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 2022-2023 academic year. Student volunteers are placed on projects based on skills, experience, interest, and dedication to promoting access to justice.
2022/23
PROJECTS
Public Legal Education
Projects
LGBTQ2S+ ACCESS TO RESOURCES
Students will prepare a plain language presentation on the ways a parent or guardian refusing consent may uniquely affect LGBTQ2S+ youth’s access to resources. Students will summarize the law under the Change of Name Act as it is relevant to children under 18 and will research jurisprudence, with a focus on Ontario, and summarize any case law concerning the dispensing of consent as it pertains to LGBTQ2S+ youth’s access to necessary services.
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in youth, human rights and/or LGBTQ2S+ issues
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Strong communication skills
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Strong research, writing, and presentation skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
THE KINGSTON YOUTH SHELTER
The Kingston Youth Shelter operates an emergency shelter for youth ages 16-24 in Kingston. Staff provide support with meeting basic needs, crisis management, and life skill development, as well as support with looking for more stable housing or family mediation. We also operate 2 transitional homes.
INDIGENOUS YOUTH & PUBLIC SERVICE
This project will be used to inform the organization broadly about how to better assist Indigenous youth. Students will conduct research into international and Canadian efforts towards reconciliation and how reconciliation will affect the legal obligations public services have to youth, specifically Indigenous youth who are street-entrenched or in-care. Students will then use this research to write a legal memorandum for the partner organization and will inform them how to better assist indigenous youth.
Number of Students: 4-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in youth, and Indigenous law
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Strong research, writing, and presentation skills.
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Knowledge of Canadian law on Indigenous rights will be considered an asset
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
THE KINGSTON YOUTH SHELTER
The Kingston Youth Shelter operates an emergency shelter for youth ages 16-24 in Kingston. Staff provide support with meeting basic needs, crisis management, and life skill development, as well as support with looking for more stable housing or family mediation. We also operate 2 transitional homes.
LEGALITY SURROUNDING SOLVENCY
Students will create a seminar on solvency for small businesses in the Kingston area.
This seminar will focus on Solvency/Bankruptcy procedure for small businesses, and will include answers to these questions:
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What are a business’s legal rights in terms of solvency?
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What legal abilities do banks/governments have in terms of solvency?
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What are the legal requirements surrounding bankruptcy and the legal implications?
Number of Students: 3-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in corporate law
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Strong research, writing, and presentation skills
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Familiarity with solvency/business knowledge will be considered an asset
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.
LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
Students will create a seminar will on an overview or “nuts & bolts” of Labour and Employment law. Many of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce’s members are small business owners, and cannot afford professional legal advice, this topic will resonate and be impactful to them. Some of the subjects the partner organization requires students to touch upon are:
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Review and preparation of employment contracts and policies
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Hybrid work arrangements
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Legal requires around hiring through immigration
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Use of non-disclosure agreements in the workplace
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Paid sick days
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Vacation entitlements/holiday pay
Number of Students: 2-3
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in labour & employment law
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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.
Client Intake and 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.
Number of Students: 5 - 8
Apply for this project if you have...
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Strong communication skills
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An interest in and/or experience with supporting the homeless and marginally housed.
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
MARTHA'S TABLE
Martha's Table is a community centre within the social welfare network of the City of Kingston. Martha's Table provides a unique home where respect, compassion, caring and social interaction can occur in an atmosphere of mutual support, with nutritious meals and snacks in comfortable dining and lounge facilities.
Legal research 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.
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...
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Strong communication skills
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Great teamwork skills
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A positive and engaging attitude
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Editing/technical skills an asset
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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.
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.
CCLA RESEARCH PROJECT
Students will be asked to conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on various topics by the CCLA’s Program Directors. This may include case briefs, reviews of draft or proposed legislation, policy reviews and research memoranda on fundamental freedoms, police powers, national security, privacy, criminal law reform, and equality. Students may periodically be asked to conduct social science research as well, used to inform CCLA’s advocacy and education work.
Number of Students: 1 (in conjunction with other PBSC chapters)
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in constitutional law
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Strong research, writing, and collaboration skills
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Upper year students who have completed a course on constitutional/public law, and who have expressed an interest in CCLA and/or civil liberties/human rights work will be considered an asset
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
Canadian Civil Liberties Association
CCLA fights for the 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.
RIGHT TO READ
The recent Right to Read Report from the OHRC is expected to have profound impacts on the delivery of literacy education to Ontario students. Specifically, students in kindergarten through grade 3, the critical years for learning to read and write. This project will involve a review of the current literacy curriculum used across Ontario and in Kingston’s school boards; and analysis of what will be required to institute the types of changes recommended by the OHRC. The output of the project will include, but not be limited to, documents (pamphlets, diagrams) that can be disseminated by LDAK to our community.
Number of Students: 4-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in the rights of children and promoting education
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An interest in human rights law
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF KINGSTON
Learning Disabilities Association of Kingston provides leadership in learning disabilities services, research, education and advocacy, and to advance the full participation of children, youth and adults with learning disabilities in today’s society. They value promoting positive change through innovation, strategic partnerships and participating in informing public policy.
