About

Christine E. Silverberg, M.A., APR, LL.B., LL.D. (h.c.)
Chief of Police (Ret'd)

ABOUT CHRISTINE

I am an accomplished lawyer and former chief executive who has built distinguished careers in both public safety and law. Although I started my professional career in Corrections, I turned to Policing in 1972, holding increasingly senior roles in both Ontario and Alberta and serving as the Chief of Police in Calgary from 1995 to 2000. Upon retiring from policing in 2000, I immediately began my education and career in law. Since then, I have been a partner in one of Canada’s premier national law firms and also practiced for several years at Wolch deWit Silverberg & Watts. In 2015, I launched my independent firm of SilverbergLegal.

I currently manage a diverse litigation, regulatory and advocacy practice, shaped by extensive experience in high profile public sector agencies. I bring a unique background and combination of experience and education to all my clients. I have spent my entire career, in both policing and law, dedicated to reducing barriers, and committed to matters of human rights and diversity. I am widely recognized for accomplishments in diverse multicultural, multiracial and indigenous communities. As well as a track record of mentoring and trusted, compassionate and innovative leadership, I bring to my practice legal, operational, executive governance and adjudicative experience. I am known for high ethical standards and integrity, sound judgment in difficult circumstances, an unparalleled ability to work under pressure and in crisis, and to bring competing interests together in volatile situations.

Education

M.A. (Criminology), University of Toronto
LL.B., University of Calgary
APR (Accredited Public Relations Professional), York University
The Executive Program, School of Business, Queen's University
National Executive Institute (NEI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Continuing Legal Education

Professional Memberships

I have held numerous board positions and committee leadership positions throughout my careers. I have served on charitable and non-profit associations; professional associations; universities; and government related committees. As a lawyer, I have served as a Member of the Audit and Finance Committees, Law Society of Alberta; on the Dean’s Advisory Board, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary; as a member of the Advisory Council, Law Commission of Canada; on the Board of Directors, YWCA; and on the Board of Directors, Jubilee Auditorium Society. For three years ending 2014, by appointment of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, Alberta, I regularly served in an adjudicative capacity on Hearing Tribunals and Complaint Review Committees for professions governed by the Alberta Health Professions Act. Currently I am a member of the:

Law Society of Alberta (LSA)
Canadian Bar Association (CBA)
American Bar Association (ABA), Member of International Law Section and Dispute Resolution Section
Transparency International
ADR Institute of Alberta (Alternative Dispute Resolution)
Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association (ACTlA)
Alberta Family Mediation Society (AFMS)
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP)
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP)
Member and Current Associate, Major Cities Chiefs, USA and Canada

Awards & Distinctions

I have received many awards for my community work and professional endeavours, including being awarded an Honourary LL.D. (Doctor of Laws) by Mount Royal University in June 2021, named one of Alberta’s Most Influential People by Venture Magazine; Police Chief of the Year; Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women; and the YWCA’s Women of Distinction. I have been ceremoniously honoured with an aboriginal name by the Peigan Nation, Alberta; have been named an Honourary Nigerian and subsequently Honourary Elder and Eldest by the Nigerian Canadian Association and have been honoured with the Association’s Distinguished Service Award. I am also the recipient of the B’nai Brith Woman of Valour Award, the Rotary Foundation’s Paul Harris Fellowship; on behalf of the Calgary Police Service, the Premier’s Award of Distinction for Learning in the Workplace. More recently:

I was selected as part of the YWCA sesquicentennial project as one of 150 women who had had a significant impact on Calgary over the last 150+ years and in recognition of positive and extensive impact on community (2017)
I was presented with the “Expansion and Growth in Small business” Award by the Bank of Montreal (2016)
I received a gold medal and 4 National Records in Masters III, Powerlifting (2012)

Invited Presenter

My public speaking engagements include a diverse range of topics, including law enforcement, public policy, women's rights, workplace violence, democracy and journalism, strategy and leadership, systems thinking and integration, emergency and risk management, organizational learning, human rights, occupational health and safety, corruption, employment law, and much more.

Invited by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to address the provisions of Bill C-51, specifically related to the legislative proposals in the Criminal Code (Canada) concerning sexual assault
Invited by the American Bar Association to chair a panel of experts and to present on the topic of “Balancing Aboriginal Rights with the Regulatory State”, designed to address challenges for businesses intending to conduct business in Canada
Panelist on CTV Alberta Prime Time on topical and emergent issues
Invited by the International Law Section of the American Bar Association to join a select group of distinguished jurists and lawyers on an International Legal Exchange to Tanzania and Rwanda, with a specific focus on human rights, the rule of law and corruption; invited while there to present to an American Bar Association Conference on the topic of “Women’s Rights in Sub-Sahara Africa”
Invited presenter at the Canadian Journalism Foundation, Munk School of Global Affairs, Annual Lecture/Speaker Series
Advised and consulted multiple policing associations, including the military police in Brazil on institutional violence, and the State of Rio Grande Do Sol and the National Forum of Ombudsman on policing in democratic societies

Representative Work

Represented clients before investigatory bodies and administrative tribunals related to regulatory offences, including occupational health and safety, environmental and securities violations
Represented charities and non-profit organizations in areas of board governance, privacy, lobbying and political activity, employment law and strategic communications
Represented boards and companies in matters related to ethical governance and due diligence
Represented First Nations, First Nations corporations and national non-profit associations on environmental matters, issues of governance and financial management;
Represented public agency and corporate clients and individuals in employment law, labour law (including strike management) and privacy matters, including sexual harassment, sexual orientation and poisonous work environments, violence in the workplace, alcohol and drugs in the workplace, just cause and wrongful dismissals, occupational health and safety, and human rights
Represented corporate clients and individuals in diverse areas including civil fraud, tax fraud, breach of trust, bribery and corruption, defamation, and breach of commercial contract and where applicable managed both civil and criminal processes;
Represented individuals in contentious estate matters, domestic conflict and high conflict family law matters, and represented victims subject to threats of violence, intimidation and criminal harassment;
Drafted and negotiated employment contracts, severance agreements, local and international independent contractor agreements and collaboration agreements
Drafted court documents and appeared before provincial and superior trial courts