Days before the Grey Cup, Winnipeg was the gathering place for another group of people with a shared passion. On November 13-14, 2025, the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law hosted the inaugural Canadian Forum for Business and Human Rights Conference. Scholars from across the globe met first at Robson Hall for a workshop, and then at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights for a conference to share research, knowledge, and ideas about Business and Human Rights – a critical area of law that deeply affects all aspects of the economy, society, and the environment worldwide.

Conference organizer, Dr. Akinwumi Ogunranti, Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba. Photo by Adam Dolman.

Yasmina Salama is a PhD candidate at the Peter Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, Canada, who presented her paper at the workshop. Photo by Adam Dolman.

PhD candidates and post-doctoral scholars from across the globe gathered at the University of Manitoba for the opportunity to present their research to established, expert scholars in the field of Business and Human Rights. This workshop was hosted by the Canadian Forum for Business and Human Rights at Robson Hall. Photo by Adam Dolman.

Conference keynote speaker, Fernanda Hopenhaym, Business and Human Rights specialist and member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.

The conference brought together over 50 participants from Canada and beyond, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Starting with a traditional Indigenous water ceremony and Dean Richard Jochelson’s welcoming address, Fernanda Hopenhaym, a member of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address on the state of BHR in times of transition. This was followed by a plenary session and parallel panel sessions that addressed various issues, including Indigenous rights, judicial and non-judicial remedies, climate change, investment, and child labour.

The Conference will take place at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights after a day-long workshop for scholars on Thursday, November 13, at Robson Hall, the Faculty of Law building on the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry Campus. Dr. Ogunranti hopes the workshop and subsequent conference will serve to bring together legal scholars from across the globe to share ideas and collaborate on projects that could have impact for positive change in the way business is conducted and legislation and policy are created.

“This conference marks the end of the beginning of a timely and critical conversation about the role of Canadian businesses operating in Canada and abroad,” said Dr. Ogunranti. “It heralds the birth of a think-tank forum in Canada that is dedicated to mentoring young scholars, amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders working in the business and human rights field.”

“Hosting the inaugural Insights ’25 Business and Human Rights Conference reflects our Faculty’s deep commitment to advancing legal scholarship that connects business practices with human rights principles,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of the Faculty of Law. “Through the Desautels Centre and collaborations like this, we’re fostering a space where research, advocacy, and education converge to address some of the most pressing global challenges in law and commerce.”

The origins of the idea for a Canadian Forum for Business and Human Rights was born of a conversation between Dr. Laura Reimer, Director of Program Development for the Faculty of Law, and Dr. Nathan Derejko, Mauro Chair in Human Rights and Social Justice at UM. Reimer had attended a forum of Business and Human Rights in Geneva, and Derejko had recently come to UM from his role as Director of the Human Rights Centre Clinic at the University of Essex. When Ogunranti arrived with his specialization in Business and Human Rights, the CFBHR came together and the idea for a workshop and conference became a reality.

“The Desautels Business Law Accelerator is proud to have provided the seed money that established Canada’s only Canadian Forum for Business and Human Rights. Working collaboratively with four other leading scholars in the field and their institutions, Professor Akin Ogunranti and his excellent Research Assistant, Jovinel Evangelista have led the way for a national first in the establishment of this international conference,” said Dr. Laura Reimer, Director of Program Development for the Faculty of Law. “We are excited to welcome scholars and activists from all over the world to Winnipeg, and stand proudly with Dr Ogunranti and the founding partners of the CFBHR as we meet together (appropriately) at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.”

The conference begins with a Keynote address from Fernanda Hopenham, Vice-Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and the Co-Executive Director at Project on Organizing, Development, Education and Research (PODER), Latin America. Plenary sessions and panels throughout the day will include topics including:

• Business and Human Rights in a time of transition: The effect of cross-border relationships
• Indigenous Rights, Gender, and Benefit Agreements
• The Role of Non-state Actors’ Advocacy in BHR: Prospects and Challenges
• Judicial Remedies: Civil and Criminal Liability | Transnational Corporate Accountability
• Non-Judicial Remedy
• Transparency Laws, Supply Chain, and Human Rights Due Diligence
• Rights of Nature Litigation as Business and Human Rights Litigation: The Lake Winnipeg Case and Prospects for Canada
• Climate Change, Sustainability, Corporate Governance, and National Security
• Canadian Extractive Industry: Colonialism, BHR Norms, and Investment Law

Panelists and presenters include law professors and legal practitioners from all across Canada and the United States, as well as the United Kingdom.

