Episodes

In Episode 133, we explain why Kelowna can move ahead with its petition to rein in Freedom Rally protesters and we discuss an Edmonton Police pilot project using bodycams and facial recognition software. Plus, we share our Bad Legal Takes of the Week. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Kelowna (City) v Lindsay, 2026 BCSC 842 (CanLii) City of Kelowna wins court battle to proceed with injunction against COVID rallies (Castanet) Edmonton police emails, documents provide new inf...

In Episode 132, we tell you what conservatives and libertarians are clashing over at the Canada Strong and Free conference in Ottawa. Plus, we tell you about our latest victory on the free speech front. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: CCF Victory: South Bruce Peninsula, Ontario reverses unconstitutional protest ban (TheCCF.ca) CCLA Condemns Ontario’s Expansion of Arrest Powers to Transit Special Constables (CCLA) Explainer: Bill C-22 increases risk of surveillance state, ...

In Episode 131, we discuss whether the University of Lethbridge's banishment of Professor Frances Widdowson violated the right to freedom of expression, and we tell you about a Nova Scotia law that bans naming kids who died in care. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Bill that shields identity of children in care even after death receives royal assent (CBC News) FAQ on Free Speech in Canada (TheCCF.ca) Response to Media (University of L...

In Episode 130, we explain our concerns that the upcoming Online Harms Act will include a digital safety commissioner tasked with censoring speech online, and we walk you through our successful challenge to Nova Scotia's woods ban. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: ‘Serious’ On Internet Controls (Blacklock's Reporter) Statement on removal of extreme violent content (eSafety Commission) Federal Court chooses not to extend temporary orde...

In Episode 129, we explain why floor crossings are constitutionally permitted in Parliament even if they betray local voters, and we dig into the Canada Research Chair program's quotas, which lead to professor job postings limited to only women and people with disabilities. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: 2019 Addendum to the 2006 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement (Canada Research Chairs) 2021 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement (Canada Research Chairs) As...

In Episode 128, we discuss the impact of the $90-billion Alto high-speed rail proposal on property rights, and we explain why we're opposed to Quebec's Bill 9, which would ban prayer in many public places. Plus, we give you our Bad Legal Takes of the Week. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Alto's CEO answers questions about the high-speed rail project (CBC News) Special expropriation rules for VIA’s High Speed Rail project erode long-standing property protections, due proces...

In Episode 127, we consider whether Ontario's and Alberta's attempts to get politics out of the classroom will help or hinder freedom of expression. Plus, we explain our concerns with C-22, a federal bill that would require telecom companies to keep track device locations for one year. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Ford government warns school boards to keep graduation ceremonies ‘apolitical’ (Toronto Star) Bill C-22: An Act respecting lawful access (Parliament of Canada...

In Episode 126, we explain what happened this week at the Supreme Court in the notwithstanding clause case, we explain why the R v Singer decision means you should consider putting up a No Trespassing sign. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: How a ban on religious symbols has triggered a Canadian constitutional debate (BBC) R. v. Singer, 2026 SCC 8 (Supreme Court of Canada) Was Upset By Facebook Post (Blacklock's Reporter) Judge cuts d...

In Episode 125, we give you a full recap of the three-day hearing in Halifax into the constitutionality of Nova Scotia's ban on traveling into the woods, and we explain why Ontario Premier Doug Ford's attempt to shut down the Al-Quds Day protest properly failed. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Final arguments made in Nova Scotia woods ban challenge (CTV News) CCF in Court This Week Challenging Nova Scotia’s Unconstitutional Woods Ban (...

In Episode 124, we explore both the practical and theoretical constitutional consequences of Alberta separation, however unlikely, and particularly for Indigenous groups in that province. Christine explains the recent Kanyinda decision from the Supreme Court of Canada (Quebec (Attorney General) v. Kanyinda, 2026 SCC 7) and it looks like, once again, we have more "bubble zones" to fight. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Protecting access to places of worship, schools (BC Gov ...

In Episode 123, we explain the new agreement between Canada and the Musqueam Nation recognizing Aboriginal title in Greater Vancouver. Plus, we discuss the new mandatory Indigenous cultural course requirement for all lawyers in the Province of Ontario. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: ‘Alarming’: Police monitoring released murderer ‘closely’ as community expresses concern (CP24) A Rights Recognition Agreement (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada) Approva...

In Episode 122, we explain why we're horrified that the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has ordered former school trustee Barry Neufeld to pay teachers $750,000 for his speech. Plus, we update you on a disturbing new way that Bill C-9 could infringe on freedom of expression. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Bill C-9 to protect indigenous sacred sites including unmarked graves under new hate crime law and C9 is paused (Western Standard) Former B.C. school trustee ordered to pay $...

