Overview
Gerald (Gerry) Chipeur’s practice has for over 30 years focused primarily on public policy and the removal of administrative red tape. Private sector and public sector clients have relied on him to navigate the rules that regulate business and government.
As a trial and appellate lawyer, Gerry has pleaded cases before administrative tribunals and every level of court in Canada, including over twenty matters before the Supreme Court of Canada. The legal issues Gerry has dealt with are diverse and include: charities, the Constitution, defamation, education, elections, the environment, ethics, First Nations, governance, health, human rights, media, municipalities, natural resources, professional duties and responsibility, privacy, and public safety.
Gerry is a member of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and the International Commission of Jurists. He also serves on the Alberta Review Board and as a commercial arbitrator
His scholarship includes more than 100 articles on topics such as administrative law, charitable organizations, the Constitution, education, the environment, ethics and government integrity, indigenous law, governance, hospitals and healthcare, human rights and public safety.
He chairs the board of directors of several charities with a focus on health and human services.
Professional achievements & leadership
- LL.B. (1984) and LL.M. (1990), University of Alberta Law School
- Past Chair and Co-Chair for 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
- Served as an adjunct professor at Canadian University College (now Burman University), 1993-1997
- Appointed Queen’s Counsel, 2006
- Awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for public service to Canada
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Litigation—Public Law, 2014-2020
Notable matters
Gerry has represented clients in cases addressing a wide range of public policy issues in Canada:
- Charity regulations
- Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Constitution of Canada
- Controverted elections (federal, provincial and municipal)
- Corporate governance
- Defamation
- Education
- Election advertising and campaign finance laws
- Environmental review and assessment
- Euthanasia
- Health care regulatory bodies and professional ethics enforcement
- Hospitals and health care privileges
- Human rights and labour relations
- Indigenous governance
- Media regulation
- Municipal bylaws and administrative decisions
- Provincial and federal jurisdictional disputes
- Public health
- Rail transportation
- The regulation and funding of K-12 schools
- University licensing and regulation
Thought leadership
- Co-author, “Alberta Health Services v Farkas: Balancing the interests of freedom of information and solicitor-client privilege,” Miller Thomson Health Communiqué, May 7, 2020
- Co-author, “COVID-19: The power of the government in a public health emergency,” Miller Thomson Health Communiqué, March 20, 2020
- Co-author, “EY Report on Alberta Health Services,” Miller Thomson Health Communiqué, February 3, 2020
- Presenter, “Legal Issues Relating to Affordable Housing and Homelessness and Municipal Law,” Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch, Municipal Law Section Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, December 3, 2019
- Presenter, “Treaty Right to Healthcare and Jurisdiction Over Healthcare on Reserves – Webcast,” Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch, Administrative Law Section Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, January 10, 2019
- Co-author, “Doing Business With Government,” Business Laws of Canada, Chapter 23, 2019
- Author, “Fair Recognition of Newcomer Qualifications,” Labour and Employment Communiqué, June 25, 2019
- Presenter, “Principles of Termination & Constructive Dismissal,” Human Resources Management for Indigenous Organizations Conference, Edmonton, Alberta, September 19, 2018
- Co-author, “The Courts Erect a Wall,” Miller Thomson Insights Article, June 13, 2018
- Presenter, “Export to Korea: Cultural, Legal and Political Considerations and Opportunities,” Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership Korea Export Seminar, Regina, Saskatchewan, March 23, 2018
- Presenter, “Medical and Recreational Cannabis in the Health Industry,” Miller Thomson Health Law Webinar, December 13, 2017
- Attended Supreme Court of Canada Symposium, October 25-26, 2017
- Author, “Alberta Health and Alberta Doctors Partner to Improve Patient Care,” Miller Thomson Health Communiqué, 2016
- Author, “Changes in the Criminal Code: Employee Rights in a Time of Legal Chaos,” Canadian Labour and Employment Law Blog, January 18, 2016
- Author, “Check List for Legislators: Towards a Canadian Approach to End of Life Choice,” 2016
- Author, “Constitutionality of the Extra-Provincial Application of Securities Law,” Exempt Edge, 2015
- Author, “Physician-assisted Suicide: Drafting Memo for Parliament,” Charter and Human Rights Litagation, 2015
- Author, “Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments in Arizona and Alberta,” Canadian Labour and Employment Law Blog, April 13, 2015
- Author, “Co-operative Federalism Reinforced: Workers’ Compensation Rules Clarified,” Canadian Labour and Employment Law Blog, April 8, 2014
- Author, “First Nations Remuneration Transparency,” Canadian Labour and Employment Law Blog, May 17, 2013
- Author, “Supreme Court of Canada on Adequate Labour Tribunal Reasons,” Canadian Labour and Employment Law Blog, April 1, 2013
- Author, “The Protection of Freedom of Expression is not Just the Responsibility of the Courts,” Miller Thomson Article, 2013
- Author, “Polygamy: The Curious Case Of The Unrequited Reference,” 2013
- Author, “Right to Work Legislation in Parliament,” Canadian Labour and Employment Law Blog, December 11, 2012
- Author, “Parliament acted legally when it passed Bill C-18,” Globe and Mail, January 5, 2012
Corporate directorships
- Chair, Board of Directors, Calgary Homeless Foundation
- Chair, Advisory Committee, School of Public Policy at the University of Alberta
- Chair, Board of Directors, SherwoodCare
- Member, Public Policy Committee, United Way of Calgary and Area
- 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
Bar admissions & education
- Alberta Bar, 1985
- British Columbia Bar, 2018
- LL.M, 1990
- LL.B, 1984
