The McGill Law Journal Podcast

In this this two-part epsiode, we hear from McGill Law graduates whose unconventional careers challenge the typical image of what it means to be a lawyer or have a law degree. Our guests for part two are Aaron Wenner and Geeva Samynathan, both law graduates who decided to pursue entrepreneurial careers. Aaron is co-founder and CEO of CiteRight, a Toronto-based legal-tech start-up that helps coordinate legal research and drafting. Geeva runs a consultancy company, ECTAA, that provides guidance in management, environmental consulting, and corporate training. 

Huit ans après la publication du rapport final de la Commission de vérité et de réconciliation du Canada, cet épisode se penche sur les voies possibles des interactions entre les peuples autochtones et l'État canadien. Nous nous entretenons avec Jean Leclair, professeur de droit à l'Université de Montréal spécialiste du fédéralisme et du pluralisme juridique, pour mieux comprendre le concept de justice transitionnelle dans le contexte canadien.

In this two-part episode, we hear from McGill Law graduates whose unconventional careers challenge the typical image of what it means to be a lawyer or have a law degree. Our guests for part one are Alba Stella Zuniga Ramos and Hanson Hossein, who have built careers in municipal politics and journalism, respectively. This episode is the first in the MLJ Podcast's Legal Fictions series. Made for and by law students, Legal Fictions traces developments in the legal profession, aiming to demystify the practice of law, delve into the history of its regulation, and reimagine its future.

Bill C-11, commonly known as the Online Streaming Act, has been riddled with controversy since its introduction in June of last year, through to its adoption as law in April 2023. Canada's first major reform of the Broadcasting Act since 1991, the Act aims to promote Canadian content on online streaming services, in part by extending the regulatory powers of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). In this episode, we hear from Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, on why the Act falls flat, and how it misunderstands the nature of on-demand streaming services. This conversation was recorded in January 2023, while Bill C-11 was in its third reading before the Senate.

This episode explores the practice of solitary confinement in Canada and the winding road toward its abolition. Our two guests, Andrea Monteiro (former Director of Corrections for the Yukon Government and founder of Ethical Correctional Consulting, Inc.) and Nora Demnati (a Montreal-based prison lawyer and instructor at McGill's Faculty of Law) bring their differing experiences and perspectives to bear on the question of prison reform. Our discussion centres around the history and evolution of solitary confinement, why its elimination has proved difficult, and the challenges of piecemeal versus system-wide change.

Comment le système canadien d'immigration et de protection des réfugiés réagit-il aux conflits qui provoquent un afflux de migrants ? En utilisant la guerre en Ukraine comme étude de cas, nous discutons du programme de résidents temporaires protégés et de ses lacunes, en considérant surtout les conséquences au niveau de l'intégration communautaire. Cet épisode est le premier de notre série Counterpoint, qui met en conversation des universitaires et des praticiens du droit avec des travailleurs communautaires ayant l'expérience du droit dans son application. Nos invités sont le professeur François Crépeau, titulaire de la Chaire Hans et Tamar Oppenheimer en droit international public et M. Kinan Swaid, directeur des opérations au Centre des réfugiés à Montréal, et responsable du département orientation et académique du Centre.

Dans le premier volet de cet épisode en deux parties, Dominique Goubau, professeur de droit à l'Université Laval, examine les principaux changements apportés par le projet de loi 2 - devenu loi en juin 2022 - sur le droit de la famille au Québec.

In February 2022, the federal Government invoked the Emergencies Act in response to a series of protests and blockades across Canada. We speak with Professor David Schneiderman about the historic use of emergency powers in Canada, the development of the Act, and the implications of its invocation.

Notre premier épisode de la série MLJ Shorts analyse une nouvelle loi fédérale ayant pour objectif de combattre le trafic d'organes. Garnett Genuis, le député qui a parrainé le projet de loi S-223 à la Chambre des communes, nous explique pourquoi il a été introduit et quel rôle il pourrait jouer dans la lutte contre les violations des droits de l'homme au-delà des frontières du Canada.

In Toronto (City) v. Ontario (Attorney General), the Supreme Court held the Ontario government's decision to reduce the size of Toronto's City Council – during an election – was constitutionally valid. In this episode, we explore the case and its implications on freedom of expression and unwritten constitutional principles. We speak with Nathalie Des Rossiers, Principal of Massey College, who was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario when the events transpired.

