Checking Our Constitution@30: The Influence of the Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms on Legislation, Identities and Federalism, April 17-18, 2012, Ottawa, Ontario
April 17th, 2012 will mark the 30th anniversary of the patriation of the Canadian Constitution and the creation of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Constitution and Charter have had a profound impact on our law and public policy. Many Canadians view the Constitution and the Charter of Rights as shaping important aspects of our collective identity and defining a set of shared values. For the most part, Canadians hold a favorable opinion of the Constitution and Charter. Yet many see these defining documents as divisive. To mark this important anniversary the Association for Canadian Studies will hold a major conference entitled, “Checking Our Constitution@30: The Influence of the Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights on Legislation, Identity and Federalism” to take place on April 17-18th, 2012at the University of Ottawa.
How have the debates over the Constitution shaped our identities? Have the Constitution and Charter of Rights strengthened or weakened Canadian democracy and Federalism? What have the Constitution and Charter meant for women, aboriginals, and language minorities, ethnic and visible minorities, religious groups and new Canadians? What role have the Courts played in the interpretation of the Constitution, and how has the Charter transformed the judiciary in Canada?Has the distinction between Law and Politics become blurred over the past thirty years? How does the Canadian experience compare with other countries? Are the courts becoming more or less accessible to the public? Are there benefits to an unwritten constitution? How has the Constitution affected the balance of powers in Canada, and the dynamics of federalism?
Policy-makers, academics, researchers, activists, scholars, lawyers, judges and professionals from all disciplines will be featured on the program.
A few include:
- The Hon. Michel Bastarache, Heenen-Blaikie, former Supreme Court Justice
- Justice Patrick Healey, Court of Quebec, Criminal and Penal Division
- Professor Sebastian Grammond, Dean, Faculty of Law (Civil Law), University of Ottawa
- Professor Lorraine Weinrib, University of Toronto
- Professor Beverley Baines, Queens University
- Ken Norman, University of Saskatchewan, former Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission
- Professor Pascale Fournier, Vice Dean, Research, Faculty of Law (Civil Law), University of Ottawa
- Professor Bruce Ryder, Osgoode Hall Law School - York University
- Warren Newman, Senior General Counsel, Justice Canada
- Graham Fox, President, Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)
- Patricia Hughes, Law Commission of Ontario
- Professor Shauna Van Praagh, McGill University
- Professor Rainer Knopff, University of Calgary
- Jean Augustine, Fairness Commissioner of Ontario
- Rupak Chattopadhyay, President, The Forum of Federations
- Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages for Canada
- Mark Power, Heenan-Blaikie
- Professor Joseph Magnet, University of Ottawa
- Professor Sonia Lawrence, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
- Professor Peter Oliver, University of Ottawa
Conference themes/sessions include:
- Crimes of Honour, Canadian Values and Regard for the Law
- Law in Books and Law in Action: Polygamy, Prostitution and Homelessness
- Educational Rights for Official Language Minority Communities
- First Nations and the Constitution
- The Challenges in Rights Interpretation
- National Security, Citizenship and the Constitution and the Charter
- Minorities and the Charter
- Legacies and Implications of Human Rights Law in Canada
- Parliament, The Constitution and the Courts
- The Charter of Rights and Freedoms Thirty Years On: Expectations and Disappointments
- The Constitution, Constitutional Reform and Federalism in Canada
- The impact of Constitutional Reform on the Evolution of Canadian Liberal Democracy
- An International Comparison of the Constitution and the Charter
- Constitutional Amendments and the Future of the Constitution
- 30 Years Later – Taking Stock – Where Do We Go From Here?
To register and for additional information visit or e-mail: at the Association for Canadian Studiesat Tel: (514) 925-3097.