Senior research fellow, CIGI
Risa Schwartz is a senior research fellow at CIGI with the International Law Research Program. In this role, Risa undertakes an in-depth examination on whether international environmental agreements have the potential to trigger the duty to consult and accommodate with Aboriginal people and what this would mean for policy makers in Canada and beyond. An accomplished lawyer with expertise in environmental, Aboriginal and international law, Risa possesses demonstrated skills in strategic problem solving, international and intergovernmental negotiations and the development and implementation of policy into law. Prior to joining CIGI, Risa worked for the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General as counsel to the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and, prior to that, as counsel to the Ministry of the Environment (now MOECC). In addition to her experience with consultation and negotiation in Ontario, Risa also served as the legal officer, Trade and Environment Division at the World Trade Organization in Geneva from 1998 to 2000. Risa has a bachelor of laws from Osgoode Hall Law School and a master of laws in environmental and international law from the London School of Economics.
As the U.S. Army sides with the Sioux and allies, halting the construction of the controversial Dakota Access pipeline, the decision has implications for Canada and the world.
