The David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights

Opening celebration &
colloquium on constitutional litigation

Litigating the Charter:
Strategies for a Successful Charter Claim in the 21st Century

September 5, 2008 from 2:00-4:30 p.m.

University of Toronto, Faculty of Law
Flavelle House, 78 Queen's Park
Bennett Lecture Hall

The University of Toronto, Faculty of Law celebrated the opening of the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights on September 5, 2008. Leading constitutional scholars and litigators discussed current challenges and possibilities in constitutional theory and practice. 

The September 5th celebration was also an opportunity to welcome the Centre's inaugural Executive Director, Cheryl Milne. 

Two discussion panels brought together members of the academy and bar to discuss current challenges and possibilities in constitutional theory and practice. The first panel looked back on successes and challenges during the first 25 years or so of the Charter.  The second panel looked forward to strategies and possibilities for the next few decades. 

Schedule

Opening Remarks

Dean Mayo Moran (University of Toronto, Faculty of Law)
Cheryl Milne (Executive Director, David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights)

Panel 1: Looking Back - Lessons Learned from 25 Years of Charter Litigation

Moderator: Professor Lorne Sossin (University of Toronto, Faculty of Law)
Joseph Arvay, Q.C. (Arvay Finlay Barristers)
Professor Michael Code (University of Toronto, Faculty of Law)
Marlys Edwardh (Ruby & Edwardh)
Mary Eberts (Law Office of Mary Eberts)
Cynthia Petersen (Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP)
Deputy Minister Lori Sterling (Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs)

Panel 2: Looking Forward - New Frontiers and Strategies in Charter Litigation

Moderator: Professor Carol Rogerson (University of Toronto, Faculty of Law)
Raj Anand (WeirFoulds LLP)
Steven Barrett (Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP)
R. Douglas Elliott (Roy Elliott Kim O'Connor LLP)
Barbara Jackman (Jackman & Associates)
Rabinder Singh, Q.C. (Matrix Chambers, U.K.)
Professor Lorraine Weinrib (University of Toronto, Faculty of Law)

Closing Remarks

David Asper (Executive Vice President, CanWest Global Communications Corp.)

Wine and Cheese Reception