CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice

The justice system is confusing for most individuals brought before it. From applications to adjournments to delays, an individual's life is on hold while they endure overly long proceedings. And what happens when the decision is wrong? What can the court do to address a breach of an individual's right to security of the person and psychological integrity?

In this episode, host Sarah Rowe is joined by Julie-Ann Kirkpatrick, retired defence lawyer and Doctoral Candidate at Carleton University, to discuss the use of apologies by courts to repair or achieve justice. The discussion focuses on Julie's doctoral research, namely, when and how an apology could be given as a restorative remedy under s. 24(1) of the Charter.

The traditional model of Canadian criminal law is a state-centred adversarial process designed to punish, deter, or rehabilitate. But once the trial is over and the sentence is imposed, has justice truly addressed the harm caused by crime? Restorative justice approaches ask different questions: Who has been harmed? What do they need? And who is responsible for addressing those needs, repairing the harm, or restoring relationships?

In this 6th episode of the series "In the Blind Spot," the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel, of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, speaks with the Honourable Deputy Chief Justice Joanne Durant and the Honourable Justice Michelle Christopher, both of the Alberta Court of Justice, and the Honourable Justice Anna Loparco, of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta. Together, they discuss the principles and benefits of restorative approaches in the legal system, the myths surrounding them, and the roles of judges, prosecutors, and defence counsel. The three guests also share what they have learned from Alberta's Restorative Justice Project, launched in 2022.

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Host

Can a community-led program change the course of a young person's life — before the justice system ever has to?

In this episode, Host Laken Tucker (CIAJ's 2026 Summer Law Student Intern) speaks with Christina Harper (Program Coordinator, Restorative Justice Program, BGC Okanagan) about how the program supports youth ages 12 to 24 through a collaborative model involving the RCMP, local schools, community business partners, and victims. Christina shares how the program came to be, how it's grown, and the outcomes it's producing on the ground — from volunteer training to participant feedback and reoffending trends.

This conversation offers a grounded look at how restorative justice functions in practice — and a hopeful case study for communities of any size looking to build something similar.

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Host

Judicial independence is essential to democracy and the rule of law. But how can judges and lawyers remain independent when they face political pressure, intimidation, or attacks on their legitimacy?

In this 5th episode of the series "In the Blind Spot," the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel speaks with Margaret L. Satterthwaite, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, about the threats facing justice systems worldwide and the safeguards needed to protect them.

Their conversation highlights why judicial independence is not only a concern for legal professionals, but a fundamental protection for everyone.

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Host

Why might a legislature pretend that it never passed a law? How might this be done? Host Lerissa Thaver speaks with Charlie Feldman about an uncommon technique in legislative drafting: deeming provisions "never to have been enacted." When has this "unenactment" occurred and why? This episode shines a light on this unusual way to draft and challenging situations legislative drafters sometimes face.

Guest

Charlie Feldman, Legislative Counsel, Department of Justice Canada (Ottawa, ON)

Host

L'inflation normative peut être définie comme la croissance disproportionnée du nombre et de la longueur des lois et règlements. Me Elena Bosi (Cabinet du procureur général du Nouveau-Brunswick) et Me Jean-Félix Robitaille (Ministère de la Justice du Québec) échangent sur ce phénomène en évoquant certaines expériences vécues dans leur pratique ainsi que certaines expériences vécues ailleurs au Canada et dans le monde. Une discussion qui permet de parcourir l'évolution du phénomène au Canada et d'entrevoir son avenir.

Invité

Jean-Félix Robitaille, avocat-légiste, Sous-ministériat des affaires juridiques, ministère de la Justice du Québec (Québec, Qc)

Animatrice

Cette conférence biennale réunit des rédacteurs législatifs, des juristes, des universitaires et d'autres personnes afin d'explorer les enjeux les plus pressants de la rédaction législative moderne, en mettant un accent particulier sur le contexte canadien.

Le programme de 2026 propose des discussions stimulantes sur le processus d'élaboration des textes législatifs, ainsi que des réflexions sur les développements récents qui façonnent le domaine. Les thèmes abordés comprennent les réalités pratiques auxquelles les rédacteurs sont confrontés, les nouvelles initiatives en IA, le co-développement des lois avec les peuples autochtones et la correction des textes législatifs. Des approches comparatives, des considérations éthiques et des séances interactives viendront compléter un programme riche et engageant.

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What happens when Canadian judges travel abroad to share their expertise — and what do they bring back?

In this episode, Christine O'Doherty (Lawyer & CIAJ's Executive Director) welcomes The Honourable Justice Carole A. Beaton (Nova Scotia Court of Appeal), to discuss her involvement in the Technical Assistance Partnership Project – Federal Judicial Affairs Canada (TAP-FJA). The two sat down together in Armenia in May 2026, on the sidelines of the mission, to record this conversation. Drawing from her exchanges with local judges and court officials, Justice Beaton reflects on the importance of judicial independence, the value of cross-jurisdictional dialogue, and Canada's role in supporting justice reform abroad. She also shares what motivates her participation in these missions and how this experience has shaped her perspective on international judicial cooperation.

A thoughtful and inspiring conversation at the intersection of judicial expertise and international cooperation.

This project is part of the Technical Assistance Partnership supported by Global Affairs Canada.

Guest

The Honourable Justice Carole A. Beaton, Nova Scotia Court of Appeal

Host

Ne pas connaître ses droits revient souvent à en être privé. Et ne pas les comprendre, c'est, au fond, se retrouver dans la même situation. Alors entre le droit et les personnes qu'il est censé protéger, une question demeure : comment rendre cette information réellement accessible?

Parmi les réponses possibles, le langage clair s'impose comme un levier d'accessibilité.

Dans cet épisode, Me Christine O'Doherty, directrice générale de l'ICAJ, s'entretient avec Élisabeth Routhier, Ph. D., directrice des projets spéciaux à l'ICAJ et experte du langage clair, pour explorer un enjeu à la croisée du social, du politique et du juridique.

Ensemble, elles décortiquent ce que signifie concrètement écrire en langage clair, la manière dont cette approche — enseignée à l'ICAJ — peut transformer les communications juridiques, ainsi que les résistances et préjugés qui persistent encore dans le milieu.

Une réflexion sur une responsabilité partagée : celle de rendre le droit réellement compréhensible et accessible à toutes et tous.

Invitée

Élisabeth Routhier, Ph. D., directrice des projets spéciaux et experte du langage clair, ICAJ

Animatrice

Universal accessibility should be the norm — so why does it remain the exception?

In this episode, Sarah Rowe, Legal Counsel at CIAJ, speaks with the Honourable Justice Joshua B. Hawkes of the Court of Appeal of Alberta about the lived realities of people with disabilities within the justice system and the legal profession.

Drawing on his own experience as a person living with a disability, Justice Hawkes reflects on the biases, institutional barriers, and day-to-day challenges faced in environments rarely designed with all realities in mind.

Together, they explore what accessibility truly means — not only in theory, but in practice — and consider how lived experience can reshape our understanding of inclusion, equity, and the role of institutions.

Guest

The Honourable Justice Joshua B. Hawkes, Court of Appeal of Alberta

Host

When courts listen, justice systems can begin to change.

Hosted by Christine O'Doherty, Lawyer and CIAJ Executive Director, this episode features Dr. Jhoel Escudero, President of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador, in the context of the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project led by Federal Judicial Affairs Canada.

Dr. Jhoel Escudero discusses why the TAP Project was timely for Ecuador's justice system and how sustained dialogue with Indigenous communities has shaped institutional understanding. The discussion touches on the constitutional recognition of Indigenous justice, the challenges courts face in harmonizing legal systems, and the impact of unprecedented consultations bringing together judges, Indigenous leaders, and justice actors. Reflections from Dr. Jhoel Escudero's visit to Canada and his participation in international conversations on democracy and judicial independence round out the episode.

Guest

Dr. Jhoel Escudero, President of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador

Host

Global Affairs Canada's Technical Assistance Partnership Project (TAP), is designed to deploy Canadian experts from a range of disciplines to provide technical assistance to developing countries. The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (FJA) is one of the Canadian government agencies with an international development project under TAP. Under TAP, FJA engages with up to three countries per year for a one-year program of capacity building for judicial institutions. This mechanism allows Canada to use the experience in our judicial system to respond to requests for technical assistance made through Canadian missions abroad. Technical assistance is provided in response to needs expressed by partner countries, but in alignment with Canada's international development priorities, including the strengthening of gender equality and the protection of human rights.

