79 Wellington St W, Suite 3000, Box 270, TD Ctr, Toronto, ON
Year called to bar: 1996 (ON)
With over 25 years of project-related experience, Valerie has been at the forefront of the development and financing of numerous precedent-setting projects across Canada. She acts for the spectrum of clients involved in project development and financing, including Indigenous groups, project proponents, lenders, investors, contractors, and governmental authorities. As co-head of Torys’ Indigenous practice, Valerie’s project practice includes advising on complex infrastructure developments impacting Indigenous interest and parties, where she brings a robust perspective on different parties’ interests and priorities. She is trusted counsel to Indigenous and non-Indigenous project participants, her recent work notably includes advising: Wataynikaneyap Project as lead project counsel for over ten years on all aspects of the development, financing, construction and operation of the Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project in northwestern Ontario; Alto (formerly VIA HFR) on all matters relating to the permitting and engagement with over 40 Indigenous communities for the proposed high-speed rail network spanning almost 1,000 km between Quebec City and Toronto; among other notable projects of national significance.
Renewable energy sources remain on the ascendant as green technology enters the mainstream and concern over environmental pollution and global warming remain — and that growth is expected to continue
Courts have emphasized that the Indigenous consultation standards on both governments and proponents of pipeline and other infrastructure projects are high but achievable
