Kenneth R. "Ken" Peel

A lawyer in Ontario since 1977, with an added call qualification in Saskatchewan in 2021, Kenneth (Ken) Peel has been active nationally across Canada since 1983 in the railway & transportation sector as counsel, advisor and advocate. Formerly having served as General Counsel (Ontario) for CN, a North American Class 1 railway company, he rejoined private practice in January, 1998, & since 2009 has conducted his own practice (KRPLaw.ca). Ken’s advocacy & counsel has continued since then especially in transportation law for shortline and regional railways as well as for public transportation agencies & municipalities, shippers and others dealing with railroads. Ken has helped to secure dispute resolution in injury, property, commercial and shipping cases; and provides advice & leadership in railway regulatory & rights of way issues. Ken has also had experience in matters of indigenous law and claims. He has since 1993 been recognized by the Ontario law professional governing body, the Law Society of Ontario, as a Certified Specialist in Civil Litigation.

Ken Peel has experience in drafting and interpreting transportation & commercial agreements in the rail sector, and in dealing with rail operators and industry representatives, such as in the infrastructure & mining sector. He has dealt with Canadian federal & provincial regulatory agencies in matters of transportation, licensing and safety of railroads, as well as labour and employment, health and safety, constitutional law and human rights. He has also assisted clients with employment disputes, labour injunctions & grievances, and acted as counsel in public (Coroner's) inquests. He has appeared in various arbitration & mediation proceedings, and in all levels of the courts - including appellate matters in Ontario & Saskatchewan and in the Supreme Court of Canada. Ken’s work has also addressed aboriginal claims & consultation issues under Canadian law affecting new development and railway rights of way.

Over the years, Ken has spoken at proceedings of the Assoc. of Transportation Law Professionals [ATLP] of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, & at a Washington DC conference of Railway Age; has presented a survey of railway law & liability issues with the Defence Lawyers Association; once represented the Railway Association of Canada in a SCC leave & intervention proceeding; & for years participated with and presented to the shortline & regional railroad organization ASLRRA. He has co-chaired or presented to various other continuing legal education conferences. He was a long-time member of the Canadian Bar Association, Advocates Society and Toronto Lawyers Association.