Seminar Presentations, 2007

 

Subject-matter of presentation

Presenters

September 14, 2007

 

Section 2(b) (Freedom of Expression) and Section 1 (Justification)

 

(1) “Just about anything qualifies as expression, even the worst possible child pornography, and just about any restraint on it is ruled as a s. 2(b) breach, sending the matter to s. 1.  This approach trivializes the Charter.  Matters should not be so readily sent to s. 1, where the onus lies on government to justify its positions.

 

(2) “The test for justification under s. 1 can be strict (more difficult for government to meet) or deferential (easier for government to meet).  The Supreme Court of Canada has identified certain types or categories of cases that fall into the “deferential” category.  On the whole, the categories do not make sense.”

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Presenter for “pro” side:

      Brendan Stock

      Presenter for “con” side:

      Maria Bursey

 

(2)  Presenter for “pro” side:

      Yashoda Ranganathan

 

      Presenter for “con” side:

      Brad Chaplick

September 21, 2007

 

Section 15 (Equality Rights) and Section 1 (Justification)

 

(3) “The Supreme Court did a wonderful job in the Law case and later developments are largely positive.”

 

(4)  Analyze the N.A.P.E. decision.  “Its s. 1 approach is sound.”

 

 

(3)  Presenter for “pro” side:

     Michael Perlin

 

      Presenter for “con” side:

     Donna Wilson

 

(4)   Presenter for “pro” side:

        Matthew Anderson

 

        Presenter for “con” side:

        Tim Robbins

September 28, 2007

 

Criminal Law Rights

 

(5)  “In recent years, fundamental criminal law rights, such as the right to pre-trial disclosure, the right against search and seizure, the right against arbitrary detention, the right to silence and the right to counsel, have been undercut inappropriately.  There is supposed to be a balance between control of state and police power and protection of the rights of the person on the one hand and on the other hand furthering effective law enforcement.  The balance is currently wrong: the latter is inappropriately favoured over the former.”

 

 

 

(5)  Three presenters for “pro” side: 1. Jennifer Stewart

         2.  Mat Johnson

         3.

 

Three presenters for “con” side:

         1. David R. Parke

         2. Cameron Grant

         3.

 

October 12, 2007

 

Section 7

 

(6)  “The Chaouilli decision is a really bad legal decision: it is full of poor analysis and it is a dangerous venture beyond the proper role of the Court”

 

(7) “Justice Arbour’s minority reasons on the s. 7 Charter issues in Gosselin are terrific and should be adopted by the Supreme Court in a future case.  The meaning of ‘liberty and security of the person’ in s. 7 should be broadened exactly as she suggests.”

 

(6) Presenter for “pro” side:

      Jeff Fung

 

   Presenter for “con” side:

      Tim Fish

 

 

(7)  Presenter for “pro” side:

    Alexandra Saginur

 

    Presenter for “con” side:

    Kim Newton

October 19, 2007

 

Unwritten Principles / Quebec Secession / Constitutional Interpretation

 

(8)  “The recent unwritten constitutional principles jurisprudence is a welcome development in Canadian constitutional law” (assessment of what is “good constitutional law” and what is “bad constitutional law”)

 

(9) Conduct a legal analysis of the following scenario: 53% yes vote in Quebec in favour of separation, Quebec introduces a separation Bill.  What then ensues?  What challenges?  What legal tactics and proceedings might eventuate?

 

 

 

(8)  Presenter for “pro” side:

     Orna Raubfogel

    Presenter for “con” side:

     Taylor Ransom

 

(9)  Single presenter          

       Chantalle Fish

 

November 2, 2007

 

Aboriginal Rights

 

(10)  “The area of aboriginal rights is an area where the Supreme Court has not been mindful of its proper role, with the result that we are stuck with certain inappropriate judge-made approaches in this area that do little for the welfare of aboriginal peoples”.

 

 

 

(10)  Presenter for “pro” side:

        Shaunna Kelly

 

       Presenter for “con” side:

        Jonathan Burshtein

 

November 16, 2006

 

Administrative law / Division of Powers

 

(11)  “The Charter applies too much to the activities of administrative tribunals.”

 

(12)  “The area of division of powers is boring: there are really no new developments worth speaking about.”

 

(11)  Presenter for “pro” side:

 

       Presenter for “con” side:

     

 

(12)  Presenter for “pro” side:

       David Kramer

 

       Presenter for “con” side:

        Monica Chohan

 

November 30, 2006

 

Remedies

 

(13)  “The law of Charter remedies is overly restrictive and is not designed to vindicate Charter rights”

 

 

 

(13)  Presenter for “pro” side:

David R. Parke

         Presenter for “con” side:

        Carey Allen

 

December 7, 2006

 

Judicial Appointment / Constitutional Amendment

 

(14)  “The current system of appointing judges should be reformed.”

 

(15)  “I support certain amendments to the constitution.  The amendments I support are _____________.”

 

 

 

(14)  Presenter for “pro” side:

 

         Presenter for “con” side:

 

 

(15)  Up to two presenters: