R v Morgentaler: Reflections After 25 Years

On January 28, 1988, 25 years ago, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down Canada’s abortion law using the still new Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  The legal battle was long, dramatic and groundbreaking – including a police raid on a clinic, novel constitutional evidence and arguments, an extraordinary criminal jury trial, an acquittal overturned by the Court of Appeal, followed by a week-long hearing and divided decision at the Supreme Court.  Today, the case remains one of the most significant decisions in Canadian law.  This panel provides a unique opportunity to hear from participants in the case as they reflect on the historic events and the continued significance of the case today.

Panelists:  Dr. Robert Scott - Appellant and Co-Accused

                   Morris Manning, QC -  Counsel for the Appellants

                   Kirk Makin - Justice Reporter with the Globe and Mail

                   Lorraine Weinrib - Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

                   Carolyn Egan -  Expert witness at trial

                   (Others to be confirmed)

Moderators: Paul Schabas - Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and  co-counsel for the  Appellant

                        Cheryl Milne - David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights