Public Inquiries

Crawley MacKewn Brush LLP has significant expertise in public reviews and inquiries. Our lawyers have advised Commissioners on investigations concerning matters including municipal governance, ethics, public infrastructure procurement and construction, public asset divestiture, and public health emergency responses.

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Overview

Crawley MacKewn Brush LLP advises on a wide range of public inquiries and have been involved in inquiries involving issues ranging from municipal governance and public infrastructure to public health emergency responses. Our expertise covers the entire life of a public inquiry, from the staffing of the Commission team and drafting of the Commission’s rules, through the conduct of the investigation, public hearings, delivery of the Commissioner’s final report and recommendations, and decommissioning the inquiry.

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Public Inquiries Services

Crawley MacKewn Brush LLP has significant expertise in public reviews and inquiries.

Public Inquiries

Public inquiries and reviews are independent investigations conducted into matters of significant public interest. Convened by the municipal, provincial, or federal government, public inquiries are required to investigate the questions posed in their Terms of Reference. These independent commissions generally have an array of statutory powers at their disposal to use in fulfilling their mandate, including the power to compel the production of evidence, and create their own rules, processes, and procedures. While Commissioners do not make civil or criminal findings, or impose fines or penalties, they do issue reports and recommendations arising from their findings. Those reports and recommendations can have wide-ranging influence, results, and consequences.


Our firm has significant expertise in public reviews and inquiries. Our lawyers have advised Commissioners on investigations concerning matters including municipal governance, ethics, public infrastructure procurement and construction, public asset divestiture, and public health emergency responses. We have been integral to the conduct of public inquiries at every step, from the creation of the Commission’s rules, policies and procedures, through the planning and conduct of the investigation including public hearings, to supporting the Commissioners in the release of their final report.

Awards & Recognition

Based on extensive peer and client reviews conducted by Lexpert, Chambers, Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers, CMB is ranked among the top corporate commercial and securities litigation teams in Canada. We commit ourselves to providing concentrated expertise in litigation and are uniquely positioned to provide personalized solutions and resources to each of our clients.

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Representative Work

Public Inquiries:

  • Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions – Commission Counsel in public inquiry with mandate to examine and assess the interference by China, Russia and other foreign states or non-state actors with the Canadian federal electoral process.
  • Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry – Co-lead Commission Counsel in the investigation of the commercial and technical circumstances that led to the breakdowns and derailments of Stage 1 of the Ottawa Light Rail Transit system. Final report made a number of recommendations applicable to complex public infrastructure projects and municipal governance.
  • Town of Collingwood Inquiry – Lead Commission Counsel in a judicial inquiry into the sale of half of the Town’s shares in its local distribution company and the construction of two recreation facilities.
  • Ontario COVID-19 Long-Term Care Commission – co-lead Commission Counsel. Mandate was to investigate the spread of COVID-19 within long-term care homes and to recommend ways to prevent a future problem.