The McGill Law Journal Podcast (Public Law)
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Every law society in Canada requires that prospective lawyers satisfy some version of the requirements of good character and mental fitness. In this episode, we discuss the meaning, purpose and effectiveness of these requirements with Professor Alice Woolley of the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law and Mr. Raj Anand, a partner at WeirFoulds LLP and bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Direct download: Draft_2_Mix_w_Music.mp3
Category:Public Law -- posted at: 6:00am EDT
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The former federal government has been criticized for allegedly picking judges based on political considerations and in a non-transparent manner. In the second part of a two-part episode on the federal judicial appointment process, we look into whether the current process needs to be reformed and, if it does, how. We speak with Leonid Sirota, J.S.D. Candidate at the New York University School of Law and Professor Rosemary Cairns Way from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law.

Direct download: The_Politics_of_Judicial_Appointments_part_II.mp3
Category:Public Law -- posted at: 7:30am EDT
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The federal government has been criticized for allegedly picking judges based on political considerations and in a non-transparent manner. In the first part of a two-part episode on the federal judicial appointment process, we look into the scope of the government’s discretion in naming judges and the role that ideology or partisanship might play in the process. We speak with Sean Fine, justice reporter at the Globe and Mail; Professor Robert Leckey of McGill’s Faculty of Law; and David Gourdeau, a former commissioner for federal judicial affairs.

Direct download: Part_One_Final.mp3
Category:Public Law -- posted at: 7:00am EDT
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Manitoba judge, Lori Douglas, has sexually explicit photos out there on the Internet. They were put out there by her now-deceased husband without her consent. Since 2011, the Canadian Judicial Council has been inquiring into whether she should be removed from the bench. The inquiry committee was set to look at the photos until Justice Douglas negotiated that she would retire. In exchange, the CJC has suspended the inquiry.

In this episode we get to the bottom of Justice Douglas’ story in hopes of uncovering what expectations we have of our judges. After Justice Douglas, who can be a judge? We talk with Kyle Kirkup, a Trudeau Scholar and doctoral student at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law and Professor Susan Drummond of Osgoode Hall Law School.

Direct download: Sex_Lies_and_Justice_Lori_Douglas.mp3
Category:Public Law -- posted at: 10:47am EDT
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Dans cet épisode, Eloïse Gagné fait un retour sur la Conférence francophone annuelle de la RDM du 24 février dernier avec l’Hon. Stéphane Dion, parlementaire et politicologue. Celui-ci nous parle du rôle et de l’influence des juristes sur la politique législative en reliant son discours à différents sujets de l’actualité.

Direct download: MLJCast_27_-_Stphane_Dion.mp3
Category:Public Law -- posted at: 7:09pm EDT
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Despite a significant place in the legal profession, little attention has been given to the unique ethical challenges of the government lawyer. We spoke with Professor Adam Dodek (University of Ottawa) and Michael Morris (Department of Justice) on their efforts to change that.

Direct download: Dodek_Morris_Final.mp3
Category:Public Law -- posted at: 5:10pm EDT
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‘Unsteady Allegiances’: Freedom of Religion in Quebec, featuring Professor Muñiz-Fraticelli

In recent months, Quebec has witnessed a number of high-profile clashes over religious freedom. We met with Professor Victor Muñiz-Fraticelli of McGill University to talk about three – concerning schooling, public prayer, and religious headwear – and what they say about Quebecois culture in 2013.

Direct download: Muniz-Fraticelli_FINAL.mp3
Category:Public Law -- posted at: 1:42pm EDT
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