More information

L'IA s'invite désormais dans les salles d'audience et les cabinets d'avocats. Mais comment fonctionne-t-elle réellement ? Quels sont ses usages concrets, de la recherche juridique à la gestion documentaire ? Peut-elle améliorer l'accès à la justice ou créera-t-elle de nouvelles inégalités ?

Dans ce 4ᵉ épisode de la série « Dans l'angle mort », l'honorable juge Simon Ruel s'entretient avec Catherine Régis, professeure titulaire à la Faculté de droit de Université de Montréal, pour explorer l'arrivée de l'IA dans le système judiciaire.

Entre promesses d'efficacité et risques pour l'indépendance judiciaire, la transparence et les valeurs fondamentales de la justice, cet épisode offre un éclairage essentiel sur un enjeu qui redéfinit l'avenir du droit.

À l'heure où les grands enjeux juridiques dépassent les salles d'audience, Dans l'angle mort propose une plongée au cœur des tensions, transitions et transformations qui façonnent le droit contemporain et le système de justice. Animée par le juge Simon Ruel, cette série donne la parole à des avocats, juges, universitaires et experts pour explorer des enjeux systémiques, comme l'indépendance judiciaire, l'intelligence artificielle et le système de justice, le litige stratégique et le contentieux climatique, ou encore les médias sociaux.

Chaque épisode de 45 à 50 minutes croise expériences de terrain, perspectives théoriques et préoccupations sociales, dans un format accessible et rigoureux. Ensemble, nous scrutons les angles morts du droit – ces zones d'ombre où se jouent les grands équilibres de notre système juridique et démocratique.

Finland, renowned for being the happiest country in the world, has addressed homelessness head-on through a human rights-based approach to housing. Under the Finnish "Housing First" approach, everyone is entitled to a settled place to live, regardless of life circumstances. This system moves away from the goal of making people experiencing homelessness "housing ready," and toward supportive housing units with normal leases and tenancy agreements.

In the fourth episode of this series, host Sarah Rowe is joined by Juha Kahila, Head of International Affairs at Y-Foundation, one of the key national developers of the Housing First principle in Finland. Juha explains why his country chose to adopt this approach, how their housing services provide dignified support to residents, and what other jurisdictions can do to decrease the rate and severity of homelessness in their population.

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Host

Guaranteeing the right to housing on its own misses a key overlapping concern: whether the housing is actually accessible. Despite the federal government's goal of achieving a barrier-free Canada by 2040, many people continue to face barriers in securing housing that meets their accessibility needs and are twice as likely to live in core housing need.

In the third episode of this series, host Sarah Rowe is joined by Marie-Josée Houle, Canada's first Federal Housing Advocate, and Stephanie Chipeur, who holds the Azrieli Accelerator Professorship in Law & Disability Policy at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law and the School of Public Policy. Together, they discuss the right to adequate housing that is accessible, adaptable, and visitable for people with disabilities, seniors, and other equity-deserving groups.

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Host

In 2019, the Canadian government recognized housing as a fundamental human right through the National Housing Strategy Act; however, in the years that have followed, housing affordability has only worsened for low- to moderate-income households. While this Act requires the federal government to address homelessness and core housing need, Canadian housing policies continue to benefit primarily those seeking profit and returns on investment.

In this second episode, host Sarah Rowe is joined by lawyer Michèle Biss, Executive Director of the National Right to Housing Network, and political economist Ricardo Tranjan, senior researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Together, they discuss the impact of financialization and the importance of implementing both social housing and rent controls to ensure that our housing system protects the most vulnerable.

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Host

Over the past several years, housing has emerged as a hot-button issue in Canadian discourse. How is affordability defined? Why are Indigenous peoples more likely to lack adequate housing? Is housing policy adequately addressing accessibility needs?

Left Out in the Cold aims to answer these and other questions over the course of this series. Hosted by Sarah Rowe, Legal Counsel at CIAJ, this series features conversations with legal and policy experts and community advocates on issues facing the Canadian housing sector. Each episode balances conversations about high-level legislative frameworks with the on-the-ground realities of everyday Canadians. Join us in these conversations as we try to root out the causes of housing insecurity in this country.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping legal education — but is it a powerful learning tool or a shortcut that weakens critical thinking?

In this episode, Host David Lazzam speaks with Dean Trevor Farrow (Dean and Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School) about the growing use of AI in law schools. Together, they explore the tension between innovation and academic integrity, the fear of overreliance, and the responsibility of legal institutions to prepare students for a profession where AI is already part of daily practice.

In March 2026, CIAJ will hold a national conference on artificial intelligence and justice. This event will build on the reflections of the roundtables held in 2025, enriched by the perspectives of the various stakeholders consulted. It will aim to formulate concrete recommendations to guide the use of AI in the Canadian justice system.

This conference will be a unique opportunity to assess the current state of affairs, share best practices, highlight grey areas and explore future avenues compatible with the fundamental values of the justice system. It may also contribute to the development of a pan-Canadian framework on the ethical, legal and technical issues raised by AI.

Date: March 30-31, 2026 Location: Toronto, ON

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This podcast is divided into three sections. In Dignity Part I, we will be exploring whether dignity exists in the Canadian constitution, what the working definition of dignity entails, and how we explore dignity in an academic and legal context.

Throughout this entire podcast, at every step, we will be exploring and establishing whether the courts should consider the concept of dignity in their decisions regarding end-of-life ethics.

Plus de la moitié des cas de COVID-19 au Canada sont liés aux centres de soins pour personnes âgées. Quelles mesures auraient-elles dû être mises en place pour éviter une telle catastrophe? Comment pouvons-nous adapter nos lois afin de mieux protéger les personnes âgées et les personnes vulnérables en cas de crise sanitaire et juridique ? Avec Martine Lagacé, vice-rectrice associée, promotion et développement de la recherche à l'Université d'Ottawa et Me Daniel Romano, avocat et directeur du cabinet Kalman Samuels.

Diffusion : Le 28 janvier 2021 @ 9 h, heure de l'Est (47 min.)

Les origines de l'équité procédurale et ce quelle contient; Comment les balises sont-elles nées; Qu'est-ce qui les a forgées au fil du temps; Quand s'appliquent-elles; Quels sont les remèdes si elles ne sont pas respectées?

Ces questions et bien d'autres sont abordées dans cet épisode sur le droit administratif, en compagnie des honorables Simon Ruel et Julie Dutil, juges à la Cour d'appel du Québec.

Aired: January 14th, 2021 @ 10 am EST (51 mins)

What are the historical foundations of procedural fairness? When did the rules of natural justice transform into a context-sensitive duty of fairness? What is the modern approach to review for procedural fairness? Is there a difference between correctness review and the assessment of procedural fairness? What kind of procedural fairness questions commonly arise? How did we end up with a divide between procedural fairness and substantive review? Can one distinguish between procedure and substance/merits? If not, how should lawyers and judges characterize questions which may go to procedure or to substance/merits? Has the law on procedural fairness become more or less complex since Vavilov? These issues and many more will be addressed in this first episode of CIAJ's four-part series on administrative law featuring administrative law expert Paul Daly.

Aired: December 17, 2020 @ 10 am EST (1 hr)

Summary Host Caroline Mandell speaks with Justices Sheilah Martin, Mahmud Jamal and Alice Woolley about how to develop a judicial voice, the specifics of writing judgments compared to writing as an academic or as a litigator, and the role of editing software and AI tools in judgment writing.

Aired: December 10th, 2020 @ 10 am EST (45 mins)

Host Caroline Mandell speaks with Civil Resolution Tribunal Vice-Chairs Kate Campbell and Shelley Lopez about rethinking reasons. In this episode, we explore how the CRT's commitment to A2J carry through to its written decisions, measure parties' satisfaction and more.

Aired: December 3rd, 2020 @ 10 am EST (59 mins)

Host Caroline Mandell speaks with Justices Peter D. Lauwers and Shaun Nakatsuru, and decision-maker and lawyer Jennifer Khurana. In this episode, we explore the issue-driven structure and expose some challenges of writing for self-represented litigants.

Aired: November 26, 2020 @ 10 am EST (54 mins)

Summary Host Caroline Mandell speaks with professional editor Iva Cheung and language expert Cheryl Stephens about the challenges and benefits of plain language in legal writing.

Aired: November 19th, 2020 @ 10 am EST (48 mins)

Host Caroline Mandell speaks with Justice John I. Laskin, language specialist Edward Berry and educator and consultant Steve Armstrong about the Canadian "judgment writing school." In this episode, we explore the reasons why judges need to learn how to write judgments, even though they have spent a career reading them.

