This past academic year, Christian Legal Fellowship’s law student chapters across Canada brought thoughtful dialogue to their law schools through panel discussions, special programs, and lectures on current issues before the courts and legislatures.
These events were open to all students and faculty, bringing meaningful opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to engage with one another.
FALL 2025
university of saskatchewan college of Law
On September 22, USask Law Professor Dwight Newman, KC, presented a special lecture on “Freedom of Religion or Freedom from Religion”. Special thanks to USask CLF for organizing and hosting this event.
Bora Laskin Faculty of Law (Lakehead University)
On October 28, law students hosted a panel discussion, “Lines We Cross: A Legal Conversation on MAID”, moderated by 2L law student Yvonne Oni (President, Lakehead CLF). Special thanks to Lakehead CLF and the Lakehead Runnymede Society for co-hosting and organizing this event.
Western University Faculty of Law
Special thanks to Western Law CLF for hosting Justice Peter Lauwers of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, who spoke on “Speaking Peaceably” and its role in effective advocacy and judging.
University of Alberta Faculty of Law
On November 18, CLF’s Executive Director and General Counsel Derek Ross was pleased to present alongside U of A law professors Gerard Kennedy and Adebayo Majekolagbe on “‘Freedom of’ or ‘Freedom From’ Religion”, a panel discussion on Québec’s secularism laws and use of the notwithstanding clause. Thank you to U of A CLF for organizing and hosting this event.
University of Calgary Faculty of Law
On November 20, University of Calgary Law students and faculty joined CLF’s Executive Director Derek Ross for a fireside chat on the Charter, religious pluralism, and constitutional litigation. Thank you to the U of C Christian Law Students’ Association for hosting this event.
Toronto christian Law Connect
On November 13, law students and lawyers from across the GTA gathered for a time of casual networking at Smart & Biggar LLP. The Toronto Christian Law Connect is held twice annually in the GTA through a collaboration of CLF’s three Toronto law student chapters (Osgoode Hall, the University of Toronto, and the Lincoln Alexander School of Law). Special thanks to Osgoode CLF for organizing and hosting this event.
WINTER 2026
Intervenor Advocacy Seminar
On February 4, in the lead-up to the inaugural Amicus Intervenor Moot (held March 6), law students hosted a workshop on intervention advocacy with Justice Grant Huscroft of the Ontario Court of Appeal, which drew an audience of 50 students. Special thanks to the CLF law student chapters at Western Law and Osgoode Hall Law School for co-organizing and hosting this event.
University of Manitoba Faculty of Law
On February 13, CLF’s Annual Symposium on Religion, Law, and Human Rights, “Realizing Rights in Canada’s Commitments: The 50th Anniversary of Canada’s Ratification of the International Human Rights Covenants” was hosted at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, gathering legal scholars, jurists, law students, and lawyers from across the nation to reflect on Canada’s international human rights obligations. Read more in our Symposium report by Yvonne Oni. We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, the Law Commission of Canada, the Christian Legal Fellowship, the Walter C. Newman Fund, and LexisNexis Canada.
Cross-border christian law connect
On February 26, the inaugural Cross-Border Christian Law Connect was hosted at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, featuring a fireside chat with Derek Ross, CLF Executive Director & General Counsel, on “Religious Freedom at the Supreme Court of Canada: Current Cases on the Court’s Docket”. This event welcomed law students from Windsor Law, Detroit Mercy Law, and Wayne State Law, along with lawyers from Ontario and Michigan. Thank you to Windsor Law CLF and Detroit Mercy CLS for co-organizing and hosting this event, and to lawyer Dave Campbell and the State Bar of Michigan Religious Liberty Law Section for their support.
Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law
On March 3, CLF law students hosted a panel discussion, “Religious Freedom and the Notwithstanding Clause: Intervening at the Supreme Court of Canada”, featured Prof. Mark Mancini (TRU Law), Prof. Blair Major (TRU Law), and Derek Ross (CLF, intervener in the Bill 21 appeal). Over 40 law students attended, along with the Dean of Law. Thank you to TRU CLF for hosting and organizing this event.
AMICUS INTERVENOR MOOT
On March 6, the inaugural Amicus Intervenor Moot was held at Western University Faculty of Law - the first event of its kind in Canada! This project was a collaboration between the CLF law student chapters at Western Law and Osgoode Hall Law School, with the support of CLF National. The competition welcomed 20 law students from 3 law schools to argue the case of English Montreal School Board v Quebec (Bill 21). Special thanks to all the volunteer judges, to the Amicus Moot Organizing Committee Ebun Akomolafe, Haneen Bishara, Eric Flowers, David Manukian, and Stefania Vomiero, and to Justice Grant Huscroft and the Hon. David Brown for their participation in the programs. Read more in Haneen Bishara’s report.
Western University Faculty of Law
On March 9, law students hosted a panel discussion, “Testing the Notwithstanding Clause? The Constitutional Battle over Québec’s Bill 21”, featuring Prof. Kerri Froc (University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law, Intervener Counsel in the SCC challenge), Prof. Ryan Alford (Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lakehead University), and Derek Ross (Christian Legal Fellowship, Intervener in the SCC challenge), and moderated by Prof. Rory Gillis (Western University Faculty of Law, Moderator). Over 50 students and faculty members attended this discussion on the Canadian Charter's notwithstanding clause. Special thanks to the Western Law Runnymede Society, the Western Law Muslim Law Students' Association, the Western Law Christian Legal Fellowship, the Western Law Jewish Law Students' Association, and the Western Law Sikh Law Students' Association for co-hosting and organizing this event.