Dr. Ogunranti expressed deepest thanks to the conference’s generous supporters, including the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, the University of Manitoba, the Desautels Centre, the Manitoba Law Foundation, the Law Commission of Canada, the Legal Research Institute, and Research Manitoba.

Jayden Kyryluk [BA/22] is a third-year law student working as a Research Assistant for the Desautels Business Law Accelerator at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law. He is currently spending this term on an exchange program, studying international law at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. On the same day that his classmates in Winnipeg were meeting with Supreme Court of Canada Judge Sheilah Martin, Kyryluk was shaking hands with Judge Kimberly Prost [LLB/81] in The Hague. Kyryluk shared the story of meeting the famous Robson Hall Class of 1981 alum on the Desautels blog.

On October 21, 2025, I took a short train ride from Nijmegen to The Hague. A ninety-minute train ride across the Netherlands felt surreal; for a Canadian, it’s like crossing a province before lunch. Much like home, however, you can find flat fields of various crops, distant farmhouses, and grazing cows speckled throughout the countryside.

Visiting The Hague, often called the global centre of international law, certainly piqued my judicial curiosity. Yet I was taking this train ride for one reason: to meet Robson Hall alumna and International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Kimberly Prost. The moment I learned I would be studying in the Netherlands, I knew I had to meet Judge Prost. She has reached the pinnacle of international law, and for someone interested in the field like me, meeting her would be like a young Canadian meeting an NHL superstar. After a period of relative dormancy during the Cold War, international criminal law experienced a renaissance in the 1990s. Judge Prost played a pivotal role in that resurgence and in the very institutions that have since become subjects of my own research and writing. After a few emails and with the assistance of Robson Hall’s Director of Professional Development, Trina McFadyen [LLB/00], a meeting was arranged.

International Criminal Court building. Photo by Jayden Kyryluk.

I arrived at the ICC in the afternoon, and I quickly noticed the beauty of the building. In contrast to the Neo-Renaissance International Court of Justice, a 35-minute walk away, the ICC is modern. Five glass towers rise from a rectangular base, encircled by a moat and patches of grass reminiscent of Manitoba’s prairie fields. Draped in vines and framed by water, the building felt peaceful. One could say the feeling mirrored the Court’s mission itself.

I met with Judge Prost upon arriving at the ICC, and we had a wonderful conversation about Winnipeg, international law, and some lessons she has learnt along the way. We laughed to discover we’d grown up across the Red River from one another, no more than a five-minute drive. “What a small world,” we said, as we realized we were also graduates of sibling high schools. It was apparent we came from similar roots.

Her most memorable advice was sincere: say yes to opportunities as they come. “I never planned this career path,” she said, explaining that it unfolded through one opportunity after another. Judge Prost is deeply proud to come from Winnipeg and credits her upbringing in the city as a significant factor in her success. Growing up in Winnipeg’s welcoming, multicultural environment facilitated a seamless transition between international institutions, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the United Nations, and now the ICC.

Read the full story on the Desautels Centre blog.

Learn about UM’s Student exchange program.

—

Edwin Arthur Braid, C.M., Q.C. (1934 – 2020), also known as ‘Art’, was a beloved former Dean and Professor at Robson Hall, the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law. He was also a graduate of the UM Faculty of Law, class of 1960. Art was widely respected for his kindness, intellectual rigor, and dedication to teaching, but above all, he was deeply passionate about business law. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of law students, particularly through the Art Braid Business Law Case Competition.

Robson Hall’s Business Law Group, organizers of the 2025 Art Braid Business Law Case Competition.

The Business Law Group (BLG), a student group focused on corporate and commercial law at Robson Hall, first introduced the competition two years ago as a way to offer students a practical learning experience in transactional practice. The event, which continues to be a resounding success, has led to a continued partnership with the Marcel A. Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law, allowing the BLG to run the competition for its third consecutive year.

The competition was a valuable opportunity to engage students in the process of legal reasoning, a central value for Art Braid. Teams of two to four students were given a hypothetical contract and asked to identify any red flags, legal issues that could potentially render the contract void, and propose any creative or necessary changes. Students presented their solutions to a panel of judges made up of experienced lawyers from the Manitoba Bar.

Following the presentations, attendees gathered in the Northern Lights Lounge at TDS for refreshments and remarks, culminating in the announcement of the winning team.

Professor Darcy MacPherson gives a moving tribute to Art Braid.

