The Federation of Law Societies of Canada is to include guidelines in its first-ever set of national standards for admission to the bar, reports the Calgary Herald. According to the report, aboriginal law is becoming increasingly important in natural resources development, particularly relating to the Northern Gateway Pipeline project, which is opposed by aboriginal communities.

Obligation to consult

Tom Molloy, a lawyer with Toronto-based firm Miller Thomson and expert in aboriginal law, commented: ‘[Aboriginal law is] something that can arise in a whole number of areas of the law and lawyers, as the protectors of rights, need to be aware of the rights that exist so they can identify areas where they’re being infringed.
‘It affects every department and agency of government if the changes that they’re making have an impact on aboriginal rights and title, and they have an obligation to consult with the First Nation.’
The guidelines were approved over the weekend in Vancouver.