Daron K. Naffin

Partner

T: 403.298.3668 / E: naffind@bennettjones.com

Calgary

With a practice that is directed towards energy, environmental and regulatory law, municipal planning as well as expropriation and surface rights, Daron Naffin acts for oil and gas companies, municipalities, and utilities.

Clients benefit from his experience with matters involving all aspects of energy facility applications. He is also involved in environmental matters concerned with contaminated sites and Alberta power projects.

Daron appears before the Supreme Court of Canada, all levels of the Alberta courts, the Alberta Energy Regulator, the Alberta Utilities Commission, the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board, the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, the Natural Resources Conservation Board, the BC Energy Regulator, the BC Energy Resource Appeal Tribunal, the BC Surface Rights Board, the Canadian Energy Regulator and various municipal and expropriation tribunals.

Daron is a past president of the Alberta Expropriation Association, is a member of the International Right of Way Association (IRWA), a member of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) and sat on the Disciplinary Hearing Panel Roster for the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA).

Select Experience

Daron's experience includes appearances before the Alberta Energy Regulator, the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, the Natural Resources Conservation Board, the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board, Alberta Environment and Parks, municipal boards, all levels of Alberta courts and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Alberta Energy Regulator
- Facility approval proceedings for sweet and sour facilities, with particular experience with sour gas infrastructure adjacent to urban areas and along Alberta's Eastern slopes
- Facility approvals for major Alberta pipeline projects
- Facility approval proceedings relating to coalbed methane development in Alberta
- SAGD oil sands development projects in Fort McMurray and Peace River areas
- Oil Sands upgrader projects in Ft. Saskatchewan and Northern Alberta
- Reclamation issues and related appeals
- Matters associated with hydraulic fracturing
- Rateable Take/Common Carrier/Common Processor Proceedings
- Waste Disposal Proceedings
- Regulatory Appeal Proceedings
- Enforcement proceedings
Alberta Utilities Commission
- Solar generation facility proceedings
Surface Rights Tribunals
- Alberta Land and Property Rights Tribunal and related appeal proceedings to Court of King's Bench respecting right of entry and compensation
- BC Surface Rights Board respecting right of entry, rental review and other arbitrations in NE British Columbia
- Manitoba Surface Rights Board regarding Right of Entry and compensation proceedings
Natural Resources Conservation Board
- Sulphur forming and shipping facility approval proceedings
- Enforcement proceedings
Alberta Environmental Appeals Board
- Contaminated site designations, environmental protection orders, enforcement orders and environmental prosecutions
- Water/wetland issues and related approvals
- Reclamation issues/appeals
BC Energy Regulator/BC Energy Resource Appeal Tribunal
- Approvals/licenses associated with major pipeline infrastructure and related appeal proceedings
Expropriation
- Significant expropriation experience before Inquiry Hearings and the land and Property Rights Tribunal involving lands/interests across Alberta
- Urban expropriations related to energy, flood prevention/mitigation, mass transit (LRT and BRT) and road projects
- Rural expropriations related to water diversion and road projects
- Judicial reviews of expropriation decisions
Municipal Boards
- Various Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) and Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) hearings in several Alberta Municipalities
- Appeals of municipal matters to the Alberta Court of Appeal
Supreme Court of Canada
- Utility rates matter relating to property division between ratepayers and utility company shareholders

Recent Recognitions

Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory

Consistently Recommended, Energy (Oil & Gas)
Repeatedly Recommended, Environmental Law
Lexpert/Report on Business Special Edition - Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers

