La Premiere Ministre: Kim Campbell and the Power of Narratives

 In 1928, the Supreme Court of Canada rejected the personhood of women. Women were robbed of the opportunity to be appointed to the Senate and many felt condemned to crushed dreams and career aspirations. However, in the face of this discrimination, five women decided to change the future and signed

Let’s not “whitewash” Cindy Gladue’s murder: Missing and murdered Indigenous women not on trial

 Photo credit: Topher Seguin, The Canadian Press By: Emma Cunliffe The Supreme Court of Canada recently heard the most important case in a generation regarding the Canadian legal system’s response to murdered and missing Indigenous women.  The hearing was the culmination of a case that was set in motion on the morning

Will Religious Freedom in Canada Take A Back Seat to Other Charter Rights?

 It is early morning on a chilly November day. The frozen grass crunches under my boots as I make my way across the huge lawn in front of the Supreme Court of Canada. I am on my way to observe the case of Trinity Western University v. the Law Society

Monsters Walk Among Us

 Ottawa Life’s Festival City Series is back! We'll provide a unique look at some of your favourite events. We’ll go beyond the music with artist interviews, volunteer profiles, concert reviews and spotlights on the tastes, sights and sounds of the festival season.  Your city! Your festivals and events! Like a good sunscreen,

Your Guide to Doors Open Ottawa

 This weekend, the doors swing open on more than 130 of the city’s historically, culturally and functionally significant buildings. Heritage houses and government offices alike will be unlocked for Ottawan's public viewing pleasure. We have selected a few of the many buildings that we think are essential stops on your journey

Ottawa Legal

 Ottawa's Ten Most Astounding Legal Cases Controversial cases always make for controversial verdicts and help advance the debate about the role of the courts, lawyers, justice, the justice system and righteousness in our society. Ottawa has been home to many contentious cases over the past several decades. Here is a

Advanced Directives for Assisted-Dying a Dangerous Step

 The moment we are born, our lives take flight; and the longer we are airborne, the greater the chance of encountering turbulence along the way. While every flight is destined to land, some landings are harder to contemplate than others. The parliamentary committee tasked with advising the federal government on

Canada’s Euthanasia Legislation: From the Perspective of Canadians with Disabilities

 By Peter McGrath. On Feb. 6, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down Canada’s assisted suicide law, opening the door to physician-assisted suicide. This is an incredibly complex topic, one fraught with moral and ethical issues. Peter McGrath, a Counsel in the Department of Justice, gives his opinion from

The Fletcher Effect

 I like Stephen Fletcher. Our brief encounters, typically in airports or the occasional public event, are always friendly and cordial. It is hard not to admire him. Despite quadriplegia, he has found the strength and determination to serve his country as a Member of Parliament, at various times holding appointments

Lingering legal wars of the officially recognized Métis Nation

 While Canada has made headway in addressing injustices of First Nation groups, it has largely overlooked the rights of Métis - another significantly large Aboriginal population. The Métis have been tossed back and forth between federal and provincial governments, each disputing its jurisdictional responsibility to deal with them as a