The Charter at Forty: The road to 1982
2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Constitution Act, 1982. This pivotal act would not have been possible without the history that set the stage for it.
Laws should form good citizens, but civil society must lead the way
The law is often an insufficiently surgical instrument to remedy social ills. The human connection, often in the form of small gestures, is far superior.
The Pope's visit could be a turning point for Canada
Pope Francis will likely apologize for the involvement of the Church in the residential school system.
Pandemic or not, don't cheapen the Charter and the society it sustains
So far, courts have been deferential when evaluating the constitutionality of state action taken in response to COVID-19. But this posture will not last forever.
Brian Bird: Forgetting Afghanistan is not an option
We must never forget 9/11, and we must do all we can to prevent other dates that will live in infamy from coming to pass.
Brian Bird: It feels a lot like the early days of the pandemic again. But should it?
Over the past 18 months, many of us have embraced an unrealistic and even utopian expectation of safety from COVID-19.
Brian Bird: For reconciliation to stand a chance, vandalism must stop
When members of the legal profession openly legitimize violence and crime, there is reason to fear that vital threads holding our social fabric together are fraying.
Brian Bird: To achieve truth and reconciliation, hearts and minds must change
While the necessary ingredients for reconciliation are complex and contested, we should all be able to agree that much work must be done in the realm of hearts and minds.