Our

Projects

PBSC: Queen's Chapter is proud to partner with organizations in the Greater Kingston Area, providing rewarding opportunities for Queen's Law students in the 2020-2021 academic year. Student volunteers are placed on projects based on skills, experience, interest, and dedication to promoting access to justice.  

2020/21

PUBLIC LEGAL EDUCATION PROJECTS

PRO

BONO RADIO

 Pro Bono Radio is a biweekly pre-recorded radio program, prepared and presented by law students.  Pro Bono Radio discusses interesting and off-centre legal topics that stimulate interest and provide information while being entertaining.

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Students are divided into teams to create shows on an alternating basis. The shows will be made into podcasts and posted online. Once a set of shows are assembled, they will be broadcasted on the campus radio station. (CFRC 101.9FM)

Number of Students: 8-12

Apply for this project if you have...

• Strong communication skills

• Great teamwork skills

• A positive and engaging attitude

• Editing/technical skills an asset

• Broadcasting experience an asset

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

QUEEN'S FACULTY OF LAW

 Established in 1957, Queen's Faculty of Law has long been a school of choice for law students in Canada.

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With a  strong tradition of community engagement and collegiality underpinning the pursuit of academic excellence, Queen's Faculty of Law attracts a bright, diverse student population from across Canada every year. 

JUSTICE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT

This is the third year of this project.  It began to support the work of the Akwesasne Justice Department in the context of a self-government agreement. 

The project aims to ensure that the Akwesasne Justice System, created at Akwesasne, will have mechanisms in place to address the challenges that a ratified self-government agreement will bring to Akwesasne.

Akwesasne, through its Akwesasne Justice Department, seeks to ensure that their Justices are well-trained not only in Canadian legal concepts and Canadian Aboriginal law and policy, but are well versed in Akwesasne history and Akwesasne customary law, the Akwesasne legal system, and Akwesasne Laws so they are equipped to adjudicate Akwesasne matters and challenges to Akwesasne Laws.

Number of Students: 3-4

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in Indigenous law

• Strong research and writing skills

• NOTE: Upper year students will be favoured for this project.

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

AKWESASNE COMMUNITY JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

The Akwesasne Justice Department employs the principle of natural justice to empower the community to safeguard collective rights, primarily, and individuals' rights (secondary) for Akwesasronon, while remaining respectful of the community's heritage and culture. 

LGBTQ2S+ YOUTH 

ACCESS TO RESOURCES

Students will build upon and update research and prepare a plain language presentation on the ways a parent or guardian refusing consent may uniquely affect LGBTQ2S+ youth's access to resources. There will be a specific focus on transgender youth requesting to change their name or changing sex designation on identification documents. 

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in LGBTQ2S+ issues

• Youth, human rights and/or family law

• Strong communication skills

• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills. 

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

THE KINGSTON YOUTH SHELTER

The Kingston Youth Shelter provides a supportive, stable environment, and the tools and life skills to help youth emerge from their immediate or ongoing housing crisis.  They believe that together we can reduce homelessness by giving youth the means to repair relationships at home or live independently during the transition to adulthood. 

HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT

In Ontario, the Human Rights Code guarantees that everyone has the right to equal treatment in housing without discrimination and harassment.  Further, landlords are responsible for making sure housing environments are free from discrimination and harassment. 

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Students will prepare a plain language presentation on the Ontario Human Rights Code and its application to landlord tenant relationships.

Number of Students: 3-4

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in youth and human rights law.

• Strong communication skills

• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills. 

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

THE KINGSTON YOUTH SHELTER

The Kingston Youth Shelter provides a supportive, stable environment, and the tools and life skills to help youth emerge from their immediate or ongoing housing crisis.  They believe that together we can reduce homelessness by giving youth the means to repair relationships at home or live independently during the transition to adulthood. 

WITHDRAWING FROM PARENTAL CONTROL

Students will build upon and update research and prepare a plain language presentation on the law around withdrawing from parental control under s.65 of the Children's Law Reform Act, the Voluntary Youth Service Agreement (VYSA), and the right to re-enter a parent's home to recover possessions after being kicked out. 

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in youth, human rights and/or family law

• Strong communication skills

• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

THE KINGSTON YOUTH SHELTER

The Kingston Youth Shelter provides a supportive, stable environment, and the tools and life skills to help youth emerge from their immediate or ongoing housing crisis.  They believe that together we can reduce homelessness by giving youth the means to repair relationships at home or live independently during the transition to adulthood. 

GLADUE REPORTS & THE OVER INCARCERATION OF INDIGENOUS WOMEN

Students will build upon and update research and prepare a plain language presentation on the legal landscape of Gladue reports in Canada, and the over-incarceration of Indigenous women in the Canadian federal prison system.  The research will be used by Elizabeth Fry to improve their organization's impact on access to justice.  