At the international level, malware has become a tool of transnational repression – enabling governments to reach across national borders to silence and surveil dissidents. We speak with Siena Anstis, senior legal advisor at The Citizen Lab, about how digital transnational repression takes place, how it implicates human rights, and how governments around the world are responding to its occurrence.

Selon les statistiques les plus récentes de Statistique Canada, deux grandes entreprises canadiennes sur cinq auraient été victimes d'une cyberattaque. Dans cet épisode, nous explorons les implications légales découlant des logiciels malveillants (“malware”) avec Maître Éloïse Gratton, avocate et associée au cabinet Borden Ladner Gervais. Nous discutons les impacts au droit à la vie privée, la protection des renseignements confidentiels et personnels et les obligations légales des entreprises de signaler ou de notifier les incidents.

While proponents of conversion therapy argue that legislative bans infringe on freedoms of expression and religion, its opponents contend that failing to impose a ban would have harmful consequences. Now criminalized at the federal level, we discuss the practice of conversion therapy: its impacts, ideological underpinnings, and the legislative approaches to its ban in Canada. We speak with Dr. Kristopher Wells, associate professor in the Faculty of Health and Community Studies at MacEwen University, and author of the Canada Research Chair report, “Conversion Therapy in Canada: A Guide for Legislative Action.”

Dans cet épisode, nous explorons les droits et obligations respectives des propriétaires et des locataires au Québec. Nous discutons du phénomène des rénovictions, des particularités du Tribunal administratif du logement, ainsi que de certains mécanismes mis en place pour protéger les droits des locataires et de solutions potentielles à la crise du logement qui touche plusieurs villes du Québec. Nous parlons avec Me Marc-André Émard, avocat au Bureau Centre-Sud de l'aide juridique, et Me Daniel Crespo Villareal, chargé de cours en droit du logement à l'Université du Québec à Montréal et avocat chez DDC Légal.

Reflecting on 40 years of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, we speak with Professor Martha Jackman from the University of Ottawa about the right to health. In particular, we explore how the right has been litigated on section 7 and section 15 grounds to advance protection over social determinants of health—such as access to food, clean water, and housing—with varying degrees of success. This special episode was produced in collaboration with the McGill Journal of Law & Health.

In a new and historic constitutional challenge, seven youth plaintiffs allege that the Ontario government's weakening of the province's 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target violates their Charter rights. In this episode, we explore the history of Mathur v Ontario and discuss whether governmental climate plans are reviewable by courts. Our guest is Fraser Thomson, a lawyer at Ecojustice who is representing the Mathur claimants.

We speak with Retired Maj Gen Blaise Cathcart, Judge Advocate General of the Canadian Armed Forces (2010–2017), and Professor Mary Ellen O'Connell, Research Professor of International Dispute Resolution at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame.

Although the reasonable person standard continues to be a useful tool in many areas of the law, it can also reinforce stereotypes of power and privilege. In this episode, we speak with Professor Mayo Moran about what a critical lens reveals about the shortcomings and limitations of the reasonable person standard.

Regulating online content is a complex issue that platforms and governments alike continue to grapple with. In this episode, we explore the Canadian Government's Proposed Approach to Address Harmful Content Online and its potential impact on civil liberties. We speak with Me Lex Gill, a public interest lawyer who co-authored a recent report on the pressing privacy, freedom of expression, and human rights considerations related to the government's proposal.

Le projet de loi n° 96, la loi sur la langue officielle et commune du Québec, le français, a été présenté par le gouvernement de la Coalition Avenir Québec en 2021. Il propose plusieurs mesures pour renforcer et promouvoir la langue française au Québec. Bien que l'Assemblée Nationale du Québec a voté unanimement pour que le projet de loi 96 passe à la phase de consultation, certains ont remis en cause sa nécessité et sa constitutionnalité. Dans cet épisode, nous discuterons avec le professeur Guillaume Rousseau et Me Julius Grey sur les origines et les objectifs principaux du projet de loi 96 ainsi que les critiques les plus courantes formulées à son encontre.

In 2021, the Ontario Superior Court developed a new tort of online harassment. The tort was fashioned to respond to the outrageous conduct of the defendant, who incessantly posted malicious and defamatory falsehoods about the plaintiffs across various online platforms. But was the creation of a new tort necessary? And will it provide an effective solution for other victims of cyberbullying or internet harassment? Our guest is Iris Fischer, co-head of the Toronto Litigation Group at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. Music by Alexander Shamaluev and IvyMusic from Pixabay.

