Removal of Objections to UNDRIP: Repercussions at Home and Abroad
Category: Aboriginal Rights
On Tuesday, May 10, 2016 Canada removed its objections to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).[1] UNDRIP may significantly alter the legal framework of Aboriginal rights and title in Canada, but this continues to
Review of Daniels v Canada (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)
Category: Aboriginal Rights
Right Not to Face Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Category: The Charter, Legal Rights (Sections 7-14)
Introduction Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects against “any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.” Like other Charter rights, section 12 can only be triggered by government action. For example, a parent using corrective force
Part I: What is Magna Carta?
Category: Democratic Governance
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction 2015 is the 800-year anniversary of Magna Carta, a medieval agreement that limited the English king’s power. It has been popularly thought of as a symbol of
Part II: Magna Carta and Canada’s Constitution
Category: Democratic Governance
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction Magna Carta is not formally part of Canada’s Constitution, but it played an important role in its creation. Concepts such as the rule of law and many
Trinity Western University v. Ontario and Nova Scotia
Category: The Charter, Fundamental Freedoms (Section 2)
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects some of our basic human rights. However, those rights can sometimes conflict with one another. While one group might
Let It Go – The Charter and the Right to Be Frozen
Category: The Charter, Legal Rights (Sections 7-14)
This article was written by law students for the general public. What’s the Issue? Cryonics is a method of preserving dead bodies. The process uses low temperatures to avoid decomposition. This allows people to have their bodies frozen after death,
When Getting to Court Takes Too Long: R v MacPherson
Category: The Charter, Legal Rights (Sections 7-14)
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction When a person is accused of a crime, section 11(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects his or her right to a trial within
Updated – Unveiling Religious Freedom: The Niqab at the Citizenship Ceremony
Category: The Charter, Fundamental Freedoms (Section 2)
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction The final step to become a Canadian citizen is the oath of citizenship. Citizenship and Immigration Canada requires citizenship candidates to remove full or partial face coverings
How Fair is the Fair Elections Act? Voter ID Rules
Category: Democratic Governance
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction The right to vote is essential to a democracy. That is because the people need to be in charge of selecting who will govern them. However, every
Unveiling Religious Freedom: The Niqab at the Citizenship Ceremony
Category: The Charter, Fundamental Freedoms (Section 2)
Introduction The final step in becoming a Canadian citizen is the oath of citizenship. Citizenship and Immigration Canada requires citizenship candidates to remove full or partial face coverings while taking the oath. Zunera Ishaq is devout Muslim who wears a
Public Access – B.C. Court Hearing Fees Declared Unconstitutional
Category: Federalism
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction British Columbians used to pay court hearing fees based on how long their trial took. B.C. was the only province with such considerable fees.[1] On October 2,
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, No Aboriginals Necessary: The Case of R v Kokopenace
Category: The Charter, Legal Rights (Sections 7-14)
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction The right to be tried by a jury of one’s peers stretches back to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. The right is essential to
A Constitutional Right to Experimental Drugs?
Category: The Charter, Legal Rights (Sections 7-14)
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction Should experimental drugs for the very ill be made more widely available in Canada? According to the Globe and Mail, experimental drug use is one of the
The Price of Freedom: Is the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 (Bill C-51) Constitutional?
Category: The Charter, Legal Rights (Sections 7-14)
This article was written by a law student for the general public. Introduction The Anti-terrorism Act, 2015 (formerly Bill C-51) came into force June 18, 2015. It was introduced as an omnibus bill. This means it changed existing laws, as