Sandra Gogal has a nationally recognized practice in Aboriginal and environmental law. She has extensive experience advising mining, energy, oil, gas, and engineering companies, lenders, and investors, as well as provincial and federal government agencies, on Aboriginal, regulatory, and hydro-electric and wind power, forestry, and mining project matters.
Sandra has a combined 20 years’ experience in-house with the Government of Ontario, and in private practice advising on resource developments across Canada. She has advised general counsel on matters relating to Aboriginal rights and consultation, environmental assessments, regulatory matters, government relations, and negotiations. She has negotiated several successful commercial arrangements, impact and benefit agreements, and partnerships between industry and First Nations on major Canadian hydro-electric projects and mining projects. Sandra is published and continues to be a frequent presenter on Aboriginal and environmental law to Insight, Canadian Institute, Canada Forum, and the Conference Board of Canada in relation to Aboriginal matters and current legal updates.
In 2013, in anticipation of the new regulatory framework legalizing cannabis, Sandra forged a new Cannabis Industy Group at Miller Thomson and quickly developed an expertise in Cannabis regulatory compliance and licensing. In collaboration with the firm’s team of legal experts, she provides legal and strategic advice to local, national and international companies with respect to developing cannabis operations in Canada. Now recognized as a subject matter expert, she has spoken at a number of North American forums on evolving Cannabis law in Canada.
Sandra has been recognized by her peers in The Best Lawyers in Canada since 2008 for Aboriginal and environmental law. Chambers Global has named her a leading lawyer in Aboriginal law since 2013. She is the Past Chair for the Canadian Bar Association’s Aboriginal Law section and a leader in Aboriginal law at Miller Thomson.
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Professional achievements & leadership
- Chambers Canada ranked lawyer, Aboriginal Law, 2016 – 2019
- The Best Lawyers in Canada – Aboriginal Law, 2006 – 2019
- The Best Lawyers in Canada – Environmental Law, 2006 – 2019
- Lawyer of the Year, The Best Lawyers in Canada – Aboriginal Law, 2015
- Chambers Global ranked lawyer, Aboriginal Law, 2013 – 2018
- The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Aboriginal Law, 2012 – 2018
- Past Branch Vice-President, Atlantic Provinces Arbitration and Mediation Institute Inc.
- Co-Chair, Miller Thomson National Aboriginal Law group
Thought leadership
- SCC Affirms Ontario’s Jurisdiction to “Take Up” Lands in Treaty 3, Aboriginal Law Update, August 2014
- Injunctions Issued Against Companies for Lack of Aboriginal Consultation, Aboriginal Law Update, March 2012
- The Implications of the Decision in Keewatin v. Minister of Natural Resources, The 2012 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada, 2012
- Keewatin v. Minister of Natural Resources 2011 ONSC 4801 – Case Summary, Aboriginal Law Update, August 2011
- New Draft Requirements for Aboriginal Consultation on Renewable Energy Projects, Aboriginal Law Update, August 2011
- Resource Revenue Sharing in the Context of Consultation Requirements, Key Developments in Environmental Law 2008-2009 (Toronto: Canada Law Book), 2009
- The Platinex Decisions – The New Accommodation?, Aboriginal Law Update, September 2007
- Incorporation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the Environmental Assessment Process, EnviroNotes!, Spring 2007
- Aboriginal Impact and Benefit Agreements: Practical Considerations, (2005) 43 Alta. L. Rev. 129, 2005
Professional memberships
- Law Society of Newfoundland
- Law Society of Ontario
- Canadian Bar Association
- Past Chair, Canadian Bar Association, Aboriginal Law Section
- Advisory Board, Counsel on Corporate Aboriginal Relations: Conference Board of Canada
- Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association
- Ontario Mining Association
- Mining Association of Canada
- Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
- Executive Member, Canadian Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Aboriginal and Environmental, Energy and Resource Law Section
Bar admissions & education
- Ontario Bar, 2005
- Newfoundland Bar, 1992
- LL.B., Dalhousie University, 1991
- B.A., Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1988
Miller Thomson earns top rankings in Chambers Canada 2019
Miller Thomson earned a top “Band 1” ranking for two practice areas in the 2019 Chambers Canada Guide. Our Charities and Not-For-Profit group is regarded as being “leaders in the charitable sector,” and praised for their ability to “help find solutions in complex situations.” Our Agribusiness group...
Miller Thomson lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2019
In the just released 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada, 144 Miller Thomson lawyers from across the country have been recognized for their expertise in 47 areas of law. This includes 6 lawyers who were awarded “Lawyer of the Year” in...
