Benoît Amyot
Lawyer, Partner
Benoît Amyot has been practising law for over 25 years and has developed valuable expertise in Indigenous affairs and civil litigation. Since joining Cain Lamarre in 2002, he has supported numerous Indigenous communities and organizations in their negotiations with government authorities and in economic development and governance cases. Known for his innovative, effective approach, he also has expertise in Indigenous specific claims, having reached major agreements on behalf of First Nations.
Among his more notable cases, Mr. Amyot successfully negotiated with the Government of Canada to establish a regional education agreement for 22 Indigenous communities in 2022, as well as a rights reconciliation agreement on fisheries for a First Nation in 2019. He has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada four times, including in 2024 in Quebec (Attorney General) v. Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan, which clarified the Crown’s obligations to act honourably in negotiations. In addition to his litigation expertise, he is also a guest lecturer on various topics in Indigenous law and has served as a jury member for Indigenous law moot court competitions.
Mr. Amyot holds a Law degree from the Université de Sherbrooke and completed a summer course in Indigenous Customary Law at the University of Victoria in 2019. In addition to his professional activities, he leads Éducaloi workshops in high schools and was Bâtonnier of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean section of the Quebec Bar. He was also president of the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean and the World Open Water Swimming Championships. His outstanding contributions have earned him recognition in the prestigious Best Lawyers in Canada in Aboriginal Law and a nomination in the Canadian Legal Lexpert directory.
Education
2019
- Indigenous Summer Course - Indigenous Law: Research, Method and Practice, University of Victoria
1996
- Barreau du Québec
1995
- Bachelor of Laws, LL.B., Université de Sherbrooke
Teaching, conferences and publications
2025
- Quebec (Attorney General) v. Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan: Negotiation under the honour of the Crown, Recent developments in Indigenous law, Barreau du Québec
2023
- Leadership and conflict management in an Indigenous context, Certificate in Indigenous law, Université d'Ottawa
2020
- Indigenous law, past and present, Continuing education, Jeune Barreau du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean
2018
- Specific Indigenous claims, National workshop on Indigenous claims, National Claims Research Workshop
2015
- Reform of the Quebec Code of Civil Procedure, Superior Court of Québec annual general meeting, National Judicial Institute
Engagements
2025
- Member of the Club Richelieu de Roberval, Social club, Richelieu International (since 2002)
2024
- Mock trial, High school workshops, Éducaloi
2018-2020
- Chair of the Board of Directors, Palliative care home, Fondation du Havre du Lac St-Jean
2015-2016
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Bâtonnier, Barreau du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean
2010
- Head of the World Open Water Swimming Championships, FINA World Championship, Traversée internationale du Lac St-Jean
Mentions
Since 2023
- BEST LAWYERS in Canada
2023
- Canadian Legal expert nomination – Aboriginal Law