Not Reserving Judgment

In Episode 142, we tell you about a victory for free speech after a court rules Ontario can't ban billboards just because they criticize politicians and public health officials. Plus, a horrific Ontario incest case shows why the reasonable hypotheticals doctrine isn't so reasonable after all.

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In Episode 141, we tell you about reporting that says B.C. may be about to recognize the Tahltan have Aboriginal title over up to 11% of the province. Plus, we explain what's in the Ministry of Industry memo that says the government could start suing over misinformation on social media.

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In Episode 140, we tell you about the case of a Muskoka, Ontario, drag performance critic charged with criminal hate speech. Plus we discuss a new report that shows half of criminal charges in Canada are stayed or withdrawn.

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Not Rese...

In Episode 139, we tell you about the case of an Ontario couple who could be on the hook for $1 million or more in archeology and reconciliation fees, after finding ancient remains on their property. Plus, we tell you about Justice Glenn Joyal, the newest member of the Supreme Court.

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In Episode 138, we update you on the case of a small-town mayor fined for opposing a Pride proclamation, and we explain why we think the Quebec government owes taxi drivers for taking their property. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week go to the CCLA and Amber Mac.

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In Episode 137, we explain why the Carney government's plan to regulate artificial intelligence and social media may be the biggest threat to free speech in decades. Plus, Ontario’s Court of Appeal overturns ruling that found a law blocking animal activists from farms violated free speech.

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In Episode 136, we explain why Nanaimo, British Columbia got our 2026 Municipal Muzzle Award for censoring Ben Bankas' comedy show, and we explain the status of Bill C-9, which would chill religious speech and may now also outlaw residential school 'denialism.'

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In Episode 135, we take a deep dive into an decision that says Waterloo Region can't tear down a homeless encampment to build a transit hub because that would violate the rights to life, liberty, security of the person and equality. Plus, Alberta to hold a referendum on a referendum.

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In Episode 134, we tell you about a BC Human Rights Tribunal decision that finds holding the classical liberal view on DEI is not a protected political view, unlike socialism. Plus, we discuss the newly-created tort of intimidate partner violence.

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In Episode 133, we explain why Kelowna can move ahead with its petition to rein in Freedom Rally protesters and we discuss an Edmonton Police pilot project using bodycams and facial recognition software. Plus, we share our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

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In Episode 132, we tell you what conservatives and libertarians are clashing over at the Canada Strong and Free conference in Ottawa. Plus, we tell you about our latest victory on the free speech front.

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In Episode 131, we discuss whether the University of Lethbridge's banishment of Professor Frances Widdowson violated the right to freedom of expression, and we tell you about a Nova Scotia law that bans naming kids who died in care. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

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In Episode 130, we explain our concerns that the upcoming Online Harms Act will include a digital safety commissioner tasked with censoring speech online, and we walk you through our successful challenge to Nova Scotia's woods ban. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

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In Episode 129, we explain why floor crossings are constitutionally permitted in Parliament even if they betray local voters, and we dig into the Canada Research Chair program's quotas, which lead to professor job postings limited to only women and people with disabilities.

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In Episode 128, we discuss the impact of the $90-billion Alto high-speed rail proposal on property rights, and we explain why we're opposed to Quebec's Bill 9, which would ban prayer in many public places. Plus, we give you our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

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In Episode 127, we consider whether Ontario's and Alberta's attempts to get politics out of the classroom will help or hinder freedom of expression. Plus, we explain our concerns with C-22, a federal bill that would require telecom companies to keep track device locations for one year.

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In Episode 126, we explain what happened this week at the Supreme Court in the notwithstanding clause case, we explain why the R v Singer decision means you should consider putting up a No Trespassing sign. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

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In Episode 125, we give you a full recap of the three-day hearing in Halifax into the constitutionality of Nova Scotia's ban on traveling into the woods, and we explain why Ontario Premier Doug Ford's attempt to shut down the Al-Quds Day protest properly failed. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week

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In Episode 124, we explore both the practical and theoretical constitutional consequences of Alberta separation, however unlikely, and particularly for Indigenous groups in that province. Christine explains the recent Kanyinda decision from the Supreme Court of Canada (Quebec (Attorney General) v. Kanyinda, 2026 SCC 7) and it looks like, once again, we have more "bubble zones" to fight.

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In Episode 123, we explain the new agreement between Canada and the Musqueam Nation recognizing Aboriginal title in Greater Vancouver. Plus, we discuss the new mandatory Indigenous cultural course requirement for all lawyers in the Province of Ontario.

