Education and Designations

• Bachelor of Religious Studies, Briercrest College
• Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy, University of Waterloo
• Juris Doctor, University of Western Ontario

Professional Life

Prior to joining WA Lawyers, Derek worked for 10 years managing public interest constitutional litigation for a charitable organization.  He has argued, managed and assisted on numerous cases, interventions and administrative proceedings, including:

• R. v. Comeau, SCC (interprovincial trade)
• R. v. Fleming, SCC (freedom of expression)
• Wall v. Highwood Congregation, SCC (freedom of association)
• R. v. Montague, ONCA (civil forfeiture)
• R. v. Schmidt, ONCA (economic liberty)
• Artisan Ales Consulting Inc. and Alberta, AIT (interprovincial trade)

Select Publications

• “It shouldn’t take a community to raise your kid and why the government won’t do anything about it”, C2C Journal
• “Whatcott: The Redaction of the Taylor Dissent”, CanLII
• “The Evisceration of Liberty in Canadian Courts”, Fraser Institute
• “Civil Forfeiture in Canada”, Canadian Constitution Foundation
• “Vaping and the Law”, Canadian Constitution Foundation

Select Articles

• “Carbon tax ruling has opened up a constitutional Trojan horse”, Western Standard
• “We need more nurses like Carolyn Strom, not fewer”, Saskatoon Star Phoenix
• “If Notley believes in free trade, she’ll lift barriers on craft beer”, Calgary Herald
• “B.C. Health Care Shouldn’t Force Patients To Suffer On Waitlists”, Huffington Post
• “Law being used to silence political speech on Facebook”, Toronto Sun
• “Continuing Ontario’s Campaign Against Vaping Will Cost Lives”, Huffington Post
• “This Could Be Calgary’s Most Expensive Parking Ticket”, Huffington Post
• “Now’s the time to eliminate Canada’s old blasphemy laws”, Toronto Sun
• “Bill C-13: Tories trying again to open door to undue state intrusion”, Toronto Star
• “Infernal trade barriers: Canada’s constitution already guarantees free-trade between the provinces”, Financial Post
• “You want my blood? I want your money”, National Post

Volunteer Work:

• Vice President, Chestermere Regional Community Association (Dec 2019—)
• Director, Chestermere Regional Community Association (Dec 2017—Dec 2019)
• Provincial Director, Wildrose Party Executive Committee (2013-2014)
• Committee Member, United Way Partnership Committee, Chestermere (2013-2014)
• Committee Member, Community Services Advisory Board, Town of Chestermere (2013-2014)

Practice Areas

• Constitutional law
• Civil liberties
• Civil litigation
• Employment law