Overview

### Bio
Matthew Sherrard is a partner in Gowling WLG's Indigenous Law practice in Montréal. He provides strategic advice on a range of matters relating to health and social services, local and regional governance, public security, as well as commercial and financial matters.
Matthew works closely with Indigenous clients on negotiations with provincial and federal governments, nation-to-nation agreements, strategic relations, board governance, policies and legislative drafting.
He has also advised extensively on renewable energy projects, including with respect to environmental matters, power purchase and impact and benefit agreements, and Indigenous consultation.
Previously, Matthew worked at an international law firm in Montréal, as well as at a major firm in Atlantic Canada. He also clerked with a senior judge at the Federal Court of Canada.
Prior to his legal career, Matthew was responsible for overseeing and leading international, intercultural exchange projects across the world, and was also involved in a World Bank project in India.
Matthew practises law in English and French, and also speaks Spanish.
### Career & education
#### Education
2006
Dalhousie University, LLB
1999
University of King's College/Dalhousie University, combined BA (Hons.), international development and contemporary studies
#### Languages
English
French
Spanish
##### Memberships
- Canadian Bar Association
- Nova Scotia Barristers' Society (non-practising member)
### Publications & speaking engagements
##### Articles
- "Hydro Québec issues RFP for 6 MW of wind energy," Gowlings, October 2015
- "Developing and Financing Wind Projects in Canada: Aboriginal Considerations," Gowlings, May 2014
- "Québec Issues Call for Tenders to Procure 450 MW of Wind Energy Capacity," Gowlings, January 2014
- "Québec Wind Tender Moving Forward: Québec Confirms Call for Tenders by December 31, 2013 to Procure 450 MW of Wind Energy Capacity," Gowlings, November 2013
- "Public Consultation on Energy Issues in Québec," Gowlings, August 2013
- "Québec Advances in Procurement of Additional Wind Energy," Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP *Energy Law Review*, August 2013
- "Québec Announces Procurement of 800 MW of Wind Energy," Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP *Energy Law Review*, May 2013
- "Québec Announces Procurement of 700 MW of Wind Energy," Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP *Energy Law Review*, July 2012
- "Quebec Launches Solar Pilot Program", Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP Energy Law Review
- Contributor to Gowlings' "Solar Energy in Canada: A primer on legal and business issues", March 2012
- Contributor to Gowlings' "Wind Energy Law: A primer on global legal and business issues", September 2011
- "Aboriginal Involvement Key to Wind Project Acceptance," *North American Windpower*, March 2013
- "The Big Chill?: Contextual Judgment after *R. v. Hamilton,*" co-authored with Professor Richard Devlin and published in the *Dalhousie Law Journal*, 2005
##### Presentations
- "Developing and Financing Wind Projects in Canada: Aboriginal Considerations," poster presentation, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) conference, 2014
- Aboriginal Siting Considerations: Due Diligence, poster presentation, Canadian Wind Energy Association conference (CanWEA), 2014
- "Due diligence of Aboriginal rights for mining projects" Insight, Mining Forum, May 29, 2012
- "Available remedies for violation of proven or non proven rights", Insight, Aboriginal Forum on natural resource and land management (with Jean-Sébastien Clément), September 29, 2011
- Lectured on Aboriginal law and energy matters at the University of Windsor and HEC Montréal, in addition to speaking at conferences on these topics

Practice Areas

• Aboriginal Law
• Estates & Trusts
• Administrative Law
• Natural Resources & Energy
• Constitutional Law

Bar Information

Called to the bar: 2007 (NS); 2008 (ON); 2008 (QC)

Professional Details