Miller Thomson recognized in 2018 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
In the recently released 2018 edition of the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, 90 Miller Thomson lawyers across 35 areas of law have been recognized for their industry-leading advisory expertise. These rankings are the culmination of an extensive annual peer review process...
Miller Thomson ranked in 2018 edition of Chambers Global
Miller Thomson has once again been ranked among leading firms for Labour & Employment in the 2018 edition of Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Business Lawyers. Each year, Chambers & Partners conducts extensive research of legal markets around the world...
Miller Thomson earns top rankings in Chambers Canada 2018
Miller Thomson earned a top Band 1 ranking for two practice areas in the 2018 Chambers Canada Guide. Our Charities and Not-For-Profit group is regarded for “its novel and innovative approach to complex matters arising within the charitable and non-profit market,”...
Miller Thomson recognized in 2017 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
In the recently released 2017 edition of the Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory, 79 Miller Thomson lawyers across 30 areas of law have been recognized for their industry-leading advisory expertise. These latest rankings are the culmination of an extensive annual peer...
Miller Thomson recognized in Chambers Global 2017
Miller Thomson’s national Labour & Employment group has been named in the 2017 edition of Chambers Global, a ranking of the world’s leading lawyers and law firms. Chambers & Partners conducts extensive annual research of legal markets to identify the leading firms...
Miller Thomson receives top honours in 2017 Chambers Canada guide
Thirteen Miller Thomson lawyers and four practice groups are named in the 2017 edition of Chambers Canada. The guide ranks lawyers and law firms in over 40 specialist practice areas across Canada, based on client feedback, peer interviews and an assessment of...
Miller Thomson lawyers recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada 2017
126 Miller Thomson lawyers from across the country and in numerous areas of law have been recognized for their expertise in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada. This result is up from 122 lawyers ranked last year....
Lexpert recognizes 80 Miller Thomson lawyers
Miller Thomson is pleased to announce 80 lawyers across ten of our offices are recognized in the 2016 edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as leading practitioners in their field. Published annually since 1997, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory...
Sandra Gogal chairs “The 2018 Legal and Practical Guide to Consultation with Indigenous Peoples”
Sandra Gogal is the faculty chair at Osgoode Hall Law School’s Professional Development program on the topic of “Legal and Practical Guide to Consultation with Indigenous Peoples”
Sandra Gogal speaks at SME Mining Conference
Sandra Gogal is a presenter at Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration’s conference on Current Trends in Mining Finance.
Sandra Gogal speaks on Fundamentals of Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law
Sandra Gogal is Program Director of the Osgoode Certificate in Fundamentals of Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Law on “The Duty to Consult and Accommodate”.
Sandra Gogal speaks at the 2018 World Medical Cannabis Conference & Expo
Sandra Gogal presents “The Growing International Cannabis Industry: Insights on Canadian and Australian Markets” at the 2018 World Medical Cannabis Conference & Expo. This panel will focus on the budding market landscape in the U.S., Canada and Australia, as well...
Sandra Gogal speaks at Canadian Cannabis business Conference
Sandra Gogal speaks on a legal panel discussing “Compliance, Governance and Excellence: Product Safety and Liability, Risk Mitigation and Protecting IP” at the Canadian Institute’s Canadian Cannabis Business Conference.
Sandra Gogal speaks on Legal and Practical Guide to Consultation with Indigenous Peoples
Sandra Gogal is Program Chair of the 2017 Legal and Practical Guide to Consultation with Indigenous Peoples on “Introduction to Consultation: Who, What and Why”.
Sandra Gogal speaks at Aboriginal Consultation & Engagement conference
Sandra Gogal speaks at the Canadian Institute’s Aboriginal Consultation & Engagement conference in Toronto. She speaks on May 17 on the subject of “Implementing the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act” as well as hosting a workshop on May 18 on the...
Sandra Gogal speaks at the Canadian Mining Symposium
Sandra Gogal will be presenting on “Opportunities with Aboriginal Communities” at the Canadian Mining Symposium in London, England.
Sandra Gogal speaks at the CBA Environment, Energy & Resources Law Summit
Sandra Gogal is presenting on “Recent Developments in the Law and Practice of Aboriginal Consultation” at the CBA Environment, Energy & Resources Law Summit.
Sandra Gogal speaks on Fundamentals of Aboriginal Law
Sandra Gogal is Program Chair of the Osgoode Certificate in Fundamentals of Aboriginal Law on “The Duty to Consult and Accommodate”.
Project Development: Environmental and Indigenous Considerations – Vaughan
Miller Thomson is pleased to invite you to join us for a complimentary seminar, followed by a reception, on September 27, 2017. Presented by lawyers from our Environmental Law, Aboriginal Law and Construction Law Groups, our presentation will cover environmental...