Darcy MacPherson, a Professor at Robson Hall and Research Director at the Desautels Centre, shared heartfelt comments about Art Braid’s lasting impact on the law community. Professor MacPherson emphasized Art’s passion for corporate and commercial law and his unwavering belief in preparing students for the business world. He also highlighted Art’s commitment to pro bono work and his philosophy of giving back: “There’s something special about using your legal skills to help those in need. That was the essence of Art Braid – he freely gave his time and expertise to help others.”

The judges noted that this year’s competition was exceptionally close, with all teams displaying outstanding reasoning and presentation skills. Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Art Braid Business Law Case Competition: Jordan Wagner (3L), Eric Wagner (1L), and William Ho (1L), who triumphed over the finalists: Eric Martin (1L), Tyler Rubigny (1L), Thomas James-Davies (1L), and Alessandro Imbrogno (1L).

Jordan Wagner (3L) presents his team’s case to judges at the 3rd annual Art Braid Cup.

Feedback from the student participants was overwhelmingly positive, and the BLG is excited to continue refining the competition in the years ahead.

The BLG extends its deepest gratitude to the family and friends of Art Braid, whose ongoing support helps sustain his legacy. We also offer sincere thanks to the Marcel A. Desautels Centre for its generous funding, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman for hosting the event, Professor Darcy MacPherson for his moving tribute to Art, Dr. Laura Reimer, Program Director of the Desautels Centre, Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law, and the Faculty of Law for their unwavering support. Additionally, we would like to thank the competition judges – Steven Dressler [JD/21] (MLT Aikins), Celyna Yu [JD/22] (TDS), Don MacDonald [LLB/83] (Pitblado), and Caroline Christie [BA/12 (UM), JD/16 (UND)] (Pitblado)  – for their time and expertise. Finally, our appreciation goes to the entire BLG Executive team and all the students who participated, making this year’s competition a continued success.

Without the ongoing support of these individuals and organizations, the Art Braid Business Law Case Competition would not have grown into what it has become in these three short years.

Having initially articled at a Bay Street business law firm, Seck eventually found her way to a PhD in Law at Osgoode Hall Law School, and a research program in international human rights law, the environment, and how business law and the conduct of business impacts these critical areas. Her focus today is on the rights of local and Indigenous communities, and she has researched and published extensively on home state duties and business responsibilities in the context of extractive industries (such as mining, oil and gas). Currently, she is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law, where she holds the Keddy Chair in Human Rights Law, in addition to the Directorship of the Marine and Environmental Law Institute in Halifax, NS.

Seck was invited by the Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law to speak at the Faculty of Law on October 22, 2024, as part of the Business and Human Rights speaker series. The series is supported by the emerging Canadian Forum for Business and Human Rights, an initiative of the Desautels Centre, to bring together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the intersection of corporate activities and human rights, addressing topics such as corporate social responsibility, supply chain ethics, and legal frameworks for ensuring human rights standards in business practices globally.

Dr. Sara Seck of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University was the inaugural speakerfor the Desautels Centre’s Business and Human Rights Lecture Series.

As the inaugural speaker in this series, Seck shared an overview of Business and Human Rights laws in Canada, and discussed career paths in the field with an audience of law and graduate students in law and human rights programs at the University of Manitoba. For the question and answer period, she was joined by her former PhD student, Dr. Akinwumi Ogunranti, who is now an Assistant Professor at the Faculty, a member of the Desautels Centre’s research group, and a founding member of the Forum.

A full recording of Dr. Seck’s lecture can be viewed on the Faculty of Law’s YouTube channel.

Call for Abstracts

The Canadian Forum for Business and Human Rights is currently accepting abstracts for INSIGHTS ‘25, an upcoming International Business and Human Rights Conference taking place in Winnipeg, MB, Canada on November 14, 2025 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The deadline for submissions is January 30, 2025.

The inaugural theme of the Insights ’25 conference is Corporate Accountability in Canada: At the Crossroads of Scholarship, Legislation, Litigation, Policy-making and Community Resistance.

This conference is presented in collaboration with the Faculties of Law at the University of Essex, Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law Marine and Environmental Law Institute, and the University of Ottawa. Learn more about the conference.

The mission of the MLJ, as succinctly explained by Dr. Schwartz, is to bring “world-class scholarship to interests in our community.” This world-class scholarship is evident in the MLJ’s placement among top-ranked journals in Canada, according to Google Scholar citation metrics, and consistent winning of awards in the highly competitive SSHRC program for scholarly journals.

