Kent Hehr | Lawyer & Community Advocate

Kent Hehr is a Calgary-born lawyer, community advocate, and former public servant whose leadership and lived experience have shaped conversations around accessibility and inclusion in Canada. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in his early twenties, Kent pursued degrees in arts and law at the University of Calgary and went on to practice law before entering politics. He served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Buffalo from 2008 to 2015 and as the Member of Parliament for Calgary-Centre from 2015 to 2019. During his time in federal Cabinet, he held roles including Minister of Veterans Affairs, Associate Minister of National Defence, and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities.

Kent’s insights are particularly relevant to the films Mobility Rights and Everywhere, which explore how mobility, accessibility, and human rights intersect. His combination of policy expertise, community engagement, and personal experience brings valuable depth to discussions of inclusion, equity, and the lived realities of people with disabilities.

The Calgary Justice Film Festival is grateful to have Kent Hehr join us in connection with these films and the broader dialogue on justice and accessibility through film.