Les changements climatiques deviennent un enjeu central de droits humains. Dans ce 3ᵉ épisode, l'honorable juge Simon Ruel s'entretient avec Maud Sarlieve, responsable du Secrétariat du Forum de recherche sur le climat (Programme de droit durable d'Oxford), sur la montée du contentieux climatique et ses tensions avec la séparation des pouvoirs. Ensemble, ils explorent des affaires emblématiques : Urgenda aux Pays-Bas, les Aînées pour le climat en Suisse, les jeunes plaignants du Montana, ainsi que l'avis consultatif historique de la Cour internationale de justice en 2025. Quel rôle pour les tribunaux face à l'inaction climatique des États et des entreprises ? Une conversation essentielle au croisement du droit, de la justice et du climat.

Invitée

Animateur

Participez à la conférence annuelle 2025 de l'ICAJ intitulée « L'environnement et le droit: Protéger ou développer, faut-il choisir? » (du 28 au 30 octobre 2025 à Vancouver, C.-B., et en ligne).

Notre conférence annuelle mettra en lumière les dilemmes entre la nécessité de protéger l'environnement et celle de soutenir le développement économique. Comment concilier les exigences de la protection des ressources avec celles du développement ? Entre les perspectives des communautés autochtones et celles des Canadiens, les questions de justice et de durabilité sont pressantes.

CONSULTER LE PROGRAMME COMPLET

Participez aux discussions et donnez votre avis dans le cadre d'un programme dynamique d'ateliers interactifs, de tables rondes inspirantes et de débats stimulants.

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Online harassment of political figures in Canada is on the rise. Nearly half of campaign-related tweets are uncivil or abusive, discouraging diverse candidates and eroding trust in democracy.

In this episode, Host Anthony Giroux (Law Student at the University of Montreal) speaks with Sabreena Delhon (CEO of the Samara Centre for Democracy) and Dr. Heidi Tworek (Canada Research Chair and Professor of History and Public Policy at the University of British Columbia). Together, they explore how disinformation, targeted and identity-based harassment, and algorithm-driven amplification are reshaping democratic participation in Canada. The discussion examines the specific challenges faced by women, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ candidates, the role of bots and foreign influence in spreading abuse, and the constitutional tension between free expression and curbing online hate. Delhon explains how SAMbot tracks toxic discourse during elections, while both guests reflect on solutions—from party protocols and platform moderation to policy reforms and community-driven responses—that could help safeguard trust, representation, and inclusion in Canadian democracy.

Guests

Host

From podcast to panel: Following their powerful conversation in this episode, both Dr. Heidi Tworek and Sabreena Delhon will also be joining us as speakers at the upcoming conference on Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Independence. Dr. Tworek will contribute to Panel 2, and Sabreena Delhon to Panel 4.

Join us for our conference on Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Independence:

A must-attend event for collective reflection on the threats facing our democratic institutions, alongside leading figures from the legal and intellectual spheres, including The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada, and Jason Stanley.

DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

This episode of In All Fairness looks at Canada's new anti-greenwashing provisions under the Competition Act, which came into effect in June 2024. Host Ariane Savard is joined by Chris Russill (Carleton University, Re.Climate) and Julien O. Beaulieu (Imperial College London, University of Sherbrooke), to discuss the evolving definition of greenwashing, the role of the Competition Bureau, and the burden of proof now placed on companies. Together, they explore recent cases, potential sanctions, and the broader implications for public trust, corporate accountability, and climate justice in Canada.

Guests

Host

Join CIAJ's 2025 Annual Conference Environment and the Law: Protect or Develop—Is There a Choice? (October 28-30, 2025 in Vancouver, BC & Online).

Our annual conference will highlight the dilemmas between the need to protect the environment and the necessity to support economic development. How can we reconcile the demands of resource protection with those of development?Between the perspectives of Indigenous communities and those of Canadians, questions of justice and sustainability are pressing.

VIEW FULL PROGRAM

Join in the discussions and have your say in a dynamic program of interactive workshops, inspiring panels and stimulating debates.

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Protégé par la Constitution mais vulnérable aux pressions politiques, médiatiques et sociales, le pouvoir judiciaire ressemble parfois à un « géant aux pieds d'argile ». Dans ce deuxième épisode de la série Dans l'angle mort, l'honorable juge Simon Ruel discute avec Shana Chaffai-Parent, professeure adjointe à la Faculté de droit de l'Université de Montréal, et Jacques Chamberland, juge retraité de la Cour d'appel du Québec. Ensemble, ils explorent les fondements historiques et constitutionnels de l'indépendance judiciaire au Canada et ailleurs, sa raison d'être – protéger les droits fondamentaux, assurer la primauté du droit et maintenir la confiance du public – ainsi que les menaces contemporaines, allant du populisme politique aux campagnes de dénigrement. La conversation aborde aussi le rôle des médias et les critiques, légitimes ou abusives, visant les juges. Un regard éclairant sur les défis d'une justice indépendante dans nos démocraties modernes.

Invités

Animateur

Participez à notre conférence sur la Démocratie, la primauté du droit et l'indépendance :

Un rendez-vous incontournable pour réfléchir collectivement aux menaces qui pèsent sur nos institutions démocratiques, en compagnie de figures de premier plan du monde juridique et intellectuel, dont le très honorable Richard Wagner, C.P., juge en chef du Canada, et Jason Stanley.

DÉTAILS ET INSCRIPTION

À l'heure où les grands enjeux juridiques dépassent les salles d'audience, Dans l'angle mort propose une plongée au cœur des tensions, transitions et transformations qui façonnent le droit contemporain et le système de justice. Animée par le juge Simon Ruel, cette série donne la parole à des avocats, juges, universitaires et experts pour explorer des enjeux systémiques, comme l'indépendance judiciaire, l'intelligence artificielle et le système de justice, le litige stratégique et le contentieux climatique, ou encore les médias sociaux.

Chaque épisode de 45 à 50 minutes croise expériences de terrain, perspectives théoriques et préoccupations sociales, dans un format accessible et rigoureux. Ensemble, nous scrutons les angles morts du droit – ces zones d'ombre où se jouent les grands équilibres de notre système juridique et démocratique.

Le juge Simon Ruel s'entretient avec Me Philippe Larochelle, président de l'Association du Barreau près de la Cour pénale internationale (ABCPI), pour faire le point sur la Cour pénale internationale (CPI), plus de 20 ans après sa création. Mandats d'arrêt contre des chefs d'État, accusations de politisation, enjeux de souveraineté, place des victimes, défis de la défense, écocide et preuve numérique : cet épisode explore les forces, limites et tensions d'un système de justice unique, confronté à un monde en mutation.

Invité

Animateur

À l'heure où les grands enjeux juridiques dépassent les salles d'audience, Dans l'angle mort propose une plongée au cœur des tensions, transitions et transformations qui façonnent le droit contemporain et le système de justice. Animée par le juge Simon Ruel, cette série donne la parole à des avocats, juges, universitaires et experts pour explorer des enjeux systémiques, comme l'indépendance judiciaire, l'intelligence artificielle et le système de justice, le litige stratégique et le contentieux climatique, ou encore les médias sociaux.

Chaque épisode de 45 à 50 minutes croise expériences de terrain, perspectives théoriques et préoccupations sociales, dans un format accessible et rigoureux. Ensemble, nous scrutons les angles morts du droit – ces zones d'ombre où se jouent les grands équilibres de notre système juridique et démocratique.

SUMMARY

Due to the cumulative effects of settler colonialism and the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous lands, Indigenous peoples in Canada experience significantly higher rates of housing insecurity than the general population. Existing mental health and substance use issues further exacerbate this issue, creating a cycle of insecurity.

Host Sarah Rowe is joined by Margaret Pfoh, CEO of Aboriginal Housing Management Association, and Justin Marchand, CEO of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, to discuss how intergenerational trauma, historical injustice, and systemic discrimination contribute to the unique barriers that Indigenous peoples face when seeking adequate housing and explain the need for culture-based housing policy.

RELATED DOCUMENTATION

In this episode, CIAJ's Articling Student David Lazzam sits down with Jessyca Greenwood, Principal Lawyer at Greenwood Law, to discuss how the legal system responds to substance dependency in the workplace. Drawing from years of experience representing vulnerable clients, Jessyca explores common legal challenges, gaps in employer obligations, and the role of stigma in shaping outcomes. Together, they examine how specialized courts and diversion programs can help—or hinder—real change. From courtroom culture to systemic reform, this conversation highlights the need for compassion, accountability, and broader social supports to ensure that people struggling with addiction aren't left behind.

