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 2021-2022 academic year. Student volunteers are placed on projects based on skills, experience, interest, and dedication to promoting access to justice.
2021/22
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.
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 RIGHTSWATCH
CCLA RightsWatch is a project to allow students the chance to monitor key civil liberties issues and cases before courts and legislatures, and to provide assistance to CCLA advocacy directors in keeping track, in a timely way, of the issues arising across the country.
Number of Students: 1
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in constitutional, human rights, administrative law
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An interest in legal research
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Strong research and writing skills
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.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING LAWS
Medical assistance in dying (“MAID”) is an important topic, and the legislation surrounding it has been amended recently. KCHC’s ask is for the students to put together a resource that both medical professionals and patients could use in order to know their rights and the state of the law.
Student Volunteers will be tasked with conducting legal research on the MAID laws, the potential constitutional concerns, and the status of the laws currently.
Once the Student Volunteers research is complete, they will be expected to compile this research into two plain language legal research memos summarizing the legislation implications for both healthcare providers, and the rights for patients.
Number of Students: 3-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in health law
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An interest in legal research
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
KINGSTON COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES
Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) is one of 83 community health centres in Ontario. We strive to create inclusive, resilient and healthy communities.
At KCHC, we have several locations, and many different services and programs. While our work is diverse, all of our programs and staff are united by our values and by our mission: A dynamic provider of integrated services that empower people and build communities.
RIGHTS OF ABUSED WOMEN
Many women who have faced abuse do not know where to turn, or what their legal rights are in these grave situations. As such, the KCHC would like to develop a pamphlet that women who have gone through this can consult in order to educate themselves on their legal rights and next steps.
Students will be tasked with researching the legal rights of women who have been abused. This will cover topics such as: different activities that could constitute abuse, and how to ground these activities in the Criminal Code of Canada, the process from arrest to sentencing of the accused, the criminal trial process, how women could be protecting themselves. Students will also put together resources for where affected individuals can go to seek help, and any next steps they may need to take.
Number of Students: 3-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in criminal law
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An interest in legal research
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
KINGSTON COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES
Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) is one of 83 community health centres in Ontario. We strive to create inclusive, resilient and healthy communities.
At KCHC, we have several locations, and many different services and programs. While our work is diverse, all of our programs and staff are united by our values and by our mission: A dynamic provider of integrated services that empower people and build communities.
DEVELOPMENT-AL SERVICES ONTARIO
The DSO (Developmental Services Ontario) Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) is the access point for adult developmental services funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in Ontario. There are 9 DSO agencies located across the province; serving different counties and regions. Currently, the DSO is challenging to navigate. Students will aid in providing some clarity surrounding DSO, eligibility, how to access funding, how to access the resources needed, and more.
Number of Students: 3 - 5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in equitable access to resources
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Youth, human rights and/or family law
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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 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.
APPLYING FOR NATIVE STATUS
There are many Indigenous patrons that the Kingston Youth Shelter services, so there is a need to create a legal pamphlet that will serve as a resource for individuals seeking to apply for status with the federal government.
Students will be asked to answer specific questions about applying for native status inclusive of what the process entails.
Number of Students: 3-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in youth, and Indigenous law
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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 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.
YOUTH CRIMINAL RECORDS
This project will help Youth Diversion in supporting patrons that have youth criminal records. At the completion of this project, a pamphlet will be created in the form of a Q&A to answer these and other questions youth might have about youth criminal records.
Number of Students: 3-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in youth, human rights and/or family law
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An interest in criminal law
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Strong communication skills
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Strong research, writing, and presentation 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:
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Providing both intervention and prevention services
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Working collaboratively and in partnership with youth, their families, other agencies, and the community.
CRIMINAL LAW IN SELF-REPRESENTATION AND EMPLOMENT
The students will research specific legal questions and easy to access resources relating to the questions. They will also draft the written text in an easy-to-understand language, as well as provide other resources and contacts for further assistance, and create the illustrated infographic /brochure.
Specific legal questions:
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If an individual is representing themselves after being charged with a crime, what is the process (can be in flow chart form)?
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When does someone have to disclose their criminal record to a potential employer? And when will their record show up on a record check?
Number of Students: 2-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in criminal law
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Strong communication skills
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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.
FAMILY LAW INFOGRAPHIC
The students will research specific legal questions and easy to access resources relating to the questions. They will also draft the written text in an easy-to-understand language, as well as provide other resources and contacts for further assistance, and create the illustrated infographic /brochure.
Specific legal questions:
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How can someone apply for spousal support? Can they apply for spousal support if they were never married?
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What legal rights does an individual have in a domestically violent situation?
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How can someone apply to get access to their children? What is required in an application
Number of Students: 2-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in Family law
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Strong communication skills
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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.
WILLS & ESTATES
The students will research specific legal questions and easy to access resources relating to the questions. They will also draft the written text in an easy-to-understand language, as well as provide other resources and contacts for further assistance, and create the illustrated infographic /brochure.
Specific legal questions:
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What is the difference between a Will, a Power of Attorney, and a “Living Will”?
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What can and can’t an individual put in their will?
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How can someone write a will and get it notarized?
Number of Students: 2-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in property law or elder law
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Strong communication skills
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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.
