NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONT. — More than 85 fellows, guest speakers and panellists gathered in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. recently for the 22nd annual conference of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers (CCCL). The theme was the Modern Construction Law Landscape.
The agenda kicked off with the annual meeting of the CCCL Board of Governors, followed by a cocktail reception and formal greeting by president Matthew Alter, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP.
According to a release, conference modules began with a panel discussion titled The Modern Construction Project: How Project-Related Technology is Changing the Industry. The session was moderated by Trish Morrison from Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, and included panellists Francesca Maio, SNC-Lavalin; Bruce Karn, EllisDon; and Lampros Stougiannos, Miller Thomson LLP.
In addition, Bill Kenny from Miller Thomson LLP, led a discussion on the topic of Construction Mediation: Best Practices for a Successful Outcome, with panelists Tom Stipanowich, Pepperdine University; Duncan Glaholt, Glaholt LLP Barristers & Solicitors; John Craig, Bennett Jones LLP; and Christopher O’Connor, Q.C., O’Connor Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Moderator Howard Wise from Goodmans LLP, also led a talk on Construction Practice Case Trends: View from the Bench, with insights from Thomas Cromwell, Canadian jurist and former Puisne Justice on the Supreme Court of Canada; Justice Robert A. Graesser, Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench; and Justice Genevieve Marcotte, Court of Appeal of Quebec.
Cromwell also served as a guest speaker, sharing insights on Dispute Resolution: Better Process Design for Better Access to Justice.
Modules concluded with a discussion on USMCA: Impact on North American Construction Industry, moderated by Olivier Kott with panellists Roberto Hernandez, Comad, SC; Douglas Oles; Helmut Johannsen; and Josh Strub, PNR Railworks Inc.
The third day of the conference showcased Hot Topics in Construction Law, with presentations on Prompt Payment and Adjudication; Insuring the P3 Project; CCDC 30 – the Newly Integrated Project Delivery; The Impact of the Legalization of Cannabis; Risk Management for Cyber Security; Deferred Prosecutions and the New Remediation Agreements; and Legal Issues Arising from the use of BIM on Projects.
The conference wrapped up with a gala dinner and New Fellow Induction Ceremony. Former Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin delivered a thoughtful and engaging keynote presentation on life after the bench.
Chris Armstrong, partner, McLean & Armstrong LLP, West Vancouver; Andrea Lee, Partner, Glaholt LLP, Toronto; and Michael Skene, Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais, Vancouver were inducted as new Fellows of the College.
New appointments included John Murphy, Borden Ladner Gervais as treasurer, Geoff Machum, Q.C., Stewart McKelvey as secretary, and Nicolas Gagnon, Lavery, De Billy, LLP as program coordinator.
Alter, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, also passed the torch to incoming president Kenneth Crofoot, general counsel for Goodmans LLP.
The 23rd annual conference, which will be held May 28 to 31, 2020, will be hosted at St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, N.B.
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