CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice

• Episode 100 | Reprogramming Resilience: How Childhood Adversity Shapes Mental Health and Addiction

  Nicole Sherren, a neuroscience expert and Principal Consultant at R2P Solutions, joins The Honourable P. Colleen Suche, Justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba, for an engaging discussion on the profound impact of childhood adversity on brain development, mental health, and addiction. Drawing on cutting-edge research, Sherren illustrates how early adverse experiences can rewire the brain, heightening susceptibility to addiction and mental health challenges later in life. The discussion explores the pivotal role of epigenetics in fostering resilience and examines how addiction-related behaviors intersect with justice systems, particularly when impaired self-control conflicts with concepts of accountability. Together, they highlight the critical need for interdisciplinary collaboration among neuroscience, health, and justice professionals to drive effective policies and meaningful systemic reform. Let's continue the discussion! To further explore the discussion, join us at our conference on addiction, mental health and the law, to be held February 3-5, 2025 in Toronto. Come discover the complex interactions between addiction, mental health issues and the legal system, with multidisciplinary experts and Indigenous knowledge keepers. This discussion will address current challenges while gaining a comprehensive perspective on the critical issues faced by courts, law enforcement, treatment providers, policymakers, as well as communities, families, and individuals. Register now to make sure you don't miss this unique event! REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE

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• Episode 99 | Indigenous Legal Principles: Wahkohtowin Lodge's Insights on Addiction, Mental Health and Governance

  In this insightful conversation, host David Lazzam speaks with Gavin Cazon-Wilkes, a Legal Counsel with the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge. This episode highlights the Lodge’s methodologies for uncovering Indigenous legal principles, its efforts to address addiction and mental health, and its aspirations for advancing Indigenous-led governance. Through concrete examples, Gavin demonstrates how narrative tools are reshaping the legal landscape, offering a unique perspective on integrating traditional laws with contemporary challenges. Let's continue the discussion! To further explore the discussion, join us at our our conference on addiction, mental health and the law, to be held February 3-5, 2025 in Toronto. Come discover the complex interactions between addiction, mental health issues and the legal system, with multidisciplinary experts and Indigenous knowledge keepers. This discussion will address current challenges while gaining a comprehensive perspective on the critical issues faced by courts, law enforcement, treatment providers, policymakers, as well as communities, families, and individuals. Register now to make sure you don't miss this unique event!

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• Episode 98 | The TAP Project: Insights from Ecuador’s Exploration of Canada’s Indigenous Justice System

  Discover the impact of the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) through the experience of the Ecuadorian delegation at CIAJ's 2024 Symposium on Indigenous Justice System. Hosted by Christine O'Doherty, the Honourable Milton Enrique Velasquez Diaz, Justice of the National Court of Justice of Ecuador, explores how TAP facilitates exchanges between judicial experts and justice system actors, while supporting global reform efforts. This dialogue highlights lessons learned from the Canadian system on indigenous justice issues, and their relevance in an international context. ABOUT THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (TAP): Global Affairs Canada’s Technical Assistance Partnership Project (TAP), is designed to deploy Canadian experts from a range of disciplines to provide technical assistance to developing countries. The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (FJA) is one of the Canadian government agencies with an international development project under TAP. Under TAP, FJA engages with up to three countries per year for a one-year program of capacity building for judicial institutions. This mechanism allows Canada to use the experience in our judicial system to respond to requests for technical assistance made through Canadian missions abroad. Technical assistance is provided in response to needs expressed by partner countries, but in alignment with Canada’s international development priorities, including the strengthening of gender equality and the protection of human rights. More information

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• Episode 97 | Breaking Barriers: Exploring Addiction, Mental Health, and the Law

  In this engaging discussion, host David Lazzam welcomes Justice Richard Schneider and mental health advocate Noah Irvine to explore the intersection of addiction, mental health, and the law. Justice Schneider reflects on his extensive experience with mental health courts and the criminal justice system, while Noah shares a powerful perspective as a national advocate for systemic change. Drawing from personal tragedy and resilience, Noah speaks with authority and compassion, having lost both parents to suicide and addiction by the age of 15. Together, they tackle pressing issues such as deinstitutionalization, the role of the Criminal Code in mental health cases, and the impact on families. Their dialogue highlights both challenges and progress, envisioning a more inclusive future for mental health and addiction services in Canada. To delve deeper into these vital topics, don’t miss the upcoming CIAJ conference on Addiction, Mental Health, and the Law, happening February 3-5, 2025, in Toronto.   Guests Noah Irvine, Mental Health Advocate The Honourable Justice Richard D. Schneider, Ontario Court of Justice, past Chair of the Ontario Review Board Host David Lazzam, Articling Student, CIAJ

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• Episode 96 | Child-Centred Family Law: A Call for Collaboration

  In this episode, David Lazzam hosts a compelling discussion with Vincent Ramsay, a retired family law attorney, and Nicholas Bala, a professor specializing in family and children’s law. Together, they delve into the history of Canada’s adversarial family law system and its profound impacts on families and children. Their engaging dialogue highlights the contrasting roles of “peacemaker” and “hired gun” lawyers, while offering educational and policy reform suggestions to promote a more collaborative, child-focused approach to family law. The episode also provides concrete advice for practitioners and policymakers aiming to reshape the family justice landscape.   RELATED DOCUMENTATION Article: Ending the Harm to Parents and Children from Ontario’s Family Justice System by Transforming Family Law Culture: Reflections of a Family Law Lawyer - Vincent Ramsay (2024 CanLIIDocs 2300, 2024-07-01) Article: Ethical Duties of Lawyers for Parents Regarding Children of Clients: Being a Child-Focused Family Lawyer - Nicholas Bala, Patricia Hebert & Rachel Birnbaum (The Canadian Bar Review, 2027)

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