In Episode 121, we explain our concerns over Durham Region's new "non-criminal hate incident" reporting program, we discuss the Supreme Court's decision in Taylor, which finds a broad right to free movement in Canada, and we give you our Bad Legal Takes of the Week. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Community-Based Hate Reporting Program (Durham Region) Met Police says it will no longer investigate non-crime hate incidents (BBC) Harry Miller v. The College of Policing (Judi...

In Episode 120, we explain our concerns with Manitoba's expropriation of a long-term care home, discuss a lawsuit alleging the RCMP violated the free expression of a journalist documenting a pipeline controversy, and we introduce our new Counsel, Alexander Surgenor. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Manitoba government plans to expropriate Lemay Forest, turn it into provincial park (CTV Winnipeg) Media harder to identify, RCMP official tells court in press freedom lawsuit (C...

In Episode 119, we discuss Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney threatening to withhold funding if Alberta doesn't get more say in judicial appointments. Plus, we explain why we disagree with the Federal Court of Appeal that plastic is "toxic." Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Danielle Smith calls on Mark Carney to give Alberta more say in selection of judges (Globe and Mail) Federal Court of Appeal Upholds Ottawa’s Listing Plastics “Toxic” ...

In Episode 118, we give you a full recap of Ontario's appeal of a decision that found a law designed to remove bike lanes from Toronto violated the rights to life and security of the person. Plus, we discuss whether government should ban social media for kids under age 14. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Toronto cyclists defend bike lane challenge before Ontario's top court (CBC News) Federal officials draft plans to ban social media for children under 14 (Globe and Mail) ...

In Episode 117, we tell you about our new case involving a Windsor man arrested for skating while protesting with a sign about the local budget. Plus, we walk you through the Federal Court of Appeal decision that found invoking the Emergencies Act violated Charter rights. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Christine Van Geyn: Feds spent millions defending Trudeau's Freedom Convoy crackdown — and lost (National Post) Federal Court of Appeal Emergencies Act Decision: Your Quest...

In Episode 116, we consider whether York University's Student Centre violated the freedom of expression of an MP and students who wanted to hear him speak, plus we speculate about who will be the new Supreme Court of Canada justice after the Hon. Sheilah Martin retires. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Conservative MP says York University Student Centre blocked his campus discussion event (National Post) Supreme Court Justice Sheilah Martin to retire in May (Globe and Mail)...

We tell you about Wolf Ruck's successful challenge to Mississauga's anti-weeds bylaw, the dropping of a ticket issued by Kingston police who used a surveillance drone, and a proposal to criminalize "condoning, denial, justification, or minimization" of residential schools. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: VICTORY: Ontario court strikes down bylaw that let city mow down naturalized garden (TheCCF.ca) CCF Intervenes to Stop Charter Being Stretched to Protect Bike Lanes Crown ...

On Episode 114, we explain why we think that banning calls to "globalize the intifada" would be counter-productive, we discuss the Liberals' new crime bill that would create special rules for "femicide," and we tell you who was naughty and who was nice for civil liberties in 2025. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: CCF Unwraps 2025 Naughty & Nice List (TheCCF.ca) 'It's just too easy to harm women' — What the numbers tell us about 'femicide' in Canada (National Post) BIll C-1...

On Episode 113, we have an exclusive story of big pharma attacking a University of Toronto professor for his views on DEI, we tell you about judges suing to get a $28,000 raise, and we explain how a New Brunswick court decision could help protect private property nationwide. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Implications for BC of the NBCA Decision on Aboriginal Title and Private Property (Law for Breakfast) J.D. Irving, Limited et al. v. Wolastoqey Nation, 2025 NBCA 129 (Ca...

On Episode 112, we tell you about a proposal hidden in the budget bill that would allow ministers to exempt people from nearly any law, we explain the B.C. decision that found UNDRIP can be used to interpret laws, and we discuss the forced apology of Derek Reimer. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Justice minister hopes new group tackles provincial court suspension by February (CBC News) Pastor Reimer released on bail after refusing to apologize to librarian (Western Standar...

On Episode 111, we discuss Quebec's plan to ban prayer in public spaces like universities, we debate whether Ottawa should remove the "good faith" religious speech exemption from hate speech laws, and we tell you about the Montreal police's new AI surveillance software. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: Chris Selley: Quebec's war on religion goes to a whole new level (National Post) Religion shouldn’t be exempted from hate speech law: Liberal minister (CTV News) Quebec expa...

On Episode 110, we discuss Alberta's proposal for flexible practice that would allow more doctors to offer private surgeries, we explain Alberta's plan to protect the freedom of speech of professionals, and we debate whether Ontario should really get rid of the bar exams. Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode: ‘We’re going to walk before we run’: Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange on the province’s historic health-care reforms (The Hub) Bill 11: Health Statutes Amendment Ac...