Number of Students: 2-4

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in criminal law and Indigenous issues.

• Strong communication skills

• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills

• NOTE: Preference will be given to students who have completed criminal, constitutional, aboriginal, and/or sentencing law.

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF KINGSTON

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston is a non-profit, volunteer based, direct service organization offering services to women in conflict with the law and to women facing financial and social barriers that may put them at risk of coming into conflict with the law.

RIGHTS & TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED WOMEN

Students research and prepare a plain language document on the rights and treatment of incarcerated women, both while serving sentences and on remand. Students will present their research to the workers at Elizabeth Fry in the winter semester.  The research will be used by Elizabeth Fry to improve their organizatin's impact on access to justice.  

Number of Students: 2-4

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in Human Rights and/or prison law.

• Strong communication skills

• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

ELIZABETH FRY SOCIETY OF KINGSTON

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston is a non-profit, volunteer based, direct service organization offering services to women in conflict with the law and to women facing financial and social barriers that may put them at risk of coming into conflict with the law.

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19

ON LD ACCOMMODATIONS

With the spread of COVID-19, significant restrictions have been placed on in-person education.  As schools plan to open up in the fall, there is a concern about how the new COVID restrictions will impact LD accommodations.

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Students will create a plain-language resource detailing the legal requirements on Ontario schools as it relates to LD accommodations and the way in which COVID-19 restrictions may impact those requirements. 

Number of Students: 1-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in human rights law

• Strong research and writing skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF KINGSTON

LDAK's mission is to provide leadership in learning disabilities advocacy, research, education and services, and to advance the full participation of children, youth and adults with learning disabilites in today's society. 

GREATER KINGSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Students will research and prepare two seminars for the business community in the Greater Kingston area. They will present them at the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Once seminar will focus on the impact of technology on business owners including anti-spam legislation, and the other will focus on accessibility in the workplace. 

Number of Students: 3-5

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in business and corporate law

• An interest in labour and employment law

• Strong communication skills

• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

GREATER KINGSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce is an organization comprised of over 800 businesses in the Kingston area. The three pillars of their mission statement - advocacy, networking, and education - all reflect the key role of the Chamber in helping its members increase their chances of business success. 

2020/21

CLIENT INTAKE AND DOCUMENT ASSISTANCE

2020/21

Legal research projects

   HOW TO

CREATE

A WILL

Students will edit, update, and present a plain language legal rights presentation on how to create a will.  The presentation will include information on obtaining a will, explaining the content of a will, and on why getting a will is so important. 

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in elder law

• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills

• If you have previously taken wills & estates, it will be an asset

• NOTE: Preference will be given to upper year applicants. 

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

QUEEN'S ELDER LAW CLINIC

The clinic provides workshops on legal issues for seniors groups and other community organizations as well as free legal aid to eligible senior clients. Eligible clients must be low-income, over 60 years of age, reside in Kingston, and have a legal issue that the clinic can assist with. 

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The QELC is funded by Legal Aid Ontario in partnership with the Law Foundation of Ontario.

CANADIAN HEARING SERVICES: LAWS AND BYLAWS

Students will research and develop a plain language legal rights presentation outlining the difference between a law and a bylaw, and identify any City of  Kingston laws or bylaws that affect the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. 

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in human rights or disability law

• Strong research, writing, and presentation skills

• NOTE: Preference will be given to upper year applicants

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

CANADIAN HEARING SERVICES

CHS is Canada's preeminent provider of clinical services, products, education, and source of information for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  CHS programs, products, and partnerships are aligned with the organization's commitment to breaking down communication barriers, advancing hearing health, and promoting equity for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

2020/21

Client intake & 

document assistance

ID CLINIC:

LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS & MARGINALLY HOUSED

Students are paired with volunteer lawyers to interview clients, provide information and fill out the appropriate paperwork to obtain government issued identification.

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Martha's Table may remain closed to the public until the winter term.  If this is the case, students assigned to this project will use the fall term to create a research memo that identifes ways to enahnce and improve the clinic with Martha's Table. 

Number of Students: 5 - 8

Apply for this project if you have...​

• Strong communication skills

• An interest in and/or experience with supporting the homeless and marginally housed. 

• Availability on Fridays from 3:30 - 5:30PM. 

2020/21

LEGAL RESEARCH

DE-STIGMATIZING TRANS CARE

Transgender individuals suffer unique challenges in accessing quality health care, from a belief that treatment requires specific medical training, to incorrect pronoun use and misnomers.  

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Students will create a legal memo outlining the standard of care for trans youth in the health care system.  The memo will be used by the Transgender Health Centre as a tool to assist them in their mission to de-stigmatize trans care. 

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in human rights, health law, and serving the LGBTQ2S+ community.