Peter A. Allard School of Law (University of British Columbia)
On March 9, Allard Law students hosted an interfaith discussion on “Spiritual Health and Mental Wellbeing in the Practice of Law” featuring Michael Lipton (Nexa Law), Garifalia Milousis (Lionheart Law), and Iqra Azhar (Brownlee LLP), who explored together the positive impact that faith can have on mental wellness. Thank you to Allard CLF, the Muslim Law Students’ Association (MLSA), and the Jewish Law Students’ Association (JLSA) for co-organizing and hosting this event.
Osgoode Hall Law School
On March 10, CLF’s Derek Ross was pleased to speak at Osgoode Hall Law School on “Religious Equality and Expression in Canada: Current Issues & Challenges”, a discussion on religious inclusion, equality, and freedom, and efforts to combat religious discrimination in Canada. Special thanks to Osgoode CLF for hosting and organizing this event.
University of Saskatchewan College of Law
On March 12, Corbin Golding of McDougall, Gauley LLP & Sessional Lecturer at USask Law gave a presentation on “Dignity and Doctrine: The Supreme Court of Canada’s Engagement with International Human Rights Law”, from a paper presented at CLF’s 2026 Academic Symposium on Religion, Law & Human Rights. Special thanks to USask CLF for organizing and hosting this event.
Université de Moncton, faculté de droit
Merci aux étudiants de l’ACD uMoncton d’avoir organisé cette discussion le 16 mars, “Religion, langage & culture: enjeux à venir devant la Cour suprême du Canada”, avec le doyen Érik L. Westin-Eastaugh de la faculté de droit de l'Université de Moncton et Derek Ross, Directeur exécutif & Avocat général de l'Alliance des chrétiens en droit. | Thank you to the students of ACD uMoncton for organizing this discussion on March 16 with Dean Erik L. Westin-Eastaugh of the Faculty of Law at the Université de Moncton and Derek Ross, Executive Director & General Counsel for Christian Legal Fellowship.
University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law
On March 17, CLF law students hosted a panel discussion on “Interventions & Advocating at the Supreme Court” featuring Prof. Bruno Gélinas-Faucher (UNB Law), Prof. Paul Warchuk (UNB Law), and Derek Ross (Christian Legal Fellowship). Thank you the UNB CLF for hosting and organizing this event.
McGill University Faculty of Law
On March 18, law students hosted a multi-faith panel discussion at the McGill University Faculty of Law, “Impacts of Bill 9: A Multifaith Dialogue”, featuring Juss Kaur (Educator and Community Advocate), Lina El Bakir (Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate), Robert Reynolds (Lawyer and Former Christian Legal Fellowship President), and Michael Whitman (Rabbi of Adath, Professor of Talmudic Law at McGill), moderated by Virinda Narain (Full Professor at McGill University). Special thanks to the the McGill Jewish Law Students’ Association, McGill Muslim Law Students’ Association, the McGill Sikh Law Students’ Association, and the McGill Christian Law Students’ Association, for co-organizing and hosting this event, with the support of the McGill Office for Religious and Spiritual Life. This event drew over 90 attendees, highlighting the importance of continued dialogue on constitutional issues like freedom of religion and state neutrality.
Toronto Christian Law Connect
On March 19, law students and lawyers from across the GTA gathered for a time of casual networking at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. The Toronto Christian Law Connect is held twice annually in the GTA through a collaboration of CLF’s three Toronto law student chapters. Special thanks to U of T CLF for organizing and hosting this event.
University of Ottawa Faculty of Law
On March 23, law students and lawyers in Ottawa gathered for dinner with the Hon. David Brown and André Schutten for an informal discussion on life in the law.
We wish to thank all who supported these projects this year, and commend CLF law students across Canada for collaborating with other student groups and for preserving space beyond the classroom for law students and faculty to thoughtfully exchange ideas on current issues. This is in addition to hosting other chapter events, attending national events like the National Conference, the National Law Student Conference, and CLF’s Academic Symposium, organizing charitable activities, and leading devotionals and Bible studies for students seeking spiritual support in law school.
These activities of CLF’s student chapters bring meaningful support to law schools across Canada, and enable law students to find community and accompaniment throughout their legal journey. They wouldn’t be possible without support from CLF’s members and other supportive lawyers - thank you for continuing to invest in the next generation of legal leaders in Canada!
To get involved in CLF’s law student ministry, please reach out to vclemence@christianlegalfellowship.org.
read more from CLF law students
On the Christian Legal Blog: A Report on the Inaugural Amicus Intervenor Moot - by Haneen Bishara (Western University Faculty of Law)
On the Christian Legal Blog: 2026 Student Conference Report: Justice Without Borders, Faith Without Fear - by Marianna Pozdirca (University of Manitoba Faculty of Law)
On the Christian Legal Blog: Realizing Rights in Canada’s Commitments: A Report on the 2026 CLF Symposium on Religion, Law & Human Rights - by Yvonne Oni (Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lakehead University)
Article de blog: L’Alliance des chrétiens en droit (ACD) : Consacrée à unir les chrétiens de l’univers du droit - par Rose Marcotte (Faculté de droit, Université Laval)
On the Christian Legal Blog: How my CLF Student Chapter Became My “Home Away From Home” - by Abimbola Amaye (Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University)
On the Christian Legal Blog: 2025 National Conference Report - by Apara Grace (University of Manitoba Faculty of Law)
On the Christian Legal Blog: Spending the Summer with CLF as a Law Student - by Cecily Zeppetella (Western University Faculty of Law)
On the Christian Legal Blog: Called for a Purpose: My Week at the Christian Legal Institute - by Shirley Barton (University of Alberta Faculty of Law)