Faculty in the News

Landmark legal decision for Canada's Metis, but...

Publication: Radio Canada International

Larry Chartrand, Common Law Section, comments the Supreme Court of Canada decision declaring Metis and non-status Indians to be included under the federal jurisdiction along with status “Indians”. 

Supreme Court decides in favour of Métis, non-status Indians

Publication: Vancouver Sun

Joseph Magnet, Common Law Section, comments the Supreme Court of Canada decision Thursday declaring that Metis and non-status Indians are "Indians" under the Constitution Act of 1867. 

Little progress on rail safety in wake of Lac Mégantic

Publication: The star 

Bruce Campbell - Common Law 

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Is A Hidden Tax On Canadians By Multinationals

Publication: Huffington Post Canada

Michael Geist, Common Law Section, analyses the possible ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. 

@Kady's Watchlist for Apr. 13

Publication: Ottawa Citizen

Errol Mendes, Common Law Section, is on a panel of law professors that will appear before the Special Committee on Pay Equity to discuss ways to “make the Senate more effective within the current constitutional framework.”

Experts point out flaws in investigating, prosecuting sexual assaults

Publication: Metro News Canada

Blair Crew, Common Law Section, discusses the flaws in the process of investigating and prosecuting a sexual assault from the perspective of a female victim.

Affordable Internet access is everyone's business: Geist

Publication: Toronto Star

In this Op-Ed, Michael Geist, Common Law Section, discusses the rules associated with universal access to communications services.

Hundreds march to Ontario legislature against e-cigarette restrictions

Publication: Global News Canada

David Sweanor, Common Law Section, comments the announced regulations due to take effect in July that would see e-cigarette and medical marijuana users banned from smoking or vaporizing anywhere regular cigarettes are prohibited. “They’re treating them just like cigarettes in terms of where they can be used. They simply are not like cigarettes.”

Early Supreme Court retirement leaves Liberals scrambling to fulfill 'transparency' promise

Publication: National Post

Carissima Mathen, Common Law Section, comments the Supreme Court appointment process. “I’m less and less convinced that having the candidate appear before an ad hoc committee of Parliament that doesn’t have any authority really achieves anything.”

Budget 2016: Is It The End of a Canadian Digital Strategy?

Publication: The Canadian

In this Op-Ed, Michael Geist, Common Law Section, discusses the relation between the federal budget 2016 and a Canadian digital strategy.

Michael Geist: TPP Puts Global Health at Risk

Publication: The Canadian

In this Op-Ed, Michael Geist, Common Law Section, discusses the Trans Pacific Partnership and how its requirements represent a risk for global health. 

Data on child sex abuse victims can inflate charging rate: Expert

Publication: Metro News Ottawa

Blair Crew, Common Law Section, discusses child victims of sexual assaults and compares how these cases are treated to adult women's cases. “The police feel the need to sort of check out her story on the issue of consent for an adult woman in a way that they simply never do with children.”

Black Lives Matter TO protest demands SIU overhaul, Premier vows review

Publication: CBC News – The Current

André Marin, Common Law Section, discusses Black Lives Matter protesters who are calling on the province to ensure police services and investigations are fair and transparent. 

Marin: Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre – Show you care, minister

Publication: Ottawa Citizen

In this Op-Ed, André Marin, Common Law Section, discusses the problems at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre. 

Why Aren't Governments and Medical Associations Doing More About Superbugs and Over-Prescribing?

Publication: Ottawa Life Magazine

In this Op-Ed, Colleen Flood, Common Law Section, and Bryan Thomas, Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics, discuss the evolution of bacteria and other pathogens into ‘superbugs’, and the issues with overprescribing.

Sexual assault cases that lead to charges in Ottawa hit a 7-year low

Publication: Metro Canada

Blair Crew, Common Law Section, mentions that the Ottawa police is in need of additional resources to be able to investigate sexual assault complaints. The article also mentions Department of Criminology professor Holly Johnson's research on sex-related crimes and how often they are reported to police.

Ontario music fund oversight hits a sour note: Geist

Publication: Toronto Star

In this Op-Ed, Michael Geist, Common Law Section, discusses public funding of music in Ontario. 

School board poised to reverse controversial decision on Elgin Street Public School

Publication: Ottawa Citizen

Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, informed the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board that moving kindergarten students out of Elgin Street Public School to solve overcrowding is illegal. 

Quebec seeks to block access to non-government online gambling sites

Publication: Toronto Star

Michael Geist, Common Law Section, comments on Bill 74, which includes a provision that seeks to force Internet service providers to block Quebecer’s access to online gambling sites that aren’t approved by the government. “I think the (Quebec) government doesn’t understand the Internet and frankly doesn’t understand the importance of an open and free Internet.”

Michael Geist, Section de common law, commente le projet de loi 74, qui inclut une disposition qui cherche à forcer les fournisseurs d'internet à bloquer l'accès aux sites de jeu en ligne qui ne sont pas approuvés par le gouvernement. « Je crois que le gouvernement (québécois) ne comprend pas l'internet et ne comprend vraiment pas l'importance d'avoir un internet accessible et gratuit. »

Canada's spy agencies looking to work together more, say top secret documents

Publication: Toronto Star

Craig Forcese, Common Law Section, analyses the collaboration between Canada’s two main spy agencies.

Ghomeshi verdict was fair

Publication: Toronto Star

Blair Crew, Common Law Section, comments the Jian Ghomeshi trial verdict. “Delayed disclosure of evidence and the credibility of the witnesses were key in the case.”

Justice on campus

Publication: The Globe and Mail

Constance Backhouse, Common Law Section, comments the rate of resolved complaints of harassment or discrimination through formal investigations.

Jody Wilson-Raybould: The justice minister without precedent

Publication: The Globe and Mail

Adam Dodek, Common Law Section, comments on the challenges Jody Wilson-Raybould will face as Canada’s new Justice Minister. “Expectations have never been so high for a minister of justice.”

Conference with links to Liberals gets money from Trudeau government

Publication: CTV News

Amir Attaran, Common Law Section, comments on the federal government funding for groups that want to influence public policy.

Will next Supreme Court justice come from Atlantic Canada?

Publication: CTV News

Adam Dodek, Common Law Section, outlines what the federal government will prioritize when choosing the next Supreme Court of Canada justice. 

Easier pre-crime arrest procedures are criticized

Publication: CBC News

Craig Forcese, Common Law Section, discusses police use of an anti-terrorism provision in Bill C-51 that makes it easier for them to arrest people who haven't committed any crime. 'I think you need a measure that allows law enforcement to exercise some control over an individual on a standard that's short of the criminal law standard required for an arrest and prosecution.'

Broadbent Conference: Future of TPP still in Washington's hands

Publication: iPolitics

Michael Geist, Common Law Section, discusses the Trans Pacific Partnership.