Drug toxicity is a leading cause of death in Canada and around the world. Over the course of three episodes, we address three interrelated topics related to the toxic drug crisis. This final episode will review decriminalization policies in Portugal, British Columbia, and Oregon, and examine the mandatory treatment scheme in Alberta. Guests discuss how decriminalization is ineffective as a standalone policy and suggest additional resources that are needed to address the overdose crisis. Host Sarah Rowe discuss this issue and more with guests, internist and addiction specialist, Dr. Monty Ghosh, and criminal defence lawyer, Kyla Lee.

This series is produced in memory of Marc Alexander O'Keefe.

In this episode, CIAJ's Executive Director Christine O'Doherty welcomes The Honourable Chief Justice J.C. Marc Richard (of New Brunswick) to talk about his involvement in the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project. Drawing from his experience in Mongolia and Moldova, he discusses the importance of judicial independence and ethics. He addresses questions about Canada's role in strengthening global justice, the challenges of eradicating corruption, and the value of international judicial cooperation. He reflects on what motivates his involvement and how these experiences shape his perspective on global judicial cooperation.

Guests: The Honourable Chief Justice J.C. Marc Richard (of New Brunswick)

Host: Christine O'Doherty, Lawyer & Executive Director, CIAJ

ABOUT THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (TAP):

Global Affairs Canada's Technical Assistance Partnership Project (TAP), is designed to deploy Canadian experts from a range of disciplines to provide technical assistance to developing countries. The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (FJA) is one of the Canadian government agencies with an international development project under TAP. Under TAP, FJA engages with up to three countries per year for a one-year program of capacity building for judicial institutions. This mechanism allows Canada to use the experience in our judicial system to respond to requests for technical assistance made through Canadian missions abroad. Technical assistance is provided in response to needs expressed by partner countries, but in alignment with Canada's international development priorities, including the strengthening of gender equality and the protection of human rights.

More information

Nicole Sherren, a neuroscience expert and Principal Consultant at R2P Solutions, joins The Honourable P. Colleen Suche, Justice of the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba, for an engaging discussion on the profound impact of childhood adversity on brain development, mental health, and addiction. Drawing on cutting-edge research, Sherren illustrates how early adverse experiences can rewire the brain, heightening susceptibility to addiction and mental health challenges later in life.

The discussion explores the pivotal role of epigenetics in fostering resilience and examines how addiction-related behaviors intersect with justice systems, particularly when impaired self-control conflicts with concepts of accountability. Together, they highlight the critical need for interdisciplinary collaboration among neuroscience, health, and justice professionals to drive effective policies and meaningful systemic reform.

Let's continue the discussion!

To further explore the discussion, join us at our conference on addiction, mental health and the law, to be held February 3-5, 2025 in Toronto.

Come discover the complex interactions between addiction, mental health issues and the legal system, with multidisciplinary experts and Indigenous knowledge keepers. This discussion will address current challenges while gaining a comprehensive perspective on the critical issues faced by courts, law enforcement, treatment providers, policymakers, as well as communities, families, and individuals.

Register now to make sure you don't miss this unique event!

REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE

In this insightful conversation, host David Lazzam speaks with Gavin Cazon-Wilkes, a Legal Counsel with the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge. This episode highlights the Lodge's methodologies for uncovering Indigenous legal principles, its efforts to address addiction and mental health, and its aspirations for advancing Indigenous-led governance. Through concrete examples, Gavin demonstrates how narrative tools are reshaping the legal landscape, offering a unique perspective on integrating traditional laws with contemporary challenges.

Let's continue the discussion!

To further explore the discussion, join us at our our conference on addiction, mental health and the law, to be held February 3-5, 2025 in Toronto.

Come discover the complex interactions between addiction, mental health issues and the legal system, with multidisciplinary experts and Indigenous knowledge keepers. This discussion will address current challenges while gaining a comprehensive perspective on the critical issues faced by courts, law enforcement, treatment providers, policymakers, as well as communities, families, and individuals.

Register now to make sure you don't miss this unique event!

Discover the impact of the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) through the experience of the Ecuadorian delegation at CIAJ's 2024 Symposium on Indigenous Justice System. Hosted by Christine O'Doherty, the Honourable Milton Enrique Velasquez Diaz, Justice of the National Court of Justice of Ecuador, explores how TAP facilitates exchanges between judicial experts and justice system actors, while supporting global reform efforts. This dialogue highlights lessons learned from the Canadian system on indigenous justice issues, and their relevance in an international context.

ABOUT THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (TAP):

Global Affairs Canada's Technical Assistance Partnership Project (TAP), is designed to deploy Canadian experts from a range of disciplines to provide technical assistance to developing countries. The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (FJA) is one of the Canadian government agencies with an international development project under TAP. Under TAP, FJA engages with up to three countries per year for a one-year program of capacity building for judicial institutions. This mechanism allows Canada to use the experience in our judicial system to respond to requests for technical assistance made through Canadian missions abroad. Technical assistance is provided in response to needs expressed by partner countries, but in alignment with Canada's international development priorities, including the strengthening of gender equality and the protection of human rights.

More information

In this engaging discussion, host David Lazzam welcomes Justice Richard Schneider and mental health advocate Noah Irvine to explore the intersection of addiction, mental health, and the law. Justice Schneider reflects on his extensive experience with mental health courts and the criminal justice system, while Noah shares a powerful perspective as a national advocate for systemic change. Drawing from personal tragedy and resilience, Noah speaks with authority and compassion, having lost both parents to suicide and addiction by the age of 15. Together, they tackle pressing issues such as deinstitutionalization, the role of the Criminal Code in mental health cases, and the impact on families. Their dialogue highlights both challenges and progress, envisioning a more inclusive future for mental health and addiction services in Canada.

To delve deeper into these vital topics, don't miss the upcoming CIAJ conference on Addiction, Mental Health, and the Law, happening February 3-5, 2025, in Toronto.

Guests

Host

In this episode, David Lazzam hosts a compelling discussion with Vincent Ramsay, a retired family law attorney, and Nicholas Bala, a professor specializing in family and children's law. Together, they delve into the history of Canada's adversarial family law system and its profound impacts on families and children. Their engaging dialogue highlights the contrasting roles of "peacemaker" and "hired gun" lawyers, while offering educational and policy reform suggestions to promote a more collaborative, child-focused approach to family law. The episode also provides concrete advice for practitioners and policymakers aiming to reshape the family justice landscape.

RELATED DOCUMENTATION

Article: Ending the Harm to Parents and Children from Ontario's Family Justice System by Transforming Family Law Culture: Reflections of a Family Law Lawyer - Vincent Ramsay (2024 CanLIIDocs 2300, 2024-07-01)

Article: Ethical Duties of Lawyers for Parents Regarding Children of Clients: Being a Child-Focused Family Lawyer - Nicholas Bala, Patricia Hebert & Rachel Birnbaum (The Canadian Bar Review, 2027)

Dans cet épisode, Qurat-ul Ain, étudiante, invite le professeur Alexandre Lillo, enseignant en droit à l'UQAM, à explorer un sujet novateur : le lien entre la pédagogie alternative et l'accès à la justice. Ensemble, ils plongent au cœur des méthodes d'apprentissage non traditionnelles, comme l'apprentissage par le jeu, et leur impact sur la formation des futurs juristes. Le professeur Lillo partage ses techniques pédagogiques audacieuses et innovantes. Une discussion inspirante sur la façon dont l'enseignement peut transformer le droit et ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives.

Invité

Dr. Alexandre Lillo est professeur au département des sciences juridiques à l'Université du Québec à Montréal où il enseigne notamment le Droit de l'environnement et le Droit international de l'environnement. Il est titulaire d'un doctorat en droit de l'Université Montpellier et de l'Université d'Ottawa, et a occupé le poste de chercheur postdoctoral au sein du Centre de droit public de cette dernière. Professeur Lillo est l'auteur de plusieurs publications couvrant des sujets variés tels que le droit de l'eau, la gouvernance environnementale, le droit des jeux vidéo et l'apprentissage par le jeu.

Animatrice

Qurat-ul Ain, étudiante, Université de Montréal; ancienne membre, comité étudiant de l'ICAJ

Qurat-ul Ain est ancienne membre du comité étudiant de l'ICAJ. Elle poursuit un JD à l'UdeM depuis l'automne 2024, après avoir complété un baccalauréat en droit à l'UQÀM. Qurat s'intéresse aux questions de pédagogie juridique et aux expériences des étudiant.e.s issu.e.s des groupes méritant l'équité dans un programme de droit. Ayant travaillé dans le milieu communautaire et auprès de personnes en situation de vulnérabilité, elle s'intéresse également aux différentes formes que peut prendre l'accès à la justice.

