The Clinics believe Northern Manitoba communities deserve equal access to legal help, education, economic and other opportunities. These Northern outreach trips aim to connect students and residents in the North with needed services that are too frequently out of reach or concentrated in Winnipeg, while giving law students first-hand insight into the needs, culture, and resilience of Northern Manitobans.

Pop‑Up Clinic at UCN

At the University College of the North (UCN) in The Pas, students set up a pop‑up clinic to answer questions from students, entrepreneurs, small businesses, start-ups including family businesses, non‑profits, charities, artists, creatives, arts and cultural organizations. The Clinic routinely provides information and advice to Manitobans on intellectual property, contracts, business structures and more, free of charge.

Rebecca Harris, a UCN administrator, welcomed the initiative: “It’s nice to see the supports come to the North. Having a presence here makes an impact for students to see the opportunities available.”

Third-year law student Travis Dech reflected on the experience: “Manitoba’s enterprising spirit is not bound by geography. The North has resources, opportunities and potential with well‑grounded plans to be an economic driver. I hope entrepreneurs here get the chance to be the change they want to see.”

The Pas: Gateway to the North

Located 520 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, and 25 miles east of the Saskatchewan border, at the confluence of the Pasquia River and the Saskatchewan River, The Pas has frequently been called “The Gateway to the North”. The Pas is a multi-industry northern Manitoba town that has served its surrounding region for centuries, even before Northern Manitoba became part of the Province of Manitoba in 1912, and long been a hub for trade and industry. Its roots stretch back to the 1740s, when Fort Paskoya was built by Hudson’s Bay Company traders. Today, the town’s economy includes agriculture, forestry, fishing, tourism, transportation, education, and more. Together with the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) and the Rural Municipality of Kelsey, The Pas forms a tri‑community with a population of about 5,700, nearly half of whom are Indigenous. While in The Pas, the Clinics stayed at the Kikiwak Inn, owned and operated by OCN, one of Manitoba’s largest and most enterprising First Nations. The Pas is one of the three largest communities in Northern Manitoba: others being Thompson and Flin Flon.

University College of the North

UCN plays a central role in northern education, research, development of Northern Manitobans, and is guided by Indigenous and northern values. Chancellor Edwin Jebb, a member of OCN, was one of the first Indigenous graduates of the University of Manitoba. President and Vice Chancellor Doug Lauvstad has championed economic and social progress across the region, and been a passionate advocate helping northern people and addressing northern issues.

For the visiting law students, UCN provided a welcoming space to connect with local students and members of the community.

Meeting Dr. Roberta Bondar

The trip coincided with a special event: Canadian astronaut and neurologist Dr. Roberta Bondar visited The Pas for a Grand Opening of Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive, an exhibition featuring photographic works of Dr. Bondar,  which will be  running until March 13, 2026. The exhibition, presented in partnership between UCN,  The Pas Guest List, and The Roberta Bondar Foundation, took several years to arrange, and is the first time Dr. Bondar’s work and exhibit had been translated into three first nation languages spoken in the area: Cree, Dene, and Anisinimowin.

In a packed auditorium, Dr. Bondar spoke about the environment and endangered migratory birds and how human development threatens their survival. Her career achievements — first Canadian woman and second Canadian in space, first neurologist in orbit, recipient of the Companion of the Order of Canada, NASA Space Medal, 28 honorary doctorates, and induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame — underscored her message of perseverance. She told the audience she had to be “overqualified everywhere [she] went” to break barriers and encouraged everyone to find “parallel paths” when doors are closed, such as in her case taking flying lessons independently because women were not allowed in Air Cadets when she was a youth.

For the law students, these messages were inspiring, as was sharing a flight with Dr. Bondar both to and from The Pas, made for an unforgettable experience.

For more information about this unique exhibit by Dr. Bondar in The Pas, check out CBC Radio Manitoba interview with Gabriella Swan of The Pas Guest List, here.

The Pas Guest List and Community Art

The Clinics also thank Gabriella Swan, a cofounder of The Pas Guest List, for introductions to so many in The Pas with whom the Clinics have connected.  

The Pas Guest List is an incredible social-artistic nonprofit that organizes community events and supports local arts. Its mural project along The Pas’ Walking Path has already added vibrant 40‑foot works celebrating resilience and creativity, with plans to expand to 20 murals over the next decade.

