HRLS Learning Day 2026 (LEG00356)

Overview

Delivery method

Classroom

Virtual classroom

Duration

8 hours

Audience

Legal Professionnals

Description

Please note that this course is open to Justice Canada legal professionals only (lawyers, notaries who are members of the Chambre des notaires du Québec and paralegals).

Legal professionals are invited to attend the 2026 edition of the bi-annual Human Rights Law Section (HRLS) Learning Day. This year’s edition will put human rights in the “hot seat,” exploring current pressure points, perplexing features, and recent developments related to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Learning Objectives / Topics covered

Highlights will include:

• “Human rights” from the perspective of Anishinaabe law — a keynote address by Dr. Aaron Mills on assumptions underpinning the Canadian constitution and the distinctive foundations of rooted constitutional orders drawn from Anishinaabe teachings.
• “Natural Limits” to rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms — internal limits, section 1 justification, and the use of the notwithstanding clause (s. 33).
• The evolving boundaries of the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) system — including CHRA primacy, the scope of “services” under s. 5, and the extent of Tribunal remedial authority.
• Privacy and Information Sharing — examining ongoing privacy interests in government-held information and when authorities are sufficient or insufficient for information sharing.
• Beyond the buzzwords in equality law — making sense of concepts like substantive equality, dignity, and incrementalism in section 15 Charter jurisprudence.
• International human rights law in domestic law — a conversation on how international law is received in domestic law (touching on the concept of dualism, respect for federalism, the roles of the executive, legislatures and the courts, treaty vs. customary international law), including practical guidance for Justice counsel advising and litigating in this area.

This course is bilingual, with simultaneous interpretation available in both official languages.

In-Person location (NCR): Ottawa Art Gallery, 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 0C5

Client: Human Rights Law Section in collaboration with the Centre of Expertise for Learning and Professional Development (CoELPD).

Registration deadline: 5 working days prior to the course date.

Participants are responsible for adding their training activities to their Outlook calendars.

Cancelling your registration: Simply log into your JUScampus account and select "Unregister" from this event page.

Accommodation Measures: The Department of Justice is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free learning environment. If you need workplace accommodations to fully participate in this training, contact your manager or the Centre for Workplace Access-Ability, Health and Wellness (CWAHW). Please note, the CWAHW requires at least 72 hours to respond.

Please contact the Centre of Expertise for Learning and Professional Development (CoELPD):

• For training material, at least 5 business days before the training session if needed in advance.
• To flag any other requests or accommodations needs, at least 10 business days before the training session.
• For more information or if you have any issues with this course.

This activity has not been assessed for CPD eligibility. The link to the accreditation summary will be provided here, once available.