Recognized as a leading lawyer in energy in Canada
The Legal 500 Canada

Recommended Energy - Oil and Gas

Recent Insights, News & Events

42 Lawyers Recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining 2024
Announcements / September 09, 2024
42 Bennett Jones lawyers have been recognized for their legal expertise in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining 2024. This issue highlights the latest industry developments, trends and legal issues including how the demand for critical minerals, ESG accountability and Indigenous consultation is reshaping dealmaking.
AER Denies Developer's Request to Share Pipeline Crossing Costs
Blog / July 24, 2024
In a recent decision made pursuant to section 33 of the Pipeline Act, the Alberta Energy Regulator rejected an application filed by Qualico Developments West Ltd. (Qualico) seeking orders requiring Pembina Pipeline Corporation and Plains Midstream Canada ULC to share in the cost of the work required for Qualico to construct an arterial road across two existing pipelines in connection with a residential development being pursued by Qualico in the Edmonton area.
Bennett Jones Honoured with Friends of CALEP Award
Announcements / April 25, 2024
Bennett Jones is proud to have been awarded the Friends of CALEP Award for a third time for contributions to the Canadian Association of Land and Energy Professionals (CALEP). This award recognizes non-financial support provided to the Association. Honoured to accept the award were Daron Naffin (A CALEP member) and Tim Myers.
Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Announces Launch of Partial Reclamation Pilot Project
Blog / December 20, 2023
On December 14, 2023, Alberta's Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, announced the launch of two new pilot projects aimed at improving and expediting the well site reclamation process in the province.
52 Lawyers Recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Energy 2023
Announcements / September 25, 2023
52 Bennett Jones lawyers have been recognized for their legal expertise in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy 2023. This issue highlights the latest industry developments, trends and legal issues including oil and gas, renewables, environmental regulation and Indigenous consultation.
Summary of Bill 206 and Proposed Amendments to the Responsible Energy Development Act
Blog / September 02, 2021
Bill 206, Property Rights Statutes Amendments Act, 2020, 2nd Sess, 30th Leg, Alberta, 2020 (Bill 206) is a private member's bill currently at second reading in the Alberta Legislature. It includes amendments to Alberta's Responsible Energy Development Act (REDA) to require the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) to provide notice and procedural rights to those who could be directly and adversely affected by its decision on an application.
Bill 48 Proposes to Create Single Land and Property Rights Tribunal in Alberta
Blog / November 24, 2020
A key goal of Alberta's Recovery Plan is to create jobs and drive Alberta's economy forward. In this regard, the Government of Alberta has implemented several measures in an effort to reduce the red tape associated with regulatory tribunals and the processes they administer.
Bennett Jones Leads Canada in Energy Law
Announcements / October 26, 2020
Bennett Jones has 52 lawyers ranked in Lexpert's Special Edition: Energy 2020—more than any other law firm in Canada. Ranked lawyers provide services in oil & gas, electricity, alternative and nuclear energy. Bennett Jones has been intimately involved in virtually every major energy development project in Canada in the past 20 years, representing project proponents, investors and other stakeholders.
Bill 22 Proposes Changes to Surface Rights Act to Reduce Red Tape
Blog / June 19, 2020
On June 11, 2020, the Honourable Grant Hunter, the Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction, introduced Bill 22: Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2020. Mr. Hunter noted Bill 22 "recommends 14 legislative changes across six ministries," including amendments to the Surface Rights Act. The following provides a brief overview of the changes to the Surface Rights Act as well considerations for operators arising from same.
Bennett Jones' Leading Lawyers in Chambers Canada 2020
Announcements / September 19, 2019
Bennett Jones has been recognized as one of Canada’s leading law firms with over 100 recognized practitioners nationally in Chambers Canada 2020. Here are a few things clients have said: “The [...]
Bennett Jones Leads Canada in Energy Law
Announcements / September 02, 2019
Bennett Jones has 49 lawyers ranked in Lexpert’s 2019 Special Edition—Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers, more than any other firm. The rankings appear in the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine.
Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents Annual Conference
Speaking Engagements / June 20, 2019
Daron Naffin speaks on "Recent Developments In Regulatory & Surface Rights Law" at the Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents (AASLA) Annual Conference in Red Deer, AB.
Operators May Reduce Annual Compensation Under Surface Lease Agreements
Blog / June 03, 2019
