Jonathan Denis

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = The Honourable

| name = Jonathan Denis

| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|ECA|KC|size=100%}}

| image =

| imagesize =

| caption = Jonathan Brian Denis

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|9|22}}

| birth_place = Regina, Saskatchewan

| residence = Calgary, Alberta

| office = Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Acadia
Calgary-Egmont (2008-2012)

| term_start = March 3, 2008

| term_end = May 5, 2015

| predecessor = Denis Herard

| successor = Brandy Payne

| party = Progressive Conservative

| alma_mater = University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management, James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona

| spouse = Breanna Palmer (m. 2014 – d. 2015)

| occupation = Lawyer, businessperson

}}

Jonathan Brian Denis, {{post-nominals|ECA|KC}} (born September 22, 1975) is a Canadian politician and lawyer. On May 9, 2012, he was named Solicitor General, Attorney General, and Minister of Justice for the province of Alberta. He represented the constituency of Calgary-Acadia (formerly Calgary-Egmont) as a Progressive Conservative in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 2008 until 2015.

Denis was first elected in the 2008 provincial election and was appointed to cabinet in January 2010, making him the second youngest person to be named to cabinet in Alberta history.Bottom of [http://www.avenuecalgary.com/top-40-under-40/item/jonathan-denis Top 40 under 40] article, Avenue Magazine He was re-elected to the newly named constituency of Calgary-Acadia on April 23, 2012.[http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/04/24/solicitor-general-keeps-calgary-acadia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092341/http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/04/24/solicitor-general-keeps-calgary-acadia|date=2016-03-04}} Calgary Sun

Early life and education

Denis is the son of a Canadian Armed Forces veteran. He graduated in 1993 from Luther College,{{cite web|url=http://luthercollege.edu|title=Luther College University of Regina and Luther College High School Regina, SK|work=luthercollege.edu}} a private school in Regina, SK.{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/lutherwebsite/docs/lutherstoryspring-summer2010/15|title=Luther Story spring = summer 2010|work=Issuu| date=April 2009 }} He received a commerce degree from the University of Regina in 1997 and a law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon in 2000. While in law school, Denis was invited as a speaker at an international law conference in Montreal, Quebec.Referenced in 1999 University of Saskatchewan [http://announcements.usask.ca/news/archive/1999/01/u_of_s_law_stud_1.html press release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511120857/http://announcements.usask.ca/news/archive/1999/01/u_of_s_law_stud_1.html |date=2009-05-11 }}. In 2018, Denis completed his ICD.D designation with the Institute of Corporate Directors, a program from Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto.{{Cite web |url=https://www.icd.ca/getattachment/Courses/Directors-Education-Program/DEP-Graduates/Calgary/CAL_DEP28_May2018.pdf.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-08-28 |archive-date=2018-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829000225/https://www.icd.ca/getattachment/Courses/Directors-Education-Program/DEP-Graduates/Calgary/CAL_DEP28_May2018.pdf.aspx |url-status=dead }}

Completed Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Arizona.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

=Career pre-politics (2000-2008)=

In 1996, staffer for Lynda Haverstock, Independent MLA in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly. Haverstock had previously been leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party.{{cite web|url=http://www.legassembly.sk.ca/hansard/23L3S/980506H.PDF|title=Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan Hansard from May 6, 1998}}

Prior to becoming an MLA, Denis was a senior associate, specializing in government relations, at Miller Thomson LLP,{{cite web|url=http://www.millerthomson.com/index.cfm?ce=details&cm=Section&primaryKey=14379|title=Miller Thomson LLP}} He was also the co-founder and President of 3D Contact Inc.,{{Cite news|title=3D Contact Inc. }} the other founder being Nepean-Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre He was also the founder of a real estate investment firm, Liberty West Properties Inc.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta

=Backbench MLA (2008-2010)=

Denis sought public office for the Alberta Progressive Conservatives in the 2008 provincial election in the constituency of Calgary-Egmont and received 43.6% of the vote.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