In this episode, host Christine O'Doherty is joined by special guests Tina Parbhakar, Amy Schwab, and Jane Morley, K.C., to explore the Transform the Family Justice System Collaborative, an innovative initiative in British Columbia, launched in 2022. As key contributors to this groundbreaking user-centred initiative, the guests share their insights on efforts to redesign the family justice system. Together, they discuss strategies for enhancing child and youth participation, fostering cross-sector collaboration, using developmental and transformational evolution approaches and developing creative solutions for families. Their conversation offers a deep dive into the ongoing collective impact work to make family justice more accessible, inclusive, and responsive.

RELATED DOCUMENTATION

National Justice Education Society website (that is being updated for re-launch in early 2025): https://familieschange.ca/

Visit transformfamilyjusticebc.ca. Any feedback is welcome, which can be sent to contact@accesstojusticebc.ca

2024 Annual Conference on "Families and the Law":

David Lazzam, CIAJ's articling student, welcomes back Diana Lowe and Justice Rod Jerke to delve into the power of storytelling in driving systemic change within family law systems. Together, they discuss how narratives can serve as catalysts for transformation while revisiting the progress and new direction of the Reforming the Family Justice System (RFJS) initiative.

RELATED DOCUMENTATION

Book: "The Power of Story: On Truth, the Trickster, and New Fictions for a New Era" by Harold R. Johnson

Video: During the Grande Prairie "Family Well-Being" Symposium held in February 2024, a mock hearing was recorded, which demonstrates the underlying approach in the RFJS, explains why this pilot is needed and highlights the community readiness that underpins this new approach to family practice. We encourage you to watch the edited (33 min) recording of that mock hearing: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/8p16z70nc1egddmatr6md/AOfB9jxcmOMHE13PtF7DZTQ?e=2&preview=RFJS_Courtroom+Scene_V3.mp4&rlkey=y6trgu433dhe8vnur9pk14rk2&st=8egc5yof&dl=0 Video: This video is based on the same facts, but demonstrates how applications are likely to proceed once the Notice to the Profession & Public is in effect, if indeed an application is even needed. https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/rD5deJJxKrHJb928oTDotDoYEaHITTrQPHbc91ioVS2OoDWTF1b7IE538wECQ2jk.L1udnl_8tfffFiis Passcode: p.AsXM=0 Video: Justice Rod Jerke and Diana Lowe, KC were invited to speak to the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary on October 12, 2023 and a video of that presentation is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ5AfWBYrhU

2024 Annual Conference on "Families and the Law":

Podcasts: Three-part series on "Family Law Reform":

Dans cet épisode, Me Caroline Bourbonnais reçoit Carolle Tremblay, avocate accréditée en droit collaboratif familial, et l'honorable J. Sébastien Vaillancourt, juge coordonnateur de la gestion familiale au district de Montréal à la Cour supérieure du Québec. Ensemble, ils discutent du droit collaboratif, une approche innovante dans le domaine du droit familial. Carolle Tremblay partage son point de vue en tant qu'avocate sur cette méthode qui favorise la résolution amiable, tandis que le juge Vaillancourt offre une perspective judiciaire, expliquant pourquoi cette approche est une option très intéressante pour les personnes en situation de conflit familial.

Ressources

Stephen Bindman, Visiting Professor and Executive in Residence at the uOttawa Faculty of Law, welcomes Professor Kent Roach, one of Canada's most prolific scholars and writers in the area of criminal law and wrongful convictions. In this episode, they discuss Professor Roach's book "Wrongfully Convicted," exploring how he became involved in studying wrongful convictions and why this work is so important.

Book: Wrongfully Convicted (Updated and Expanded Edition) Guilty Pleas, Imagined Crimes, and What Canada Must Do to Safeguard Justice By Kent Roach

Shayla Praud (Eagle Clan from the Nisga'a Nation), Dominga Robinson (Nakota Jamaican l Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation) and Justin Thompson (Member of Nipissing First Nation), students at the time of recording earlier this year, share their views on Indigenous self-governance. Together, they discuss how Indigenous legal systems and practices contribute to reconciliation efforts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and the responsibilities of the Canadian government and legal community in supporting these efforts; alternatives to courts, in the context where not all Nations or communities may want to or be able to take on the challenge of implementing their own courts; and the example of the community Nipissing FN, which became the first community to enact a Constitution taking power away from the Indian Act as a key governing document.

From November 4 to 6, 2024, CIAJ will be holding its second Symposium on Indigenous Justice (November 4-6, 2024 I In person in Calgary, AB – and online) Indigenous Justice System: A Knowledge Sharing Symposium - Join the discussion: https://ciaj-icaj.ca/en/upcoming-programs/symposium-on-indigenous-justice-systems/

In this episode, Nathan Afilalo, CIAJ's former Legal Affairs Manager at the time, welcomes two guests to discuss engaging with Indigenous legal orders in Canada from two perspectives: the academic side with Associate Professor Hadley Friedland and the institutional side with Crown Counsel Sarah Arngna'naaq. These two guests present their work and active projects.

Guests

Sarah Arngna'naaq, Crown Counsel, Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Nunavut Regional Office (Iqaluit)

Dr. Hadley Friedland, Associate Professor; Academic Director, Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge, Faculty of Law, University of Alberta

Host

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2024 Indigenous Justice System – A Knowledge Sharing Symposium (November 4-6, 2024 I In person in Calgary, AB - and online): https://ciaj-icaj.ca/en/upcoming-programs/symposium-on-indigenous-justice-systems/

Qu'est-ce que la rédaction législative? À l'approche de la Conférence sur la rédaction législative, organisée par l'ICAJ à Ottawa du 16 au 18 septembre 2024, des experts en la matière parlent de leur travail et des aspects passionnants de cette profession qui est souvent méconnue. Les sujets abordés incluent le rôle des rédacteurs dans les différents bureaux, tant au niveau fédéral qu'au niveau provincial, et l'évolution de la profession dans une perspective d'avenir.

Invités

Animateur

Jean-Félix Robitaille, avocat, Chef d'équipe - Droit administratif, civil et pénal, Direction des orientations et des affaires législatives, SMOAJ - ministère de la Justice Canada

Si vous souhaitez découvrir la version anglaise de ce podcast sur la rédaction législative avec d'autres experts de cette profession, écoutez l'épisode 80: Behind the Provisions – A Window into Legislative Drafting

L'ICAJ organisera le 26 novembre 2024 un webinaire sur la rédaction législative «Les (dé)connexion entre la rédaction législative et l'interprétation statutaire: perspectives des trois branches du gouvernement», pour plus d'informations: https://ciaj-icaj.ca/fr/programmes-a-venir/webinaire-deconnexion-entre-redaction-legislative-et-interpretation-statutaire/

Discover the seven key changes to improve New Brunswick's justice system discussed at the 2023 Access to Justice Summit.

The New Brunswick Access to Justice Summit, Digital Transformation: Putting People at the Heart of the Justice System, held in August 2023 at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Faculty of Law, brought stakeholders from the province's justice community together to discuss changes required to the New Brunswick family law system and the role of digital technology in the justice system in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, Nathan Afilalo, Argyri Panezi and Daniel J. Escott reflect on the writing of their co-authored report "Access to Justice Summit: The New Brunswick Report - Digital Transformation: Putting People at the Heart of the System." They share their thoughts on the process of writing this report and present the seven desired outcomes ("7 Changes") that were identified at the Summit.

The Summit launched an action-plan and longer-term research plan to be led by the UNB Law Legal Innovation Laboratory in collaboration with local stakeholders and community. The Legal Innovation Laboratory will undertake a series of empirical studies to help inform future reform initiatives and will plan and host subsequent Summits inviting members of the public to participate in the design of justice reforms.

2024 Summit: Our team is currently organizing the 2024 Access to Justice Summit, which will take place on August 26 and 27 at the UNB Faculty of Law. Working themes are bilingual case-management and electronic filing. https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/law/research/innovationlab.html

This report has been written collaboratively by CIAJ and the University of New Brunswick Legal Innovation Laboratory.