• Strong legal research skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

TRANSGENDER HEALTH CENTRE

The KCHC Transgender Program provides inclusive medical care and support to help patients identify and achieve their transition goals.  The program centralizes the referral process and coordination of care for patients with transgender health issues and is staffed by a full-time Nurse Practitioner and full-time Social Worker. 

RIGHTSWATCH
MONITORING

CCLA has written an interim report on the extent of civil liberty and human rights concerns that have emerged as a consequence of government responses to COVID-19 and the emergency measures passed in response to the health crisis. Over the course of the year, students will assist us to create a more complete assessment with enhanced input from jurisdictions across Canada.

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The purpose of this report is to allow CCLA to monitor key COVID-related civil liberties issues in all jurisdictions across the country and consider issues and areas for future advocacy and/or litigation.

Number of Students: 1

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in civil liberties, government accountability, the rule of law and CCLA's various program areas.  

• Preference will be given to upper year students.

• NOTE: Must be available for training on either Wednesday, September 30 at 3:00PM EST or Friday, October 2 at 1:00PM EST.

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

CANADIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES ASSOCIATION

CCLA fights for civil liberties, human rights, and democratic freedoms of all people across Canada.  We are an independent, national, nongovernmental organization, working in the courts, before legislative committees, in classrooms and in the streets, protecting the rights and freedoms cherished by Canadians and entrenched in our Constitution.

GRANTING A RIVER HUMAN RIGHTS STATUS

The Ganges and Humana rivers in India, and the Whanganui River in New Zealand have been granted human rights status, extending to them the same rights as human beings.

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Students will create a research memo illustrating the process of granting human rights status to rivers and other natural features in jurisdictions across the globe and outline potential considerations in the Canadian context. 

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in environmental law, conservation, or Indigenous issues

• Strong legal research skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

FRONTENAC ARCH BIOSPHERE NETWORK

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network contributes to strengthening sustainable community development, celebrating the interconnectedness of nature, livelihood, well-being and culture, for this and future generations. 

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SEGREGATION PROJECT

Students will research the use of segregation (solitary confinement) in Canada's federal prison system.  Students will create a publication in plain language that will be used by PASAN and distributed to their client base of prisoners and ex-prisoners.  Students will summarize prisoners' rights around segregation, and what recourse exists to file complaints or appeal segregation decisions.  

Number of Students: 2-4

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in prison and/or criminal law

• Strong legal research skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

PRISONERS HIV/AIDS SUPPORT ACTION NETWORK (PASAN)

PASAN is a community-based prisoner health and harm reduction organization that provides support, education and advocacy to prisoners and ex-prisoners across Canada. 

PRISONERS' DIETARY RIGHTS

Students will create a research publication in plain language outlining prisoners' dietary rights in the federal prison system.  The publication will be distributed by PASAN to their client base of prisoners and ex-prisoners.  Research will include kinds of speciality diets, legal remedies available to prisoners if their diet is not provided, and repercussions prisoners could face for misrepresenting their dietary needs.

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in prison and/or criminal law

• Strong legal research skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

PRISONERS HIV/AIDS SUPPORT ACTION NETWORK (PASAN)

PASAN is a community-based prisoner health and harm reduction organization that provides support, education and advocacy to prisoners and ex-prisoners across Canada. 

ID

BANK

Students will research how Queen's Law Clinics can develop and implement an ID Bank.  The ID Bank will be housed in a secure location at the Clinics where low-income residents of the Kingston community, people accessing the ID Clinic, and clients at the Queen's Law Clinics can store their identification documents and receive certified copies. Students will gather information from similar programs across Canada and use this information to outline potential processes for creating an ID Bank.  Students will research relevant areas of privacy law and potential areas of liability. 

Number of Students: 2

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in access to justice and poverty law

• Strong legal research and writing skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

QUEEN'S LEGAL AID CLINIC

QLA Clinic's mandate is to provide indispensable service to the most vulnerable of the population.  The legal aid clinic run by Queen's Faculty of Law works to ensure that those with little to no income are still able to seek refuge under the law by leveraging a network of student case workers and lawyer oversight.

Queen's Legal Aid Clinic is also a place of mentorship and learning - both about the law and oneself.  Many law students find that their future goals and priorities as lawyers are altered or at least influenced by their time in service at the Clinic.  

IMMIGRATION & IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Students will work on legal research exclusively for immigration legal aid files.  The clients who are the subject of these files are in the community and have immigration problems associated with deportation and refugee claims.  This project will help the lawyer provide clients facing intersectional barriers to justice, including financial barriers, with enhanced service. 

Three types of research will be conducted by students:

1. Researching the human rights and political situation in the client's country of origin or destination of removal. 

2. Investigating the resources available in the community to provide expert evidence, provide counselling and produce evidence in support for the client's case. 

3. Research engaging points of law specific to the particular client.   

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Students will learn how to take large amounts of factum information and summarize it, while providing attribution in the form of footnotes for the purpose of making written, or possible oral arguments.  They will pursue human rights and legal research. 

