Podcasts

#120 | Magical and disappearing laws? Exploring “Unenactment”

Legislative Drafting – Aug 2026

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#120 | Magical and disappearing laws? Exploring “Unenactment”
Broadcast Date: August 27, 2026

EPISODE SUMMARY | LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING CONFERENCE | BIOGRAPHIES | RELATED DOCUMENTATION

EPISODE SUMMARY

Why might a legislature pretend that it never passed a law? How might this be done? Host Lerissa Thaver speaks with Charlie Feldman about an uncommon technique in legislative drafting: deeming provisions “never to have been enacted.” When has this “unenactment” occurred and why? This episode shines a light on this unusual way to draft and challenging situations legislative drafters sometimes face.

Guest

Charlie Feldman, Legislative Counsel, Department of Justice Canada (Ottawa, ON)

Host

Lerissa Thaver, Legislative Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Government of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)

Legislative Drafting Conference (23rd edition)

September 9-11, 2026 ● Ottawa (ON) — & Online

This biennial conference brings together legislative drafters, legal professionals, academics, and others to explore the most pressing issues in modern legislative drafting, with a particular focus on the Canadian context.

The 2026 program offers thought-provoking discussions on the process of preparing legislative texts alongside reflections on recent developments shaping the field. Topics include the practical realities faced by drafters, new AI initiatives, Indigenous co-development of legislation, and the correction of legislative texts. Comparative approaches, ethical considerations, and interactive sessions will round out a rich and engaging program.

REGISTER NOW

Call for Expressions of Interest:
The Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice (CIAJ) Legislative Drafting Committee

Are you interested in shaping future CIAJ legislative drafting events? The CIAJ Legislative Drafting Committee is recruiting new members!

The Committee brings together a volunteer body of professionals from across Canada within the legislative drafting ecosystem (francophone and anglophone drafters, revisers, translators etc.) at various levels of experience to plan the CIAJ’s biennial legislative drafting conference and additional related programming.

Interested? Find us in person at the CIAJ Legislative Drafting Conference (2026 Edition) in Ottawa, or email a member of the CIAJ nominations subcommittee: Charlie Feldman (charlie.feldman@justice.gc.ca), Lerissa Thaver (Lerissa.Thaver@gov.ab.ca) and Cassandra Porter (Cassandra.Porter@justice.gc.ca). We would be happy to provide more information as well as our Membership and Terms of Reference document.

To apply: Email the nominations subcommittee by September 23rd, 2026, with your CV and a short statement (max 500 words) explaining your interest in joining the Committee and describing any work experience you have related to legislative drafting.

Applicants from diverse backgrounds and traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Please feel free to communicate with us in the official language of your choice.

BIOGRAPHIES

Charlie Feldman

Legislative Counsel, Department of Justice Canada (Ottawa, ON)

Charlie Feldman has drafted legislation for the Senate of Canada, the House of Commons, the Department of Justice, and the Government of Scotland. He is the former president of the Canadian Study of Parliament Group and publishes regularly on issues related to Parliament and legislation.

Lerissa Thaver

Legislative Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Government of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)

Lerissa Thaver currently holds the position of Legislative Counsel with the Government of Alberta, Ministry of Justice and is one of the Co-Chairs of CIAJ’s Legislative Draft Planning Committee. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Regina (2010) and obtained her J.D. from the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in 2013. Following law school, Lerissa completed her articles with the Government of Saskatchewan and in 2014 began her career as a prosecutor for the Ministry of Justice. Shortly after, she was hired by the Legislative Drafting Branch where she spent 11 years drafting legislation. Lerissa joined the Legislative Counsel Office in Alberta in July of 2025 where she continues to explore and share her passion for drafting legislation. When Lerissa is not drafting, she can be found rock climbing, hiking and watercolour painting.