Summary of Meetings: Constitutional/Civil Liberties Law
Number of Meetings Held:4
October 20, 2020
Registration Count: 51
Guest Speaker: Gareth Morley, counsel for the Attorney General of BC in the GGPPA References Joseph Arvay, Q.C., counsel for the plaintiffs in La Rose
Meeting Title/Topic: Recent Constitutional Climate Change Hearings
Synopsis: Two important constitutional climate change cases were heard recently. On September 22 and 23, the Supreme Court of Canada heard the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act references, which dealt with whether the GGPPA was constitutional on federalism grounds. On September and October 30 and Oct. 1, the Federal Court heard a motion to strike brought by Canada in La Rose et al. v. Canada, a Charter challenge brought by youths across the country against Caanda for inadequate climate change action.
Gareth Morley, counsel for the Attorney General of BC in the GGPPA References, and Joseph Arvay, Q.C., counsel for the plaintiffs in La Rose, explained what these cases are about, provided their insights as to how the hearings went, and discussed what we may expect to see in the future in this rapidly developing area of constitutional law.
November 30, 2020
Registration Count: 111
Guest Speaker: Robert Grant QC, counsel for Cambie Surgeries
Meeting Title/Topic: Cambie Surgeries Case: Perspective on the Charter and the Medicare Protection Act
Synopsis: On September 10, 2020, Justice Steve dismissed the Cambie Surgeries Corporation and other plaintiffs claim against the Attorney General of British Columbia that provisions of the Province's Medicare Protection Act violated sections 7 and 15 of the Charter. An appeal of the decison is currently before the BC Court of Appeal and the matter may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court of Canada. Robert Grant QC, counsel for Cambie Surgeries, and Jonathan Penner, counsel for the Attorney General of BC, explained what the case is about, provided their insights on the decision, and discussed their differing perspectives on this important constitutional law case.
March 05, 2021
Registration Count: 79
Guest Speaker: Jennifer Chow, Q.C, Peter Ameerali Jordan Regehr John Trueman
Meeting Title/Topic: Notices of Constitutional Question: Tips and Tricks
Synopsis: The Constitutional Question Act requires anyone challenging a law or seeking a constitutional remedy to give notice to the federal & provincial Attorneys General before the matter is heard. The panel discussed why this rule exists, how it works, and what pitfalls to avoid.
May 28, 2021
Registration Count: 41
Guest Speaker: Alison Latimer, Kate Feeney, Michael Feder
Meeting Title/Topic: Interventions - Tips and Tricks
Synopsis: This talk focused on providing practical advice to lawyers doing or looking to do interventions. The talk will cover all aspects of intervention practice, from how to find a client, to tips about how to succesfully apply to intervene, to how best to make use of your limited time in making effective oral submissions. Alison Latimer, Kate Feeney, and Michael Feder will discuss tips and tricks from the perspective of counsel and an organization that routinely intervenes in trial and appellate courts.