“Market Close” Cocktail – The Cannabis Industry
Please join us for our first informal discussion of the recent capital markets events affecting Canadian listed issuers. Featuring guest speakers from Canaccord Genuity and CannaRoyalty Corp. and Miller Thomson partner Sandra Gogal, a thought leader and frequent speaker on...
Sandra Gogal leads seminars across Canada on the state of the cannabis industry from both a regulatory and commercial perspective
Sandra Gogal will lead a national seminar series in Vancouver, Calgary, Montréal and Toronto throughout the month of April. Notwithstanding the uncertainty in the regulatory environment, entrepreneurs, investors and managers see cannabis as a national opportunity not only for cultivation...
The Shifting Sands of Yukon’s Legal Landscape: Are You Prepared?
Legal certainty is a cornerstone to a healthy investment culture. In the last few years Yukon has seen a significant shift in its legal landscape with the introduction Bill S-6, numerous court challenges and unresolved Aboriginal land claims. There is...
Emerging Issues in Aboriginal Law as it Relates to Resource Development Activities
In recognition of Saskatchewan Mining Week 2014 we are pleased to present a seminar on “Emerging Issues in Aboriginal Law as it Relates to Resource Development Activities.” Our session focuses on understanding the legal risks and trends in case law...
Miller Thomson is hosting a seminar on “Understanding Aboriginal & Environmental Issues in Project Development” on Nov. 26 in Waterloo
Miller Thomson is hosting a seminar on “Understanding Aboriginal & Environmental Issues in Project Development” on Nov. 13 in Vancouver.
Topics on the agenda: Aboriginal Consultation Impact Benefit Agreements Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the Consultation Process Environmental Issues
Breakfast Seminar :
CSA Provides Clarification to Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities
On February 8, 2018, the Canadian Securities Administrators (the “CSA”), the umbrella organization of Canada’s provincial and territorial securities regulators, published CSA Staff Notice 51-352 (Revised) Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities (the “Revised Notice”), which sets out the CSA’s latest...
CSA Provides Clarification to Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities
On February 8, 2018, the Canadian Securities Administrators (the “CSA”), the umbrella organization of Canada’s provincial and territorial securities regulators, published CSA Staff Notice 51-352 (Revised) Issuers with U.S. Marijuana-Related Activities (the “Revised Notice”), which sets out the CSA’s latest...
Ktunaxa Case Summary
The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Ktunaxa Nation v. British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) 2017 SCC 54, last year on November 2. The decision clarifies that religious freedom does not include protection of the...
TSX Clarifies Application of its Requirements to Marijuana Issuers with US Activities
Issuers Deemed in Violation of U.S. Laws Could Face Delisting Review Background On October 16, 2017, the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) issued a staff notice (the “October Notice”), providing guidance on and clarification regarding the application of certain of its...
The Cannabis Act: Highlights of Bill C-45
The federal government introduced the Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) on April 13, 2017 to legalize and regulate the production, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis in Canada. [If/when] the Cannabis Act is passed, adults will be able to legally possess...
SCC Affirms Ontario’s Jurisdiction to “Take Up” Lands in Treaty 3
On July 11, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) released its unanimous decision in Grassy Narrows First Nation v. Ontario (Natural Resources), 2014 SCC 48. The question before the SCC was whether the Province of Ontario or the Federal...
Injunctions Issued Against Companies for Lack of Aboriginal Consultation
Two recent decisions in Ontario and British Columbia provide examples of the courts temporarily restraining commercial development for a lack of adequate consultation with affected Aboriginal groups. Wahgoshig First Nation v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario et...
The Implications of the Decision in Keewatin v. Minister of Natural Resources
The 2012 Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
New Draft Requirements for Aboriginal Consultation on Renewable Energy Projects
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has released a Draft Aboriginal Consultation Guide for preparing a Renewable Energy Approval Application (“Guide”). The Guide lays out the requirements for project proponents to consult with Aboriginal communities in the Renewable Energy Approval...
Keewatin v. Minister of Natural Resources 2011 ONSC 4801 – Case Summary
Introduction In a landmark 300+ page decision, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice held that the government of Ontario does not have the authority to interfere with harvesting rights of the Grassy Narrows First Nation under Treaty 3. Background Grassy...
Green Organic Dutchman completes $132 million IPO
Counsel to the syndicate of agents co-led by Canaccord Genuity Corp. and PI Financial Corp.
Ravencrest closes Alberta Green Biotech acquisition
Counsel to Alberta Green Biotech Inc.
Schedule I bank provides credit facilities to First Nation limited partnership
Counsel to the bank