Gerry Chipeur advises and serves clients as general and project counsel. Since obtaining his Bachelor of Laws in 1984 and Master of Laws in 1990 from the University of Alberta, Gerry has appeared in the Supreme Court of Canada and in other Canadian courts and administrative tribunals as an advocate on questions of administrative and constitutional law. In particular, he has litigated charity, constitutional, defamation, education, electoral, environmental, first nations, health, human rights, media, municipal, natural resources, privacy and public safety law issues. Most recently, Gerry served as counsel for an intervener in both the Polygamy Reference and Euthanasia actions in the British Columbia Supreme Court.
Private sector and public sector clients also seek his opinion and advice on health law, regulatory, contractual and ethics issues.
Gerry is a Contributing Editor of the Charter and Human Rights Litigation Quarterly and is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the International Commission of Jurists.
His scholarship includes articles on legal topics such as the Constitution, hospitals and healthcare, the environment, education, administrative law, human rights, elections, charitable organizations and public safety.
Gerry serves on the board of directors of a number of charities with a focus on health and the sciences.
Professional Achievements
· Contributing Editor, Charter and Human Rights Litigation Quarterly
· Past Chair and Co-chair to a number of Canadian Bar Association committees, including the national Constitutional and Human Rights Law Section and the Canada for Tomorrow Committee of the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Bar Association
· Member, Federal Judicial Advisory Committee for Alberta, 2006-2008
· Fellow, International Academy for Freedom of Religion and Belief
· Served as an adjunct professor at Canadian University College
· Appointed Queen's Counsel, 2006
Representative Work
Gerry has represented clients in the Supreme Court of Canada on significant matters of public policy in Canada, including:
· University Licensing and Regulation
· Charter Rights and Freedoms
· Provincial and Federal Jurisdictional Disputes
· Human Rights and Labour Relations
· Media Regulations
· Rail Transportation
· Environmental Review and Assessment
· Municipal By-laws and Administrative Decisions
· Charity Regulations
In addition, he has served as counsel in legal actions and appeals addressing:
· Controverted Elections (Federal, Provincial and Municipal)
· Health Care Regulatory Bodies and Professional Ethics Enforcement
· The Regulation and Funding of K-12 Schools
· Hospitals and Health Care Privileges
· The Polygamy Reference
· Euthanasia
· Defamation Law and Hate Speech Rules
· First Nations Governance
· Insurance
· Election Advertising and Campaign Finance Laws
Board Appointments
· Member, Board of Directors, Sherwood Park Care Centre
· Member, Board of Directors, The Gimbel Eye Foundation
· Member, Board of Trustees, Canadian University College, 1985-2001
· Member, Board of Directors, Calgary Distress Centre, 2000-2001
· Member, Advisory Board, Canadian Journal of Clinical Medicine, 1997-2000
· Presiding Officer, Non-profit Private Colleges Foundation, 1996-1999
· Member of the National Council of the Canadian Bar Association, 1995-1998
· Member, Board of Directors, New Home Immigration Service, 1994-1995
· Advisory Member, Board of Directors of the Greater Edmonton Foundation 1992-1994
Industry Expertise
Health
Charities and Not-for-Profit
Education Law
Areas of Focus
Constitutional Litigation
Health Professions Regulation
First Nations Self-Government
Election and Lobbying Law
Education Law
Research Ethics and Regulation
Municipal
News
November 23, 2011, Calgary, The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia released his 357 page decision in the Polygamy Reference on November 23rd following an extensive four month trial. Gerald Chipeur, Q.C., Oleh Ilnyckyj and Jill Wilkie of Miller Thomson represented the intervenor Christian Legal Fellowship which with the Attorneys Generals submitted the prohibition was constitutional. The Court so held.
May 6, 2009, Calgary, Gerald Chipeur, Q.C. appeared on CBC Newsworld to address the impact of the Buy American Clause on Canadian Manufacturers on May 6
March 8, 2007, Toronto, Gerald Chipeur recently addressed the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada at the Charter @ 25 12th Annual Conference on the topic of "Judicial Review and Charter Practices...
Events
June 14, 2011, Gerald Chipeur speaks at the Canadian Projects & Money 2011 in Toronto June 14 - 16, 2011.
May 12, 2011, London, Gerald Chipeur speaks on "Legal Issues in Freedom of Religion and Conscience" at the Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre in association with the Christian Legal Fellowship.
May 11, 2009 - May 12, 2009, Calgary, Gerald Chipeur, Q.C., will speak at the Federated Press Seminar - "Effective Patient Safety Practices" in Calgary on May 11 & 12, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency.
Publications
January 5, 2012, Calgary, Parliament acted legally when it passed Bill C-18