Lawyer who represented 'Freedom Convoy' organizers appointed to Alberta police review board
Security escort Freedom Corp. counsel Brendan Miller out of the hearing room at the Public Order Emergency Commission, in Ottawa, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A lawyer who previously represented “Freedom Convoy” organizers has been appointed to an Alberta government police review board.
Brendan Miller, based in Calgary, was appointed to the Law Enforcement Review Board on Aug. 27, via a Government of Alberta order in council.
“As my appointment to the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB) is to a quasi-judicial position, it would be inappropriate for me to give a substantive response to your queries,” Miller said in an email when asked for comment about the appointment.
He directed further inquiries to the Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
CTV News asked the minister’s office for comment on Miller’s appointment and his role representing Freedom Corp. during the Public Order Emergency Commission hearings.
“Mr. Miller was appointed to the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB) as the most qualified candidate and brings over a decade of experience as a litigation and appellate lawyer at all levels of Court in Canada as well as numerous tribunals, commissions and boards,” Heather Jenkins, acting press secretary for Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services, said in an emailed statement.
“Alberta’s government is confident that Mr. Miller’s experience and wealth of knowledge will serve as an asset to the LERB.”
Miller represented the core Freedom Convoy organizers at the Public Order Emergency Commission. He was notably asked to leave the meeting room following a tense exchange with the commissioner overseeing the proceedings.
A defamation suit filed against Miller by a lobbying firm due to comments made during the hearing was resolved outside of court last year.
“There are many Albertans who could serve on the Law Enforcement Review Board and help uphold public trust in police,” Alberta NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir said in an emailed statement.
“Danielle Smith has appointed the lawyer for the convoy protest to the board, who was ejected from the Rouleau Commission by security for unruly behaviour. This appears to be yet another attempt to please the far right of the party, and it shows just how far from mainstream Alberta society the UCP has drifted.”
The LERB hears appeals on decisions about police officer complaints and the cancellation of peace officer appointments, according to the province’s website.
With files from CTVNews.ca’s Rachel Aiello and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
'The Woodstock of our generation': Taylor Swift photographer credits email to her connection with the superstar
Taylor Swift has millions of fans worldwide, but Brampton, Ont.'s Jasmeet Sidhu has gotten closer to the musical icon than most.
opinion
opinion Why the new U.S. administration won't have much time for us
In a column for CTVNews.ca, former Conservative Party political advisor and strategist Rudy Husny says that when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau goes to the G-20 summit next week, it will look more like his goodbye tour.
A look at how much mail Canada Post delivers, amid a strike notice
Amid a potential postal worker strike, here’s a look at how many letters and parcels the corporation delivers and how those numbers have changed in the internet age.
'A tremendous inconvenience': Rural communities prepare for potential postal disruptions
The inability to send and receive letter mail won’t be the main pitfall of a service disruption. The biggest concern for rural communities will be parcel delivery. Small communities often rely on online deliveries for items they cannot find locally.
India's 'most wanted terrorist' arrested on gun charges in Canada
One of India's most wanted terrorists has been arrested and charged in connection with a recent alleged shooting in Ontario.
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
What makes walking so great for your health and what else you need to do
Medical experts agree that walking is an easy way to improve physical and mental health, bolster fitness and prevent disease. While it’s not the only sort of exercise people should do, it’s a great first step toward a healthy life.
U.S. Congress hosts second round of UFO hearings
The U.S. government held another UFO hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, the second such hearing in 16 months. This hearing was billed as an attempt by congress to provide a better understanding of what is known about previous sightings of UFOs, also known as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Edmonton
-
'It was total betrayal': Leduc woman finds herself in trouble with law after falling for romance scam
After losing her husband of 30 years to cancer, a man she'd been with since high school, a Leduc-area woman found herself lonely and vulnerable.
-
12-year-old boy charged in stabbing of 11-year-old boy at Edmonton McDonald's
The boy stabbed at a north Edmonton McDonald's last Friday is 11 years old.
-
Police seeking good samaritan from hit-and-run in southeast Edmonton
Police are looking for someone who witnessed a hit-and-run in southeast Edmonton Wednesday morning.
Lethbridge
-
Charges laid in Lethbridge carjacking that saw truck, police cruiser end up in canal
Lethbridge police have charged two people in connection with a weekend carjacking that saw a stolen vehicle driven dangerously throughout the city.
