Benoît
Amyot

Hotline: 581 217-3065

Benoît has been practicing law for over 25 years developing invaluable expertise in Indigenous affairs and in civil and commercial litigation. His versatility in searching for legal solutions draws from his broad experience working with clients in diverse fields.

In Indigenous affairs, he accompanies many First Nations in their negotiations with government authorities and on matters of economic development and governance. Both before the courts and in negotiations, his approach is innovative and efficient. His expertise is also recognized in matters of specific aboriginal claims where he has successfully concluded important agreements for First Nations.

Assistant: Karine Siméon

Expertise

• Aboriginal and constitutional law (negotiation of constitutional and administrative agreements, First Nation governance, land claims and specific claims)
• Litigation (extraordinary remedies, civil liability)

Education

• UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, Indigenous Summer Course - Indigenous Law: Research, Method and Practice (2019)
• QUÉBEC BAR, École du Barreau du Québec (1996)
• LL.B., Université de Sherbrooke (1995)

Distinctive professional mandates

• Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan v. Gouvernement du Québec et du Canada, 2022 QCCA 1699
• Negotiation of a regional education agreement for 22 Indigenous communities (2022)
• Dominique v. Public Safety Canada,, 2022 CHRT 4
• Negotiation of a reconciliation agreement on the fishing rights of an Indigenous community (2019)
• Negotiation of the Mamu Uitsheutun land agreement between First Nations (2018)
• Innu First Nation of Essipit v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2017 TSCTC 1

Lecturing, conferences, publications

• LAW GAMES – UNIVERSITY COMPETITION, member of the jury for the moot court competition in Aboriginal law (2023)
• Civil Law Faculty - UNIVERSITÉ D'OTTAWA, speaker invited for the Certificate course: "Leadership and conflict management in an indigenous context" (in French) (2023)
• JEUNE BARREAU DU SAGUENAY-LAC-SAINT-JEAN, invited speaker "Aboriginal rights, from yesterday to today" (in French) (2020)
• Lecturer, Atelier national sur les revendications autochtones, Halifax (2018), Ottawa (2017 and 2014), Quebec (2011) and Charlottetown (2010)

Professional experience

• Cain Lamarre, Roberval (since 2002)
• Dunton Rainville, Montreal
• Lecomte Langis, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield

Associations, committees, boards

• ÉDUCALOI – Workshop animation high-school classes (since 2018)
• BARREAU DU QUÉBEC, Bâtonnier, section Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (2015 to 2016) and administrator (2011 to 2017)
• In charge of the 6th World Open Water Swimming Championships of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) (2010) and President of the Traversée internationale du Lac Saint-Jean (2007 to 2008)

Distinctions

• Recognition in BEST LAWYERS in Canada – Aboriginal Law (2023, 2024);
• Nomination in the CANADIAN LEGAL LEXPERT Directory – Aboriginal Law (2023);