Volume 46 contains the inaugural issue of The Review of Enterprise and Trade Law dimension: “To get TRETL where it is was a massive undertaking,” explained Dr. Schwartz. “It is the culmination of work going back almost twenty-five years. It began with the creation of the Asper Review of International Business and Trade Law, which on its own became one of the top-ranked journals in Canada. Over the years, the Asper Chair collaborated with the Desautels Chair on projects such as our franchise law conference and book, which had a significant impact on the legislation here in Manitoba. With TRETL, we now have a combined effort of the two chairs to produce a regular publication reflecting the mandate of both. A further synergy has been achieved by fully integrating this journal into our thriving MLJ program.”

Readers of Volume 46 will find several issues forming part of the journal’s Underneath the Golden Boy dimension, which is concerned with legislation and public policy. Issues 1 and 3 are the first two of a trilogy focussing on our legal system in times of crisis: Issue 1, Canada’s Emergencies Act: Beyond the Rouleau Report, deals with the Emergencies Act and the controversy surrounding its use while Issue 3, Online Dispute Resolution: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic, looks at the recent health crisis through both academic articles and oral-history interviews with local lawyers. The third and final issue of this trilogy, yet to be released, will focus on the perspectives of leading lawmakers and political figures in Manitoba in relation to the COVID crisis. Issue 2 steps away from the crisis lens and broadly reviews general developments in public policy and administration.

The three criminal law issues edited by Dr. Richard Jochelson and Assistant Professor Brandon Trask – 4, 5, and 6 – published under the Robson Crim dimension of MLJ, are wide-ranging. They include articles on wrongful convictions, legislative measures targeting proceeds of crime (even maple syrup), and incarcerees’ access to healthcare. These contributions, as with all of MLJ’s dimensions, are authored by students, faculty, and practicing professionals, and undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process.

This dimensions-based approach allows the MLJ to focus on local issues through clear and specific lenses, while leaving the door open to national or international discussion of important fields more inherently (inter)national in scope.

The Executive Editors-in-Chief would like to thank the student-editorial teams at the MLJ and its Robson Crim dimension for their hard work in bringing this volume to fruition. As put by Professor MacPherson, “We congratulate and thank all the students for the time that went into getting this entire issue out the door. We really believe our readers will find something within its pages that is both academically rigorous and useful.”

Thank you to:

MLJ Student Editors

Selene Sharp

Vicky Liu

Apara Grace

AubrieAnn Schettler

Avery Alexiuk

Brayden Juras

Brent Tichon

Diana Gutierrez

Heather Peterson

Joshua Dondo

Steven Csincsa

Vilciya Rajput

All of the editors – both faculty and students – would like to thank Lily Deardorff, MLJs Digital Editor, for her co-ordinating efforts, guidance, and persistent positivity.

With Volume 47 already beginning pre-print, the MLJ is poised to continue delivering cutting-edge, readable, and independent legal commentary.

This year, the Desautels Centre’s work had impact from Vancouver to Geneva. Centre faculty and staff worked hard to support students and research – in that order. A highlight of the year was supporting the 2024 Art Braid Business Law Case Competition and the student-run Business Law Group at Robson Hall.

The Marcel A. Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law (The Desautels Centre) is housed in the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. Officially launched in 2006, it is committed to developing a multifaceted and clinical approach to understanding private businesses. By fostering clinical work for law students, financial assistance for conference attendance for business law students, and research in private enterprise and the law by legal and business scholars, the Centre facilitates and supports the intellectual and academic infrastructure necessary to support private enterprise and family-owned businesses in Manitoba.

The Business Advisory Committee of the Faculty of Law oversees The Desautels Centre’s activities and operations and provide careful scrutiny to ensure spending aligns with budget and the mandate of the Centre. The Advisory Committee is Chaired by the Director of Program Development of the Faculty of Law and consists of faculty members from the Faculty of Law at Robson Hall at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Laura Reimer currently holds the position of Director of Program Development, and Professor Darcy MacPherson is the Desautels Centre’s Research Director. The rest of the Business Advisory Committee consists of four other senior professors and a Clinical Instructor, all of whom are experienced in business, contracts, labour and employment law. Currently, these include Dr. Bruce Curran, Dr. Michelle Gallant, Dr. Bryan Schwartz, K.C., Dr. Katie Szilagyi, and Clinical Instructor Yvan Guy Larocque.

