Forum Conveniens is the official blog of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Review. The blog is a forum for members of the UofT Law community to share their thoughts on topical developments in the law. Our publications including case commentaries, opinion pieces, and reports on activities within UofT Law.
All are welcome to write for Forum Conveniens! If you have a pitch for a piece, or a paper you would like to convert into a blog post, please visit our submission form here.
Gordon Lee, 3L
The Supreme Court of Canada often makes claims about public opinion, but how accurate are these claims really? Gordon Lee argues that the Supreme Court's claims about public opinion are in fact made without evidence, with potential harm to the public perception of the integrity of the justice system.
Read MoreCaeleb Goff, 2L, Volume 81 Executive Editor of Forum Conveniens
Censorship of perceived obscenity is an increasingly prevalent phenomenon in North America. In the latest Forum Conveniens blog post, UofT 2L Caeleb Goff places this trend within its historical origins, dating back to the application of obscenity laws to the works of Oscar Wilde.
Read MoreSterling Mancuso, 3L, Volume 81 Executive Editor of Forum Conveniens
Every Canadian law student knows that judges are supposed to follow precedent. But why? Executive Forum Editor Sterling Mancuso makes the case for abandoning the doctrine of precedent in constitutional adjudication at the Supreme Court of Canada
Read MoreJerry Zhu, 3L, Senior Editor
In R v Chow, the Ontario Court of Appeal had to determine whether an Airbnb owner could reasonably expect Charter privacy protections while the unit was being rented out. Jerry Zhu examines the decision’s uncertain implications for property owners’ constitutional privacy rights moving forward.
Read MoreAnastasia Jones, 3L, Volume 81 Senior Editor
Ontario courts recently recognized the new tort of family violence. This tort is intended to remedy the harms of a collapsed, abusive marriage. But is this judge-made tort really necessary? Senior Editor Anastasia Jones argues that amendments to the Divorce Act would better achieve the goals of remedying violence in a family contexts.
Read MoreGordon Lee, 3L
Has Canada's Supreme Court stepped too far into a legislative role in its approach to section 7 of the Charter? Gordon Lee makes the case in the latest blog post on Forum Conveniens.
Read MoreLauren Teixeira, 3L, Senior Editor
In R v Bissonnette, the Supreme Court of Canada held that sentencing offenders to serve consecutive parole ineligibility periods is unconstitutional. This outcome of case, borne out of the horrific Montreal Mosque shooting, dismayed both politicians and the public. Lauren Teixeira argues that these fears are misplaced.
Read MoreJack Olson, 3L, Volume 81 Senior Editor
The heavily discussed British Columbia Court of Appeal judgment in Cambie Surgeries poses a formidable challenge to Canada’s famed public healthcare system. Senior Editor Jack Olson explores how precedents may temper the Supreme Court of Canada’s approach to this issue if the case is appealed.
Read MoreRebecca Rosenberg, 3L, Volume 81 Senior Editor
When do we want citizens to know and apply their rights? In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision in R v Tessier, Senior Editor Rebecca Rosenberg discusses the implications of the ruling for individuals who are questioned by police in the course of an investigation.
Read MoreSterling Mancuso, 3L, Executive Editor of Forum Conveniens
In R v JJ, the Supreme Court of Canada once again applies the principle against overbroad laws. Executive Forum Editor Sterling Mancuso argues that this case continues a decades-long pattern of inconsistent application of the doctrine.
Read MoreRebecca Rosenberg, 3L, Volume 81 Senior Editor
Is the federal government constitutionally permitted to regulate prices of patented medicines? Senior Editor Rebecca Rosenberg argues that the Québec Court of Appeal got this question wrong in Merck Canada Inc. c. Procureur general du Canada.
Read MoreIsablle Savoie, 3L, UTFLR Editor-in-Chief
Does section 8 of the Charter extend to video surveillance of your front yard? R v Aubrey, 2022 ONSC indicates that Ontario courts are willing to push back on law enforcement and recognize a citizen’s reasonable expectation of privacy on their property – even when its visible to the general public.
Read MoreKaty Beeson, 2L, Volume 80 Articles Editor
The Ontario Nurses’ Association has announced its intention to file a Charter challenge in response to Bill 124. Articles Editor Katy Beeson examines the constitutionality of Bill 124 and whether the Bill violates freedom of expression under s. 2(b) of the Charter, the right to substantive equality for women under s. 15(1), and freedom of association under s. 2(d).
Read MoreDavid Côté, 2L, Volume 80 Senior Associate Editor
In Ward v Quebec, a case about the clash between liberty and equality, Senior Associate Editor David Côté considers the differing approaches of majority and dissenting opinions.
Read MoreMyim Bakan Kline, 3L, Senior Editor
In the last few years, legislative and administrative responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to a number of allegations that these measures infringed Charter rights. Senior Editor Myim Bakan Kline examines two such cases, and considers which standard of review courts should apply in future pandemic-related Charter cases.
Read MoreSterling Mancuso, 2L, Volume 80 Senior Forum Editor
Can Parliament criminalize “blind bidding” in the Canadian housing market, under the Constitutional division of powers? Senior Forum Editor Sterling Mancuso discusses.
Read MoreSaambavi Mano, 3L, Volume 79 Senior Editor
What does Fraser v Canada's clarification of adverse effects sex discrimination under s. 15 mean for Canadian law? Senior Editor Saambavi Mano considers the positives, negatives, and missed opportunities of the decision.
Read MoreLauren Scott, 3L, Volume 79 Executive Editor
Executive Editor Lauren Scott argues that the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in CSF represented its “powerful commitment” to the minority language educational rights under s. 23 of the Charter.
Read MoreSpence Colburn, 3L, Volume 78 Editor-in-Chief
The Ontario Court of Appeal narrowly upholds the reduction in Toronto city wards, but how might the Charter extend protections to municipalities more generally? Editor-in-Chief Spence Colburn considers whether cities are indeed a distressing “constitutional hole” in Canada’s democracy.
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