Denis served as a member of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, the Public Accounts Committee, the Standing Committee on Health, and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Health. In 2008, Deputy Premier Ron Stevens appointed Denis to the Alberta/Alaska Bilateral Council.{{cite web|url=http://alberta.ca/home/240.cfm|title=MLA Appointments to Committees|access-date=2009-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006184208/http://alberta.ca/home/240.cfm|archive-date=2011-10-06|url-status=dead}}

In 2008, Health and Wellness Minister Ron Liepert appointed Denis to conduct a widely based consultation for the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy.{{cite web|url=http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/Pharmaceutical-Strategy-2008.pdf|title=Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy|access-date=2009-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204195831/http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/Pharmaceutical-Strategy-2008.pdf|archive-date=2010-12-04|url-status=dead}}, see p. 5

In 2008, Sustainable Resources Minister Ted Morton appointed Denis to the Land Use Framework Committee{{cite web|url=http://alberta.ca/home/NewsFrame.cfm?ReleaseID=/acn/200807/24009273B20AB-09CE-00E0-9EF8C23837484874.html|title=MLA committee to support work on key land-use priorities|date=July 15, 2008|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006184248/http://alberta.ca/home/NewsFrame.cfm?ReleaseID=%2Facn%2F200807%2F24009273B20AB-09CE-00E0-9EF8C23837484874.html|archive-date=October 6, 2011|url-status=dead}}

=Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs (2010-2011)=

Denis was sworn in as Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs as well as Deputy Government House Leader on January 15, 2010.

On April 6, 2011, Denis’ department provided $638,000 in provincial housing money to support tenants of the YWCA's Ophelia House in Calgary.{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/ywca-calgary-announces-new-housing-first-program-partnership-with-calgary-homeless-foundation-1423621.htm|title=YWCA of Calgary Announces New Housing First Program in Partnership With the Calgary Homeless Foundation and First Calgary Financial|work=Marketwire|date=6 April 2011 |access-date=17 May 2016}}

=Solicitor General & Minister of Public Security (2011-2012), 2012 Election=

On October 12, 2011, Denis was sworn in as Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security.{{cite web|title=Editorial: Redford's cabinet of change|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/Editorial+Redford+cabinet+change/5542385/story.html|publisher=Edmonton Journal|date=2010-01-18}}

On April 23, 2012, Denis was re-elected in renamed riding of Calgary-Acadia.

=Minister of Justice, Attorney General, & Solicitor General (2012-2015), 2015 Election=

On May 9, 2012, Denis was appointed Minister of Justice, Solicitor General, Attorney General, and Provincial Secretary Alberta.

Denis pursued a "law and order" policy.{{cite news|last1=Roth|first1=Pamela|title=Province earmarks $227M for RCMP|url=http://www.stalbertleader.com/2014/04/10/province-earmarks-227m-for-rcmp/|access-date=14 February 2016|work=St. Albert Leader|publisher=RJ Lolly Media, Ltd|date=10 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003007/http://www.stalbertleader.com/2014/04/10/province-earmarks-227m-for-rcmp/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}} and a provincial grant for 300 new police officers in the cities.{{cite news|last1=Moharib|first1=Nadia|title=Justice Minister Jonathon Denis says small decrease in crime spending means safety still top concern|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/03/07/justice-minister-jonathon-denis-says-small-decrease-in-crime-spending-means-safety-still-top-concern|access-date=February 14, 2016|work=Calgary Sun|publisher=Postmedia Network Inc|date=7 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073850/http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/03/07/justice-minister-jonathon-denis-says-small-decrease-in-crime-spending-means-safety-still-top-concern|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

On September 1, 2012, Denis enacted stricter drunk driving penalties.{{cite news|last1=Glen|first1=Barb|title=New impaired driving laws in Alta. effective Sept. 1|url=http://www.producer.com/daily/new-impaired-driving-laws-in-alta-effective-sept-1/|access-date=14 February 2016|work=The Western Producer|date=27 August 2012}} Following this drunk driving law, drunk driving charges went down two years in a row, including 17% in 2015.{{cite news|last1=Kaufmann|first1=Bill|title=Calgary police pleased to see drunk driving charges plunge in 2015|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/12/29/calgary-police-pleased-to-see-drunk-driving-charges-plunge-in-2015|access-date=February 14, 2016|work=Calgary Sun|publisher=Postmedia Network Inc|date=December 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113152/http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/12/29/calgary-police-pleased-to-see-drunk-driving-charges-plunge-in-2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}