Lors de cet entretien, le professeur Vladyslav Lanovoy traitera du recours à la force par les États en droit international (jus ad bellum), qui est encadré par la Charte des Nations Unies. Il s'exprimera également sur la Cour internationale de justice. Si la justice pénale internationale s'intéresse à la responsabilité des individus, la Cour internationale de justice se prononce sur des questions de droit international et tranche des différends interétatiques. Certaines questions relatives aux conflits armés ont été portées devant la Cour internationale de justice, notamment en ce qui concerne la légalité du recours à la force en droit international et l'application de la Convention pour la prévention et la répression du crime de génocide. La discussion visera à comprendre la portée juridictionnelle de cette importante institution internationale et les procédures entreprises récemment, notamment dans les dossiers de l'Ukraine et de Gaza.

À propos de la série

«Sous le feu» est une série de Balados préparés par l'Institut canadien d'administration de la justice et animés par l'honorable juge Simon Ruel de la Cour d'appel du Québec. Les entretiens donnent la parole à des spécialistes du droit international, du droit de la guerre, du droit humanitaire et du droit pénal international. La série vise à étudier et à comprendre les règles et les conséquences juridiques découlant des conflits internationaux.

In this episode, uOttawa Associate Professor Vanessa MacDonnell welcomes The Honourable Sheilah L. Martin, Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Public Law Conference, which will be held from July 3rd to July 5, 2024, in Ottawa. This year's conference theme, "Public Law: Rights, Duties, and Power," will initiate a conversation that spans across different countries, various perspectives, and brings together the legal community from around the globe.

Cet entretien avec la professeure Miriam Cohen et Maître Alexis Larivière traitera du thème des victimes dans le contexte de la justice pénale internationale. Au cours de cet épisode, les invités aborderont l'historique, la philosophie et la justification de la participation des victimes en justice pénale internationale. Les invités discuteront ensuite des règles et mécanismes de participation des victimes aux procédures préalables et aux procès devant la Cour pénale internationale. Puis, les invités se pencheront sur l'important thème des réparations sous toutes ses formes pour les victimes de crimes internationaux, un droit qui est en évolution depuis quelques années. Finalement, l'entretien permettra d'aborder les droits et la protection des victimes dans une perspective comparative avec le droit interne canadien en matière criminelle.

À propos de la série

«Sous le feu» est une série de Balados préparés par l'Institut canadien d'administration de la justice et animés par l'honorable juge Simon Ruel de la Cour d'appel du Québec. Les entretiens donnent la parole à des spécialistes du droit international, du droit de la guerre, du droit humanitaire et du droit pénal international. La série vise à étudier et à comprendre les règles et les conséquences juridiques découlant des conflits internationaux.

Au cours de cet entretien, Maîtres Marie-Hélène Proulx et Mylène Dimitri traiteront de la défense des accusés devant les tribunaux pénaux internationaux. Elles décriront le système de justice pénale internationale du point de vue fonctionnel, particulièrement à la Cour pénale internationale, de la perspective particulière des accusés. Les thèmes suivants seront abordés dans cet épisode : les droits des accusés prévus au Statut de Rome, leur application et leur sanction par la Cour, les difficultés liées à la collecte de preuve dans des pays où des conflits perdurent ou dont les structures étatiques sont déficientes, les enjeux liés à la coopération ou au manque de coopération des États, les règles de procédure et de preuve, le nécessaire travail de terrain par la défense et le principe de l'égalité de traitement entre la poursuite et la défense.

À propos de la série

«Sous le feu» est une série de Balados préparés par l'Institut canadien d'administration de la justice et animés par l'honorable juge Simon Ruel de la Cour d'appel du Québec. Les entretiens donnent la parole à des spécialistes du droit international, du droit de la guerre, du droit humanitaire et du droit pénal international. La série vise à étudier et à comprendre les règles et les conséquences juridiques découlant des conflits internationaux.

Dans cet entretien, Maître Johann Soufi se penchera sur l'historique de la justice pénale internationale, la création de la Cour pénale internationale et sa juridiction et expliquera en quoi consiste le principe de complémentarité. Il exposera également les grandes lignes du mandat et du fonctionnement des organes de la Cour. Seront aussi abordées dans cet épisode les forces et les lacunes de ce système unique de droit pénal à vocation universelle, notamment : la lutte contre l'impunité pour graves violation du droit humanitaire, les conséquences de la non-signature ou de la non-ratification du Statut de Rome par les grands États du monde, l'absence d'une force policière internationale au soutien de la Cour, la difficulté de mener des enquêtes et d'obtenir des arrestations dans les pays où se déroulent des conflits, ainsi que les enjeux liés à la coopération des États.

À propos de la série

«Sous le feu» est une série de Balados préparés par l'Institut canadien d'administration de la justice et animés par l'honorable juge Simon Ruel de la Cour d'appel du Québec. Les entretiens donnent la parole à des spécialistes du droit international, du droit de la guerre, du droit humanitaire et du droit pénal international. La série vise à étudier et à comprendre les règles et les conséquences juridiques découlant des conflits internationaux.

Lors de cet entretien, la professeure Julia Grignon et Mme Anne-Lise Lierville traiteront du thème du droit des conflits armés (jus in bello), aussi nommé droit international humanitaire. L'épisode explorera d'abord les sources du droit international humanitaire, ensuite les circonstances dans lesquelles il s'applique, les personnes visées, les principes fondamentaux et les diverses protections offertes. Les thèmes de l'éthique, de l'indépendance, de l'impartialité et des stratégies des interventions humanitaires en zones de conflits seront également abordés. Finalement, il sera traité dans cet épisode de certaines questions actuelles et émergentes en droit international humanitaire, notamment l'utilisation de nouvelles technologies d'armement, de l'intelligence artificielle et des dommages causés à l'environnement par les conflits armés.

À propos de la série

«Sous le feu» est une série de Balados préparés par l'Institut canadien d'administration de la justice et animés par l'honorable juge Simon Ruel de la Cour d'appel du Québec. Les entretiens donnent la parole à des spécialistes du droit international, du droit de la guerre, du droit humanitaire et du droit pénal international. La série vise à étudier et à comprendre les règles et les conséquences juridiques découlant des conflits internationaux.

Who are Legislative and Parliamentary Counsel? What do they do? In this episode, lawyers involved with the 2024 CIAJ Legislative Drafting Conference speak about their work and an exciting part of the profession that is often quite removed from the spotlight. Topics include the role of drafters in different offices and the evolution of the profession with an eye to the future.

Guests

Host

In this episode, CIAJ's host Sarah Rowe is welcoming lawyer Dylan Gibbs, Founder & Author of Hearsay, a plain language email newsletter aiming to keep Canadian lawyers informed of key decisions and topical legal news. Together, they discuss the launch of this weekly bulletin and the need for more accessible and innovative approaches to legal writing in Canada.

In this fourth episode of a four-part series on "Concise Decision-Writing," Chairperson of the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal Emily Crocco is inviting physician, researcher and podcaster Dr. Ken Milne to learn more about knowledge translation (the process of converting research results into practice), and what the legal system can learn about science's work in the area.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this third episode of a four-part series on "Concise Decision-Writing," Chairperson of the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal Emily Crocco is inviting Lawyer and PhD Candidate Jonathan Khan to discuss the importance of reliable data in determining how the judicial system can be redesigned to be more equitable and accessible.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Dans ce deuxième épisode d'une série en quatre parties sur la rédaction de décisions concises, la présidente de la Commission de révision agricole du Canada, Emily Crocco, reçoit le professeur et expert de renommée internationale en droit public Paul Daly, qui explique comment la rédaction de décisions concises s'inscrit dans la «culture de la justification» du système judiciaire.

Partie I: Une compétence qui s'apprend (invitée: Emily Crocco)

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

Dans ce premier épisode d'une série en quatre parties sur la rédaction de décisions concises, la directrice générale de l'ICAJ, Me Christine O'Doherty, reçoit la présidente de la Commission de révision agricole du Canada, Emily Crocco, afin de discuter de ses récents travaux de recherche portant sur cette question.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

In this episode, CIAJ's host Nathan Afilalo is welcoming the founding editor of the Black (Canadian) Law Journal Mohammed Odusanya and acting editor-in-chief Dana-Kaye Matthews to learn more about this academic, peer-reviewed, bilingual journal founded in 2021.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

How can we contribute to strengthening judicial systems in developing countries? In this episode, CIAJ is welcoming FJA's Deputy Commissioner Errolyn Humphreys to learn more on the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project, a five-year initiative that leverages Canadian judicial expertise to provide targeted support in areas critical for upholding the rule of law and ensuring transparent, accountable governance.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Drug toxicity is a leading cause of death in Canada and around the world. Over the course of three episodes, we will address three interrelated topics related to the toxic drug crisis. This second episode will focus on how safe supply can help to combat the toxic drug Crisis. From January to September of 2022, fentanyl was involved in more than 81% of opioid toxicity deaths. Safer supply has the potential to mitigate the increasingly unpredictable state of street drugs. Host Sarah Rowe addresses this question and more with guests, public health researcher and postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Gillian Kollaand, and addiction medicine physician, Dr. Sukhpreet Klaire.

