Look up in a dense pine forest
Look up in a dense pine forest
Look up in a dense pine forest

The forest products industry is one of Canada’s most venerable, generating more than 10% of the country’s manufacturing gross domestic product and employing nearly a quarter-million Canadians. Heavily regulated and facing increasingly complex challenges and regulatory environments, the forest products industry and the pulp and paper sector are challenged at home and abroad. Global competitors, higher costs, Indigenous claims and strict environmental regulations are all converging to make the landscape increasingly difficult to navigate. Forestry businesses, resolute about creating greater value turn to McMillan LLP for advice on how to remain in compliance with forest policy and law, while remaining economically and environmentally sustainable.

McMillan’s Forest Products Industry Group has represented the complete range of clients for more than 70 years. Our clients include integrated forest products companies, value-added secondary manufacturers, harvesting and silviculture contractors, timber landowners, investors and underwriters. The work we undertake for our clients encompasses operational, transactional and regulatory matters that are vital to their competitive success. Our deep experience with forest law allows us to help our clients focus on growth and innovation while feeling secure in the knowledge that their legal, regulatory and transactional needs are in capable hands.

Our Forest Products team is widely recognized as one of the best in the country and is seamlessly supported by experts from other McMillan practice areas, such as the Employment and Labour Relations, Tax, Litigation, Energy, Competition and Trade, Mergers and Acquisitions, Capital Markets, Financial Services, Real Estate and Indigenous Law groups.

Our forestry lawyers know what it takes to help forest product, and pulp and paper companies remain profitable while adapting to ongoing challenges posed by environmental and regulatory regimes. Using our astute knowledge of forest policy and law, we advise forest products and pulp and paper companies on all aspects of their ongoing operations, including contractual arrangements and day-to-day regulatory compliance issues. We also serve as legal counsel for financing initiatives, including acquisitions, divestitures, public and private debt and equity financings, and securities offerings.

Primary Contacts

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Sandra M. Knowler

Partner, Business Law | Mergers & Acquisitions

Tom Theodorakis

Partner, Business Law | Forest Products | Mining

Joanna Dawson

Partner, Business Law | Mergers & Acquisitions

News

Insights (10 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

The Latest Risk to the BC Natural Resource Sector: Government Uses Little Known Law to Freeze Mining Rights Unless First Nations Consent

BC's government has issued unprecedented orders, to prohibit mining activity in certain areas, unless First Nations consent.

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Mar 11, 2024
Featured Insight

Two-Year Anniversary of Russia’s Illegal Invasion of Ukraine: New Sanctions Designations and Expansion of Export Prohibitions

To coincide with the two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Canada announced new sanctions and financial reporting obligations.

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Feb 28, 2024
Featured Insight

BC Government Consulting on New Law to Give Indigenous Groups Control over Crown Land Decisions

The Government of BC is seeking to amend the Land Act to provide decision making power over Crown land to Indigenous groups.

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Jan 24, 2024
Featured Insight

SEC Approves NYSE and NASDAQ Clawback Listing Standards – Assessing the Implications for Canadian Foreign Private Issuers

On June 9, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved the clawback listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

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Aug 2, 2023
Featured Insight

ESG Not Just ESG

This bulletin discusses the push for the inclusion of Indigenous considerations in ESG practices which could lead to the addition of "I" (ESGI).

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Jul 25, 2023
Featured Insight

Net Benefit Reviews Under the Investment Canada Act – Some Practical Thoughts

Glencore plc’s recent approaches to the shareholders of Teck Resources has once again brought the Investment Canada Act into the spotlight.

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Jun 6, 2023
Featured Insight

Don’t Wing It – Implications for Project Proponents under Canada’s Species at Risk Act

This bulletin discusses the application of the Species at Risk Act, a federal environmental statute whose potential impact on private parties is overlooked.

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May 31, 2023
Featured Insight

New Mandatory Reporting Requirement for Businesses: Canada’s Modern Anti-Slavery Bill Becomes Law

Canada imposes new reporting obligations on forced labour, and what it means for Canadian businesses.

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May 3, 2023
Featured Insight

Budget Foreshadows Significant Changes to Federal Transportation Regulation

On March 28th, the Government of Canada tabled its 2023 Budget, which foreshadows significant proposed changes to the federal transportation regulatory regime.

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Apr 12, 2023
Featured Insight

Québec Industrial Establishments Face Substantial Increase To Environmental Discharge Fees

This bulletin provides an overview of certain regulatory amendments that would increase fees for Québec industrial establishments.

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Mar 15, 2023