Grand Moot 2013 looked at issue of health care provision on Aboriginal reserves

Back Row: Justice Robert Sharpe, Ontario Court of Appeal; Mayo Moran, Dean; Ashvin Singh, Co-Chief Justice of the Grand Moot; Megan Strachan, Co-Chief Justice of the Grand Moot. Front Row: Justice Katherine Swinton, Ontario Superior Court of Justice; Ljiljana Stanic, Grand Mooter; Jordan Katz, Grand Mooter; Meghan Bridges, Grand Mooter; Hani Migally, Grand Mooter; Justice Michael Moldaver, Supreme Court of Canada.

It was a full house in the Vic Chapel, as the 2013 Grand Moot took place October 3rd in a loftier setting, complete with vaulted soaring ceiling, tall oak doors and vintage podiums.

The issue: Positive Rights to Health Care on Aboriginal Reserves. Four of the law school's best mooters--Jordan Katz and Ljiljana Stanic vs. Hani Migally and Meghan Bridges--argued their cases in front of a distinguished bench. It was led by Supreme Court of Canada Justice Michael Moldaver, with Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Robert Sharpe, and Ontario Superior Court Justice Katherine Swinton. Ashvin Singh and Megan Strachan were the student co-chief justices.

The problem examined positive rights under section 7 of the Charter, and whether life liberty, and security of the person can extend to cover the right to health care on Aboriginal reserves. The mooters also argued whether the government has breached its fiduciary duty towards Aboriginal communities in its failure to provide health care on reserves.

The Grand Moot, sponsored by McCarthy Tetrault LLP, is one of the largest mooting events at the Faculty of Law.

Read the background documents.

View the slideshow.

Photos: David Feldman