The internet is our generation’s playground, our social hub. We go there to play and chat, learn and explore. We often assume that we’re safe there, that we can do what we want without consequence, that our activities are not being monitored. We rarely take time to consider the digital trail we leave behind. Even if internet companies collect our data for all sorts of reasons (or even generate...
On August 9 an unarmed young, black male was shot at least six times – twice in the head – by a white police officer. For hours, the body was left in the street, uncovered and uncared for. The days following the shooting were marked with an explosion of moral outrage and public anguish. Widespread suspension of dissent and democratic rights through criminal sanctions would ensue. The...
What does the public think about the justice system? What does justice mean to everyday Canadians? We interviewed 99 Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area and have captured their responses in our colourful new infographic “What is Access to Justice?”You can see the infographic at: www.cfcj-fcjc.org/infographics/what-is-a2j The infographic is based on the “What is Access to Justice” project...
Pii dash Shkakimi-kwe giigidid aabdeg gbizindawaamin: When the Earth speaks, we will listen. This was a guiding theme posited by elders of the Chippewas of Nawash for Osgoode’s inaugural Anishinaabe Law Camp: Anishinaabe Naakinigewin Gabeshawin. On the weekend of September 11 to 14, approximately 40 law students and Osgoode faculty members travelled to Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker) to attend...
As of September 1, students have been officially able to access the new WestlawNext Platform through WestlawNextCanada.com/students. This website can operate as a homepage for law students, as it includes a lot of helpful and interesting information. For example, under “Insight” students can find legal news and all kinds of helpful research tips. Clicking the box labelled “To Sign on to...
Your landlord refuses to address your mold problem. You were wrongfully terminated from your job. You doctor neglected to follow standard procedure. All of a sudden, you find yourself faced with a legal problem. Who do you call? Where do you start looking for help? Seeking answers to your questions seems like an impossible task, and as frustration sets in, you soon feel like giving up. This cycle...
With television and movie producers increasingly turning to the Internet to reach audiences, and the music industry in a state of chaos as they lose hold of the proprietary value once held in their product, it is clear that major changes to the entertainment industry are underway. Significant shifts in the expectations of audiences, the makeup of that audience, and the availability of services...
The Toronto Blue Jays, in a surprise twist, have just announced that they will not be playing a second baseman, despite initially confirming Ryan Goins as the opening day starter at the position. In a press conference, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said, “Out of desperation we named Ryan Goins the starting second baseman. The previous year we signed Macier Izturis with the expectation that...
The three of us sat in 0014G of the Ignat Kaneff building. As the sun set on one of the last Fridays of Cass and Travis’ law school careers, the mood in the Obiter office took a nostalgic turn. After unsuccessfully attempting to piece together the events of the Dean’s Formal that took place a week earlier, the last meeting of the 2013-2014 Obiter Dicta editorial board meandered towards decidedly...
In the foreword of the Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters Report: A Roadmap for Change, Chief Justice McLachlin said, “the problem of access to justice is not a new one. As long as justice has existed, there have been those who struggled to access it… we [are] increasingly failing in our responsibility to provide a justice system that [is] accessible, responsive and citizen-focused...
Research must always go hand-in-hand with action and implementation. While the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice primarily focuses on access to justice research and advocacy, it also recognizes the importance of putting the recommendations and strategies that are developed by evidence-based research into action. Indeed, it can be said that research, while important, accomplishes little if it does...
On Thursday, March 13, the third-annual Wendy Babcock Drag Show exploded onto the stage in the JCR, covering all present in glitter, mascara, and Bambino. This year’s incarnation was hilarious, inspiring, and – most importantly – entertaining. The night kicked off with a video produced by Quinn Harris of Mock Trial fame. The film documented some goings-on in the first-floor men’s room, including...
How corruption in Russia, and the civil and political breakdown of the Ukraine have drowned the lingering high of the Olympics, and sobered the global community before the athletes had even returned home. When the Olympics wrapped up in 2010, it seemed like the emotional high of Vancouver had wafted right across the country, leaving Canadians with a happy hangover we were all too content to let...
