Summary of Meetings: Constitutional/Civil Liberties
Number of Meetings Held: 3
May 14, 2026
Henry VIII Powers in the One Canadian Economy Act: Limits on Federal Regulatory Powers and Section 35 Aboriginal Rights
Guest Speakers: Paul Daly, Professor, University of Montreal, Ruben Tillman, Lawyer, Ng Arris Fong, and Karine Millaire, Professor, University of Montreal
Synopsis: Professor Paul Daly, Ruben Tillman, and Professor Karine Millaire, address the constitutional limits of exceptional cabinet powers to circumvent regulatory processes and s.35 rights of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada’s One Canadian Economy Act, formerly Bill C-5. The future of many national projects proposed by the federal government and the relevant provinces implementing them have C-5 Henry VIII clauses at their core, while also potentially affecting the wide range of indigenous treaty and aboriginal rights.
Online Registration: 69
February 23, 2026
Notwithstanding Clause: Limits of the Override
Synopsis: Sujit Choudhry, Lawyer, Circle Barristers, Robyn Trask, Vice-Chair, BC Labour Relations Board, and Humera Jabir, West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund, address the limits of the "notwithstanding" constitutional override enacted by s.33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Online Registration: 117
December 5, 2025
What Happened at the Legal Professions Act Summary Trial?
Guest Speakers: Trevor Bant, Attorney General of BC, Declan Redman, Arvay Finlay LLP, Connor Bildfell, McCarthy Tetrault LLP, and Laura Bevan, Lawson Lundell LLP
Synopsis: Hear from Trevor Bant, Declan Redman, Connor Bildfell, and Laura Bevan, about the arguments they were advancing, how they thought the proceedings went, and what they thought the Court was interested in.
Online Registration: 123