The University of Alberta Faculty of Law is saddened to announce the passing of former Acting Dean and Professor Emeritus Frederick (Fred) Laux, Q.C. Prof. Laux (BA, LLB, Alberta; LLM, Harvard) was one of Canada's leading experts in the field of land use planning. He had a distinguished legal career for more than five decades. His text, Planning Law and Practice in Alberta, remains the leading resource for legal professionals in the area.
Prof. Laux joined the Faculty of Law in 1968, teaching in the areas of administrative law, municipal law, and land use planning. He contributed significantly to the Faculty and to the University, serving on or chairing, numerous committees. He appeared before the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench in many important planning and administrative law cases, and his work was frequently cited by all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2002, Prof. Laux received the Distinguished Service Award from the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association for his service to the community and to the profession in legal scholarship. Shortly before his retirement, he joined the Edmonton firm of Shores Jardine LLP as legal counsel.
Throughout his career, Prof. Laux contributed extensively to the field of land use and planning law by spearheading legal reform, drafting legislation, designing curricula, delivering courses, and providing expert evidence. He researched and wrote on a diverse number of topics, including liability issues for planning authorities, zoning laws, the regulation of hazardous and environmentally sensitive lands, wills as instruments of subdivision, and the use of bonuses and tax exemptions to entice private development. He also provided legal counsel to the private sector and all levels of government, including the Government of Alberta's review of the Provincial Court (Criminal Division), the City of Edmonton's tribunal to review executive committee systems, and as a member of the Mayor's "Open for Business" task force. Prof. Laux was the principal negotiator and draftsperson of the unique federal/provincial agreement that led to the incorporation of the town of Banff within the National Park.
A celebration of Fred's life will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Old Timers Cabin in Edmonton. His obituary can be found on the Edmonton Journal website. At the family's request, donations in his memory can be made to the University of Alberta Hospital's Division of Neurosurgery.