A recording of the lecture delivered by Professor John Borrows at the McGill Law Journal's 2022 Annual Lecture. The Annual Lecture is a McGill Law Journal tradition that dates back to the 1980s. This year, Professor John Borrows spoke about the role students play in reshaping and growing the law and the legal field by collectively engaging in the process of making sense of the world around us. 

Three years following the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, the role of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in regulating cannabis has yet to be adequately addressed, creating a state of legal uncertainty over questions about jurisdiction and control. Despite this uncertainty, some Indigenous nations have nonetheless begun to assert their inherent rights to self-government and regulate cannabis according to their own customs and laws. In this episode, we explore both the challenges the Cannabis Act has posed for Indigenous governments and cannabis entrepreneurs, as well as the flourishing “red market” of cannabis businesses that operate and are licensed under Indigenous laws and frameworks.

Traditionally used to protect trade secrets and proprietary information, non-disclosure agreements are now regularly found in employment contracts and settlement agreements of all kinds. But these agreements can also operate as oppressive contracts of silence – particularly when invoked to prevent victims of discrimination, harassment, or abuse from speaking out about their experiences. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Julie Macfarlane about the questionable legality of non-disclosure agreements, and how legislative reform could restrict their ability to perpetuate harm.

In this special mini-episode, we discuss government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges that continue to be faced. Our guest is Lorian Hardcastle, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary. Professor Hardcastle's research covers a wide range of health-related topics, including public health law and policy, regulation and governance of the health care system, and liability and governance of health facilities.

In Part 1 of our two-part series on judicial independence, we dive into the judicial appointment process of the superior courts of Canada to get a better sense of the stakes involved for both prospective judges and broader society. This episode features an insightful interview with Brad Regehr, President of the Canadian Bar Association, who discusses the CBA's approach to these complex issues.

Lors du dernier épisode, nous avons mis en lumière, en compagnie du président de l'Association du barreau canadien, Brad Regehr, le processus de nomination de la magistrature aux cours supérieures du Canada. Dans cet épisode, nous situerons le processus de nomination judiciaire dans son contexte politique plus large. Notre invité est Patrick Taillon, professeur à la Faculté de droit de l'Université Laval.

In this episode, we explore how Medical Assistance in Dying legislation works on the ground, asking what challenges continue to face medical practitioners and patients when applying its criteria. We also ask broader questions about the meaning of capacity, proportionality, the role of conscientious objection, and, finally, what remains excluded from the law. Our guest is Nicky Fraser, clinical nurse specialist in MAID at the MUHC.

In this episode, we delve into Canadian and international legal avenues available to victims of human rights abuses; we evaluate Canada's State Immunity Act; and we theorize on the future of state and corporate accountability both in Canada and internationally. We are joined by Amanda Ghahremani, an international lawyer, legal consultant and research associate. Most recently, she was a member of the legal team for the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case of Nevsun Resources Ltd v. Araya.

This episode explores how governments are beginning to re-think tax policy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our guests are two Osgoode Hall Law School professors: Jinyan Li, co-academic director of the LLM tax program, and Scott Wilkie, a tax law practitioner and a former chair of the Canadian Tax Foundation.

This episode focuses on various elements and models of AI governance and regulation, as well as the related topics of AI agency, liability and algorithmic bias. It features an insightful interview with Me Maroussia Levesque, whose dissertation focuses on developing a polycentric model of AI governance.

Au cours de cet épisode, notre équipe explore les obstacles juridiques, politiques et sociaux au rapatriement des objets culturels autochtones au Canada. Notre invité est Me François Le Moine, qui pratique en droit des arts et en droit d'auteur, et qui enseigne le droit des arts et du patrimoine culturel à l'Université de Montréal.

This episode explores how Canadian police forces use algorithmic surveillance and predictive technology in their work, while analyzing its implications for privacy, rights and bias in decision-making. Our guest is Yolanda Song, a civil litigator and legal researcher who co-authored a recent report on the use of algorithmic technology by Canadian law enforcement.

In this episode, we will explore alternatives to established theories in corporate governance, and their ensuing implications for addressing pressing societal problems. We will hear from Dr. Carol Liao, an associate professor, UBC Sauder Distinguished Scholar​, and Director of the Centre for Business Law at the Peter A. Allard School of Law.

