On borders and mobility rights: who drew that line?

In this episode, Amelia Philpott (Appeal author) and Tekahnawiiaks/Joyce King (director: Akwesasne Justice Department) provide insight into the effects of settler-created borders on Indigenous communities, particularly Akwesasne. They remind us to challenge the idea of a singular, one-sided interpretation of these obligations by explaining Haudenosaunee law, the Silver Covenant Chain and the value of promises and relationships. In her paper, Amelia argues that, in recent judgments, Canadian courts have mischaracterized the Crown’s Jay Treaty obligations related to mobility and border crossing rights for Indigenous peoples.

Amelia’s paper can be found in Volume 24 of Appeal: Review of Current Law and Law Reform (which is now available for purchase by contacting appeal@uvic.ca).

Digital Breadcrumbs: privacy, gadgets, and the law

In this episode, Lee-Ann Conrod (Appeal author) and Professor Steven Penney (UoA) discuss the topic of Lee-Ann’s paper: smart devices in criminal investigations.  Given the increasing pervasiveness of smart technologies in our everyday lives, the Court’s interpretation of section 8 of the Charter becomes increasingly important. Can you have social media AND privacy rights anymore?

Lee-Ann’s paper can be found in Volume 24 of Appeal: Review of Current Law and Law Reform (which is now available for purchase by contacting appeal@uvic.ca).

Fearless, necessary and unapologetic: exposing failures of the sexual assault trial process

In 2018, Putting Trials on Trial: Sexual Assault and the Failure of the Legal Profession was published. In it, author Elaine Craig critically analyzes and exposes the systemic problems with the Canadian legal system in relation to sexual assault trials. Suzy Flader provides a review of this book in the 24th volume of Appeal. This episode provides yet another platform to talk about sexual violence, how its dealt with in courts and what can be done to ensure the Canadian criminal justice system does not contribute to the trauma of sexual assault survivors moving forward.

The contents of this episode, Suzy’s book review and Elaine’s book can be difficult and upsetting. Please practice self-care when you approach these materials.

Pot off the Press: The Cannabis Act

WEED love it if you tuned in to this special episode. Given the recent legalization of recreational cannabis nationwide, Professor Neil Boyd (SFU) and Dr. Scott MacDonald (CISUR) tell us about the Cannabis Act, its immediate impacts and the effects it may pose on law and the legal profession going forward. The Cannabis Act, also known as Bill C-45 came into force on October 17th, 2018.

Passing the Podcast Torch

In this episode, the present and the past collide as Nico Bernardi (current Podcast Manager) catches up with Rachael Gardner (last year’s Podcast Manager). The duo discuss the purpose, vision and possible trajectory of this podcast project. Together, they set the stage for the next round of episodes which will feature authors of the 24th volume of Appeal (March 2019)