“As we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and look forward to the future, I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of the Marcel A. Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, upon the publication of the Impact Report. “Your dedication and support are invaluable in advancing our mission and strengthening our impact within the legal community and beyond.”

“The 2023 – 2024 academic year represents impact and energy from the Marcel A. Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law at the University of Manitoba,” said Reimer. “We continue to fulfill our mission to integrate the disciplines of business, law and the humanities as they apply to family controlled and other private enterprises, while igniting the minds of law students, faculty, and our community partners to explore the expanding edges of private enterprise and the law.

“The research side of the Desautels Centre has had a productive year of publication, conference sponsorship, and conference attendance,” said MacPherson. “Our funded research has been presented by academics and students of the Faculty of Law quite literally around the world.”

The Desautels Centre grew out of the legacy of Dr. Marcel Andre Desautels, C.M., O.Ont., LL.D., O.M., who was a visionary philanthropist who transformed business education with his game-changing gifts to Canadian Universities. Although he passed away on January 31, 2023 at the age of 88, his legacy to the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law continues to inspire us and create opportunities for students and faculty to strengthen research and practice at the intersection of private enterprise and the law.

The Desautels Centre 2024 Impact Report can be read in full on the Desautels Centre website.

Guests included Manitoba artists, musicians, writers, representatives of arts and culture organizations, arts supporters, community leaders, lawyers, law students, and faculty members from the Faculty of Law, Desautels Faculty of Music, and the School of Art from the University of Manitoba. Inside the beautiful historic residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, located on the grounds of the Legislative Building in downtown Winnipeg, guests were welcomed by live cello music performed by the talented Patricia Vanucci, before a short program to learn more about the mission and purpose behind the new legal arts clinic.

The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts provides pro bono legal services to artists, creatives, and arts and cultural organizations throughout Manitoba, including Northern Manitoba. The Clinic is operated by law students at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law. It is the only clinic in the Province that provides free legal information and services tailored to artists and arts organizations. The Clinic helps individuals and organizations with varied legal needs, including questions about contracts, intellectual property, e-commerce, governance, and business organizations.

Each guest received a formal invitation from the Lieutenant Governor, which included a card inviting guests to bring a non-perishable food item as part of The Lieutenant Governor’s SHARING HOPE INITIATIVE. This initiative aims to raise awareness of food insecurity throughout the Province and encourage others in taking an active role to support our neighbours and friends feeding their families, emphasizing that “Access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right.”

Left to right: Kassandra Taverner (2L), Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, the Honourable Anita Neville, P.C., O.M., Lisa Haydey (2L).

In her Greetings, the Lieutenant Governor began with a Traditional Territorial Acknowledgement, welcomed all in attendance, and noted that the new Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts aligns with her deep commitment to community, improving the lives of others, dedication to education, and importance of supporting the arts in Manitoba.

A short program was guided by law student Lisa Haydey (2L) [MPT 2020], who acted as the Master of Ceremonies. Lisa is a entering her third year of law school and has worked at the Clinic since the summer of 2023. In her opening remarks, Haydey thanked the Lieutenant Governor for beginning the evening with the Traditional Territorial Acknowledgment responding to its fundamental importance to everything that is taught, learned, and done at the law school as well as at the new legal arts Clinic. Haydey also noted the power of art.

“The land in Manitoba is powerful,” said Haydey. “The reason it is powerful is because it is full of stories. We all – each of us – have our own stories. It is part of who we are.”

“We also know of the power that art has  —  Art has the power to make us think, to inspire, to challenge, and to heal.”

– Lisa Haydey (2L)

 Guests then heard from Nick Slonosky [LLB/1979, BComm (Hons)/1976], Instructor and Supervising Lawyer with the Clinic. He thanked the Lieutenant Governor for making the event at Government House possible and emphasized that this event was more than just recognizing the launch of the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts. Slonosky also took the opportunity to celebrate everyone in attendance who was an artist, creative, arts organization, funder, arts supporter, educator, lawyer, or law student, and thanked all for what they do every day and their collaborative efforts to celebrate and support a thriving Arts sector in Manitoba.

Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Richard Jochelson was then invited to shared insights about the mission behind providing free legal services to the arts and culture community throughout Manitoba. According to Jochelson, the Clinic aims to bridge the access to justice gap in the Province and fosters a vital arts ecosystem.

“Supporting the arts community in Manitoba, including Indigenous, rural, and remote artists is fundamental to fostering cultural enrichment, community engagement, and potential economic vitality for arts communities,” he said.

