In-depth expertise in health and privacy law

Mary obtained her Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Toronto in 1980 and received her Master of Law from the University of Cambridge in 1994. She has extensive experience with respect to professional regulatory bodies and disciplinary matters, along with the development of tools to ensure regulatory compliance.

As a National Advisor of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute, she tracks law within the area on a national basis, and is a contributor through speaking engagements and written works.

Notably, Mary has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada on a precedent-setting case concerning the right to privacy for therapeutic records. She has also provided advice to legislative officers, such as the Alberta Ombudsman, having previously been their Director of Legal Services.

Mary's awards include the University of Alberta Information Access and Protection of Privacy Award for Outstanding Leadership and Contribution to the Field of Access and Privacy in Alberta and Canada. She is also the recipient of the Canadian Mental Health Association National Office Aleck Trawick Award for a legal counsel or law firm that has provided extraordinary leadership in advocacy.

The work I do is national, but I’m very much situated in my own community.

Mary Marshall

Community, Health, and the Arts

Mary is a long-standing supporter of her community. Throughout her career she has acted as a Board Member for organizations including Accreditation Canada, Chair of the Governance Committee, Canadian Nurses Association, Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Society, Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum (FRAMS) , and Excel Community Homes. She has also been a member of the Mental Health and the Law Committee, Mental Health Commission of Canada, the National Advisory Committee for the University of Alberta Information Access and Protection of Privacy Program and an Advisor for the Master of Arts in Communications Technology. Additionally, Mary has acted as counsel to a commission in the Northwest Territories on women's health matters.

Selected Work Experience:

Director of Legal and Policy Development for the Alberta Mental Health Board; member of senior executive team; responsible for freedom of information and protection of privacy portfolio; prepared policy papers on diversion of offenders who have a mental illness, and community treatment orders (1998-2000)
Legal Consultant and Chief Privacy Advisor, Canada Health Infoway (2002-2004)
Legal and Policy Consultant to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in the development of health information legislation (2000-2004)
Worked with Alberta Health and Wellness to develop amendments to the Health Information Act, including the development of policy option papers and briefing notes
Practised health law and advised hospitals; regional health authorities; professional associations; professional colleges; the governments of Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Canada; and others
Counsel to a Commission in the Northwest Territories on health matters for women
Appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada on a precedent-setting case concerning the right to privacy and therapeutic records

Selected Volunteer Experience:

Member, Mental Health and the Law Committee, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Board Member, Accreditation Canada, and Chair of the Governance Committee from 2013-2016
Member of the National Advisory Committee for the University of Alberta Information Access and Protection of Privacy Program; Advisor for the Master of Arts in Communications Technology

Selected Publications:

2014 “The Alberta Health Act: The development of the Health Charter and the role of the Health Advocate” in Healthcare Management Forum 2014 27: 73-76 .
2011 new edition, co-author of “Privacy, Confidentiality and the Regulation of Health Information” in Canadian Health Law Practice Manual (Toronto: LexisNexis, 2011)
2010 “Everything you ever wanted to know about amendments to the Mental Health Act in Alberta,” Health Law Review, University of Alberta

Selected Awards:

University of Alberta Information Access and Protection of Privacy Award for Outstanding Leadership and Contribution to the Field of Access and Privacy in Alberta and Canada
Recipient of the Canadian Mental Health Association National Office Aleck Trawick award for a legal counsel or law firm which has provided extraordinary leadership in advocacy