Matthew James McPherson

Matt McPherson is a Partner at OKT. Matt advises First Nation governments and organizations across the country on Aboriginal and treaty rights claims and negotiations, resource development agreements, and environmental regulatory processes.

He frequently advises clients on a wide range of issues related to the protection of section 35 rights, including consultation and accommodation and resource development agreements. He has particular experience in matters related to the protection of fisheries and water. He advises on a wide variety of environmental matters, and appears before environmental and regulatory tribunals to protect the rights and interest of First Nations.

Matt also advises clients on Indigenous Data Sovereignty and data protection, including governance issues and the negotiation of agreements to protect cultural resources, Indigenous knowledge systems, and First Nations’ data resources.

He received his LL.B from the University of Victoria, and an MBA from York University, and he clerked at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Matt worked for an international advertising and strategy company.

Matt is the co-editor of the 5th edition of the widely-used Aboriginal Law Handbook. He is recognized in the field of Aboriginal Law by the Lexpert Directory and in the practice area of Aboriginal Law / Indigenous Practice by The Best Lawyers in Canada .

On Tuesday, the Ontario government passed the Omnibus COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020 (aka Bill 197) which makes significant changes to Ontario’s environmental assessment (EA) process. How exactly these changes…