboriginal, administrative, commercial and environmental law. Megan specializes in complex litigation matters relating to Aboriginal rights and title issues, Treaty rights, environmental assessments of major projects, regulatory matters, and administrative decision-making. Megan’s advocacy includes representing clients before the Federal Court of Appeal, the British Columbia Supreme Court, and federal and provincial regulatory bodies. Megan is called in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Given the nature of her practice and the interests at stake, building meaningful, trusting relationships with her clients is paramount to Megan. She does not take the trust placed in her lightly and has the experience and expertise to advance our clients’ interests before all levels of court as well as federal regulatory bodies when necessary. Megan takes her time to understand and effectively communicate the challenges, goals, and perspectives of her clients and reinforces her case with an astute understanding of the technical and practical application of relevant laws.
Before her law career, Megan held several Indigenous-focused business strategy and development roles. These experiences give Megan a first-hand understanding of the business opportunities, risks, and challenges that her clients can face.
Notable Matters
- Co-counsel for an “interested party” First Nation before the British Columbia Agricultural Land Commission concerning an application to continue operating a ballast quarry within the Agricultural Land Reserve. Successfully advocated for project conditions and increased reclamation security in ALC File 58905 Reasons for Decision of the Interior Panel, October 16, 2023.
- Co-counsel for the Plaintiff in Ignace v British Columbia (Chief Inspector of Mines), 2021 BCSC 1989. Successfully challenged the Inspector of Mines’ permit amendment to increase production in a ballast quarry on the basis that the amendment was unreasonable and failed to adequately discharge the honour of the Crown regarding the consultation process with the First Nation Plaintiff.
- Counsel for the Respondent in Technical Safety BC v Simply Green Home Services (BC) Inc., 2020 BCSC 2157. Succeeded in upholding a decision of the British Columbia Safety Standards Appeal Board to vary a monetary penalty imposed by the Petitioner Technical Safety BC on appeal.
- Counsel for the Plaintiff in More Core Diamond Drilling Services Ltd. v 973613 Alberta Ltd., 2020 BCSC 1760. Obtained judgment against the defendant and an award of special costs against a non-party representative of the defendant.
- Counsel for the Defendants in Lanyard Investments Inc. v 2328884 Ontario Ltd., 2019 BCSC 601. Successfully set aside a default judgment obtained by the Plaintiffs on the basis that there was a “real possibility” that there was no legal basis for the loan transaction at issue.
- Co-counsel for the Plaintiffs in Ignace v British Columbia (Attorney General), 2019 BCSC 10, in which the Court ruled that the Plaintiffs’ Indigenous elders could present deposition evidence as a panel in accordance with their traditional customs and practices.
- Co-counsel for an Applicant First Nation before the Federal Court of Appeal in Tsleil-Waututh Nation v. Canada (Attorney General), 2018 FCA 153. Successfully overturned the Governor in Council’s decision to approve the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project.
- Representation before the Supreme Court of BC relating to Aboriginal rights and title and judicial reviews in the forestry and mining sector.
- Representation before the Canada Energy Regulator, including drafting final and reply arguments relating to energy projects.
- Representation before the Federal Court of Canada relating to First Nations Aboriginal rights issues; experience in First Nations and resource development matters generally.
Bar Admissions
British Columbia, 2017
Alberta, 2023
Saskatchewan, 2023
Education
University of British Columbia, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2016
University of Alberta, Bachelor of Arts (Political Science), 2013
Grant MacEwan University, Jazz Music (Performance) Diploma, 2012