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10-24-25 | Access to Justice, Criminal Law, Public Law

Keys to the Court: The Rodney Small Case

On an October night in 1993, teenager Rodney Small was arrested by a police officer who claimed the then 15-year-old boy had run into him with his bike and hit him. Rodney had no idea that his story would become a legal battleground for larger questions about race, policing practices in Halifax, and the impartiality of Corinne Sparks, the country’s first Black woman judge. 

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06-17-25 | Agri-food law and policy, Public Law

The Legal and Ethical Issues surrounding Barn Fires

Every year, thousands of farm animals perish in barn fires across Canada. Yet these tragedies remain largely invisible in legal and public discussions. In the second instalment of the documentary series The Right to Farm, Professor Sarah Berger Richardson, whose research focuses on the regulation of the agri-food industry at the University of Ottawa, explores a phenomenon as devastating as it is unrecognized: fires in agricultural buildings.

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04-24-25 | Public Law, Public Service

The decision-making process in the Government of Canada

Behind the decisions of elected officials, a discreet yet essential public service safeguards the stability of the state. Explore the inner workings of Cabinet and the challenges faced by political leaders under constant time pressure. Former Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick offers a unique perspective on one of the key mechanisms of Canada’s democratic system.

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03-31-25 | Public Law, Public Service

The Public Service and Elected Leaders: Partners at the Core of Government

While the spotlight shines on politicians during the federal election campaign, another, quieter force ensures the continuity of government: Canada’s federal public service. Michael Wernick, former Clerk of the Privy Council, explains how elected officials and public servants engage in constant dialogue to keep government functioning and implement public policies.

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