Margot Hurlbert

Biography

I am interested in pursuing justice, a daunting endeavour. I apply my eighteen years of practising law in a diversity of contexts (such as the environment, farming, employment, criminal justice system, human rights claims, family and business) to this endeavour. Ultimately justice is conceptualized, practiced and transformed by people. It is about inequality, oppression, and restorative practice. This is social justice, my research and teaching passion. I research water governance, adapting to climate change, and marginalized people in Canada and South America. I have a B.Admin. (Great Distinction) from the University of Regina, an LL.B. (Osgoode), and an LL.M. (Osgoode) in Constitutional Law with a focus on Aboriginal and environmental issues. I have authored numerous journal articles, book chapters and scholarly papers on a broad range of justice topics but more recently on the subjects of Aboriginal justice, water and climate change adaptation. I co-authored a book entitled “School Law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms” (second edition)(1992) and edited a book, “Pursuing Justice, An introduction to the Study of Justice” in 2010. Her research interests focus on environment, climate change, water and Aboriginal peoples. Prior to embarking on a full time academic career, I practiced law in private practice for 12 years and in corporate practice as the Assistant General Counsel for SaskPower for seven years. My areas of practice included human rights, family, agriculture, criminal and banking law, as well as corporate commercial, privacy, and legislative drafting and policy. A long history of volunteerism in the community include volunteering at the YMCA since 1990, holding various executive positions with the Canadian Bar Association since 1987 (and currently acting as their designate on the board of the Public Legal Education Association), filling various executive positions with SCEP Center, a non-profit organization in Regina since 1997, and being President of the Regina Women’s Network (1996-97).

Research Interest

Water governance, adapting to climate change, and marginalized people in Canada and South America.