Key Public Sector Cases Across Canada:
Hansman v Neufeld, 2023 SCC 14
November 6, 2023 | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Eastern
Zoom Meeting
This session will focus on the recent decision of Hansman v. Neufeld, 2023 SCC 14 where, for the very first time, the Supreme Court of Canada addressed the discrimination faced by transgender and non-binary individuals in Canada. Join our upcoming presentation where legal experts will discuss the debate surrounding the balancing exercise of the public interest and the individual rights of self-expression within the context of anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) legislation and the societal impact of this decision.
Moderator
Karen F.W. Liang, Lawyer, City of Vancouver
Speakers
Robyn Trask, General Counsel, British Columbia Teachers’ Federation
Robyn Trask is General Counsel to the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF). She holds a BA and an LLB from the University of BC, and an LLM from the University of London. Robyn has represented the BCTF in labour arbitrations at the Labour Relations Board, Human Rights Tribunal and at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Prior to joining the BCTF, Robyn worked with a Toronto litigation firm and completed her articles with the Canadian Auto Workers' Union. Robyn has also spent time working with legal organizations in Africa. Robyn is the Chair of the CBA Sections Subcommittee, a past chair of the CBA Labour and Employment Law Section and was previously president of the board of directors for West Coast LEAF.
Michael Sobkin, Lawyer, Michael J Sobkin
Michael Sobkin is a graduate of Dalhousie Law School and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1992. Michael started his legal career in Vancouver with the firm Russell & DuMoulin (as it then was) before relocating to Ottawa where he served as a law clerk to Justice Binnie at the Supreme Court of Canada. He regularly assists counsel bring cases before the Supreme Court of Canada and has appeared as counsel many times before that court.
Steven Davis, Lawyer, BC Ministry of Attorney General
Steven Davis is a civil, administrative, and constitutional litigator practicing in Vancouver. Prior to law school, he worked in corporate and commercial finance. He has clerked for two justices of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, acted as commission counsel, and currently works as Legal Counsel with the Ministry of Attorney General.
Chantelle Rajotte, Lawyer, BC Ministry of Attorney General
Chantelle Rajotte is legal counsel with the Ministry of Attorney General, whose practice includes constitutional litigation and administrative law. Prior to joining the Ministry of Attorney General, Chantelle was a partner in a national law firm, practicing primarily in the areas of commercial litigation, class actions, and constitutional law. Chantelle has appeared at all levels of court in British Columbia and before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Adrienne S. Smith, Lawyer, Adrienne Smith Law
Adrienne Smith is a transgender human rights activist and social justice lawyer who was called to the BC Bar in 2014. Adrienne appeared at the BC Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada where they argued about the deleterious effects of mandatory minimum sentences for women, indigenous people, and drug users. As a trade union activist, they advocated for transgender inclusion in our unions and workplaces. They recently argued a BC Human Rights case which clarified employers’ obligations to recognize correct pronouns for transgender and non-binary workers.
Adrienne is the litigation director at the Catherine White Holman Wellness Clinic where they give free legal advice, take on human rights cases, and notarize name and gender change documents for trans people. They hold a double honours BA in English Literature and Geography (2000), a Masters in Human Geography (2005) and a Juris Doctor (2013) all from the University of British Columbia. They held a UBC undergraduate entrance scholarship for four years, and the Geography Alumni Award during their undergraduate degree. Adrienne’s academic achievements were further acknowledged after they received a University Graduate Fellowship and were named the Green College Scholar. Adrienne is the recipient of the Canadian Bar Association BC Diversity Award; the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Branch Nancy Hall Public Policy Leadership Award; the Allard Law Alumni Achievement Award; the Vancouver and District Labour Council Syd Thompson Award for Community Service; and the BC Federation of Labour Joy Langan award for Social Justice. Adrienne was recently awarded the CBA Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance Section (SAGDA) Hero Award for advancing equality for 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Shaun Charles Fluker, Associate Professor of Law, University of Calgary
Shaun Fluker is an Associate Professor of Law and the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Clinic at the University of Calgary. He has appeared as counsel before all levels of court in Alberta, as well as the Federal Court and Supreme Court of Canada. His research examines public participation, transparency, and accountability in resources and environmental decision-making. Professor Fluker has published in a variety of forums and supervises clinical legal work undertaken on related topics before regulatory agencies and courts.