ADVOCATING FOR LEARNING DISABILITY
RIGHTS
Students will create an informational pamphlet that outlines how to best advocate if certain situations (in regards to learning disabilities) arise, by highlighting different parts of the statutes in order to address that question/concern.
Number of Students: 3-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in human rights law
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An interest in advocacy
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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.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Students will create a seminar on diversity & inclusion in the workplace for small businesses in the Kingston area.
This seminar will focus on Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace – compliance with the Human Rights Code, what is expected of a not for profit, and general legal education surrounding this topic:
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Compliance of the Human Rights Code
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What is expected of Not for Profits in the D&I space
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What a D&I program legally requires (example: AODA)
Number of Students: 3-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in business and corporate law
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An interest in labour and employment law
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Strong communication skills
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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.
2020/21
CLIENT INTAKE AND DOCUMENT ASSISTANCE
2020/21
Legal research projects
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: 2-3
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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Use of non-disclosure agreements in the workplace
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Paid sick days
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Vacation entitlements/holiday pay
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Minimum wage
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.
INDIGENOUS WATER RIGHTS
This is a legal research project requiring some knowledge of the operation of Canadian law on indigenous rights and the ability to find and analyze historic documents. This project will be used to inform the organization broadly about how to deal with property matters concerning Indigenous communities and land rights.
Number of Students: 3-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in Indigenous law
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An interest in property law
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Strong research, writing, and presentation 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.
GREEN BURIALS: CORPORATE OPTIONS
Green burials have become a popular option around the world because it is the most eco-friendly way to bury the deceased. Currently, Kingston does not have a green burial site. This project would explore the corporate structures that would best suit a green burial site in this region.
Number of Students: 2-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in corporate structures
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An interest in environmental law
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An interest in legislation
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Strong research, writing and presentation 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.
2021/22
Client intake &
document assistance
KINGSTON SPEAKS INCLUSION
KCHC will be partnering with Kingston Police on a community consultation project entitled Kingston Speaks Inclusion. The goal of the project is for KCHC to host and facilitate a series of community consultations. The consultations will provide feedback to the Kingston Police around their EDII (Equity, Diversity, inclusion, Indigenization) mandate and work. A website will be created to house legal information on citizens and police rights. Pro Bono students will work to create content for this EDII website.
Number of Students: 2-3
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in Immigration
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An interest in Constitutional Law
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Strong research, writing and presentation skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
KINGSTON IMMIGRATION PARTNERSHIP & KINGSTON COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES
Kingston community Health Centres understands the complex and evolving health needs of our community demand that we remain responsive, persevere in our efforts to promote individual and community health, develop holistic services delivered by a multi-disciplinary team, and work cooperatively and collaboratively with community members, community groups, and other service providers
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.
2021/22
LEGAL RESEARCH
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.
Number of Students: 3-5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in human rights and environmental law
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An interest in litigation
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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.
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.
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...
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An interest in human rights, politics, and immigration law is preferred.
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Strong legal research and writing skills
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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.
PUBLIC INTEREST INTERVENER STATUS
The project involves students conducting legal research and drafting a legal memorandum surrounding the issues that come with acting as a Public Interest Intervener in Charter Applications. The John Howard Society of Canada frequently acts as a Public Interest Intervener in Charter Applications, and as such, the information researched will be used to further that role.
Student volunteers will prepare a legal memorandum outlining:
1. What is the history of Public Interest Intervener status in Canadian federal courts? Why have courts recognized a need for this role
2. What is the role of a Public Interest Intervener in the following jurisdictions?
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Federal Court
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Provincial Court (Ontario)
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Provincial Court (BC)
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Provincial Court (Nova Scotia)
3. In case law, what factors are considered when approving or denying a group status as a public interest intervener in the following jurisdictions?
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Federal Court
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Provincial Court (Ontario)
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Provincial Court (BC)
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Provincial Court (Nova Scotia)
Is the test different at all from jurisdiction to jurisdiction?
4. What factors of the above test militate towards federal prisoners being in unique need of a public interest intervener?
5. What factors could an organization consider and improve upon to ensure they better fit the role of a public interest intervener?
Number of Students: 3 - 5
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in public law
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An interest in Constitutional law
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Strong legal research 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.
EDUCATIONAL PAMPHLETS FOR NEWLY RELEASED PRISONERS
The project involves students developing basic educational informational pamphlets for newly released federal prisoners.
There are three parts to the project:
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Identify common obstacles (3 – 4; one per student) faced by federal prisoners upon release. (We are happy to provide clarity as to obstacles, though students may find it interesting to learn more about the obstacles federal prisoners face)
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Conduct legal research to identify how a federal prisoner can overcome this obstacle. (Example: Upon release, federal prisoners in Ontario do not have Ontario health cards as they are excluded from the definition of insured person under the Canada Health Act. How does a federal prisoner register for a health card upon release? Does this change if this individual does not have a driver’s license or a birth certificate?)
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Create a plain language, public legal education pamphlet which identifies how a recently released federal prisoner can take steps to overcome that obstacle (as identified above in Step 1). (For example, walk the individual through how to register for a health card.) Note: student volunteers must ensure language is appropriate for the intended audience. Many federal prisoners have only limited identification release. Many individuals never used technology, face literacy challenges and have very limited funds.
Number of Students: 2 - 3
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in Criminal law
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An interest in Constitutional law
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Strong legal research 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.