Skip to main content
Charles Willms Vancouver Lawyer

Charles F. Willms *

Counsel Fasken
In ensuring fulfilment of the Crown’s consultation obligations, proponents should be involved in all phases of the process, especially where Indigenous groups raise concerns that should or could be answered by proponents, and may not be addressed adequately by the Crown.
Jurisdiction British Columbia, 1980
Language(s) English
Office(s) Vancouver
Contact
*Law Corporation
Share
  • LinkedIn

Overview

Charles F. (Chuck) Willms has considerable experience in Indigenous, corporate social responsibility (CSR), commercial and constitutional matters.

Chuck’s industry knowledge encompasses the construction, energy, forestry, and mining sectors. Having represented clients at both levels of federal court, Chuck has also appeared before the supreme courts of BC and the Yukon; Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, and BC, Alberta; and Yukon courts of appeal. He has appeared numerous times in the Supreme Court of Canada.

He has extensive experience in alternate dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. He is consistently ranked by top legal publications as one of the best lawyers in Canada for Indigenous law.

 

Achievements

Client Work

  • Site C Litigation, [Case - BC Hydro and Power Authority], Advised BC Hydro & Power Authority on a number of challenges to Site C project approvals.
  • Vancouver International Airport and Musqueam Indian Band sign momentous agreement for shared benefit, [Case - Vancouver Airport Authority]
  • Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala First Nation v. British Columbia (Energy Mines and Natural Gas), 2016 BCCA 163;, [Case - BC Hydro]
  • Voters Taking Action on Climate Change v. British Columbia (Energy and Mines), 2015 BCSC 471, [Case - Texada Quarrying]
  • Site C Indigenous Legal Issues, [Case - BC Hydro and Power Authority]
  • Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44, [Case - Confidential Clients]
  • Haisla Nation v. Bear Creek Contracting Ltd., 2012 BCSC 1912, [Case - Bear Creek Contracting]
  • Allard v. Assessor of Area #24 - Cariboo, 2012 BCSC 1278, [Case - James T. Allard]
  • Whistler (Resort Municipality) v. Whistler Aggregates Ltd., 2012 BCSC 151, [Case - Whistler Aggregates]

Career & Education

Education

  • LLM Harvard Law School, Harvard University
  • LLB, (Gold Medallist) University of Victoria
  • BSc Simon Fraser University

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Former Director, British Columbia Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (BCSSGA)
  • Former Member, BC Roadbuilders and Heavy Duty Construction Association
  • Former Member, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Member of Aboriginal Affairs Committee (PDAC)
  • Former Member, British Columbia Business Council - Aboriginal Affairs Committee
  • Former Member, Law Society of Yukon
  • Former Member, Law Society of Alberta

 

Knowledge

  • Northern Gateway Pipeline – FCA Finds Failure to Fulfill Duty to Consult, 7/14/2016
  • SCC Dismisses Leave in Saik’uz and Uashaunnuat Seeking Private Remedies Prior to Proving Aboriginal Title, 10/16/2015
  • BC Supreme Court Refuses Exemption from Mediation for Aboriginal Fishing Rights Claim, 8/31/2015

Events

News

Publications

  • Canadian Mining Law, 7/31/2014
  • Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, 11/23/2007
  • Supreme Court of Canada Rejects Provincial Ability to Justify Infringements of Treaty Rights: R. v. Morris, 2006 SCC 59, 12/1/2006

Speaking Engagements

  • Aboriginal Program - Revenue Transparency and the Disclosure to Aboriginal Communities: Helpful Tool or Impending Obstacle?, 3/8/2016
  • Aboriginal Forum, 3/7/2016
  • Aboriginal Forum: Sharing experiences and strategies from Canada’s north, 3/2/2015
Aboriginal Program - Revenue Transparency and the Disclosure to Aboriginal Communities: Helpful Tool or Impending Obstacle? PDAC 2016 Convention location location Toronto
Aboriginal Forum PDAC 2016 Convention location location Toronto
Aboriginal Forum: Sharing experiences and strategies from Canada’s north PDAC 2015 Convention location location Toronto

    Subscribe

    Receive email updates from our team

    Subscribe