“The Clinic plays a pivotal role in bridging the access to creation and innovation gap by providing essential legal services tailored to the unique needs of all artists.” – Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law

He concluded his remarks by thanking the Manitoba Law Foundation for its generous support to assist in creating the new Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts.

Guests then heard from Instructor and Supervising Lawyer at the Clinic, Yvan Guy Larocque, who shared the inspiration behind the Clinic’s logo. The logo was created by local Juno award winning graphic designer, Roberta Landreth. The Clinic’s logo has different shades of blue that are derived from the University of Manitoba’s own logo as well as new shades to create a monochromatic design.

Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts logo designed by Juno award-winning Winnipeg artist, Roberta Landreth.

Larocque shared that according to Landreth, logos are outward expressions of the personality and energy of the brand that they represent and quoted her as saying, “The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Art’s mission is to grow and champion sustainable and successful careers in the arts, which is of mutual benefit to the students studying law at the U of M so that they can put their practical skills to use.”

Larocque explained that to Landreth, the logo represents the reciprocal relationship between law students and Manitoba creatives, it shows the two interacting to create a wheel, a dynamic and mutually beneficial relationship that serves both groups.

Working in the Clinic, students engage with clients and develop skills to prepare for their future legal practice while providing support to a special sector of Manitoba’s community. As the Clinic serves both groups directly, Larocque noted the incredible value in the Clinic’s reach.

“I’ve known for many years that artists are drastically underserved, but the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts is an innovative solution to address these unmet legal needs.” – Yvan Larocque, Clinical Instructor, Faculty of Law

“It has also shown how much legal professionals, including law students, want to support and provide pro bono services to artists and be involved in supporting the arts,” he said.

Guests at the event then heard from Crystal Kolt, O.M. [BMus/1984], Director of Culture and Community Initiatives for the City of Flin Flon. Kolt shared that the need for legal services in Northern Manitoba is real. She emphasized vast and inspiring projects taking place in the North, such as the Uptown Emporium; a non-profit organization and online storefront that showcases retail products created by artists in Northern Manitoba as well as ImagiNorthern which works to empower artists and strengthen communities in the North. Kolt highlighted and named many talented creators throughout various Northern communities that need legal assistance. Her remarks were filled with gratitude from individuals and supporters of the arts community in all corners of the Province. Kolt concluded by emphasizing that the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts is a needed initiative that will have great impacts, especially for artists in Northern Manitoba.

Lastly, attendees heard from Kassandra Taverner (2L) [BSc/2020]. Taverner is entering her third year of law school at the U of M and has worked at the Clinic since the summer of 2023.

For Taverner, working at the Clinic has been a notable experience, as she is both an artist and a future legal professional. Prior to law school, she was a ceramist. Through this experience, she noted the intimidation behind seeking legal information and the inaccessibility of legal services, specifically for artists.

“I am proud to contribute to this initiative that will support and empower artists,” said Taverner. “At the same time, I also feel grateful as a law student that the Clinic will provide opportunities to gain practical experience.”  

Taverner reminded guests that there are also many ways to support artists, including attending a concert, visiting a museum, a gallery, buying a piece of art, or a book. According to Taverner, engaging with art is supporting art.  

Taverner presented the Lieutenant Governor with a special, one-of-a-kind, original, hand-painted card that she created especially for this event. The card read as follows:

Your Honour, 

Thank you so much for making this evening, celebrating the launch of the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, possible. Your support and generosity means a lot to us and demonstrates your commitment to education and the arts in Manitoba.

The rewarding experience of serving the arts sector is a common feeling, according to Haydey. In her closing remarks, Haydey noted the purpose behind supporting the arts community in the Province and reminded attendees of its necessity and contributions to human life. 

“In this increasingly complex world, I think we need art more than ever to make sense of things,” she said.

————

On Thursday, June 6, 2024 the Faculty of Law looks forward to celebrating its 2024 Graduating Class during Spring Convocation and to the University of Manitoba also conferring on The Honourable Anita R. Neville, P.C., O.M. an Honorary Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) LL.D. for distinguished achievement in public service.

If you are a practicing lawyer in Manitoba and interested in volunteering with the Clinic or learning more about how you can make an impact, the Clinic invites you to check out the website for the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts and follow the Clinic on social media. See: Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts 

The Conference Program focused on Northern Manitoba and was organized in collaboration with Northern Manitoba communities, UCN, Creative Manitoba and Food & Beverage Manitoba. Over four dynamic days, students connected with all types of creatives, artists and individuals from organizations that support Northern arts, culture and food sectors and others involved in cultural and economic development in Northern Manitoba.

