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regional wrap-up A RATIONAL VIEWPOINT D avid Percy says his time as the University of Alberta's first Energy Law & Policy Chair has allowed him to provide a calm, ration- al viewpoint in debates about pub- lic policy that have become polarized. He believes industry and government could use this viewpoint. "It is import- Since taking on the job, he has already given several talks. On July 22, Percy gave a presentation on "Thinking about the oilsands: Framing the issues in research and teaching" to more than 40 American professors of energy, natural resources law, and environmental law at the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Annual Institute in Banff, Alta. Next was a late-September talk on Alberta's oilsands to a more pub- lic audience in Edmonton for an inter- national risk-management association called Gateway to Excellence. Percy is the first full holder of the Energy Law & Policy Chair, which is also the first of its kind in Canada. Dean of U of A's law school from 2002 to 2009, Percy is a highly regarded figure in the energy sector who has worked as an adviser on natural resources law to the government of Canada as well as six provinces and territories. "We are delighted to have a legal mind of Professor Percy's calibre as the inaug- ural holder of this Chair," said David Whelan, managing partner of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's Calgary office, in a press release. The chair is supported through a $1.5- million donation over a 10-year period announced in 2007 by BLG. — DC Pivot draws thousands to free Justice Rocks concert David Percy, the first to hold the University of Alberta's Energy Law & Policy Chair. ant that industry and government get some distance from the issues and be able to see all sides of the debate clear- ly," says Percy. He says he also hopes to focus on energy in all of its forms: solar, wind, etc., and enable the faculty to stay at the forefront of energy law, not just oil-and- gas law. He says he is interested in the law as it relates to surface disturbances, water use, and air quality issues within the oilsands sector. Percy was appointed to the position in January and during his three-year, renew- able appointment, he hopes to communi- cate the results of his research effect- ively to public audiences, government decision-makers, and industry leaders. P ivot Legal Society hosted its third annual Justice Rocks concert Aug. 15 at Strathcona Park in East Vancouver and drew in several thousand spectators during the seven-hour event featuring music and a range of family activities. Pivot's executive director John Richardson said the event accomplishes a number of objectives as the 23 non-profit organizations that participated are "social agents of change and the event provides a new way to engage the community." The booths also allowed many on the city's east side, a mul- ticultural community, the opportunity to meet representatives of non-profit organizations and obtain more information on the organizations and the role they fulfil. Groups that mounted exhibits included: Amnesty International, Pivot, Greenpeace, B.C. Civil Liberties Association, and Ecojustice. Entertainment included live bands and special events such as a skateboard competition while artisan and craft tents were also on site. "It was a very hot day," said Richardson, who said despite the heat, he estimated 1,000 to 2,000 individuals showed up for the event. — JEAN SORENSEN jean_sorensen@telus.net 2011 British Columbia Legal Telephone Directory INCLUDES E-MAIL ADDRESSES A complete, accurate and current listing of information. Also includes Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon. Order your copy today at www.canadalawbook.ca • 1-800-565-6967 A Thomson Reuters business CL banner_BC directory_7x1.indd 1 www. C ANADIAN Law ye rmag.com OC T OBER 2010 11 8/13/10 9:27:30 AM