On April 17, 2014, Denis supported removing the preamble to the Marriage Act which made the Act gender-neutral.{{cite news|title=Definition of Marriage could Change|url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/edmonton-journal/20140417/282316793026709&usg=AFQjCNF6SeJxVaTIFNrJoPMnuKnbrhjzBA&bvm=bv.131783435,d.cGc}}

On June 13, 2014, Denis’ department provided a grant from the Civil Forfeiture Fund to the Edmonton Pride Centre, to support programs for LGBTQ youth.{{cite news|url=https://albertajsg.com/2014/06/13/support-for-pride-centre-of-edmonton/ |title=Support for Pride Centre |date=June 13, 2014 |work=Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012001223/https://albertajsg.com/2014/06/13/support-for-pride-centre-of-edmonton/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2016 |access-date=January 16, 2020}}

On July 21, 2014, Denis doubled the limit in Alberta small claims court to $50,000.{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Kevin|title=Alberta doubles small claims court limit amount|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/07/21/small-claims-amount-doubles|access-date=14 February 2016|work=Calgary Sun|publisher=Postmedia Network Inc|date=21 July 2014}} This move was lauded by many Alberta lawyers as a positive step for access to justice.{{cite news|last1=Casten|first1=Darlene|title=Small claims court limit raised to $50,000|url=http://www.westernwheel.com/Small-claims-court-limit-raised-to-50,000-20140730|access-date=February 14, 2016|work=Okotoks Western Wheel|publisher=Great West Newspapers LP|date=July 30, 2014}}

On September 15, 2014, Denis was re-appointed to his previous positions by Premier Jim Prentice.{{Cite web|last=Alberta|first=Government of|title=New leadership, new voices, and a new way of doing things|url=https://www.alberta.ca/news.aspx|access-date=2021-08-18|website=www.alberta.ca|language=en-CA}} Prentice subsequently appointed Denis Government House Leader.{{Cite web|last=Alberta|first=Government of|title=Minister Denis statement on spring session 2015|url=https://www.alberta.ca/news.aspx|access-date=2021-08-18|website=www.alberta.ca|language=en-CA}}

On April 25, 2015, Denis resigned during the 2015 election campaign, due to "legal proceedings" involving estranged wife, Breanna Palmer.{{cite news|title=Tory Justice Minister Jonathan Denis resigns|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/tory-justice-minister-jonathan-denis-resigns|access-date=April 26, 2015|work=Calgary Herald|date=April 25, 2015}}

On May 4, 2015, Court of Queen's Bench Justice Craig Jones cleared Denis's name and "revoked" the order that his wife had obtained against him, stating that Palmer's "recollection of the events was inaccurate".{{cite web|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2015/05/04/application-for-emergency-protection-order-against-former-justice-minister-jonathan-denis-tossed-out.html|title=Emergency protection order against former Justice Minister Jonathan Denis tossed out|last=Modjeski |first=Morgan|date=May 4, 2015|work=metronews.ca |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923144210/http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2015/05/04/application-for-emergency-protection-order-against-former-justice-minister-jonathan-denis-tossed-out.html |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=January 16, 2020}}

Denis continued as a candidate but was defeated in the May 5, 2015 general election, finishing third.

