Garry Laboucan

First Year of Call
2002

Areas of Practice
Aboriginal Law

Description
Garry has practiced law for more than two decades, providing a broad range of legal advice to a multitude of First Nations in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Over that time, he has represented both First Nations and Métis Settlements in Alberta, along with individual indigenous people dealing with infringements upon their rights as sovereign people. He has appeared before all levels of Court in Alberta, the Federal Court, the Indian Claims Commission of Canada, and the Specific Claims Tribunal.

Garry specializes in Aboriginal Law which spans all areas that touch on the lives of indigenous people. He has extensive experience working with First Nations on drafting bylaws, policies, and codes to facilitate good governance, including the preparation of constitutions, membership codes, and election codes.

Garry has extensive experience filing, litigating, negotiating and settling numerous specific claims, including Treaty land entitlement, illegal surrenders, right of way claims, illegal Band account dedications, mismanagement of band capital accounts, along with claims under the treaty for annuities and agricultural benefits.

Garry has assisted Nations with developing businesses and community trusts while also advocating on issues relating to the duty to consult. He maintains a specialized criminal defence practice focused on defending Wildlife Act charges based on Treaty and constitutional laws.

Garry jointly represented five Treaty 8 First Nations in settlement of their Treaty 8 agricultural benefits claim with an approximate value of $350 million. He is currently representing Treaty 6 and Treaty 10 First Nation clients in settlement of their specific claims with a value of over $1.5 billion.