In this episode, we explore the legal and political implications of Bill C-18, the Online News Act, and the ongoing battle between the Canadian government and social media giants.

Our guest, Dr. Elizabeth Dubois, Associate Professor and University Research Chair in Politics, Communication, and Technology at the University of Ottawa, breaks down the motivations behind Bill C-18, its impact on Canadian news access, and the broader consequences for media regulation in Canada. She also examines how similar legislation has played out internationally and what the future might hold for digital news intermediaries.

In this episode, we unpack the ethical and regulatory challenges posed by artificial intelligence, particularly its impact on systemic inequality.

Our guests, Professor Ignacio Cofone from Oxford University and Professor Jane Bailey from the University of Ottawa, delve into the ways AI can amplify discrimination, the shortcomings of Canada’s current AI legislation, and the need for more robust accountability frameworks. They also discuss the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA). 

Be on the lookout for the McGill Law Journal's special issue on artificial intelligence in Volume 69(4)! 

Note: At the time of recording, Professor Ignacio Cofone was Canada Research Chair in A.I. Law & Data Governance at McGill University. He is now Professor of Law & Regulation of A.I. at Oxford University. 

The late Professor Paul André Crépeau was a legendary figure in Quebec Civil Law and in the study of civil law at McGill. His work in the reform of the Civil Code, in the development of new theories in the law of obligations, as well as his contributions to comparative law, and legal academia spanned approximately six decades. In this episode, we discuss with Justice Nicholas Kasirer and Professor Élise Charpentier about the continued importance of Professor Crépeau’s contributions to legal pedagogy at McGill, his publications in the McGill Law Journal, and creation of the Paul-André Crépeau Center for Private and Comparative Law.

Note on the episode: The McGill Law Journal specifies that although many of the Civil Code Revision Office’s suggestions were accepted, the Quebec legislator did not accept them all in the drafting of the new Civil Code of Quebec, in force since 1994.

Le regretté professeur Paul-André Crépeau était une figure légendaire dans le droit civil québécois et dans l’étude du droit civil à McGill. Son travail sur la réforme du Code civil et sur le développement de nouvelles théories dans le droit des obligations, ainsi que ces contributions au droit comparé et au monde académique du droit s’étayait sur six décennies. Dans cet épisode, nous discutons avec le juge Nicholas Kasirer et la professeure Élise Charpentier par rapport à l’importance continue des contributions du professeur Crépeau à la pédagogie juridique à McGill, ses publications au sein de la Revue de droit de McGill, et la création du Centre Paul-André Crépeau de droit privé et comparé.

Note sur l'épisode: La Revue de droit de McGill tient à préciser que bien que plusieurs propositions du rapport de l’Office de révision du Code civil aient été acceptées, le législateur québécois ne les a pas tous suivies lors de la rédaction du nouveau Code civil du Québec, entré en vigueur en 1994.

In this episode, we unpack the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement and the 2023 Supreme Court of Canada decision Canadian Council for Refugees v. Canada which unanimously upheld its constitutionality.

Our guest, Audrey Macklin, Professor and Rebecca Cook Chair at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, delves into the history, consequences, and supposed “safety valves” of the agreement.

This episode explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), intellectual property, and art, focusing on the challenges posed by AI-generated works.

Katherine Wilson-Milne, a partner at Schindler Cohen & Hochman LLP, discusses the complexities of copyright laws as they apply to AI-created works. Katherine also considers ongoing legal battles which could reshape copyright protections in the digital age. The episode provides a timely look at how AI is transforming both the art world and its legal landscape.

This episode explores the challenges of freedom of expression in Canada’s digital landscape.

Emmett Macfarlane, Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, discusses how Canadian courts define free speech and the role of professional regulatory bodies in curbing misinformation and disinformation. Professor Macfarlane also examines policies like Bill C-18, offering insights into how Canada can address online harms while preserving democratic values and ensuring a healthy media environment.

This episode delves into the controversy surrounding Quebec’s decision to significantly raise tuition for out-of-province students attending anglophone universities.

Dr. Daniel Weinstock, Full Professor at McGill University and the Catherine Pearson Chair in Civil Society and Public Policy, contextualizes the tuition hikes within the province's long-standing efforts to protect the French language. Dr. Weinstock's discussion also touches on the broader implications of the tuition hikes for education, cultural identity, and accessibility in Quebec.

Dans cet épisode, nous interrogeons les défis que vit actuellement le système de justice et ce, sous un angle bien précis. Notre invitée, Emmanuelle Bernheim, professeure titulaire à la Faculté de droit de l’Université d’Ottawa, s’est penchée, dans son article dans la Revue de droit de McGill, sur les défis rencontrés par le personnel judiciaire dans ses interactions avec les justiciables non-représentés et sur les obstacles auxquels se heurtent les justiciables non-représentés eux-mêmes dans le cadre des procédures judiciaires.

This episode will explore access to justice as part of the McGill Law Journal's progression towards open access, highlighting the importance of access to justice and how access to legal information can contribute to this pursuit. 

In this episode Me Steeves Bujold provides rich insight on how to improve access to justice, particularly for marginalized communities, and the way in which the legal industry can evolve to best serve those who need access the most. 

Over the last 5 years, the use of section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, known as the Notwithstanding Clause, has become increasingly controversial. This episode delves into the historical context of the Notwithstanding Clause to shed light on the section’s current issues. Using Quebec’s Bill 21 and Ontario’s Working Families cases, we highlight the tensions between legislative authority and judicial oversight.

We speak with Marion Sandilands, partner at Conway Litigation and Professor at the University of Ottawa.