LITERACY & INCARCERATION
Students will investigate aspects of the criminal justice system that may contribute to an over-representation of persons with learning disabilities or low levels of literacy in incarceration or other legal outcomes.
Students will then produce a report suitable for multiple audiences (brochure or pamphlet) (professional and consumers) on the outcomes of the project and recommendations for reducing barriers to access legal information
Number of Students: 4-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in criminal law
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF KINGSTON
Learning Disabilities Association of Kingston provides leadership in learning disabilities services, research, education and advocacy, and to advance the full participation of children, youth and adults with learning disabilities in today’s society. They value promoting positive change through innovation, strategic partnerships and participating in informing public policy.
Issues Impacting Ontario Residents with Sight Loss
Students will:
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Through interviews with CNIB clients (who have experienced challenges related to blindness and vehicles) and a review of government processes and insurance policies pertaining to car ownership and insurance, students will identify where the primary barriers lie.
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Students will prepare a legal memorandum which includes relevant caselaw from Ontario and jurisdictions outside of Ontario.
Number of Students: 2 - 3
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in issues pertaining to people living with disabilities
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Insurance law
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (“CNIB”) is a national non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind. Founded in 1918, CNIB delivers innovative programs and robust advocacy, across Canada. CNIB empowers people impacted by blindness to challenge barriers and live the life they choose.
ARBOUR REPORT ANALYSIS
The Arbour report was delivered in 1994 and identified a number of failings within the federal prison system. The Arbour Report also delivered a number of pressing recommendations. 30 years on, many of these recommendations have not been implemented. The JHSC will identify a number of specific recommendations and will ask the law students to examine case law, legislation, regulations and commissioner’s directives to identify how these recommendations have been implemented, if at all.
Students will draft a legal memo answering the following questions:
1. The Arbour Report was issued in 1994. The Report noted a number of failings in federal prisons what is of specific interest to the JHSC. Are you able to identify any legal steps which have been taken to implement each recommendation?
2. Specifically, can you find any evidence of legislative amendments, regulatory amendments or amendments to CSC's Commissioner's Directives which would further the implementation of these recommendations.
3. Is there any case law which has furthered the implementation of any of these four recommendations. For context, federal prisons are governed by (1) the Charter (2) the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (3) The Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations (4) The CSC Commissioner's Directives (5) Other federal legislation which may tangentially impact prisons (For example, the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Canada Health Act etc.
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in public law
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An interest in criminal law
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Strong legal research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
THE JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY OF CANADA
The John Howard Society fills an important role in public education, community service and in pressing for reform in the criminal justice area. Currently there are branches and offices in over 60 communities across Canada, provincial offices in all 10 provinces and the Northwest Territories and a national office in Kingston.
RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY
Students will conduct legal research for upcoming projects focusing on access to justice, such as:
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Improving students’ mental health: researching the impacts of the LSSO’s Headspace partnership, including how the LSSO can improve the partnership; researching other mental health initiatives.
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Improving students’ educational experience: researching and developing surveys which would be sent out to all Ontario law students
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Investigating Ontario law students’ preferences with respect to the length of articling
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Brainstorming, researching, and writing articles related to issues affecting Ontario law students
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Other research projects TBD by the students and LSSO team in the fall.
Students will also analyze and compare data, and contribute to the writing and publication of LSSO advocacy materials.
Number of Students: 1 (in conjunction with other PBSC chapters)
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in administrative law
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An interest in advocating for fellow law students
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
Law Students' Society of Ontario (LSSO)
The Law Students’ Society of Ontario (LSSO) represents Ontario undergraduate law school students (i.e. those pursuing a J.D. or equivalent degrees). The LSSO’s general objectives include building relationships with governmental and regulatory stakeholders; establishing a dialogue with law school administrators; sharing best practices among law school student governments; providing opportunities for law students to communicate and share their experiences and struggles at law school; advocating for policies that reduce financial and non-financial barriers to accessing and completing legal education; and promoting representativeness and diversity in law school classrooms and the legal profession.
CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY
On May 31, 2021, the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA) released draft model legislation to provide lawmakers with a blueprint for a new international corporate accountability law in Canada. Similar legislation has already been adopted by France and is being considered by the EU. The proposed legislation will require of Canadian companies that they review all their business activities (including those of subsidiaries, and other business relations), identify actual and potential human rights and environmental risks, take steps to mitigate and address these risks, and report on their actions yearly to a commissioner. The legislation also proposes a cause of action for foreign litigants to sue Canadian companies in Canada for environmental and human rights harm done by the Canadian parent company or any of its subsidiaries or business relations overseas.
Student Volunteers will conduct legal research and prepare a memorandum addressing the following questions:
1. Is there a need for such legislation to prevent and remedy failures by companies operating in Canada to carry out human rights due diligence?
2. What is the constitutional and legal basis for such legislation being implemented at the federal or provincial level in Canada?
3. What legal considerations would Indigenous governments in Canada need to consider in order to advocate for implementing such legislation?
Number of Students: 3-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in mining
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An interest in environmental law
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
MINING WATCH CANADA
MiningWatch Canada is a not-for-profit NGO based in Ottawa, Canada, which works in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous communities around the world who are dealing with potential or actual industrial mining operations that affect their lives and territories, or with the legacy of closed mines.