This series is produced in memory of Marc Alexander O'Keefe.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In 1992, at the age of 23 and pregnant with her fourth child, Maria Shepherd plead guilty to manslaughter in the death of her three-year-old stepdaughter, Kasandra, to avoid a much longer sentence which would have torn her away from her family. 25 years later, she was acquitted on the basis of new forensic expert evidence. She has realized her dream of becoming a licensed paralegal and runs her own paralegal practice. In this episode with her friend and UBC Innocence Project Director Tamara Levy, Maria Shepherd explains the myriad of experiences and tragic consequences that resulted from her wrongful conviction, and how it still affects her life.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Drug toxicity is a leading cause of death in Canada and around the world. Over the course of three episodes, we will address three interrelated topics related to the toxic drug crisis. This first episode will focus on harm reduction and the impact of stigma on people who use drugs. While the Supreme Court of Canada has recognized the importance of harm reduction for effective addiction treatment, contemporary efforts have diverged from the traditional aims of grassroots harm reduction: to promote and protect the dignity of people who use drugs. How can harm reduction be enhanced to reduce the number of deaths related to drug toxicity and better serve the needs of those affected by structural, social, and economic vulnerabilities? Host Sarah Rowe addresses this question and more with guests Dr. Geoff Bardwell and Craig Marshall.

This series is produced in memory of Marc Alexander O'Keefe.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In 1991, Canada was "the first country to accept refugee petitions based on persecution due to sexual orientation or gender identity." Over the years, recognition of 2SLGBTQIA+ vulnerability has caused the number of sexual orientation and gender identity refugee claims to increase in the country. Does Canada's identity as a safe haven allow for an easy entry system for these claimants? In this podcast, host Sarah Rowe addresses this question and more with guests Kelly Ernst and Jay De Santi.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this episode, host Daniel Escott is joined by Janet McIntyre, former Director of Justice Canada's Access to Justice Secretariat, for a discussion on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 16, the role of the Secretariat domestically and internationally, and the gradual shift to a people-centred approach to justice.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this episode, host Daniel Escott is joined by Trevor C.W. Farrow, a renowned access to justice researcher and incoming Dean of Osgoode Hall Law School, for a discussion on the pre-, during, and post-pandemic views of traditional access to justice. Dean Farrow provides a wealth of information on the problems that arise from a lack of access to justice, and discusses what meaningful access to justice looks like in the modern, post-pandemic period.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this episode, host Daniel J. Escott explores the transformative landscape of access to justice in Canada in the company of his guests, esteemed legal experts Mark Benton, K.C. and Brea Lowenberger. Together, they discuss the impact of the Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters at both national and local levels and explore how collaborative efforts between stakeholders can help improve access to justice across Canada.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this episode, CIAJ Lawyer Nathan Afilalo is welcoming Aaron Mills, a member of the Anishinaabe, Couchiching First Nation and Assistant Professor and the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Constitutionalism and Philosophy at McGill University Faculty of Law. Together, they discuss professor Mills' theory of rooted constitutionalism, teaching Indigenous law and legal traditions in law schools, and questioning the ontological and legal assumptions underpinning the Canadian liberal constitutional framework.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

La notion de territoire a beaucoup évolué au fil du temps. Les défis auxquels nous faisons face aujourd'hui sont d'échelle planétaire. Dans un contexte de mondialisation, les frontières nationales ont-elles encore un sens? Pour répondre à cette question, l'ICAJ reçoit Richard Ouellet, professeur de droit international économique à la Faculté de droit de l'Université Laval et titulaire de la nouvelle Chaire de recherche sur les nouveaux enjeux de la mondialisation économique.

Le thème de la mondialisation et le droit international vous intéressent? Inscrivez-vous à la 47e conférence annuelle de l'ICAJ sur Le droit des frontières. Celle-ci aura lieu en personne à Ottawa, du 25 au 27 octobre 2023.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

According to a Justice Canada Survey in 2021, only 20% of Canadians are confident that the criminal justice system is fair to all people. What can we do to improve this situation? In this excerpt from CIAJ's 2022 Conference on dignity, CIAJ Lawyer Nathan Afilalo welcomes Rheanne Scott (Director, Justice and Community Safety, PwC Canada) for a special interactive session on what citizens want and need in a modern justice system.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this episode, CIAJ's lawyer Nathan Afilalo is welcoming Lan Keenan, a JD candidate at Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law and President of the Schulich Disability Alliance. Together they provide an overview of accessibility and accommodation issues and solutions in law schools.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this episode, Professor Cheryl Milne and CIAJ Legal Researcher Nathan Afilalo discuss the practical aspects of the use of the concept of dignity in Canadian case law, and the ethical and practical implications of practising law consistent with the concept of dignity. This important topic is one of the key aspects to be examined at CIAJ's 46th Annual Conference, entitled "The Right to Dignity in Canadian Law." The conference will be held in person in Halifax and online, from October 26-28, 2022.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Dans cet épisode, Me Christine O'Doherty s'entretient avec l'avocat et éthicien Me Pierre Deschamps, qui apporte un point de vue expert sur la question de la dignité et de l'aide médicale à mourir. Ensemble, ils abordent l'avènement de l'AMM au Québec et au Canada, les législations québécoise et fédérale, ainsi que les fondements cliniques, éthiques et juridiques de ces législations.

Cette importante question fait partie des points essentiels qui seront abordés dans le cadre de la 46e conférence annuelle de l'ICAJ intitulée Le droit à la dignité en droit canadien. Celle-ci aura lieu en personne et en ligne, du 26 au 28 octobre 2022.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

In this episode, Adjunct Research Professor Dr. Samantha McAleese from Carleton University and Lawyer Russell Bennett, founder of Cannabis Law, Barristers & Solicitors, tackle the topic of expunging cannabis convictions. Together, they discuss the evolution of cannabis law, and why they think changes are needed in a country that is constantly evolving.

Cannabis was officially legalized in Canada on October 17, 2018, but approximately 250,000 Canadians still have criminal records for personal possession of the drug. Black Canadians and Indigenous peoples are over-represented in arrests for cannabis possession. Following Canadian legalization, Bill C-93 allowed Canadians with simple cannabis convictions to suspend their records. In the United States, the disproportionate criminalization of African American and Latinx people was central to cannabis legalization and decriminalization.

The Canadian government is slowly taking action to follow the United States' amnesty model. Bill C-5 would "sequester" criminal records for personal possession of all drugs two years after any sentence resulting from the conviction. While the bill's passing would be a positive step, more needs to be done to truly repair the harm to communities most affected by drug possession convictions.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Cet épisode est un extrait de la 45e Conférence annuelle de l'ICAJ intitulée « Les peuples autochtones et le droit ». Celle-ci a eu lieu à Vancouver en novembre 2021. Il s'agit d'une partie du panel numéro 7, qui traite de la gouvernance et de l'autonomie des Premières Nations, des Métis et des Inuits. Dans cet extrait, vous entendrez la présentation de Nadir André, un avocat spécialisé en droit autochtone et associé chez BLG.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

This is an excerpt from CIAJ's 45th Annual Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the Law, which took place in person in Vancouver and online on November 17-19, 2021.

CIAJ is pleased to widely share the Land Acknowledgement address made by Debra Sparrow, Knowledge Keeper of the Musqueam First Nation, Weaver and Artist, on November 17, 2021. The episode begins with an introduction from The Honourable Justice James W. O'Reilly.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Cet épisode est un extrait de la 45e Conférence annuelle de l'ICAJ intitulée « Les peuples autochtones et le droit ». Celle-ci a eu lieu à Vancouver en novembre 2021. Il s'agit d'une partie du panel numéro 6, qui porte sur la question du traitement des délinquants autochtones au Canada. Dans cet extrait, vous entendrez la présentation de la juge Michelle O'Bonsawin. L'honorable Michelle O'Bonsawin est Abénakise, membre de la Première Nation d'Odanak au Québec et la première juge autochtone nommée à la Cour supérieure de justice de l'Ontario, à Ottawa.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

This is an excerpt from CIAJ's 45th Annual Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the Law, which took place in person in Vancouver and online on November 17-19, 2021. CIAJ is pleased to widely share the address made by the 2021 Conference Chair, The Honourable Chief Justice of British Columbia Robert J. Bauman, on November 17, 2021. The episode begins with an introduction from The Honourable Justice James W. O'Reilly.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this episode, CIAJ's Executive Director Christine O'Doherty is welcoming Professor Kent Roach to provide an update on Bill C-28 on extreme intoxication. Together, they will discuss the new amendments, what they mean, and what kind of results we should expect. A first episode on this topic was aired on June 16, 2022 (Episode 52: The SCC and the Matter of R. v. Brown and Self-Induced Intoxication).

