This report reviews the legal dimensions of Toronto’s approach to encampments during the first three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures the City’s response to encampments against its human rights obligations to encampment residents as specified in international and domestic law, the National Housing Strategy Act, and A National Protocol for Homeless Encampments in […]
News & Posts
Class Actions: Tools for Environmental Justice? Drinking Water in Indigenous Communities
Class Actions: Tools for Environmental Justice? Drinking Water in Indigenous Communities Panel Discussion October 27, 1230-2 p.m. via Zoom Join the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic for a panel discussion on the potential to use class actions as a tool to achieve environmental justice. The panel will consider the ongoing class action launched by […]
Recording: Indigenous-Led Conservation in Ontario
On October 13th we were excited to host a panel discussion on Restructuring our Relations: Legal and Policy Dimensions of Indigenous-Led Conservation in Ontario and Beyond. The panel explored the various intersections that exist between environmental and cultural preservation, and Indigenous jurisdiction. For those who were not able to attend or want to watch the […]
Indigenous-Led Conservation in Ontario & Beyond
We are excited to be hosting a panel discussion on Restructuring our Relations: Legal and Policy Dimensions of Indigenous-Led Conservation in Ontario and Beyond. The panel will explore the various intersections that exist between environmental and cultural preservation, and Indigenous jurisdiction. Join a leading group of lawyers and scholars to learn more about the key concepts […]
Climate Litigation in Canada: Trajectories and Trends
Panelists address the varying success of the recent youth climate Charter challenges in Canada, with an overview of Mather, La Rose, and Enjeu; the Likhts'amisyu Wet'suwet'en Charter challenge; the Beaver Lake Cree cumulative impacts case; legal tactics that have worked in other countries; and more. Co-hosted by MES/JD program and the Osgoode Environmental Justice and […]
First Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritized for First Nations, but is it Enough?
By: Jin Xu Due to the forward thinking of many First Nations communities shutting their gates at the first signs of the COVID-19 crisis back in early summer of 2020, these communities managed to contain the virus. However, once winter arrived, the combination of COVID-19 being more virulent in the winter due to dry air […]
Policing poverty and public space during COVID-19
By: Lauren Graham The environmental justice movement addresses the need for equitable access to environmental services. Environmental services are often defined in reference to the spaces where we live, work, and play. Therefore, access to public space is an environmental justice issue. Disparate access to public lands has had a significant impact on low-income communities […]
Clinic Directors urge Ontario to immediately cease mineral staking and permitting processes during COVID-19
Clinic Directors Dayna N Scott and Estair Van Wagner join Osgoode Hall Law School colleagues to urge the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines to immediately cease mineral staking and permitting processes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote Indigenous communities are facing unique governance burdens to protect the health and well-being of their communities. The […]
Osgoode Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic partners with OKT LLP for new summer fellowship
The Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic (EJSC) is excited to announce a new partnership with leading Aboriginal law firm Olthuis, Kleer, Townshend LLP (OKT) for a pilot summer student fellowship. This summer OKT will be sponsoring one EJSC student to work with both the firm and the clinic. Through the fellowship, an EJSC student will […]
Why Environmental Lawyers Should Care About Gentrification
Why Environmental Lawyers Should Care About Gentrification By: Alexandra Potamianos Community Over Commodity Activist. Source: Communities Over Commodities Report. The early environmental justice movement fought against the disproportionate placement of toxic waste facilities and other locally unwanted land uses (LULUs) in low-income communities of color. More recently, environmental justice movements have expanded their […]
