Biography
David Bursey practises regulatory law, focusing primarily on energy, environmental assessment, water resource management and First Nations law.
Formerly counsel to the National Energy Board, he offers extensive experience with the federal and provincial regulatory approval process with emphasis on energy projects, public utility regulation, environmental reviews and aboriginal rights issues.
David Bursey represents clients before federal and provincial regulatory tribunals, including: the National Energy Board on proceedings involving oil and gas pipelines; the British Columbia Utilities Commission on proceedings involving public utilities; and environmental review panels on major project reviews. He advises clients on regulatory, environmental and aboriginal issues related to their ongoing activities.
David represents clients from the energy and natural resource sectors primarily, including national and provincial industry associations. He also acts for First Nations in relation to their aboriginal rights and resource development. David has acted as counsel to government review panels during the environmental review of major projects. David is also counsel to an airline consortium on energy regulatory issues related to aviation fuel transportation and the national marine oil spill emergency response regime.
David is the co-leader of Bull Housser's Aboriginal Law Group and formerly served on the firm's Executive Committee.
Work Highlights
- Advising Rio Tinto Alcan on its First Nations community relations for its BC Operations.
- Advising Rio Tinto Alcan on the regulatory approvals for its $3.5 billion Kitimat Smelter Modernization and related power supply requirements.
- Representing Rio Tinto Alcan on litigation related to its operations, including an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada related to the Crown's duty to consult on aboriginal rights.
- Advising Vancouver Airport Fuel Facility Corporation on energy regulatory issues and First Nations community relations related to aviation fuel delivery to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). VAFFC is a not-for-profit company owned by a consortium of commercial airlines representing the domestic and international carriers that operate at YVR.
- Advising the Gitxsan Treaty Society on various economic development initiatives, aboriginal rights and title litigation, treaty negotiations, self-government and business development structures.
- Representing Shaw Communications Inc. in a regulatory proceeding before the British Columbia Utilities Commission related to public utility transmission rights of way.
- Representing Corix Utilities Inc. in regulatory proceedings before the British Columbia Utilities Commission related to alternative energy service regulation.
- Advising Columbia Power Corporation on environmental and public utility regulatory matters related to their hydropower projects.
- Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized leading lawyer in the area of Aboriginal Law
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Rated Consistently Recommended in the area of Energy (Electricity and Repeatedly Recommended in the area of Energy (Oil & Gas)
- Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized leading lawyer in the areas of Aborignal Law and Energy Regulatory Law
- LexisNexis - Martindale-Hubbell: BV Peer Review Rated
Recent News
Bull Housser acts for Prince Rupert Port Authority on the proposed Canpotex potash terminal | Nov 9, 2012
Best Lawyers in Canada 2013 - 31 Bull Housser Lawyers Recognized in 29 Practice Areas | Aug 22, 2012
Bull Housser Congratulates the newly re-elected National Chief of the AFN | Jul 18, 2012
David Bursey publishes article in The Vancouver Sun discussing energy choices and their impact on water | Jun 25, 2012