On March 19, 2019, the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench (ABQB) ruled in Karve Energy Inc. v Drylander Ranch Ltd., 2019 ABQB 298 that the Surface Rights Board (Board) does not have the authority to interfere [...]
Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen Course
Speaking Engagements / May 21, 2019
Daron Naffin teaches “Advanced Surface Rights/How To Prepare For A Surface Rights Board Hearing” for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL).
CAPL Presentation
Speaking Engagements / September 19, 2017
Daron Naffin participates in a Surface Rights Board panel discussion presented by CAPL.
CAPL Course - Preparing for an SRB Hearing
Speaking Engagements / September 18, 2017
Daron Naffin is an instructor for the CAPL Course, "Preparing for an SRB Hearing".
Mount Royal University Surface Rights Course
Speaking Engagements / May 24, 2017
Daron Naffin is an instructor at the Surface Rights Course at Mount Royal University in Calgary, AB.
Darron Naffin on Expropriation and the Southeast LRT in Calgary
In The News / February 11, 2016
Darron Naffin comments on the legal aspects of potential expropriation of properties along the planned route of the Green Line Southeast LRT in Calgary on 660 News Radio.
Expropriation in Calgary: The Southeast LRT is Coming
Blog / February 03, 2016
The City of Calgary has identified portions or all of several dozen residential and commercial properties it may need to expropriate along the planned route of the Green Line Southeast LRT. Councillors [...]
B.C. Surface Rights Board Reduces Rent Payable After Landowners Fail to Prove Loss
Blog / September 24, 2014
In the recent decision of the B.C. Surface Rights Board in Encana Corporation v Perry Burl Piper and Leslie Lancelot Dowd, the Board awarded compensation to landowners less than the amount previously [...]
Are You Done Yet? Compensation for Impacts of Public Works in Alberta
Blog / August 26, 2014
During the recent resurfacing of Bow Trail there was a message posted on a pylon sign by an adjacent business owner that read "Bow Trail is not Rome. Please Complete" (see "Road Construction Delays Cause [...]
B.C. Supreme Court Sets Aside B.C. Surface Rights Board Rent Review
Blog / June 11, 2014
In reasons released on May 30, 2014, the B.C. Supreme Court set aside the B.C. Surface Rights Board's compensation award to a landowner in northern B.C. and remitted the case back to the Board for reconsideration: [...]
Daron Naffin Appointed to Real Estate Council of Alberta Hearing Panel Roster
Announcements / August 14, 2013
On July 24, 2013, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) appointed Daron Naffin to the RECA Hearing Panel Roster. The three-year term is effective November 1, 2013.
2013 Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents Seminar
Speaking Engagements / June 06, 2013
Daron Naffin and Brad Gilmour present on the REDA (Superboard Legislation) and its impact on land and facility related issues as well as on First Nations issues at the 2013 Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents Educational Seminar and Annual General Meeting at the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel in Red Deer, AB.
2013 Appraisal Institute of Canada
Speaking Engagements / June 06, 2013
At the Westin Hotel in Calgary, Daron Naffin presents "Preparation for and Appearances at Surface Rights/Expropriation Tribunals in Western Canada" at the 2013 AIC Annual Conference.
International Right of Way Association Presentation
Speaking Engagements / February 27, 2012
Daron Naffin presents, "Recent Developments Before the Alberta Surface Rights Board," to the International Right of Way Association.
33rd Annual Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen Conference
Speaking Engagements / September 25, 2011
At the 33rd Annual Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) Conference in Québec City, Daron Naffin participates in the panel discussion, "Surface Regulations in Canada."
2010 Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents Annual Seminar
Speaking Engagements / June 10, 2010
Daron Naffin moderates the Leaders' Debate, featuring Energy Minister Ron Liepert, Wildrose Alliance Leader Danielle Smith and Liberal Leader David Swann, at the annual seminar of the Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents.
2009 Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents Annual Seminar
Speaking Engagements / June 11, 2009
Daron Naffin moderates the panel discussion, "Annual Compensation - Alberta Pipelines," for the Alberta Association of Surface Land Agents.
Alberta Expropriation Association Presentation
Speaking Engagements / September 21, 2007
For the Alberta Expropriation Association, Daron Naffin presents, "Duelling Lawyers - How to Improve Your Surface Rights Experience."
3rd Annual Farm and Ranch Law Institute Conference
Speaking Engagements / February 24, 2007
Daron Naffin presents, "Recent Developments at the Surface Rights Board - Pipelines," at the Law Society of Alberta's 3rd Annual Farm and Ranch Law Institute Conference.
Bennett Jones Welcomes Daron K. Naffin to the Firm
Announcements / April 25, 2006
Daron Naffin is an associate in the Regulatory/Environmental Department in Calgary. His practice focuses on energy, environmental and regulatory law, municipal planning as well as expropriation and surface rights.