Accolades

In 2009, Denis was appointed Queen's Counsel of Alberta.{{cite web|title=QC Appointments Announced|url=http://alberta.ca/home/NewsFrame.cfm?ReleaseID=/acn/200912/27583E5A0B7E3-A4C5-07A9-4E2B971B867EB037.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006184807/http://alberta.ca/home/NewsFrame.cfm?ReleaseID=%2Facn%2F200912%2F27583E5A0B7E3-A4C5-07A9-4E2B971B867EB037.html|archive-date=2011-10-06|access-date=2020-07-06}}

Im 2010, Denis was named named to Avenue Magazine's "Top 40 under Under 40” list.{{Cite web|last=Semko|first=Jesse|date=2010-10-18|title=Jonathan Denis|url=https://www.avenuecalgary.com/city-life/top-40-under-40/jonathan-denis/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Avenue Calgary|language=en-CA}}

In 2011, the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation lauded Denis for expense reduction department by 39%.{{cite web |title=In the spotlight |url=http://taxpayer.com/sites/default/files/downloadable/AlbertaSectionSummer2011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405231432/http://taxpayer.com/sites/default/files/downloadable/AlbertaSectionSummer2011.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-05 |access-date=2011-10-24}} They also gave Denis "nice” recommendations for prudent expense management on two occasions.{{cite web|date=2013-12-23|title=Editorial: Denis on the "nice" list|url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/12/23/alberta-premier-alison-redford-tops-the-canadian-taxpayers-federation-naughty-list|work=Calgary Sun}}

Post-politics

Founded Guardian Law Group {{Cite web |title=Guardian Law Group LLP |url=https://www.guardian.law/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |language=en-US}}

In June 2021, Denis represented Edmonton city councillor and mayoral candidate Mike Nickel.{{Cite web|date=June 24, 2021|title=Mike Nickel escapes reprimand for violating council's code of conduct|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/mike-nickel-code-violations-emails-1.6079041|access-date=2021-07-05|website=CBC News}}

In April 2022, Denis was found in contempt of court by Court of Queen's Bench Justice Doreen Sulyma for sending a letter to Dr. Anny Sauvageau while she was testifying in her lawsuit against the Alberta government in an attempt to intimidate her.{{Cite news |last=Johnston |first=Janice |date=April 13, 2022 |title="Former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis found in contempt of court" |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jonathan-denis-contempt-sauvageau-1.6418678}} Justice Sulyma, who presided over the trial, noted that this letter was "unprecedented" in her experience {{cite web |date=2022-04-08 |title=Former chief medical examiner's wrongful dismissal trial halted amid defamation threat |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/former-chief-medical-examiner-s-wrongful-dismissal-trial-halted-amid-defamation-threat-1.6413800 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422112536/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/former-chief-medical-examiner-s-wrongful-dismissal-trial-halted-amid-defamation-threat-1.6413800 |archive-date=2023-04-22 |website=CBC News}} and the timing of the letter as "disastrous".{{cite web |title=Judge to decide if former Alberta justice minister is in contempt of court |date=2022-04-12 |website=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421140649/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/judge-to-decide-if-former-alberta-justice-minister-is-in-contempt-of-court-1.6416482 |archive-date=2023-04-21 |url-status=live |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/judge-to-decide-if-former-alberta-justice-minister-is-in-contempt-of-court-1.6416482}} Sulyma found Denis in contempt of court, finding he did intend to intimidate Sauvageau and to "obstruct her testimony and the trial process itself".{{cite web |title=Former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis found in contempt of court |date=2022-04-13 |website=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418025825/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jonathan-denis-contempt-sauvageau-1.6418678 |archive-date=2023-04-18 |url-status=live |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jonathan-denis-contempt-sauvageau-1.6418678}} On October 31, 2022, the Alberta Court of Appeal overturned the contempt citation on procedural grounds.{{cite web |title=Former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis cleared on contempt of court conviction |date=2022-10-31 |website=CBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401204131/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jonathan-denis-cleared-contempt-court-1.6635956 |archive-date=2023-04-01 |url-status=live |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jonathan-denis-cleared-contempt-court-1.6635956}}

Controversy

In April 2022, Denis allegedly hired a political fixer to obtain a reporter's phone logs. The fixer claimed he was hired by Jonathan Denis to get the phone records of the former Calgary Herald reporter now of The Canadian Press. The fixer claimed Denis told him he wanted to trace sources the reporter had drawn on for a story about whether the size of Denis's wedding to his second wife, broke COVID-19 protocols. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/denis-alberta-justice-minister-former-fixer-phone-logs-reporter-1.6415532

