Emilie N. Lahaie

Partner

 | Vancouver

Emilie Lahaie (she/her/hers) is a partner in the Aboriginal Law Group at Cassels. Emilie works on Aboriginal legal matters related to Indigenous self-governance, resource development and Indigenous rights, Indigenous-Crown relations, regulatory and constitutional issues. In particular, Emilie has developed an expertise in Canadian Metis section 35 rights and governance. She offers extensive experience in administrative law, section 35 rights advocacy, negotiations, civil litigation, human rights advocacy and law reform. Emilie has represented a wide breath of clients in the Aboriginal law space, including Indigenous groups and individuals, provincial governments and project proponents. Thus, she brings a nuanced understanding of the needs of all parties in the Canadian Indigenous legal space to her practice.

Emilie has represented clients at various administrative tribunals, including the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and Ontario Coroner’s Court and in the Residential Schools Independent Process. She has also appeared on matters before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Ontario Court of Appeal, Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2017, Emilie appeared before the Senate Committee for Aboriginal Peoples to testify in regard to the potential impact of Bill S-3.

Prior to joining Cassels, Emilie worked directly with clients from the urban Indigenous community of Toronto through an agency established by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto.

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Aboriginal Law/Indigenous Practice)
  • Canadian Lawyer Magazine, Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers, Nominee (2017)
  • Pro Bono Students Canada, Callwood Fellowship, Nominee (2012)
  • Assisted in the organization and running of a legal summer program for high-school aged Aboriginal youth from across Canada through the University of Toronto – the program introduced youth to basic legal skills, including Aboriginal specific legal issues such as the Duty to Consult
  • Worked with the John Howard Society’s Native Inmate Liaison Office Program to draft a report on C-10 and its effects on Gladue court and create materials for Aboriginal inmates detailing various legal and social services available through the Ontario correctional system
  • J.D., University of Toronto, 2014
  • M.A., Western University, 2011
  • B.Mus., Western University, 2009
  • Ontario, 2015
  • British Columbia, 2018
  • Saskatchewan, 2019
  • Ontario Bar Association, Executive Member, Aboriginal Law Section