Advising First Nations on Land Transactions
We assist Indigenous governments and businesses with all aspects of land transactions, including acquisitions, financing, development approvals, sales, leasing, and property taxation. Our team works on all sizes of transactions, from smaller, community-level construction on-reserve to multi-million dollar off-reserve transactions. We understand our clients’ values around land stewardship and work with them to facilitate the return of their lands, and the implementation of effective management and development models.
Our work includes:
Developing
We work with Indigenous governments, businesses, and individuals to develop on-reserve land use regimes such as land codes, designations, development agreements, subdivisions, building codes, servicing agreements, additions to reserve, and laws for matters such as trespass, nuisance, animal control, and local services.
Negotiating &Advising
We negotiate all types of land-based agreements, both on- and off-reserve, including purchase and sale agreements, interim treaty agreements, partnership agreements, joint ventures, rights-of-way with utilities and pipeline companies, and expropriation-based settlement agreements. We advise on property tax regimes on-reserve, borrower-based development financing, and application of provincial law on reserve.
Drafting
We draft all types of agreements that govern use of land, both on and off-reserve, such as land codes, laws, bylaws, leases, licences, permits, rights of way, restrictive covenants, easements, and trusts.
Additions to Reserve & Designations
We support and advise First Nations to complete additions to reserve and designations, including working with Canada and all other levels of government, advising councils on procedural requirements and assisting with required member meetings and votes.
Our Real Estate & Development Team
Our team has experience providing a broad range of legal services to Indigenous governments and businesses with respect to transactions involving land. Click on a photo of a team member to read their full bio and see their contact information
What Our Clients Say
Insights
See moreKits Point Residents Association v Vancouver, 2023 BCSC 1706 – Case Summary
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Janelle Dwyer and Peter Millerd to Present at PBLI Real Estate Development on First Nation Lands 2023
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Janelle Dwyer & Betty Nguyen to Present at Real Estate Development on First Nations Land 2022
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