The event was focused on collaboration, with attendees engaging in both informal and formal spirited discussions to develop practical ideas for identifying needs, building and supporting means for greater cohesiveness, and inclusivity across the North and in both Indigenous and non-indigenous Northern Manitoban communities to be collectively more resilient and to reach new heights and opportunities as well as achieve more sustainable goals and financial stability. The conference included attendees from across Canada including Nunavut and Yukon, with many from across all of Manitoba, from Ontario and elsewhere, who all came together to have meaningful conversations about the future, to learn and to share ideas on how to work together. For a full conference agenda and more information about presenters and breakout session hosts is on the conference website.

Here are just a few of many highlights from our Clinics journey:

Attendees were treated to truly inspiring stories from keynote speakers, all with the common thread of love for the arts, their communities, and livelihoods emphasizing its great importance and the need for support. Antoinette Greenoliph from Whitehorse, Yukon, shared both hard and humorous moments from her life to underscore the power that art of all forms has to bring people together and inspire action and change for the better. Greenoliph also spoke of her prior award-winning restaurant business, the importance of resilience and working together. Teresie Tungilik, art historian, artist, arts administrator, and board member of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut who is also National President and Spokesperson of CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens) spoke about how Indigenous artists can protect their work, how non-Indigenous people can respectfully engage and collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and how we can all advocate for legislative change. She also spoke about the importance of artist resale rights and about how important intellectual property as a whole is to all artists. Christine Genier of Yukon Digital Theatre told her story as a Yukon First Nations artist, she emphasized that arts and culture must be supported within the conversation of language and culture revitalization.

Students discovered the importance of food and its relationship to Northern culture; and the intersection between arts, wellness, and the food and beverage industry. Students were privileged to engage not only with these keynote speakers but also with many Northern champions and others interested in collaborating to find solutions to challenges facing Northern Manitobans.

The students learned about many exciting initiatives and the people behind them, and at the same time, the gathering served as a great opportunity to share how the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts and the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic can help individuals and communities in Northern Manitoba eliminate barriers of not having accessible legal information and supports needed in such areas such as intellectual property rights, contracts and other areas due to a lack of lawyers in Northern Manitoba; and, how law students at the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba, involved in the Business Law Clinic and new Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, are able to help all Manitobans succeed.

Left to right: Emily Roberts-Young [BA/2022], Cassandra Marcotte, Crystal Kolt, O.M. [BMus/1984], Kassandra Taverner (2L), Stephan Possin (3L), Austin Sutherland (3L) and Scott Groot (3L).

Crystal Kolt, O.M. [BMus/1984], Director of Cultural and Community Initiatives for the City of Flin Flon and Emily Roberts-Young [BMus/2022], project manager for imagiNorthern Regional Development Project presented about an incredibly innovative, empowering and inspiring initiative of the Flin Flon Arts Council, known as imagiNorthern; and a trailblazing new initiative called – Shopinabox. It includes everything a remote Northern Manitoba community would need to set up a pop-up shop or standalone business in Northern Manitoba and connect with others in other remote communities, as well as elsewhere using the power of the Internet, and also expand their markets worldwide. Shopinabox includes Starlink high-speed satellite internet, a card reader, label printer, scanner, lightbox, scale, and access to an online platform and support, all so creators can reach other local communities and far more. This initiative using technology to empower economic and cultural revitalization is an example of how mutual support of Northern Manitoba communities can work together to enhance the achievement of sustainable development in these communities.

Students immersed themselves in a diverse array of Northern excellence, spanning cultural experience, culinary delights, captivating visual displays, and performances. For example, the 48^th Annual Northern Juried Art Show exhibited 145 pieces of art from over 70 artists from across Northern Manitoba. The show demonstrated the power of communities coming together, with local businesses and other community members donating funds, gifts in kind and their time volunteering to make the showcase a success to highlight the incredible talent in Northern Manitoba. Students also met The Pas visual fine artist James M. Dean.

