Our alums opine on a variety of subjects impacted by the pandemic, such as precarious workforces, increased competition in international trade, access to high-speed internet in rural areas, the health of Black people during the pandemic, incarcerated populations at risk, and the growth of cyberracism and cybermysoginy. Also, a judicial appointment, and an interview published by the Black Law Students’ Association of McGill.
À qui appartient la langue française?
Alexandra Dupuy et Michaël Lessard, BCL/LLB’15, Le Devoir, 11 juin 2020
“Dès qu’il est question de la langue française, le Québec tend une oreille attentive. Nous écoutons, nous questionnons, nous commentons. Le français est un sujet qui enflamme les passions. Nous l’avons bien vu ces dernières semaines, quand la Ville de Montréal a annoncé l’adoption des recommandations de l’Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) en termes de langue inclusive, pour rendre visible l’existence des femmes dans ses communications.” Lire la suite…
A Crisis of Mobility: The Inherent Precarity of the Fly-In, Fly-Out Workforce
Sydney Lang, BCL/JD’20, Canadian Law of Work Forum, 23 May 2020
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the experiences of a variety of workers to the forefront, especially those who have been deemed to work in an “essential service.” This includes construction and resource work in remote areas, most of which relies on a Fly-in/Fly-out (FIFO) workforce. FIFO workers may be particularly susceptible to the virus, as cross-community / cross-provincial travel and shared accommodations are a part of the job. However, like other employment relationships, this pandemic has revealed, and perhaps exacerbated, existing challenges facing FIFO workers across Canada, specifically as it relates to the precarious nature of the work itself.” Keep reading…
Why we need a culturally responsive — not a colourblind — approach to COVID-19
Interview with Anthony N. Morgan, BCL/LLB’ 12, Urbanology, 12 May 2020
“… there’s a long way to go when it comes to Black folks at a municipal, provincial, federal [level], and frankly the non-profit sector, as well. While everyone is working as hard as they can, I do think there are some obvious gaps that are not being captured. For example, we’ve had such a difficult time getting race-based COVID-19 data in Canada to help us understand who is being most impacted, despite knowing that in the USA there’s consistent data showing that Black people are the most disproportionately victimized. That’s a stain on our record towards a Canadian commitment to multiculturalism, and I’m truly comfortable in saying that.” Keep reading…
Other media mentions
- ‘Racism exists in Canada:’ These are the stories from people who have lived it as eyes turn on U.S. after George Floyd death in Minneapolis, The Star, 1 June 2020
Pro bono legal service launches to help small businesses during COVID-19 crisis
Canadian Lawyer, 14 May 2020
“A not-for-profit initiative to provide legal services to small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic was launched this week by a group of Ontario lawyers, including McGill Law graduate Alex Don, LLM’17, who serves as Executive Director. The National Canadian Lawyers’ Initiative aims to offer legal advice to struggling small business owners, while providing valuable experience to law students who will lose out on placements this summer due to the pandemic. Recently retired lawyers and judges are also being called upon to volunteer their services as mentors to guide the next cohort of new practitioners.” Keep reading…
Plus rien ne sera pareil en politique
L’Actualité, 6 mai 2020
En avril dernier, lorsque l’administration Trump a bloqué l’exportation de matériel médical des entreprises américaines, y compris vers le Canada, l’ambassadrice du Canada aux États-Unis, Kirsten Hillman, BCL’93, LLB’93, a multiplié les appels auprès des membres du Congrès qui ont l’oreille de la Maison-Blanche afin de remédier à la crise. Lire la suite…
Opinion: COVID-19 situation in prisons requires urgent action
Souhila Baba, BCL/JD’20, Montreal Gazette, 27 April 2020
“It was just a matter of time before COVID-19 reached the inside of prisons. This month in Quebec, more than 100 people in federal institutions — guards and inmates — have tested positive for the virus, 40 of them at a penitentiary for women. And now, there have also been reports of cases in Bordeaux jail, a provincial institution. More than ever, is the time to rethink how we view inmates and to urgently reduce the number of people in jail.” Keep reading…
Lack of high-speed internet is harming rural areas during pandemic
André Moreau, BCL/LLB’19, The Star, 26 April 2020
“In the wake of this new COVID-19 reality, there has been an even-greater reliance on high-speed internet and mobile data. Internet, long seen as a luxury, now plays a critical role in our lives. However, not all Canadians are afforded the same level of interconnectivity. […] During COVID-19, the gap in connectivity areas is contributing to an even-greater divide between urban and rural communities across Canada.” Keep reading…
Make digital spaces safe. We need a systemic response to cybermisogyny and cyberracism now more than ever.
Rosel Kim, BCL/LLB’15, CBA/ABC The National, 17 April 2020
“Freedom from violence and hate is a prerequisite condition for exercising our constitutionally guaranteed equality rights. As we become increasingly reliant on digital spaces to connect with others during this time of physical distancing, we must take steps to ensure our digital spaces also remain free from violence and hate. Nowadays, when remote working and education are a reality for many, digital spaces have become the only space where people can connect with others…” Keep reading…
Government of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of Québec
Government of Canada, 6 April 2020
The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the appointment of Mark Phillips, BCL’93, LLB’93, as puisne judge of the Superior Court of Québec for the district of Montreal. Since 2005, Philips had been practising in the Disputes group at Borden Ladner Gervais, notably in civil and commercial litigation, professional liability, health law, disciplinary law, constitutional law, Aboriginal law, and statutory offences. Keep reading…
Interview with Marvin Coleby, BCL/LLB’16, co-founder and CEO of Raise
Black Law Students’ Association of McGill blog, 10 February 2020
“I am currently the co-founder and CEO of Raise (getraise.io). We’re a software company that simplifies the fundraising process for early-stage technology founders and investors (individual and institutional).
Well, that’s the short pitch – but since we’re all lawyers, here’s a bit more about how it works. Our technology creates legally effective digital versions of share certificates for companies in line with the securities regulations of some of the fastest-growing African countries. We’re primarily focused on the African continent across about 15 industries.” Keep reading…