Court Cases

Since 1980 Jack Woodward has worked on a number of significant Supreme Court of Canada cases. In this section, you will find a timeline mapping Jack’s legal career and highlighting his most notable cases and related legal work.

2022

Nuchatlaht v. British Columbia

On March 21, 2022, the trial of Nuchatlaht v. British Columbia commenced at the BC Supreme Court in Vancouver, BC.
2020

Fort McKay First Nation v. Prosper Petroleum Ltd

On April 24, 2020 the Alberta Court of Appeal granted Fort McKay First Nation's appeal of the Alberta Energy Regulator's decision to allow Prosper Petroleum Limited's Rigel oil sands project.
2018

Fort McKay First Nation v. HMTQ Alberta

On December 3, 2018 Jack Woodward commenced an action on behalf of Fort McKay First Nation for an injunction to save Moose Lake from industrial development in northern Alberta.

Nuchatlaht files Further Amended Notice of Civil Claim for declaration of Aboriginal Title

Nuchatlaht v British Columbia, 2018 BCSC 796 (CanLII)
2014

Tsilhqot'in Nation v. BC

Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, [2014] 2 SCR 257, 2014 SCC 44 (CanLII) After 25 years of litigation the Supreme Court of Canada made the historic decision to declare Aboriginal Title to a defined tract of land in British Columbia.
2012

Appointed Queen's Counsel
2011

Lameman v. Alberta

Lameman v. Alberta, 2011 ABQB 532 (CanLII) Jack was the solicitor for the plaintiff along with related cases concerning the Alberta tar sands.
2002

Kitkatla Band v. British Columbia

Kitkatla Band v. British Columbia (Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture), [2002] 2 SCR 146, 2002 SCC 31 (CanLII) Solicitor for the appellant.
1999

Westbank First Nation v. British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority.

[1999] 3 SCR 134, 1999 CanLII 655 (SCC). Solicitor for the appellant.
1997

Intervention in Delgamuukw v. The Queen

Delgamuukw v. British Columbia, [1997] 3 SCR 1010, 1997 CanLII 302 (SCC) Solicitor for the intervener Westbank First Nation.

Opetchesaht Indian Band v. Canada

Opetchesaht Indian Band v. Canada, [1997] 2 SCR 119, 1997 CanLII 344 (SCC) Solicitor for the appellants.
1995

Awarded the Dean's Cup

For outstanding service to the University of Victoria Faculty of Law.
1989

Filed Tsilhqot’in Proceedings

This filing started a 25-year legal project which resulted in the Supreme Court of Canada’s Tsilhqot’in decision of June 26, 2014. See time line for further details.
1985

Adjunct Professor of Law at UVic

Jack was an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law from 1985 to 2001.
1984

Meares Island Proceedings

MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. v. Mullin; Martin v. R. in Right of B.C. (1985) 61 B.C.L.R. 145, 1985 CanLII 154 (BC CA), [1985] 3 W.W.R. 577 (B.C.C.A.). Filed the Meares Island proceedings, and was successful in obtaining the historic injunction against logging on Meares Island in March, 1985.
1983

Peters v. British Columbia

Peters v. British Columbia, 1983 CanLII 348 (BC SC) Jack was counsel on the Peters case, the first Canadian aboriginal rights case after the 1982 Constitution came into effect.
1981

First Draft of s. 35 of Constitution Act

Jack prepared the first draft of what would eventually become s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The full history of Jack's involvement is set out in Ian Waddell's political memoir "Take the Torch".
1980

Filed the Northern Pipeline case

Waddell v. Canada (Governor in Council), 1981 CanLII 761 (BC SC) Which challenged the "pre-building" of the Alaska natural gas pipeline based on the export of Alberta natural gas, and was successful on the first stage of the case concerning Justiciability.

Nuu-chah-nulth and Haida Nation Claims filed

Filed comprehensive claims for the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation and the Haida Nation under Canada’s Comprehensive Land Claims Policy.