VICTORIA – Joseph J. Arvay Q.C. is now lead counsel for the New Democrats' Northern Gateway legal team, announced leader Adrian Dix.

Arvay, who is a partner in the firm of Arvay Finlay, replaces Muarry Rankin, who stepped down from the post when becoming the federal Member of Parliament for Victoria.

“Mr. Arvay is one of the most respected and distinguished legal minds in our province and country. We are very honoured that he has agreed to lead our legal team,” said Dix.

An expert in constitutional, administrative and aboriginal law, Mr. Arvay has, for the last three years, been named by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as a one the top 25 most influential lawyers in the nation. He recently was named Vancouver Lawyer of the Year in the area of public law by the Best Lawyers Magazine.

Arvay also was lead counsel in the challenge against Bill 29.

In April 2012, the New Democrats submitted their reasons for opposing the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline to the National Energy Board's Joint Review Process. If elected to office, the New Democrats will withdraw from the equivalency agreement signed by the current government that relinquished B.C.'s jurisdiction over the pipeline decision.