I’ve never cared much about whales, the coral reef, or polar bears. I’m an environmentalist, don’t get me wrong, and I know these are vital environmental issues, but I’m not engaging with them in what I would consider to be a meaningful way. Why? Because the goal of saving the entire planet not only sounds corny, it’s too grand and ambiguous a goal for any measure of success. So, I propose...
In February, we introduced the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice’s (CFCJ) “Cost of Justice” project, a research initiative designed to determine the legal, economic, and social costs and benefits of pursuing, or not pursuing, justice. In an attempt to determine these costs, the project has numerous studies underway, some of which focus on regional and provincial issues, while some are national in...
On Friday, February 28th, we had the incredible opportunity to represent Osgoode in the 3rd Annual West Coast Environmental Law Twitter Moot (TwtMoot). We greatly appreciate the support of Saxe Law Office, who sponsored Team #Osgoode Law. This was one of our favourite experiences at #Osgoode, giving us the opportunity to transcend conventional notions of advocacy. Five teams across Canada put the...
Each time I go out shopping I’m bombarded with all kinds of environmentally focused marketing claims. Everything from “all natural” to “EcoLogo certified” – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With the growing emphasis on environmental concerns, environmentally-focused marketing has exploded. This has led to the proliferation of hundreds of different claims, labels, and certifications that...
It is not unusual to find instances where science has turned to nature for inspiration. The invention of airplanes, for example, is probably the most quintessential illustration of this phenomenon. Humans, envious of birds’ ability to fly, would study them relentlessly trying to discover the secret of these tiny creatures. If you look at pictures of the flying machines that existed before the...
What a year it has been for the Sustainability Committee of the Environmental Law Society! Celebrating our annual green Obiter Dicta issue, we thought we would update you on our initiatives over the 2013-2014 school year. In September, the Sustainability Committee established our foundation: five sub-groups that would direct our goals for the year. We created a Campus Connections group, Osgoode...
In September of 2013 Osgoode decided to reconstitute the Food Services Advisory Group in order to ensure that students’ expectations regarding the food services at Osgoode Hall were being satisfied. From an environmental perspective, how and what we choose to consume are easy and effective ways to decrease our carbon footprint. As the effects of climate change begin to manifest themselves...
On February 14, I had the opportunity to sit down with the other Student Project Leads and Coordinators for the Ontario Law Student Mental Health Initiative (OLSMHI, for now). Every Ontario law school, including Lakehead, had a representative there. We had a lot to discuss over the course of the day, including the results of the survey that some of you were kind enough to fill out. From the...
It’s not easy being green. To say that it’s hard doesn’t quite do it justice either. If nothing else it’s annoying. Remember to bring your water bottle every day and ceramic mug on Wednesdays for coffee. Remember to configure the settings on your print job to print double-sided even though it costs the same and you’re in the basement and the only printer that works is on the main...
It is no secret that a number of large law firms organize formal recruitment campaigns at Osgoode. It is also no secret that these firms further their recruitment objectives in a number of other ways, either by running firm tours, advertising around the school, or sponsoring student initiatives in an attempt to further publicize their brand. The presence of large law firms in our school is well...
As Dean, I would standardize the format and delivery of electronic readings across all courses. I have been a post-secondary student off and on for the past ten years. In that time, institutions have gradually shifted from a predominately physical (i.e., coursepacks) to a predominately electronic mode of delivering edited collections of primary and secondary materials. Costly printed coursepacks...
Strange things have been happening at Osgoode lately. On February 5, 2014, Dean Sossin was seen wearing a funny wig at Osgoode. Then, an email was sent about becoming the Dean of Osgoode. And now this, Dean Sossin wearing a clown wig somewhere downtown Toronto?! Has Dean Sossin quit his job, ran away and joined the circus? Well no, do not panic. I am here to tell you that everything is fine. That...