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Not Reserving Judgment is a podca...

In Episode 122, we explain why we're horrified that the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has ordered former school trustee Barry Neufeld to pay teachers $750,000 for his speech. Plus, we update you on a disturbing new way that Bill C-9 could infringe on freedom of expression.

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In Episode 121, we explain our concerns over Durham Region's new "non-criminal hate incident" reporting program, we discuss the Supreme Court's decision in Taylor, which finds a broad right to free movement in Canada, and we give you our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

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In Episode 120, we explain our concerns with Manitoba's expropriation of a long-term care home, discuss a lawsuit alleging the RCMP violated the free expression of a journalist documenting a pipeline controversy, and we introduce our new Counsel, Alexander Surgenor.

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In Episode 119, we discuss Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney threatening to withhold funding if Alberta doesn't get more say in judicial appointments. Plus, we explain why we disagree with the Federal Court of Appeal that plastic is "toxic."

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In Episode 118, we give you a full recap of Ontario's appeal of a decision that found a law designed to remove bike lanes from Toronto violated the rights to life and security of the person. Plus, we discuss whether government should ban social media for kids under age 14.

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In Episode 117, we tell you about our new case involving a Windsor man arrested for skating while protesting with a sign about the local budget. Plus, we walk you through the Federal Court of Appeal decision that found invoking the Emergencies Act violated Charter rights.

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In Episode 116, we consider whether York University's Student Centre violated the freedom of expression of an MP and students who wanted to hear him speak, plus we speculate about who will be the new Supreme Court of Canada justice after the Hon. Sheilah Martin retires.

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We tell you about Wolf Ruck's successful challenge to Mississauga's anti-weeds bylaw, the dropping of a ticket issued by Kingston police who used a surveillance drone, and a proposal to criminalize "condoning, denial, justification, or minimization" of residential schools.

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On Episode 114, we explain why we think that banning calls to "globalize the intifada" would be counter-productive, we discuss the Liberals' new crime bill that would create special rules for "femicide," and we tell you who was naughty and who was nice for civil liberties in 2025.

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On Episode 113, we have an exclusive story of big pharma attacking a University of Toronto professor for his views on DEI, we tell you about judges suing to get a $28,000 raise, and we explain how a New Brunswick court decision could help protect private property nationwide.

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On Episode 112, we tell you about a proposal hidden in the budget bill that would allow ministers to exempt people from nearly any law, we explain the B.C. decision that found UNDRIP can be used to interpret laws, and we discuss the forced apology of Derek Reimer.

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On Episode 111, we discuss Quebec's plan to ban prayer in public spaces like universities, we debate whether Ottawa should remove the "good faith" religious speech exemption from hate speech laws, and we tell you about the Montreal police's new AI surveillance software.

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On Episode 110, we discuss Alberta's proposal for flexible practice that would allow more doctors to offer private surgeries, we explain Alberta's plan to protect the freedom of speech of professionals, and we debate whether Ontario should really get rid of the bar exams.

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On Episode 109, we discuss whether a constitutional amendment to section 35 could fix the uncertainty surrounding Aboriginal title claims, and we speculate about why the Supreme Court decided to hear an appeal of a Saskatchewan decision on gender pronouns in schools.

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On Episode 108, we discuss Josh's testimony in Parliament on Bill C-8, which would allow the minister to cut off phone or Internet access, and the Supreme Court of Canada decision that found a one-year minimum sentence for child pornography is "cruel and unusual punishment."

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On Episode 107, we discuss Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's use of the notwithstanding clause to immunize her back-to-work legislation for teachers, and we explain a failed proposal in B.C. to ban certain land acknowledgments. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

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On Episode 106, we explain why the proposed hate speech law C-9 really could lead to jail for your memes, we discuss whether the Liberals' proposed tough-on-crime legislation will be constitutional, and we talk about some shocking letters handed out to B.C. property owners.

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On Episode 105, we explain why B.C. consenting in court to Aboriginal title of all of Haida Gwaii is causing controversy, we discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence and free speech, and we give you our thoughts on the lawsuit against Toronto Metropolitan University.

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On Episode 104, we explain our concerns with Bill C-8, which would allow the government to secretly cut people off from the Internet, we discuss the constitutionality of the gun grab, and we discuss whether a University of Alberta law professor's academic freedom was violated.

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On Episode 103, we tell you why the Carney government's surprise notwithstanding clause argument could stoke separatism, we explain our concerns with the government's proposal for new hate crimes, and we discuss whether Canada's recognition of Palestine really matters.

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