-
Woman wanted by Lethbridge police
Lethbridge police are looking for a woman wanted on outstanding warrants.
-
'Not a re-opening of the budget': Lethbridge SPC prepares for two-day economic update
The current economic conditions and financial position of the City of Lethbridge will be the focus of a two-day economic and finance standing policy committee (SPC) meeting starting Wednesday.
Vancouver
-
2 B.C. Realtors fined $100K apiece for failing to disclose information to clients
Two B.C. real estate agents have been fined a combined total of more than $200,000 for professional misconduct they committed during the sale of a waterfront property on the Sunshine Coast in 2017.
-
B.C. midwives' college issues warnings about 4 unregistered women
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has issued nearly identical warnings about four women, each of whom it says "may be offering midwifery services" without being permitted to do so.
-
Unanimous support from Vancouver councillors to create earthquake risk mitigation strategy
A report presented to city councillors Tuesday details how destructive a mega earthquake could be for Vancouver.
Vancouver Island
-
Push to name new university in Langford, B.C., after John Horgan
A push is on to permanently memorialize B.C.'s former premier, the man known to many as 'John from Langford,' in the Vancouver Island city.
-
B.C. ports to resume operations Thursday
The federal government has ordered operations at B.C.'s ports to resume Thursday, according to the B.C. Maritime Employers Association.
-
Testing confirms B.C. teen infected with Canada's first human case of avian flu
Federal health officials have confirmed that a B.C. teen who is currently in hospital has Canada's first human case of H5N1 avian flu.
Saskatoon
-
Cynthia Block will be Saskatoon's next mayor
Cynthia Block is the 29th mayor of Saskatoon, and the first woman elected to the position in the city's history.
-
Prince Albert elects new mayor after 12 years under Greg Dionne
After 12 years under Greg Dionne, the City of Prince Albert has a new mayor.
-
Assault charge against former Sask. private school employee dropped
A private school employee accused of hitting a seven-year-old student in the head with a relay baton had her assault charge dropped on Wednesday in Saskatoon provincial court.
Regina
-
Chad Bachynski defeats Sandra Masters to become mayor of Regina
Chad Bachynski will be Regina's next mayor, after defeating incumbent Sandra Masters, who was vying for a second term.
-
Here's a look at Regina's projected new city council
Regina's projected new city council will consist of eight new members with more than a handful of outgoing councillors not seeking re-election and two incumbents being defeated Wednesday night.
-
James Murdock elected Mayor of Moose Jaw, 3 new councillors elected
Moose Jaw will have a new mayor with James Murdock being elected on Wednesday night, unseating Clive Tolley with a decisive victory.
Toronto
-
Removing bike lanes on major Toronto streets would cost at least $48 million: city staff
Removing bike lanes on sections of Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue could cost taxpayers at least $48 million.
-
Hamilton police chief releases statement following fatal police-involved shooting, promises 'lines of communication' will remain open
Hamilton’s police chief is looking to set the record straight on several “factual inaccuracies” that he says have been circulating regarding the fatal police-involved shooting of a 43-year-old father of three in the city over the weekend.
-
Police associations call for 'immediate action' on bail reform after Toronto gunfight
Three police associations are calling on the federal government to take “immediate action “on bail reform after officers performing a bail compliance check in Toronto’s west end found themselves in the middle of a gun fight between two groups.
Montreal
-
Montreal man pricked by dirty needle picking up his keys
A Montreal man was pricked by a dirty needle while picking up his keys that had fallen in a pile of leaves.
-
Quebec online ticket reseller sent 26 fines for allegedly hiking prices
Quebec’s crown prosecutors sent online ticket reseller Billets.ca more than two dozen fines for selling concert tickets at a higher price than the seller authorized.
-
Veteran's health transformed by groundbreaking surgery to repair narrowed windpipe
As a military veteran, Lisa Cyr has fought many battles, but one of the hardest has been with her health. A 3D-printed stent has now helped her turn a page in her life.
Atlantic
-
Beetles from B.C. settling in Nova Scotia, taking up the fight to rescue hemlocks
The offspring of beetles imported from British Columbia are ready to take up the fight against an invasive insect that is killing hemlock trees in Nova Scotia.
-
'I can only turn the thermostat down so low': NB Power customers wait for finer details of incoming rate hike
NB Power says customers should have a better idea soon about how much more they’ll be paying on utility bills, following last week’s approval of a nearly 20 per cent increase over two years.