Workshop participants went on a walking tour from the University College of the North along a path where two incredible murals were standing proudly. The organization behind this initiative is The Pas Guest List, and the students met with co-founder Gabrielle Swan, who spoke more about this remarkable Walking Path Mural Project which over the next few years, will beautify the community with 20 murals. For more information, see: Art imitating the meaning of life in The Pas (wcmbnews.com) and A community group hopes to put up 20 murals around The Pas | Radio Noon Manitoba with Janet Stewart | Live Radio | CBC Listen

Gabrielle Swan like many in Northern Manitoba also wears many hats and is a board member and Chair of the Destination Marketing Committee of The Pas Arts Council.

The workshop wrapped up with the Arts & Culture Tour at Round The Bend Farm where great food, music and company were shared, and eccentric entrepreneur and artist, Lars Stoltz demonstrated his art form using red hot butter knives.

Northern Artist Lars Stoltz burns designs into wood with a hot butter knife.

Third-year law students shared their thoughts on the experience:

“Attending the Northern Arts Workshop was a great experience. Not only did I learn more about my colleagues, but I also had the opportunity to learn more about the diverse needs of artists, creatives and businesses in Northern Manitoba. This ranged from local artists in The Pas providing tourism experiences, to chefs and artists from other provinces. One common theme of the conference was the lack of funding, and legal support available to these individuals to protect their work. We had the opportunity to make great connections, ones that I hope will be retained by the next generation of Manitoba Legal Clinic For The Arts and L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic students. Overall, it was amazing to see some of the talent and expertise in Northern Manitoba.” – Austin Sutherland (3L)

“Our trip to the Pas to attend the Northern Arts Workshop was an amazing experience. We got to talk to many different people from Northern Manitoba and elsewhere, meet artists learn about their creations, and what inspires them to continue to create their incredible art. We were pleased to share how our Clinics would be able to provide free legal assistance to help artists in their creative discipline as well as others pursuing businesses in Northern Manitoba. Not many knew about us, but they were pleased to hear about our services. It was an excellent opportunity to learn and share information about the new Arts Clinic as well as our Business Law Clinic while experiencing Northern Manitoba first-hand which enhanced our understanding of needs of those living and working in the North” – Scott Groot (3L)

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the Northern Arts Workshop. The experience was not only enriching but also eye-opening, providing me with invaluable insights into the North’s complexities and the critical issues facing Northern Manitobans today. The knowledge and connections I gained have equipped me to better advocate for and contribute to the thriving communities in northern Manitoba. I am excited to implement the action items discussed and look forward to seeing the positive changes we can collectively bring to the arts in the coming year.” – Stephan Possin (3L)

Edwin Arthur Braid, Q.C. (1934 – 2020), or ‘Art’, the beloved former Dean and Professor at Robson Hall, the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, had many passions. He was well known for his kindness, his commitment to intellectual discourse, and his precision and clarity as a teacher, among other things. In addition to the multitude of positive attributes associated with him, Art Braid was known for his affinity for business law.

Don MacDonald [LLB/1983](Pitblado) shares remarks with participants of the 2024 Art Braid Business Law Case Competition. Photo by 47 Filmworks.

The second annual Art Braid Business Law Case Competition took place on Friday, March 22, 2024. The competition was hosted at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP’s downtown offices in True North Square. This year’s case was about raising funds for a company’s expansion plan.

Finalist team of Nico Nudler (3L), Justin Papoff (3L), and Matthew London (3L) prepare their case for presentation. Photo by 47 Filmworks.

At the conclusion of the case competition presentations, law students, lawyers, and articling students gathered in TDS’ Northern Lights Lounge for refreshments and the announcement of the winning team.

Dr. Laura Reimer, Program Director of the Desautels Centre for Private Enterprise and the Law, with Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. Photo by 47 Filmworks.

The BLG would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the family and friends of Art Braid and those who continue to support his legacy through which this competition would not otherwise be possible. Sincere thanks also are extended to presenting sponsor, Marcel A. Desautels Centre, for its generous funding, to TDS for being an excellent host, to Don MacDonald for sharing stories about Art Braid whom he knew personally, to Dr. Laura Reimer, Program Director of the Desautels Centre for her thoughtful remarks, to Dean Jochelson and the Faculty of Law for their support, to our judges: Steven Dressler, Alan Lempart, Leah Suderman, Nikhilesh Verma, Don MacDonald, and Caroline Christie, for the time they took to make this competition a possibility, to the entire BLG Executive team, especially Kirsten Nynych (2L), Event Coordinator, who dedicated significant effort to making this event a possibility, and to all the students who competed and made this competition another success. Without the continuing support of these individuals and organizations, the Art Braid Business Law Case Competition could not have grown into what it has become in these short two years!