Number of Students: 3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in human rights, politics, and immigration law is preferred. 

• Strong legal research and writing skills

• NOTE: MUST BE AN UPPER YEAR STUDENT TO APPLY

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

MORLEY LAW OFFICE

Morley Law Office is a law firm located in Kingston, Ontario.  Since 1988, they have helped people from more than 100 countries immigrate to or remain in Canada.  They have reunited families, guided students and workers through the process of obtaining papers and represnted everyday people who face admissibility challenges and barriers to citizenship. 

EFFECTS OF STANDARDIZING DIVERSION PROGRAMS

Pre and Post Charge  Diversion programs are prevalent throughout the province of Ontario and have been for over 40 years.  The vast majority of pre and post charge diversion programs in Ontario are facilitated through Community Agencies funded in part through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.  Recently, the Government of Ontario has been looking at ways to cost cut and bring the provincial budget back to balance.  As part of their consideration to save money, many youth justice programs delivered by community agencies are under a microscope and at risk of funding cuts. 

Students will survey community organizations and probation programs who deliver pre and post charge diversion to compare the success of each and identify a need for standardization. A similar study was conducted by PBSC in 2017/18. Students will create a memo comparing the results of their resarch to the results from the 2017/18 survey.

Number of Students: 2-4

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in criminal, youth and/or poverty law.

• Strong legal research and writing skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

YOUTH DIVERSION

Youth Diversion is a charitable organization which has offered service to youth in the Kingston area since 1974.  The goal of the organization is to help youth overcome challenges by:

• Providing both intervention and prevention services

• Working collaboratively and in partnership with youth, their families, other agencies, and the community.  

THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS ACT 

Ontario's Corporations Act came into effect in 1990 and currently governs provincially incorporated not-for-profit corporations.  In 2010, Ontario adopted a new law for not-for-profits called the Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, which is expected to replace the Corporations Act in 2020.  The new act is intended to modernize the way not-for-profit corporations operate.

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Students will create a research memo outlining the new Not-For-Profit Corporations Act and identify and key componenets that may affect existing organizations.

Number of Students: 2-4

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in non-profit/corporate and youth law

• Strong legal research and writing skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

YOUTH DIVERSION

Youth Diversion is a charitable organization which has offered service to youth in the Kingston area since 1974.  The goal of the organization is to help youth overcome challenges by:

• Providing both intervention and prevention services

• Working collaboratively and in partnership with youth, their families, other agencies, and the community.  

COVID-19 LANDLORD - TENANT RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on landlord - tenant relationships.  Landlords are forced to mitigate the economic impact of the crisis, and tenants, without the ability to work, struggle to meet their monthly payments. 

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Students will create a research memo outlining any new responsibilities that have arisen between landlords and tenants as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Students will also create a plain-language brochure summarizing their findings, that will be distributed to Tipi Moza employees. 

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in Indigenous issues, housing law, muncipal law and development. 

• Strong legal research and writing skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

TIPI MOZA (IRON HOMES)

Tipi Moza is committed to providing affordable housing for Indigenous people today and for future generations.  They strive to alleviate homelessness, keep families together, and keep children in culturally approproiate homes. 

ONTARIO'S RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY ACT

In response to the National Housing Strategy Act implemented by the federal government, Ontario released a strategy to sustain, repair, and grow their community housing system - the Community Housing Renewal Strategy. 

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Students will create a research memo summarizing the NHS and detail Ontario's response.  Tipi Moza will use the research to help strengthen their resources and further their commitment to provide affordable housing for Indigenous people. 

Number of Students: 2-3

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in Indigenous issues, housing law, muncipal law and development. 

• Strong legal research and writing skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

TIPI MOZA (IRON HOMES)

Tipi Moza is committed to providing affordable housing for Indigenous people today and for future generations.  They strive to alleviate homelessness, keep families together, and keep children in culturally approproiate homes. 

CONSERVED LANDS AND PROPERTY SIGNAGE

Students will create a research memo providing legal information on how properties owned for the purpose of conservation can help safeguard against claims relating to trespass and illegal hunting.

Number of Students: 2

Apply for this project if you have...

• An interest in environmental and/or property law.

• Strong legal research and writing skills

ORGANIZATION PROFILE

THE LAND CONSERVANCY FOR KINGSTON. FRONTENAC, LENNOX & ADDINGTON

The Land Conservancy's mission is to preserve and protect natural sites and landscapes in Kingston, Frontenac County, and Lennox & Addington County. The Conservancy is run entirely by volunteers who are striving to create a continuous corridor of protected lands in the region, with a focus on the land between Frontenac Provincial Park and Puzzle Lake Provincial Park.  Every penny the Land Conservancy receives from members, donors, and funders is used for land acquisition and stewardship.