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New SCC Thoughts on the Honour of the Crown in Modern Treaties

The SCC recently decided three cases interpreting historic and modern treaty promises to aid in the reconciliation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. I wrote about two of these…

Section 24 – Damages for Unconstitutional Legislation

The Supreme Court of Canada recently confirmed that individuals may bring actions under s. 24 of the Charter for damages flowing from unconstitutional legislation. The Court’s decision in AG Canada v Power upholds a decades-old principle established in Mackin…

Reflections on the Challenges of Consent and Decision-Making for Gender-Diverse Children and Families

As part of our 48th Annual Conference on Families and the Law, which will take place from October 9 to 11 in Winnipeg, a panel will be dedicated to the Challenges of Consent and Decision-Making for Gender-Diverse Children and Families. In light of recent provincial policies concerning gender-diverse students, this panel will examine the legal, […]

Towards Indigenous Governance: Child Protection and Family Law in Transition

The panel “Indigenous Family Law Governance and Child Protection,” part of the 48th Annual Conference on Families and the Law hosted by CIAJ, offers a unique opportunity to delve into recent developments in Indigenous governance over child and family services. With the long-awaited Supreme Court decision affirming the constitutionality of the Act respecting First Nations, […]

Susan E. Guthrie: Revolutionizing Family Law and Mediation in the Age of New Technologies

With a career spanning over three decades, Susan E. Guthrie has emerged as one of the most influential voices in family law and mediation, transforming her expertise into a force for innovation. By integrating innovative technologies into legal practice, she not only helps professionals navigate an ever-changing landscape but also enlightens the public on novel […]

Transforming Family Justice in Canada: Putting Families at the Heart of the System

Although reforms have been recently undertaken, family law professionals in Canada are well aware that our current laws do not fully meet the needs of families, and can even cause more harm than good. The Action Committee on Access to Justice’s 2013 report on family justice reform [Family Justice Working Group of the Action Committee […]

A New Look at the Role of Treaties in Reconciliation

Two recent Supreme Court of Canada cases try to advance the fundamental objective of the modern law of treaty rights: the reconciliation of the interests of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Both cases show nation-to-nation treaty-making unfolding within the Canadian Constitution…

Meet our Board of Directors: Nazrina H. Umarji

CIAJ would like to warmly thank its board members for sharing their skills and working to improve the justice system with heart and wisdom for the benefit of society as a whole.

Gender and Pronouns Notwithstanding

I want to pick up the story of the injunction issued by Megaw J of the Saskatchewan Court of Kings Bench against the policy preventing schoolkids under 16 from using their preferred names and pronouns without parental consent…

Canada Assists Other Democracies by Sharing Its Judicial Talent

The rule of law is often described as the rule of laws and not individuals. Amidst the roar of debate about this simplistic description, some basic ideas are commonly understood…