Brian Bird: The humanity of judges is an asset, not a workplace hazard
Judges are human beings with formative experiences and perspectives that predate their judicial careers. They are not robots, and that is for the better.
The Charter at Forty: The future of Canada's Charter
It’s hard to imagine that many Canadians foresaw the Charter being argued in cases about euthanasia, prohibitions on private health care and same-sex marriage—to name only a few issues.
The Charter at Forty: How the Charter has shaped society since 1982
If the framers of 1982 thought that the constitutional changes of that year would bring about constitutional tranquility, they were sorely mistaken. The past forty years have featured intense activity on the constitutional front as governments have learned how to respect the Charter.
To save our public discourse, we must reclaim the art of critical thinking
The public discourse in Canada is in bad shape. Key to improving it is adopting a critical posture—even towards our own deeply held beliefs and our own side’s convictions.
The Charter at Forty: The legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau
It is no overstatement to say that without Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada,1982 would not have happened.
COVID-19 has frayed our social fabric, but brighter days lie ahead
As we near the second anniversary of the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in a radically different and better place today than we were in March of 2020.
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.