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

This is an excerpt from CIAJ's 45th Annual Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the Law, which took place in person in Vancouver and online on November 17-19, 2021.

CIAJ is pleased to widely share the address made by the 2021 Conference Honorary President, The Honourable Murray Sinclair, on November 17, 2021. The episode begins with an introduction from The Honourable Justice James W. O'Reilly and The Honourable P. Colleen Suche. More speeches and presentations will be released in the coming weeks.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

The Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Brown, 2022 SCC 18, has recently re-invigorated the defence of extreme intoxication. In this timely episode, Sarah A. Inness and Professor Kent Roach will discuss the history of the defence of self-induced intoxication, how it was interpreted and applied in previous cases, its inclusion as Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code, and the potential fallout of the Brown decision for Parliament.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Qu'est-ce que la résilience? Y a-t-il une différence entre le stress et l'anxiété? Comment peut-on prévenir, apaiser ou gérer la détresse physique ou psychologique? Dans ce balado, la docteure en psychologie, consultante en résilience psychologique et soutien entre pairs Rachel Thibeault offre des outils simples, efficaces et applicables dès maintenant pour construire sa résilience. Elle aborde entre autres : la distinction entre stress et anxiété ; les stratégies physiques, psychologiques et contextuelles de gestion de l'anxiété ; le protocole de bienveillance ; et les microrésolutions.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

In this third and last episode of a three-part series on "Family Law Reform," CIAJ's Executive Director and lawyer Christine O'Doherty is interviewing the Honourable Justice Rodney A. Jerke of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta and Diana Lowe, QC, lawyer and justice system consultant at Re-imagining Justice to discuss the importance of improving the outcomes for families, why transforming the family justice system is needed and how to achieve this, the changes that are starting to take place, and the "Seven C's": creative, curiosity, committed, community, compassion, cash and brain science (children).

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this second episode of a three-part series on "Family Law Reform," CIAJ's Executive Director and lawyer Christine O'Doherty is interviewing Nicole Sherren, PhD, Principal Consultant and Founder of R2P Solutions and Diana Lowe, QC, lawyer and justice system consultant at Re-imagining Justice to discuss: how brain science relates to family well-being, how experiences in childhood affect the developing brain, how adversity also affects our capacity for resilience and how this science is relevant to the family justice system.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this first episode of a three-part series on "Family Law Reform," CIAJ's Executive Director and lawyer Christine O'Doherty is inviting Diana Lowe, QC, lawyer and justice system consultant at Re-imagining Justice to discuss: the nature of concerns about the family justice system, recommendations to improve the system and why we need a culture shift or paradigm shift.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Internships are an essential step in a student's career development. They allow students to get a taste of what it's like to work in the heart of the justice system and to gain experience that will give them a boost in their future career. In this episode, Nathan Afilalo welcomes three students who have participated in this program: Erin Macgillivray, Jessica Stickle and Roxana Jahani Aval. Together, they discuss how this experience helped them in terms of preparation for their future careers, self-confidence, networking and learnings. They also share their thoughts and challenges of interning in times of pandemic.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Putting the February 2022 Crisis in context requires taking a step back and getting a better grasp of Canada's Emergencies Act and its implications. In this timely podcast, CIAJ's Executive Director and Lawyer Christine O'Doherty is asking UofT Faculty of Law Professor Kent Roach some crucial questions: How did we get to this point? How does federalism affect policing? What's the Emergencies Act trying to do? What next if it doesn't work?

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Quand on est encore aux études, avoir la chance de se frotter à la réalité du travail au cœur même du système de justice, cela peut donner tout un coup de pouce. Viviane Lavergne, diplômée de la Faculté de droit de l'Université de Montréal, et Deana Tardif, étudiante à la Faculté de droit de l'Université Laval, en savent quelque chose. Dans ce balado, Me Nathan Afilalo s'entretient avec elles de leur récente participation programme de stages en milieu judiciaire de l'ICAJ. Ensemble, ils discutent de leur expérience, et de ce que cela leur a apporté en termes de préparation de leur future carrière, de confiance en soi, de relations de travail, de réseautage et de découvertes. Ils offrent aussi de précieux conseils à celles et ceux qui s'apprêtent à faire un stage ou qui souhaitent s'inscrire à ce programme.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

Megan Vis-Dunbar, a Liaison Lawyer and the Manager of Local Libraries at Courthouse Libraries BC, is interviewing Jennifer Cox, Commission Counsel for the Mass Casualty Commission. Together, they discuss concrete ways in which courts and tribunals can build authentic relationships with Indigenous communities in order to develop a better understanding of their realities, generate mutual trust and deliver better justice.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this third and last episode of a new three-part series on how the brain works, host Caroline Mandell is welcoming Dr. Sophie Leroy, Associate Professor of Management at the University of Washington BothellSchool of Business. Together they explore topics such as attention, distraction and procrastination and discuss their implications for judges – and all legal professionals – as high-volume decision-makers and writers.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this second episode, host Caroline Mandell is interviewing David Badre, professor of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences at Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island. Together, they explain what cognitive control (also known as executive function) is and discuss its implications for judges – and all legal professionals – as knowledge workers engaged in high-stakes, non-routine tasks.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

In this first episode of a new three-part series on how the brain works, host Caroline Mandell is speaking with UNSW Sydney's Emeritus Professor John Sweller. Together, they explore a fundamental question: how do our brains process, retain, retrieve, and apply information? In short: how do we learn?

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Megan Vis-Dunbar, a Liaison Lawyer and the Manager of Local Libraries at Courthouse Libraries BC, is interviewing the Honourable Justice Michelle O'Bonsawin of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on the themes of Gladue principles in a mental health context, child protection, and more. This podcast was recorded at CIAJ's 45th Annual Conference on Indigenous Peoples and the Law, as a complement to Panel six on "Canada's Treatment of Indigenous Offenders."

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

Dans cet épisode, l'avocate et animatrice Caroline Bourbonnais s'entretient avec sa collègue, Me Awatif Lakhdar, associée chez Lavery Avocats, et l'honorable André Roy, juge à la Cour supérieure du Québec. Ensemble, ils analysent les conférences de règlement à l'amiable (CRA) selon le point de vue du juge et de l'avocat, tout en abordant certains points essentiels : définition, déroulement, intervenants, avantages, rôle du juge et de l'avocat, facteurs de succès, etc.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

Dans cet épisode, l'avocate et animatrice Caroline Bourbonnais s'entretient avec l'honorable Carole Hallée, juge à la Cour supérieure du Québec, et Me Michel Ghali, avocat à l'aide juridique de Montréal. Ensemble, ils abordent la question d'un dossier en matière familiale selon le point de vue du juge et de l'avocat.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

Are courts and tribunals really providing accessible service to people with disabilities? Michael Gottheil, Chief of the Commission and Tribunals of the Alberta Human Rights Commission, and Michael McNeely, Family Lawyer at Rogerson Law Group and first deaf-blind lawyer to graduate from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, are seeking to answer this question in the third and last episode of our series on disability. Along the way, they discuss the reality in the justice system for people with disabilities, how courts and tribunals still struggle to provide accessible service to them, what challenges they are faced with on a day-to-day basis and how they can work and evolve in the sector of Law.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website

L'avocate et animatrice Caroline Bourbonnais aborde le thème difficile de l'enlèvement international d'un enfant, en compagnie de ses collègues Me Awatif Lakhdar et Me Caroline Harnois. Toutes trois spécialisées en droit de la famille, elles traitent des sujets tels que les premières étapes à respecter dans ce type de dossier, les moyens de défense possibles et les mesures à prendre pour éviter ce genre de situation.

Invités, documentation et plus d'informations sur le site de l'ICAJ

In this episode, Laverne Jacobs, a professor at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law and a person with physical disabilities, interviews Michael McNeely, who is the first deaf-blind lawyer to graduate from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. They share thoughts on access to administrative justice for people with disabilities, challenges faced by members of the disability community becoming legal professionals and working as legal professionals, post-secondary education, and community activism.

Speakers, documentation and more details on CIAJ's website