About

Hi, I'm Christina Hodgson-Mousseau

I am a Canadian lawyer focused on delivering practical solutions for municipal resilience and sustainability. After working in house at a major Canadian municipality for 7 years, I took an educational leave to complete a Masters in Environmental Law and Global Sustainability at the University of Ottawa.

My research and practice focuses on the systemic and environmental changes affecting and reshaping local government. I believe this work has the potential to influence and improve the sustainability of municipal governance and legal practice across Canada.

My experiences have reinforced my belief that municipalities need proactive, locally-focused strategies to navigate accelerating environmental, financial, and legal risks. Beyond providing legal advice, I have helped shape transformative municipal programs and initiatives, and ensure environmental regulatory compliance. Now as a senior associate at Civic Legal LLP based in Vancouver, I am able to focus on helping municipalities throughout Alberta and British Columbia reduce emerging risks and liabilities, and to act strategically and proactively as the world changes around us.



Retrofit financing, and grant programs

My work drafting legal documents, financing program structure, and operational policy was critical to launching Edmonton's $30 million Clean Energy Improvement Program. I also draft and advise on grant and funding program agreements including environmental programs in brownfield remediation, electric bike rebates, a number of building retrofit programs, and partnership subsidies.

Waste management and reduction project

Early in my career, in partnership with another lawyer I helped to advise the Waste Management renewal program and draft a new Waste Services bylaw to align with the 25-year Waste Management Strategy. Later in my career I was responsible for advising the same client area on their Single Use Item Waste Reduction Strategy and drafting the accompanying Bylaw.

Urban wildlife management projects

In partnership with the University of Alberta, the Park Rangers created a new Urban Coyote policy. With my assistance, they received approval from the provincial government for a high intensity hazing program. Other urban wildlife work has involved advising on the migratory bird protection program, naturalization, and bylaw offences to prevent individuals from feeding and habituating wildlife.

Bylaw drafting and regulation

Much of my practice has involved bylaw drafting and providing advice to City Council's on the impacts of passing those bylaws. Major projects including the Business Licence Bylaw renewal program. Environmental specific bylaw drafting work included bylaw amendments permitting electric bikes and escooters, waste management bylaws, urban wildlife protection bylaws, financing program Charter bylaws, and advising on the environmental impacts of many others.

Emission reduction, and green technology contracts

Municipal emission reduction work has included research on existing municipal authorities, and implementation of municipally-driven programs, but also has included partnerships with emission reduction tech companies and other entities. Individual agreements and involved parties are confidential, but I have been responsible for drafting and reviewing agreements for the installation and maintenance of carbon scrubber technologies and electric vehicle charging stations, and advising on the impacts of community energy projects.

General advising, strategy and governance changes

My municipal practice began with broad experience across the municipal corporation. I have been involved in a number of projects to embed sustainability throughout municipal operations, including advising on climate mitigation and adaptation plans, climate governance, carbon budgets, emergency management strategies, emerging and identified risk registers, regulatory compliance, and continued adherence to standards including ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.