This episode features an insightful interview with Professor Carissima Mathen, and examines the 2018 SCC decision of R v. Boudreault. First, it explores how the constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment has evolved to consider the disproportionate impact of mandatory victim surcharges on disadvantaged and marginalized communities. Second, it provides a look at the role of access to justice within the case.

Dans cet épisode du Balado de la Revue de droit de McGill, nous explorons les limites du système judiciaire en matière de crimes sexuels, les obstacles qui empêchent les victimes de trouver justice par le processus pénal, les risques de la dénonciation en ligne et, finalement, les autres recours disponibles.

In this episode, we discuss the various tactics used by police during protests for racial justice and their legality, both from a general legal standpoint and from the American context. Our guest is Karen Pita Loor, Clinical Associate Professor of Law at the Boston University School of Law.

This episode is geared toward current McGill Law Students: it's an exciting time, because you have the chance to become part of an incredible community, as well as to contribute to the legacy of a venerable institution in the legal discourse. But don't take our word for it — this episode features two successful alumni who speak about their experiences on the Journal.

On this week's episode, MLJ Editors Garima Karia and Addie Lalande explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for ADR. How are ADR professionals adapting to this new reality, and will these changes outlast the pandemic? They speak with Me Anaïs Lacroix, a lawyer and co-founder of Latitude Management, as well as Professor Fabien Gélinas, a professor at McGill's Faculty of Law and an international arbitrator.

In this episode, we examine what health equity means and try to understand both the challenges and the opportunities that the COVID-19 pandemic presents for achieving health equity in Canada. Our guests are Steven Hoffman, a professor of global health law and political science at York University, as well as Daniel Weinstock, a professor at McGill University's Faculty of Law. This episode is sponsored by Torys LLP.

This episode seeks to uncover the impact and significance of the Caring Society litigation, which condemned the Canadian government's approach to First Nations Child Welfare and called for action on policies that have continued to perpetuate historical inequalities. Our guest is Dr. Cindy Blackstock, member of the Gitksan First Nation in Northern British Columbia, Professor of Social Work at McGill University and Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.

Our newest episode features an insightful interview with Brad Regehr, president of the Canadian Bar Association. Mr. Regehr is the first Indigenous president in the organization's history, and has been a leader in the legal field as a partner at Maurice Law. This episode will explore the experiences that inform his approach, as well as his vision for the Canadian Bar Association.

As the trial begins for the court challenge to Bill 21, our newest episode aims to provide helpful context that emphasizes the social effects behind the legal arguments, while offering a glimpse at what it's like to be at the forefront of a major Charter case. Our guests are Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and Me Nour Farhat, a lawyer representing the Fédération autonome de l'enseignement.

Over the past few years, there has been an explosion of technologies providing and enhancing legal services. Some view these developments as a way to promote access to justice, while others point to emerging ethical dilemmas. To explore these issues, we are joined by Jena McGill, Professor at the University of Ottawa, and Costa Ragas, partner at Fasken and a core part of the ViaFasken team.

In Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a declaration of Aboriginal title for the first time in its history. To better understand the evolution of Aboriginal title, from Calder to Tsilhqot'in and beyond, we interview David Rosenberg, whose extensive experience includes acting as lead counsel for the Tsilqot'in Nation at trial and on its successful appeal to the Supreme Court.

Across the United States and beyond, many students, lawyers and citizens have grieved the loss of a brilliant Supreme Court Justice, a trailblazing woman and an outstanding role model. To commemorate her life and reflect on her legacy, we are joined by Professor Deborah Jones Merritt, who has known Justice Ginsburg for over 40 years.

Today's guest is one that you won't want to miss: Brian Gallant, 33rd premier of New Brunswick and current CEO of the Canadian Centre for the Purpose of the Corporation. Mr. Gallant has a fascinating journey, from student and lawyer to politician and premier, and now to advisor and CEO. Over the course of this episode, he discusses each step on his path to making a difference, and how every lawyer can play a role in promoting social change.

Today's episode features a very special guest: Senator Murray Sinclair. His groundbreaking career has had a significant impact on the Canadian legal landscape, from his appointment as the first Indigenous judge in Manitoba and only the second in Canada to his service as Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in Manitoba and as Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

As the effects of climate change continue to be felt across the globe, litigants have attempted to hold governments accountable through constitutional challenges. To explore this emerging area, we speak with Dennis van Berkel, legal counsel to the Urgenda Foundation in its historic case against the Dutch government, as well as Dayna Nadine Scott, associate professor at York University and York Research Chair in Environmental Law & Justice in the Green Economy.