Third-year law student Jessie Canard described visiting the murals: “I was fortunate to have the opportunity and time to check the art in the Pas. Several murals made by the community and well-known Manitoba based artists and others are featured along the trail. It was such a beautiful experience because the snow fall made the colors extra vibrant.”

 A Lifetime of Learning

Though the law students spent only a few days in The Pas, there was a lifetime of learning and lessons learned which are lasting. They gained a deeper understanding of northern culture, needs and building trust with people in the North who now also know more about their rights and how to access free legal support from the Clinics. For the Clinics, these trips also reinforce the importance of meeting people in-person which is culturally appropriate in the North where there is a both need to remove barriers and build trust face-to-face.

Acknowledgement

The Clinics are incredibly thankful for the support of Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada through the IP Clinics Program Grant funding which enabled and made for these important in-person Northern visits possible. 

At the annual Pitblado Scholars Program reception and Student Achievement Awards reception, the community within Robson Hall comes together to recognize excellence, share gratitude, and celebrate the bright futures of Manitoba’s next generation of lawyers.

Community members like Jim and Sandra Pitblado, Max Steinkopf, David Nemy [JD/24], and the family of the late Darius Maharaj Hunter [JD/21] have all joined us this fall to meet this students who benefit from their generosity.  At these warm receptions, held annually, they gathered with law students and their very proud families for an evening dedicated to the transformative impact of community support.

The Pitblado Scholarships: Recognizing excellence and rewarding resilience

On September 26, the annual Pitblado Scholars reception welcomed the 20 student recipients of the prestigious Pitblado Scholarships. For the past 24 years, the Pitblado Scholarships have been awarded to the top students on the Faculty of Law Dean’s Honour List.

Each year, Jim and Sandra Pitblado join the celebration, and this year their daughter Diane Pitblado also attended with her family.

Before any awards are given out or names are called, the scholarship winners receive boutonnieres that match the Pitblados’ own. These adornments help donors and students find each other in a room filled with families, faculty, and community members. Striking up conversations, the Pitblados take great interest in getting to know their scholarship recipients and encouraging their career goals.

“Repeats are encouraged,” Sandra exclaimed, encouraging Dean’s Honour Roll students to keep their marks up in order to earn a second scholarship and see the Pitblado’s again at next year’s reception.

Sandra and Jim Pitblado congratulate Dean’s Honour Roll student Cori Lee. Little ones always welcome!

The 2025 Student Achievement Awards: Honouring family and legacy

In November, 40 students received scholarships, prizes, and fellowships at the 2025 Student Achievement Awards.

Max Steinkopf (Bond Capital Partners London) personally presented the Max Steinkopf Entrance Scholarship and the Maitland Steinkopf [LLB/36] Entrance Scholarship, named for his late grandfather and father, respectively. The elder Max Steinkopf, called to the Manitoba Bar in 1905, was the first Jewish lawyer on the prairies.

David Nemy [JD/2024], a recent alum of UM Law and now a practicing lawyer at Levene Tadman Golub, proudly presented the Morton H. Nemy Entrance Scholarship on behalf of his family. Nemy shared that his 102-year-old aunt Enid Nemy, who created the  scholarship in honour of her brother and David’s grandfather Morton H. Nemy, was still “kickin’ it” in Florida.

Honouring the life of her late husband Darius Maharaj Hunter [BA/18, JD/21], Delyar Khaleh shared the legacy of this young UM Law alum and presented the Darius Maharaj Hunter Memorial Scholarship to Abigail Clark.

The award was established “to empower and support law students who have demonstrated a spirit for leadership and community engagement, and a desire to carry this forward in their education and practice,” a spirit that Darius Hunter embodied fully.

UM Law: Where community lives

This year, the Faculty of Law was honoured to welcome The Honourable Matthew Weibe, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba, as well as University of Manitoba representatives including President Michael Benarroch at the September event, and Vice-Provost (Academic) Diane Heibert-Murphy and Vice-Provost (Graduate Studies) Kelly Main, to these special gatherings. Representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba Law Foundation, the Manitoba Bar Association, and many members of Manitoba’s legal profession attended to help celebrate the achievements of these law students.

As Manitoba’s leader in legal education for over a century, UM Law inspires and invites the legal community to come together each year to celebrate, connect, and give back.

