CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice

The justice system is confusing for most individuals brought before it. From applications to adjournments to delays, an individual's life is on hold while they endure overly long proceedings. And what happens when the decision is wrong? What can the court do to address a breach of an individual's right to security of the person and psychological integrity?
In this episode, host Sarah Rowe is joined by Julie-Ann Kirkpatrick, retired defence lawyer and Doctoral Candidate at Carleton University, to discuss the use of apologies by courts to repair or achieve justice. The discussion focuses on Julie's doctoral research, namely, when and how an apology could be given as a restorative remedy under s. 24(1) of the Charter.
RELATED DOCUMENTATION: https://ciaj-icaj.ca/en/podcasts/an-apology-as-a-restorative-remedy/

The traditional model of Canadian criminal law is a state-centred adversarial process designed to punish, deter, or rehabilitate. But once the trial is over and the sentence is imposed, has justice truly addressed the harm caused by crime? Restorative justice approaches ask different questions: Who has been harmed? What do they need? And who is responsible for addressing those needs, repairing the harm, or restoring relationships?
In this 6th episode of the series "In the Blind Spot," the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel, of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, speaks with the Honourable Deputy Chief Justice Joanne Durant and the Honourable Justice Michelle Christopher, both of the Alberta Court of Justice, and the Honourable Justice Anna Loparco, of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta. Together, they discuss the principles and benefits of restorative approaches in the legal system, the myths surrounding them, and the roles of judges, prosecutors, and defence counsel. The three guests also share what they have learned from Alberta's Restorative Justice Project, launched in 2022.
 
Guest
The Honourable Deputy Chief Justice Joanne Durant, Alberta Court of Justice
The Honourable Justice Michelle Christopher, Alberta Court of Justice
The Honourable Justice Anna Loparco, Court of King's Bench of Alberta
Host
The Honourable Justice Simon Ruel, Court of Appeal of Quebec

Can a community-led program change the course of a young person's life — before the justice system ever has to?
In this episode, Host Laken Tucker (CIAJ's 2026 Summer Law Student Intern) speaks with Christina Harper (Program Coordinator, Restorative Justice Program, BGC Okanagan) about how the program supports youth ages 12 to 24 through a collaborative model involving the RCMP, local schools, community business partners, and victims. Christina shares how the program came to be, how it's grown, and the outcomes it's producing on the ground — from volunteer training to participant feedback and reoffending trends.
This conversation offers a grounded look at how restorative justice functions in practice — and a hopeful case study for communities of any size looking to build something similar.
Guest
Christina Harper, Program Coordinator, Restorative Justice Program, BGC Okanagan
Host
Laken Tucker, CIAJ 2026 Summer Law Intern; JD Candidate, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

Judicial independence is essential to democracy and the rule of law. But how can judges and lawyers remain independent when they face political pressure, intimidation, or attacks on their legitimacy?
In this 5th episode of the series "In the Blind Spot," the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel speaks with Margaret L. Satterthwaite, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, about the threats facing justice systems worldwide and the safeguards needed to protect them.
Their conversation highlights why judicial independence is not only a concern for legal professionals, but a fundamental protection for everyone.
 
Guest
Margaret L. Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, United Nations Special Procedures; Professor of Law, Director, Legal Empowerment and Judicial Independence Clinic, Faculty Director, Robert & Helen Bernstein Institute for Human Rights, Co-Director, Center for Human Rights & Global Justice, New York University School of Law
Host
The Honourable Justice Simon Ruel, Court of Appeal of Quebec

Why might a legislature pretend that it never passed a law? How might this be done? Host Lerissa Thaver speaks with Charlie Feldman about an uncommon technique in legislative drafting: deeming provisions "never to have been enacted." When has this "unenactment" occurred and why? This episode shines a light on this unusual way to draft and challenging situations legislative drafters sometimes face.
Guest
Charlie Feldman, Legislative Counsel, Department of Justice Canada (Ottawa, ON)

Host
Lerissa Thaver, Legislative Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Government of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)