In April 2022, Denis was accused of conflict of interest with ex-law partner, allegedly making one client “the scapegoat” for another.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/conflict-of-interest-election-probe-1.6410848

In June 2024, Denis won what may be the biggest case of libel in Canadian history, $6.6M in damages.{{Cite web |last=Blackwell |first=Tom |date=20 June 2024 |title=Alberta oil heiresses ordered to pay $6.6 million in damages for libelling Calgary lawyer |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/alberta-oil-heiresses-ordered-to-pay-6-6-million-in-damages-for-libelling-calgary-lawyer |access-date=3 November 2024 |website=National Post}}

= Disputed videos =

In September 2022, videos were anonymously released on social media that purported to show Denis, on the phone, doing a caricature of an Indigenous person. There was dispute about whether the videos were authentic or deepfakes. Denis said that he had no recollection of any such call. He added that he had "overused alcohol in the past". Addressing the possibility that he had made such a call "years ago while under the influence of alcohol", he said that, if he had, he apologized.{{cite web

| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-justice-minister-jonathan-denis-videos-1.6599395| title = Former Alberta justice minister apologizes for racist videos — if they depict 'real events'| last = Dryden| first = Joel| date = September 28, 2022 | website = cbc.ca| publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation| access-date = 2024-11-03}}

Denis hired "Reality Defender, which analyzed the video and concluded that it was likely manipulated. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) hired the Media Verification (MeVer) team, and stated: "Their analysis suggested that the possibility of the videos being deepfakes was very low."

The CBC also reported that professor Hany Farid opined that it was "extremely unlikely that these are deepfakes".

In June 2024, CBC updated their original reporting as follows:

"In September 2023, the Alberta Court of King's Bench signed an order in which it states the videos in this story were not authentic. That order was the result of an affidavit filed in an undefended action in which an expert claims the videos may have been manipulated using deepfake techniques. CBC consulted with other experts, who concluded such determinations are extremely hard to make.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/jonathan-denis-craig-chandler-alberta-hany-farid-deepfakes-1.6660700

= Professional misconduct =

In September 2024, the Law Society of Alberta found Denis guilty of two counts of professional misconduct.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/jonathan-denis-law-society-citations-edmonton-lawsuit-anny-sauvageau-calgary-1.7496494 In one case, he represented a passenger involved in an automobile accident after having first been asked to represent the driver. In the second case, he threatened a woman who had an affair with his client; specifically, he said that he would report the matter to her employer.{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Meghan |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis guilty of professional misconduct: law society |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/law-society-alberta-jonathan-denis-guilty-citations-sanctions-1.7321786 |work=CBC.ca}}{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Kevin |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Former justice minister Jonathan Denis to be sanctioned for code of conduct breach |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/crime/former-justice-minister-jonathan-denis-to-be-sanctioned-for-code-of-conduct-breach |work=Calgary Herald}}

In December 2024, the Law Society of Alberta fined Denis $2,500 on each count, for a total of $5,000. Cost reimbursement (if any) was to be determined later. The Law Society was seeking $26,000 in costs. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/former-alberta-justice-minister-fined-reprimanded-1.7402755

In March 2025, in addition to the $5,000 in fines, the Law Society of Alberta ordered Denis to pay $15,000 in costs. Denis then announced he was appealing the convictions, fines and costs.https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/law-society-alberta-jonathan-denis-guilty-citations-sanctions-appeal-1.7494975

One day after Denis announced the appeal, the Law Society of Alberta again cited Denis, this time for allegations of witness tampering.https://calgaryherald.com/news/former-alberta-justice-minister-jonathan-denis-facing-new-law-society-citations

Election results

References

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:Canadian people of German descent

Category:Canadian King's Counsel

Category:Lawyers in Alberta

Category:Lawyers in Saskatchewan

Category:Members of the Executive Council of Alberta

Category:Politicians from Calgary

Category:Politicians from Regina, Saskatchewan

Category:Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta MLAs

Category:University of Regina alumni

Category:University of Saskatchewan College of Law alumni

Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta