Our
Projects
The PBSC Queen's Law Chapter is proud to partner with organizations in the Greater Kingston Area, Sudbury and North Bay, providing rewarding opportunities for Queen's Law students in the 2024-2025 academic year. Student volunteers are placed on projects based on skills, experience, interest, and dedication to promoting access to justice.
2024-2025
PROJECTS
Public Legal Education
Projects
COMPLIANCE IN DIGITAL MARKETING
Students will prepare and present a seminar that will focus on an overview of compliance in digital marketing for small businesses, as well as the corresponding legal implications for employees and employers.
The seminar will provide information on the following questions:
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What are the implications of using third-party content (text, images, videos) in digital marketing without proper attribution or permission?
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Can a businesses’ logos/slogans be reproduced for digital marketing?
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How can businesses ensure compliance with privacy laws, such as GDPR and PIPEDA, when collecting and using customer data?
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What are the requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act and Ontario’s Electronic Commerce Act?
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What do businesses need to be aware of when sending promotional emails?
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Are there specific guidelines for running online contests, giveaways, or promotions to ensure they are legally compliant?
Students will research legislation including the CAN-SPAM Act, as well as case law and any other applicable legislation/policy to develop their seminar and answer the above noted questions.
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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Exceptional communication skills
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Business knowledge/experience will be considered an asset
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
GREATER KINGSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce is an organization comprised of over 650 businesses representing over 18,000 employees in the Kingston area. The three pillars of our mission statement are influence, support and connect. We are committed to stimulating the growth and prosperity of the local business community. We will influence public policy, be the catalyst for connectivity, and provide unique competitive advantages for our members.
DUTY TO ACCOMODATE
Students will prepare and present a seminar that will focus on an overview of human rights in the workplace, specifically delving into the topic of the duty to accommodate and the legal implications for employees/employers.
The seminar will provide information on the following questions:
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What is the duty to accommodate? What are examples (i.e., religious beliefs, gender identity, physical/mental disabilities, age etc.)?
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What is an employee entitled to under the duty to accommodate?
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What legal actions are available if an employer fails to comply?
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How can employers (i.e., small businesses/entrepreneurs) comply with legislation adequately, while still sufficiently operating their business? How can the presence of unions effect an employer’s ability to comply?
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What are additional considerations, if any, if the work environment is in a hybrid format?
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in employment law
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Strong research, writing, and presentation skills
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Exceptional communication skills
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Business knowledge/experience will be considered an asset
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
GREATER KINGSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce is an organization comprised of over 650 businesses representing over 18,000 employees in the Kingston area. The three pillars of our mission statement are influence, support and connect. We are committed to stimulating the growth and prosperity of the local business community. We will influence public policy, be the catalyst for connectivity, and provide unique competitive advantages for our members.
HIRING INTERNATIONAL WORKERS
Students will prepare and present a seminar that will focus on an overview of the different types of visas, information on documentation for employers, and steps to ensure compliance with federal immigration laws.
The seminar will provide information on the following questions:
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What are the different types of visas that allow international students to work in Canada?
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What are the specific work authorization rules for each visa type?
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What steps should employers follow when recruiting and interviewing international students?
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What are the legal obligations of employers when hiring international students?
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What record-keeping practices should employers follow?
Number of Students: 3-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in employment law and/or immigration law
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Strong research, writing, and presentation skills
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Exceptional communication skills
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Business knowledge/experience will be considered an asset
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
GREATER KINGSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce is an organization comprised of over 650 businesses representing over 18,000 employees in the Kingston area. The three pillars of our mission statement are influence, support and connect. We are committed to stimulating the growth and prosperity of the local business community. We will influence public policy, be the catalyst for connectivity, and provide unique competitive advantages for our members.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING
Students will prepare and present a seminar that will focus on the legal and ethical considerations of medical assistance in dying
The seminar will provide information on the following questions:
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What is Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and how is it legally defined?
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What are the eligibility criteria for MAID in Ontario?
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What is the process for requesting MAID in Ontario? How long does it take?
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How do these criteria differ for those who are not terminally ill?
Number of Students: 3-4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in wills and estates and/or health law
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Strong research, writing, and presentation skills
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Exceptional communication skills
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
QUEEN'S ELDER LAW CLINIC
The Queen’s Elder Law Clinic provides a range of free legal services to eligible seniors, including wills, guardianship applications and elder discrimination issues.
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: 8 - 10
Apply for this project if you have...
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Strong communication skills
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Strong collaborative and teamwork 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 emerging 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 oral and communication skills
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Exceptional collaborative and teamwork skills
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A positive and engaging attitude
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Editing/technical skills will be considered an asset
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Broadcasting experience will be considered 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.
NAVIGATING A LEGAL NAME CHANGE
The Name Change Act provides the legal framework for individuals who wish to change their name. This process is important for young persons aged 12 to 17, who may seek a legal name change for a variety of personal reasons. Whether it is to better align with their gender identity, to distance themselves from a family history of abuse, or simply to establish a new identity, understanding the rights and responsibilities associated with a legal name change is crucial.
However, many youths in Kingston are unaware of the steps involved and the implications of changing their name.
Students will prepare a plain language memorandum and information pamphlet/poster for the Kingston Youth Shelter on the legal process and associated costs of a legal name change.
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in youth, and family law
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong research, writing, and presentation skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
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.
TENANTS' RIGHTS AND EVICTION
The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) governs the relationship between landlords and tenants, providing a framework for rental housing in Ontario. This legislation is designed to protect tenants' rights and ensure landlords' responsibilities are met. However, many young tenants, often lack awareness of their rights and responsibilities under the RTA. This lack of knowledge becomes particularly critical when youth face eviction.
Many young tenants are unsure if the document they receive is a legal eviction notice, leading to potential loss of housing. This knowledge gap is a common issue raised at the Kingston Youth Shelter, highlighting the need for better education and resources for young renters.
Students will prepare a plain language memorandum and information pamphlet/poster for the Kingston Youth Shelter on the legal requirement of an eviction notice and tenant rights..
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in youth, human rights and/or criminal law
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong research, and writing skills
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Graphic design skills will be considered an asset
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
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.
NAVIGATING PRIVATE ADOPTIONS
Understanding the process of private adoption is crucial for Ontario residents, particularly those in low-income families, as it addresses key questions and concerns about navigating private adoption within the family. This project aims to provide clear, accessible information to empower residents with knowledge about the legal steps and requirements for private adoption, ensuring they can make informed decisions.
In collaboration with Legal Aid Ontario (North Bay), the project will produce a comprehensive memo and a user-friendly brochure tailored to low-income residents in North Bay, Ontario.
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in family law
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
LEGAL AID ONTARIO - NORTH BAY
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) provides legal help in English and French for financially eligible low‑income Ontarians. They are independent but accountable to the Government of Ontario. They have a wide range of services including advice for family law matters.
UNDERSTANDING CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES(CPS)
Understanding Child Protection Services (CPS) is crucial for low-income Ontario residents, as it addresses key questions and concerns about interactions with Child Protection Services (CAS). This project aims to provide clear, accessible information to empower residents with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities when dealing with CAS, ensuring they can make informed decisions.
In collaboration with Legal Aid Ontario (North Bay), the project will produce a comprehensive memo and a user-friendly brochure tailored to low-income residents in North Bay, Ontario.
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in family law
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
LEGAL AID ONTARIO - NORTH BAY
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) provides legal help in English and French for financially eligible low‑income Ontarians. They are independent but accountable to the Government of Ontario. They have a wide range of services including advice for family law matters.
OPENJUSTICE RESEARCH PROJECT
This project is called OpenJustice, an open-access generative AI designed to help self-represented litigants to navigate the legal system. This generative AI has the potential to revolutionize access to justice for marginalized communities.
Generative AI is becoming increasingly popular in various industries, including legal tech. However, the current generative AIs introduce several issues, which we believe OpenJustice can overcome. This system addresses shortcomings, such as producing accurate information, detecting nuances in legal terminology, performing contextual reasoning, and providing citations/sources to support the generated content.
