UAlberta Law Alumni, Faculty Played Key Roles In The Case
Chancellor Stollery, Justice Greckol and Justice Lloyd represent just a portion of UAlberta Law graduates who had a role in the case:
Former Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin (LLB '68) was a puisne justice at the time of the case and contributed to the majority decision.
Madam Justice Anne Helen Russell (LLB '63), now retired from the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, found at trial in favour of Vriend's argument that sexual orientation should be read into the Alberta Human Rights Act.
Other esteemed alumni involved include Madam Justice June Ross (LLB '79), Jo-Ann Kolmes (LLB '87) and Victor Leginsky (LLB '82).
Intervenors
Brian Saunders (LLB '75) for the Attorney General of Canada.
Claire Klassen (LB '89) for the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund.
James McGinnis (LLB '83) for the Canadian Bar Association Alberta Branch.
Shirish Chotalia (LLB '86, LLM '91) for the Alberta Civil Liberties Association.
Faculty
Prof. Shannon O'Byrne (LLM '91) co-authored an article with James McGinnis (LLB '83) for the Alberta Law Review entitled "Vriend v. Alberta: Plessy Revisited: Lesbian and Gay Rights in the Province of Alberta," which was cited in the Supreme Court decision.
Former faculty member-turned-Queen's Bench Justice Wayne Renke (LLB '85) also authored an ALR article cited in the CSS case, "Vriend v. Alberta: Discrimination, Burdens of Proof, and Judicial Notice."
Overturned
Justice John McClung (LLB '58) was the Court of Appeal justice who overturned Vriend's victory at the Court of Queen's Bench.
Twenty years may have passed since the Vriend v. Alberta decision, but that doesn't mean it's old news. In fact, judging by the response to Pride or Prejudice: Celebrating LGBTQ2 Rights, the issues surrounding the case are more relevant than ever.
Over 400 people were on campus to attend the sold-out event that marked the inaugural Chancellor's Forum. The evening celebrated the landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, which unanimously held that the lack of protection for discrimination based on sexual orientation in Alberta's human rights legislation was an unconstitutional violation of Charter equality rights.
University of Alberta law alumni and faculty, acting on a pro bono basis, played key roles in the case surrounding Delwin Vriend.
Throughout the event, #Vriend20, the official hashtag for the celebration, trended in Canada.
The event included a moderated panel discussion and a reception.
Three law alumni involved in the case were on the panel - UAlberta Chancellor Doug Stollery ('76 LLB, '80 LLM), QC, co-counsel for Vriend; Justice Sheila Greckol (LLB '75), Alberta Court of Appeal and lead counsel for Vriend, along with and Justice Julie Lloyd (LLB '91), Alberta Provincial Court and Vriend intervenor.
The discussion also included Michael Phair, Chair, University of Alberta Board of Governors, and Kristopher Wells, iSMSS Faculty Director and Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, and was moderated by Edmonton Journal city columnist Paula Simons.
Points of conversation included what the decision meant for trans people, how the case unfolded at different levels of court and work that still needs to be done for the LGBTQ2 community.
"We have to be aware of our history, and we have to fight everyday," said Chancellor Stollery during the discussion.
UAlberta President David Turpin and Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of Alberta Ricardo Miranda provided greetings. Randy Boissonnault, MP for Edmonton Centre and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues, provided greetings via video.
UAlberta Law Dean Paul Paton gave closing remarks.
"I encourage all of you to - in the spirit of this evening - go forward in your support of the LGBTQ2 community as best you can. Your advocacy is crucial as there is much work to be done," he said.
UAlberta community, alongside the Office of the Chancellor and Senate, and its Senators, came together for the planning of this event, including Faculty of Law, Alumni Relations, Human Resource Services, ISMISS, EDI Week and Pride Week. The event was also sponsored by TD Bank Group.
Event Photography: Richard Siemens