Human Rights Blog
Sheikh Jarrah Evictions: Their True Purpose
May 19, 2021
In response to the Palestinian call out for support on May 18, 2021 for the Palestinian Uprising and General Strike in Palestine, we believe it is important to accurately set out the context for what is happening in Sheikh Jarrah. From the words of Israeli officials and official Israeli policy documents we can better understand the purpose of these actions and their true nature. When seen in this context, established international law provides a clear basis for the international community to take urgent and decisive action.
Trauma-Informed Lawyering
May 07, 2021
Just as lawyers specialize in specific areas of law, those providing legal representation to survivors of trauma should be trained on how to recognize markers of trauma and how to engage with clients in a safe, empowering, and collaborative manner.
How Much Is A Charter Violation Worth? (Video)
Apr 21, 2021
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects our fundamental rights. But what happens when these rights are violated? Through four intriguing stories, we discuss the principles and precedents for monetary damages under the Charter to discover how much a Charter violation is worth in the eyes of the courts.
Waksdale – Yet Another Avenue to Common Law Reasonable Notice
Apr 12, 2021
With the Supreme Court denying leave to appeal, a recent decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal remains good law – and provides employees a further avenue to accessing the more favourable common law reasonable notice of termination.
Premiere Screening and Discussion of Film: Lawyers (F)or Justice?
Feb 28, 2021
A screening of the documentary film Lawyers (F)or Justice? by Yavar Hameed will be held Friday, March 12, 2021 between 11 and 12:15 pm, followed by a question-and-answer session. This session is accredited for 1 hour of Professionalism credits by the Law Society of Ontario.
Getting Charter Compensation for Police Violence: Some Important Considerations
Jun 26, 2020
Holding the police to account for violating your Charter rights is an onerous process that is frustrated by systemic barriers that require a potential Plaintiff to be strategic in their approach. While it may appear that it is impossible to ever obtain justice through the civil process of redress, the existence of obstacles does not mean that civil litigation cannot be run effectively.
A 2017 Spotlight on Elder Rights
Jan 15, 2017
On January 6, 2017, the Alberta government agreed to add age as a prohibited ground of discrimination under sections 4 and 5 of the Alberta Human Rights Act. Why, one might ask, is basic human rights protection for elders even an issue in Alberta today. Why indeed – it’s 2017, isn’t it?
Do Fear of Terrorism Peace Bonds (FTPB) Work?
Oct 16, 2016
Aaron Driver sympathized with ISIS through his expression on social media. He was thought by the RCMP in 2015 to be capable of planning a terrorist attack. In June 2015, he was not charged with an offense, but rather, he was preemptively detained under the new provisions of the fear of terrorism peace bond.
What To Do If You See a Violent Police Arrest
Oct 12, 2016
On July 23, 2016, Abdirahman Abdi was beaten into unconsciousness and killed during his arrest by Ottawa police officers following allegations of sexual harassment at the Bridgehead coffee shop in the Hintonburg neighborhood of Ottawa.