Shawn Munro is Co-Head of the firm's Oil & Gas group and the past Co-Head of both the Environmental Law and Indigenous Law practice groups. He advises and represents clients in relation to the regulatory and environmental aspects of oil and gas and electricity developments, including regulatory proceedings for wells, pipelines, batteries, upgraders, plants, power transmission lines, hydroelectric generation and waste facilities.
With over 25 years of experience in the regulatory, environmental and indigenous law practice areas, Shawn has undertaken hearings and secured approvals for numerous major projects, including pipelines and transmission lines, in-situ bitumen developments, sour gas developments and coalbed methane developments.
Shawn deals with environmental assessments before federal and provincial authorities including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Alberta Environment and Parks and the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office. He is experienced with regulatory enforcement, substance release investigations, prosecutions, contaminated site designations, protection orders and commercial due diligence in relation to the environmental matters.
Shawn has assisted clients on negotiated settlements with land interest holders, and with securing rights of entry and participating in surface rights compensation hearings in various provinces.
Shawn also advises on First Nations and Métis issues (including consultation, objections, access and compensation) relating to resource development on traditional lands, reserves and settlements. Examples of First Nations related mandates include addressing objections to major projects, matters of standing, consultation and benefits agreements, and appeals of permits and licenses. In particular, Shawn has advised project proponents on proposed LNG facilities and pipelines on lands subject to indigenous rights and title claims.
Shawn also deals regularly with resource producer disputes such as common carrier, common processor, rateable take, injection schemes, gas and coal, and gas over bitumen.
Shawn represents clients before Alberta tribunals including the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Alberta Energy Regulator, the Environmental Appeals Board, the Natural Resources Conservation Board, the Surface Rights Board, and the Métis Settlements Appeal Tribunal; British Columbia tribunals including the British Columbia Utilities Commission, the Surface Rights Board, and the Oil and Gas Commission; and Federal tribunals including the National Energy Board and the Pipeline Arbitration Committee. As well, Shawn acts on related Court proceedings and Appeals.
Shawn resides on his family's ranching operation west of Calgary.