-
Health PEI records blown away by strong winds
Health PEI says strong winds are responsible for the disappearance of a “small amount” of paper records.
Winnipeg
-
'It's great to be a fan in Manitoba': Bombers, Jets success creating excitement throughout Winnipeg
Excitement can be felt throughout Winnipeg these days as both the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been dominating.
-
Manitoba premier shuffles cabinet, creates technology portfolio
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has shuffled his cabinet, adding three fresh faces and creating an Innovation and New Technology department.
-
'Something to look forward to': RoughRiders fan cheering for Bombers in Australia
CFL fans down under are preparing to take in the Grey Cup – Canadian style.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING Trump border czar calls eastern Ontario border crossing an 'extreme' security vulnerability
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's incoming border czar is calling one of Canada's busiest border crossings in eastern Ontario an "extreme vulnerability" for the United States as he intends to crack down on illegal immigration and increase border agents across the U.S.-Canada border.
-
OC Transpo scrapping youth discount fares, increasing seniors passes 120% in 2025 budget
OC Transpo is ending the free ride for 11 and 12-year-olds and will be charging youth and seniors more to board the bus and the O-Train in 2025, as part of a five-per-cent hike in the 2025 City of Ottawa budget.
-
Ottawa taxpayers facing 3.9% tax hike, 5% hike in transit fares in 2025 budget
Ottawa residents are facing a 3.9 per cent property tax increase and a 5 per cent hike in transit fares, as the city of Ottawa "uses a lot of duct tape" to fill a $120 million hole in the 2025 OC Transpo budget.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ontario couple charged in their baby girl's 2022 death
A northern Ontario couple has been charged in the death of their three-month-old baby girl who was found in September 2022 with no vital signs.
-
'Your body, my choice': Attacks on women surge on social media following U.S. election
Sexist and abusive attacks on women, like 'your body, my choice' and 'get back to the kitchen,' have surged across social media since Trump’s reelection.
-
Sudbury firefighters rescue person trapped in school elevator
Sudbury firefighters had to use special equipment to extricate a person trapped inside a local school's elevator on Monday.
Barrie
-
Owner of 8 pups prepared to move if not granted an exemption to township's dog bylaw
An Everett, Ont. woman finds herself in a bit of a dog fight with the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio after being told she has too many puppies.
-
New county police service being assessed in response to rising OPP costs
In response to Ontario Provincial Police costs going way up next year, the County of Simcoe is assessing the feasibility of creating a county police service.
-
Homeowner calls police after unexpected visit from stranger
One Barrie resident was faced with an unexpected surprise after their return home on Tuesday night.
Kitchener
-
Take a look inside Amazon’s new fulfillment centre in Cambridge, Ont.
Amazon says its new fulfillment centre in Cambridge, Ont. is the first-of-its-kind in the country.
-
Toronto teenager charged with first-degree murder in Kitchener, Ont. homicide
A Toronto teen has been charged as part of an investigation into Kitchener, Ont.’s first homicide of 2024.
-
Kitchener, Ont. woman with incurable cancer dies, fight continues to get provincial funding for expensive drug treatment
The family of a young Kitchener woman, who died Sunday from a rare bile duct cancer, is promising her quest to get provincial funding for a drug that helped extend her life will continue.
London
-
Comedians fight for laughs in 'Next Best Comic' to kick off London's Sorry! Comedy Festival
Ten comedians competed on Wednesday night in the finals of the "Next Best Comic" contest.
-
Needleless insulin device being introduced in Canada on World Diabetes Day
“InsuJet [is] the first device to Canada that actually has no needles,” said Daphne Lapenna of Sol-Millennium Medical Ltd. who is introducing the product to Canada on Thursday evening at Banting House.
-
Jury hears police interview with co-accused recorded days after fatal bush party shooting
Testimony at a London courthouse continued Wednesday, as London Police Detective Jim MacLachlan took the stand in the seventeenth day of evidence in the case of the murder of Josue Silva.
Windsor
-
Injured foxes 'will not survive': A cry for help
A Windsor resident is asking for the public’s help to capture two injured foxes roaming in the east end of the city.
-
Body recovered from Detroit River
The LaSalle Police Service has recovered a body from the Detroit River.
-
Is a federal cap on international students bringing relief to Windsor's rental market?
It's been nearly a year since the federal government announced caps on international student permits and a real estate broker and landlord in Windsor said he's seen slight improvements in his ability to match people in need of housing with rental units.
