Symposiums and Publications
CLF’s Annual Symposium on Religion, Law & Human Rights exists to contribute to academic discourse by supporting legal scholarship and publications.
the 75th Anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights
sept 28, 2023 | toronto
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REIMAGINING SECTION OF OF THE CHARTER
MAY 3, 2022 | PETER A. ALLARD SCHOOL OF LAW | UBC
The Section 1 Symposium examined some of the under-developed features of section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which reads as follows:
“The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.”
Given its concern with when it is legitimate to curtail any of the rights and freedoms found in the Charter, a good case could be made that section 1 is the most consequential part of the Charter. And yet, 40 years after the Charter arrived, a number of section 1’s elements have not been fully examined.
Learn more here.
The 2022 Section 1 Symposium was supported by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Forgotten Foundations of the Canadian Constitution
April 30, 2021 | Western University (via Zoom)
The 2021 Annual Symposium on Religion, Law & Human Rights was dedicated to exploring the “The Forgotten Foundations of the Canadian Constitution”. The discussion built on topics explored at our previous Symposium, which culminated in the publication of The Forgotten Fundamental Freedoms of the Charter (LexisNexis Canada, 2020).
Learn more here and read a report of the 2021 Symposium here.
Participants at CLF’s 2021 Academic Symposium: Forgotten Foundations of the Canadian Constitution
Forgotten Freedoms WORKSHOP
September 26, 2019 (Toronto)
In 2019, CLF co-hosted its third annual Academic Symposium which brought academics from across Canada together for discussion centred on the theme of Canada’s “Forgotten Freedoms”. The Symposium focused on aspects of section 2 of the Charter which have not received substantial attention: freedom of conscience, peaceful assembly, association, press and other media of communication, and thought, belief, and opinion. A collection of papers were developed out of this symposium and compiled into a special edition of the Supreme Court Law Review and correlated book, “The Forgotten Fundamental Freedoms of the Charter”, in partnership with LexisNexis Canada (General Editors: Dwight Newman, Derek Ross, Brian Bird; Assistant Editor: Sarah Mix-Ross; 2020).
The 2019 Forgotten Freedoms Workshop was supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Participants at the 2019 Forgotten Freedoms Workshop
Symposium on religion, Law & HUman Rights
September 27, 2018 (Vancouver)
In 2018, lawyers and academics gathered from across Canada to present papers about how decision-makers should approach Charter rights and values, state neutrality and secularism, and the rule of law. A collection of papers were developed out of this symposium and compiled into a special edition of the Supreme Court Law Review (General Editor: Derek Ross, CLF Executive Director & General Counsel; Assistant Editor: Sarah Mix-Ross, CLF Associate Counsel). These papers examine how government and decision-makers approach issues related to competing morals and values, and how such differences may be accommodated in a free and democratic society. The issues explored are becoming intensely pertinent as Canada’s religious diversity increases, the state expands into areas traditionally seen as private, and state actors seek to promote certain ‘values’.
View the collection here. Read the 2018 Symposium Report here.
Participants at the 2018 Symposium on Religion, Law & Human Rights
Legal, Social, and ETHICal Implications of the Supreme Court's Carter Decisions
September 21, 2017 (Toronto)
In 2017, professionals and academics gathered from across Canada to present papers about the Carter decisions relating to MAiD (medical assistance in dying).
Thirteen papers were developed out of this symposium and compiled into a special edition of the Supreme Court Law Review, edited by Derek Ross (CLF Executive Director & General Counsel; 2018). This collection offers meaningful reflections to the many perplexing questions currently being asked about MAiD.
To learn more, take a look at our blog post.
Participants at the 2017 Symposium: Legal, Social, and Ethical Implications of the Supreme Court's Carter Decisions
Scholarship Resources
CLF wishes to support students and legal professions in cultivating thoughtful scholarship. Visit our “Legal Research and Writing Resources” page for more information.