Chris Evans

Contact Details

Chris Evans

He/Him

Chris joined W&Co. as a Senior Counsel in 2025, where he works for Indigenous peoples across Canada. His practice focuses on Aboriginal, environmental, administrative, and constitutional law, with an emphasis on litigation. Chris’s litigation practice includes Aboriginal title, treaty, and duty to consult cases, challenges to permits issued for resource development projects, and regulatory proceedings for mining, hydroelectricity, energy transmission, oil sands, and pipeline projects. He represents clients in specific claims and in negotiations with government and industry. He advises clients on a broad range of matters, including the Indian Act, lands, governance, environmental, archaeological, and cultural heritage protection, and tort, contract, property, and other private law matters.

Chris holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science and Political Science from McMaster University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Chris is proud to help his clients build a more just relationship with the Canadian state. He loves learning history, working with experts in a wide variety of disciplines, and spending time with elders, land users, and community members.

Memberships

  • Law Society of Ontario (2018)
  • Law Society of British Columbia (2014)

Practice Areas

  • Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
  • Aboriginal Title
  • Consultation and Accommodation
  • Contaminated Sites
  • Election code
  • Employment and Human Rights
  • First Nation Constitutions, Laws & Policy
  • Governance support
  • Impact Benefit Agreements
  • Land Code
  • Land Interests
  • Membership Code
  • Natural Resources
  • Regulatory Processes and Hearings
  • Specific Claims

Selected Presentations & Publications

Attawapiskat First Nation v Ontario, 2022 ONSC 1196 (Div Ct) (challenge to mining exploration in the Ring of Fire)

Ginoogaming First Nation v Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Ontario et al., 2021 ONSC 5866 (injunction against mining exploration in a sacred area)

Saugeen First Nation v The Attorney General of Canada, 2021 ONSC 4181 (Aboriginal title claim to parts of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay)

$104 million settlement of a specific claim about the shortfall in Whitefish River First Nation’s reserve (2020)

Mikisew Cree First Nation v Canada (Governor General in Council), 2018 SCC 40 (claim that Canada has a duty to consult with Indigenous peoples when developing legislation that affects their rights)

Gitxaala Nation v Canada, 2016 FCA 187 (challenge to Canada’s approval of the Northern Gateway Pipeline)

Loke v British Columbia (Minister of Advanced Education), 2015 BCSC 413, 2016 BCSC 259 (challenge to British Columbia’s approval of the Trinity Western University law school)

Co-editor, Aboriginal Law Handbook, 5th ed (Toronto, Carswell, 2018)

“Adjudicating Contested Values: Freedom of Religion and the Oakes Test” (Spring 2013), 10 Journal of Law & Equality 5