Clinical Projects - Winter 2009
The following projects were part of the first term (Winter 2009) of the Asper Centre Clinical Legal Education Course. The aim was to teach students about the practical aspects of human rights advocacy in the context of Canada’s constitution.Housing Rights Coalition
Students provided research and legal drafting support to a coalition of housing advocates who are developing a test case to challenge government policy respecting housing rights in Canada. Students provided in-depth research and analysis for specific Charter arguments, reviewed and summarized expert opinion evidence and provided an initial draft of an expert affidavit. The class hosted one of the coalition meetings at the Faculty of Law and was able to observe first-hand the discussion regarding the litigation strategy.
Equality Rights for First Nations Children
One project has involved both litigation support and policy advocacy respecting the services provided to First Nations children both on and off reserve. A student provided research support regarding the constitutional issues behind a Canadian Human Rights Act complaint that has been filed at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.
A strategy has also been developed for further advocacy respecting the provision of services to First Nations children who may be caught in jurisdictional wrangling between levels of government. On December 12, 2007 Jordan’s Principle was passed by Private Member’s Motion 296 in the House of Commons. Jordan’s Principle is a child-first approach to resolving jurisdictional disputes between federal and provincial/territorial governments where the provision of necessary services to First Nations children is concerned. It is named after First Nations boy with complex medical needs who was unable to return to his home on a reserve because of the failure of governments to agree on who would provide the necessary medical support that he needed to be at home with his family.
Read Jordan’s Principle
Advocate for Jordan's Principle
Ontario Justice Education Network Jury Project
The Asper Centre partnered with OJEN to provide assistance in a project that focused on jury duty. Aboriginal high school students in Thunder Bay, Ontario participated in a mock jury trial, playing the role of witnesses and jury members. An Asper Centre student developed the case scenario in consultation with lawyers and judges, and then travelled north to participate in the mock trial.
Read about the student’s experience in her trip journal.