Articles

Ranjan Agarwal, Chair of the 2015-2016 Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights Section's Executive Committee, reflects on a busy year of programs, member engagement, and advocacy, as well as looking forward to upcoming changes for the 2016-2017 year.

On January 15, 2016, the SCC issued a supplementary ruling to its decision in Carter v. Canada, which struck down provisions in the Criminal Code relating to physician-assisted death. The Court granted the government an additional four months (until June 6, 2016) to draft compliant legislation. Until then, individuals have been permitted to apply to the courts for an order authorizing a physician-assisted death. This article provides a review of those applications.

Ashley Schuitema sits down with Renu Madhane, the recently appointed Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, to discuss the current focus of the Commission and its upcoming goals.

The Supreme Court of Canada recently granted leave to appeal the decision of the Alberta Court of Appeal in Stewart v. Elk Valley Coal Corporation, 2015 ABCA 225, which addressed the thorny issue of revealing drug dependency to an employer, after termination, for causing a workplace accident.

Case note on R. v. Daniels, the Supreme Court of Canada's landmark decision about the constitutional relationship between the federal and provincial governments and the Métis and non‑status Indians.

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear the appeal of Gillian Frank and Jamie Duong, two Canadians residing in the United States who had been prohibited from voting, pursuant to the Canada Elections Act, because they have lived outside of Canada for more than five years.

Taking a look at the opportunity create a Supreme Court bench reflective of the diversity of modern Canada in light of upcoming vacancies at the nation's highest appellate court.

This case note identifies five significant implications of the recent decision in City of Abbotsford v. Shantz, in which the British Columbia Supreme Court found a Charter right to erect overnight shelters in public parks in Abbotsford, B.C.

The HRT addresses the application of the Code to short-term absences from employment to address childcare needs, affirming that such absences may be protected under the ground of family status.

“Carding” or “street checks” refers to the police practice of stopping individuals on the street and entering their personal information into a database. The OBA’s CCLHR and the Child & Youth Law Sections held a joint program as part of Institute 2016. “Constitutional and Human Rights of Young People: Policing & Public Space” explored the experiences and rights implications of racialized and homeless youth who navigate public space under increased police surveillance.