Author Archives: Melissa Luhtanen

About Melissa Luhtanen

Melissa Luhtanen is a lawyer and a Human Rights Educator at the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre. Melissa was called to the Alberta Bar in 2000. She is a seasoned teacher of both provincial and federal human rights law, with extensive experience speaking to audiences that include judges, teachers, and corporate executives. Melissa is the author of several guidebooks for teachers about human rights issues including, freedom of expression, refugee rights and sexual orientation and gender identity rights.

Non-biological father from separated same-sex couple declared a legal parent

Posted on January 12, 2012 by

PDF version: Non-biological father from separated same-sex couple declared a legal parent  Decision considered: D.W.H. v D.J.R., 2011 ABQB 608 Background Mr. H. and Mr. R. lived together as partners and planned to have a baby through a surrogate mother. … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional, Family | Leave a comment

No Advance Costs Awarded on Charter Application

Posted on April 20, 2011 by and

PDF version: No Advance Costs Awarded on Charter Application Case considered: D.W.H. v D.J.R., 2011 ABQB 119 Mr. H. and Mr. R. lived together as partners and planned to have a baby through a surrogate mother. The baby lived with … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice, Constitutional | Leave a comment

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal’s Marriage Commissioners Decision – the never-ending fight for human rights of same-sex couples

Posted on February 23, 2011 by

PDF version: The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal’s Marriage Commissioners Decision – the never-ending fight for human rights of same-sex couples   Case and Legislation commented on: In the Matter of Marriage Commissioners Appointed under the Marriage Act, SS 1995, c M-4.1, 2001 SKCA … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional, Human Rights, Supreme Court of Canada | Leave a comment

Gay fathers not seen as a parental unit under the Family Law Act

Posted on September 29, 2009 by

Cases Considered: D.W.H. v. D.J.R., 2009 ABQB 438 PDF Version: Gay fathers not seen as a parental unit under the Family Law Act The law is still unclear when dealing with gay and lesbian parental units. These families slip through … Continue reading →

Posted in Family | Leave a comment