Email: cha[email protected]
Direct: 807-766-7738
Chantelle was called to the Ontario bar in 2002 after completing her Juris Doctor, with specialization in Constitutional and Aboriginal Law, at Robson Hall, University of Manitoba. She further completed her LL.M. in Administrative Law at Osgoode Hall, York University in 2014. As a lifelong advocate for social justice and equity, Chantelle previously worked in youth group homes, women's shelters in both Whitehorse, YT and Selkirk, MB and at the Court Challenges Program of Canada.
Chantelle is a tireless advocate for Indigenous and Human Rights; she was the first legal counsel for the First Nation Child and Family Caring Society on its historic discrimination case regarding the inequitable funding of child welfare services on reserve, successfully brought a s. 15 Charter of Rights case against Canada regarding its restrictions against non-resident First Nation members running for Council, represented the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth in the 7 Fallen Feathers Inquest that resulted in new death investigations for 4 Indigenous youth and 145 recommendations as well as subsequent police service and Board investigations, and has taken a variety of cases successfully through the Ontario and Canadian Human Rights Tribunals.
Municipal and Land Use Planning is the other primary area of Chantelle's practice. She represents numerous municipalities and corporate entities in relation to municipal law, including by-laws and enforcement, service contracts, employment disputes, procedural issues and conflicts of interest. She represents the same clientele in land use planning matters, including minor variances, consents, plans of subdivision, zoning and official plan amendments, aggregate projects, road disputes and more. Chantelle was also a member of the Ontario Municipal Board, now known as the Ontario Land Tribunal, where she adjudicated land use disputes across the province.
As part of her passion for these areas of practice, Chantelle has taught in the Aboriginal Governance Program at Confederation College and as a Constitutional Law tutorial leader at Bora Laskin Law School, consulted for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce on Reconciliation and for a variety of Indigenous organizations regarding legislative changes and self-government initiatives. She is also a frequent presenter at the annual conferences of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, Kenora District Municipal Association, Rainy River District Municipal Association and the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario.
Chantelle joined the Potestio Law team in 2021 with a practice focusing on child welfare reform, Indigenous, Charter and Human Rights, Labour and Employment, Municipal and Land Use Planning and general Administrative Law matters.
