Canadian Lawyer InHouse

37 CANADIANLAWYERMAG.COM/INHOUSE MAY 2017 as well as on evaluation/negotiation and implementation of investments. "At the end of the day, the primary focus is about giving First Nations and companies that work with First Nations and their profes- sional advisers access to these tools that will facilitate wealth creation for First Nations, including their ability to work co-operatively and effi ciently together," says Kissack. He says one of benefi ts of the EDIP proj- ect management tools and resources is that First Nations can access professional advis- ers from across the country to work with them in the cloud and on a remote basis. "We're looking forward to more cost- effectively delivering services to First Nations and companies that work with them," he says. "Companies that work with First Nations experience certain challenges when it comes to advancing a project on a timely, cost- effective basis. That was one of the drivers behind the development of the tools EDIP has. We knew that being able to give communities opportunities with their projects was one of those biggest challenges and that's where we decided that this project management delivery platform was one of the key ways we could help them to achieve one of their objectives. When projects slow down, there is a frustration experienced on a lot of different sides. It's not for lack of desire to move it forward but lack of tools and capacity and we're trying to address those capacity needs in First Nations." Kissack's area of expertise is in the area of economic development and indigenous partnerships. He is no stranger to advising First Nations communities on large energy infrastructure projects. He says wealth creation is a focus for many First Nations across the country. "As my colleague John Beaucage, former grand council chief for Union of Ontario In- dians, said years ago, 'There will soon come a time when First Nations won't be focused on their poverty, they will be focused on managing their wealth,' and we see oppor- tunities now for First Nations to build that wealth," says Kissack. "But it's one thing to say they have the opportunities; it's another thing to put tools in their hands to actually realize it. It's much more diffi cult for First Nations than others. We take it for granted they can move forward with opportunities, but they need the tools." There's a desire to do it to move forward, but the question Kissack often gets asked is how? "I think this type of platform puts companies and First Nations in a position to actually realize it and do it," he says. "It's a very exciting time. I love what I do. I've had the privilege of acting for many First Na- tions communities across the country and, at the end of the day, improving the quality of life for community members is the ulti- mate objective and I think this will go a long way in facilitating that." IH We're looking forward to more cost-effectively delivering services to First Nations and companies that work with them. GARY KISSACK, Fogler Rubinoff LLP I n d u s t r y S p o t l i g h t CORPORATE COUNSEL Connect with Find more than 4,100 corporate counsel and over 1,500 organizations along with fresh editorial content, information on deals and links to important resources. Lexpert.ca/ccca Untitled-2 1 2017-04-04 12:01 PM

• Cover