A beta version of OpenJustice has already been created, which is operational, but the Conflict Analytics Lab needs further assistance in refining their system through a process called Reinforcement Learning through Human Feedback (RLHF).
Number of Students: 8 - 10
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in artificial intelligence and emerging legal topics
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong legal research and writing skills
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
CONFLICT ANALYTICS LAB
The Conflict Analytics Lab is a consortium for AI research on law, compliance and conflict resolution-based at Queen's Law and Smith Business. Conflict analytics is the process of extracting actionable knowledge from negotiation, mediation and settlement agreements. It comprises a global network of experts from across industry and academia (including Queen’s and McGill in Canada, Columbia Business Analytics in the United States, HEC Paris in France).
ARTISTS' LEGAL RIGHTS
Artists' Legal Rights is an important project focused on providing essential legal protection information to artists, particularly regarding intellectual property (IP) and copyright. Understanding these aspects is crucial for artists to safeguard their creations.
Students will prepare a comprehensive memorandum and a brochure summarizing the key aspects of artists' legal rights. This project aims to educate the artist community on the basics of IP and copyright law, as well as provide guidance on navigating commission agreements and understanding essential terms and conditions.
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in IP and/or Art Law
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong research and writing skills
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Graphic design skills will be considered an asset
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
MODERN FUEL
Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre is a non-profit organization facilitating the presentation, interpretation, and production of contemporary visual, time-based and interdisciplinary arts. Modern Fuel aims to meet the professional development needs of emerging and mid-career local, national and international artists, from diverse cultural communities, through exhibition, discussion, and mentorship opportunities. Modern Fuel supports innovation and experimentation and is committed to the education of interested publics and the diversification of its audiences. As an advocate for contemporary art, as well as for artists' rights, we pay professional fees to artists in accordance with the CARFAC fee schedule.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN FAMILY LAW
The research and project will focus on the legal aspects related to domestic violence in family law matters, with a special concentration on women. Understanding the legal framework is essential for those affected, yet many are unaware of their rights and responsibilities under Ontario's Family Law Act.
Students will prepare a research memorandum for the Sudbury Women’s Centre that outlines Information on Domestic Violence in Family Law Courts according to the Family Law Act (Ontario).
In addition, students will prepare a webinar for the Sudbury Women’s Centre to disseminate to their community members, that will be based on the research summarized in the memorandum.
Disclaimer: The content of this research project may include highly sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some individuals.
Number of Students: 3 - 4
Apply for this project if you have...
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An interest in family law
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Strong research and writing skills
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Strong collaborative and teamwork skills
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Graphic design skills will be considered an asset
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
SUDBURY WOMEN'S CENTRE
The Sudbury Women's Centre (SWC) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting women, girls, trans, and non-binary individuals experiencing violence and other challenging life situations.
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 collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong research and writing skills
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Upper year students who have complete a course in 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.
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 collaborative and teamwork skills
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Strong research and writing skills
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Upper year students who have complete a course in 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.
INNOCENCE CANADA INTERNSHIP
The Innocence Canada Internship will start in mid-October with a general orientation . This project provides students with the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in wrongful conviction advocacy.
Throughout the internship students will assist with our casework and/or education work. Casework often involves analyzing case files, reviewing disclosure and transcripts, helping to identify new avenues of investigation, and conducting legal research. Education work can involve assisting with the creation and delivery of curriculum / trainings to a wide variety of audiences ranging academic institutions to the members of the criminal justice system (ie. police), researching major topics within wrongful convictions, and assisting with educational programming.
Number of Students: 1 (In conjunction with other PBSC Chapters)
Apply for this project if you have...
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Passion for wrongful conviction advocacy
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Strong legal research and writing skills
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The ability to review and synthesizing large volumes of information
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Attention to detail
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Critical thinking
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
INNOCENCE CANADA
Innocence Canada is a national non-profit organization that works to overturn wrongful convictions. Over the past 31 years, Innocence Canada has helped exonerate 29 innocent people convicted of homicides and other violent crimes. Innocence Canada is also a national leader in wrongful conviction education and legal reform
