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Events

Feb 24 2026

APEBC/CABE Webinar: A Perspective in the Economic Effects of Aboriginal Policy and Laws in BC and Canada

This session will examine how legal uncertainty in Aboriginal law has become a direct economic risk in British Columbia. It will clarify how Aboriginal title differs from fee-simple ownership, what the Cowichan decision resolved and left open, and why UNDRIP shapes court interpretation without automatically changing land ownership a foundation of all market economies. The discussion will also address how DRIPA shifts responsibility away from clear political decision-making, leaving unresolved land claims to destabilize governance and the economy. When accountability is diffused, investment stalls, costs rise, and confidence erodes, making the system increasingly unworkable. The session will conclude by explaining why governments must re-engage in meaningful negotiations to restore certainty, stability, and economic confidence.


Cassels_Isaac_T_2016-07_web Thomas Isaac Chair of Cassels Aboriginal Law Group

Thomas Isaac* is Chair of Cassels Aboriginal Law Group and serves as co-lead of the firm’s National Major Projects Team initiative. A nationally recognized authority in Aboriginal law, Tom advises business and government clients across Canada on Aboriginal legal matters and related regulatory, environmental assessment, negotiations and constitutional issues. Tom has extensive national experience advising energy, oil, gas, pipeline, mining, nuclear, forestry, real estate and transportation companies, and federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous governments and agencies on Aboriginal, regulatory and constitutional matters. He regularly negotiates on behalf of industry and governments concerning impact, benefit, economic development, replacement tenure, and access agreements with Aboriginal groups, and advises on Aboriginal consultation and accommodation processes and agreements. In recognition of his important and significant work in this area, Tom was honoured as one of Canada’s “Top 25 Most Influential” lawyers by Canadian Lawyer magazine in 2018.

Event Details

Virtual (Microsoft Teams)
Feb 24, 2026 10:00 am - 11:00 am PST

Event Registration

Public Attendee List

  • Michelle Allen
  • Paula Struk Jaia
  • Denise Mullen
  • Earl Zacca
  • Eric Vance
  • Bradley Krause
  • Ryan Berlin
  • Joy Demoskoff
  • Will Cleveland