The Faculty of Law congratulates the 2025 – 2026 Pitblado Scholarship Winners:

Ashley Allan
Yomna Eid
Larissa Einarson
Gianna Froese
Rowan Gannon
Meagan Gillis
Danica Grierson
Sameer Harris (repeat)
William Ho
Erin Kyriakopoulos
Cori Lee (repeat)
Alex Loewen
Kathryn Lyon
Dylan Nuytten
Mariana Pozdirca (repeat)
Vanessa Smith
Andrea Sutherland
Eric Vryenhoek
Eric Wagner
Mark Wilson

The Faculty of Law also congratulates the following award recipients:

Juris Doctor program awards:

Alex Brown Entrance Scholarship in Law:

• Roxanne Balmater

Max Steinkopf Entrance Scholarship:

• Caitlin McDonald
• Kiera Butterfield

Maitland Steinkopf Entrance Award:

• Nicholas Carnelley
• Tiana Klippenstein

Dean’s List Academic Award:

• Talia Taras
• Kaitlyn Clarke

Manitoba Law School Foundation Entrance Scholarship:

• Benjamin Baydock

Pitblado LLP Entrance Award:

• Joshua Ackman

Taylor McCaffrey LLP Entrance Award:

• Lindsy DeGagne
• Kya Jackson-Leclair
• Olivia Barbaro

Patricia N. and Mark G. Smerchanski Law Entrance Scholarship:

• Philopateer Rezk

D’Arcy & Deacon LLP Entrance Scholarship:

• Kate Mulligan
• Mateo Nallim

Morton H. Nemy Entrance Scholarship:

• Sarah Janzen

John Mitchell Scholarship:

• Trechelle Bunn (note – this is a 2^nd renewal of the award)

EJ McMurray Trust Fund Entrance Award:

• Talia Elfenbein
• Shakira Goulet
• Christopher Anderson

David Sowemimo Law Entrance Scholarship

• A’aia Haji Hussein

Darius Maharaj Hunter Memorial Scholarship (2024-2025 winner)

• Abigail Clarke

The Honourable John M. Scurfield Memorial Scholarship – 2024-2025 winners

• Katie McKenzie
• Chloe Dreilich-Girard
• Lori Isber

Brendan Mahatoo Scholarship – 2024-2025

• Brooklyn Kehler

Scotiabank Program for Law Students Scholarship

• Khalil Qasem

Master of Laws program awards

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship

• Paarth Tarachandani

Bernard B. Dubienski and Amy E. Dubienski Memorial Scholarship

• Megan Filyk

Adalsteinn (Steini) Fridrikson Kristjansson Graduate Fellowship

• Christiana Williams

Right Honourable Brian Dickson Graduate Fellowship

• Megan Filyk

Samuel Freedman Graduate Fellowship

• Bailey Wall

David T. Sgayias Graduate Fellowship

• Paarth Taranchandani

Trevor Anderson Fellowship

• Megan Filyk

Master of Human Rights program awards

Harvey and Sandra Secter Master of Human Rights Fellowship:

• Sydney Reid
• Sarah Rohleder
• Lina Guevara
• Morgan Snape

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship:

• Maddy Nowosad
• Marie-Chantal Plouffe

The conference provided a unique opportunity for the students, both members of Robson Hall’s IP & Technology Law Group executive team, to build strong relationships with legal professionals from across Canada. “Attending CAN-TECH’s 2025 fall conference was a fantastic experience to learn about some of the exciting developments taking place in this field, while also exploring some of the unique challenges within the legal profession. With AI advancement occurring at such a fast pace, it is important to stay ahead of the curve while also promoting innovation within Canada,” Plant said.

Throughout the conference, the panels featured riveting discussions leaving much room for thought and reflection.

During the “Caveats and Kill Switches: Professional Obligations in the Use of Legal AI” panel, Al Hounsell of Gowling WLG was one of the speakers. Hounsell serves as the National Director of AI, Innovation and Knowledge at Gowling WLG. During the panel, he spoke to the importance of proper training for lawyers, suggesting that in order to efficiently implement the technology into the legal practice, the training must be efficient and focused to ensure firms do not get left behind, while also maintaining client confidentiality and professional obligations.

Matthew Shogilev, of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, was a panelist during “Minor Details, Major Consequences: The Challenges of Contracting With Minors?”. During this session, Shogilev explored the disparity between the rapid pace of technological advancement and current regulations which exist to protect minors. This panel analyzed many of the challenges faced with respect to governing minors’ access to digital services, achieving age assurance, and some of the privacy concerns that come with contracting with minors.  

On day two, students attended “Autonomous by Design: Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Agentic AI”. Agentic AI—systems capable of autonomous decision-making, goal formation, and adaptive behavior—are fast becoming a frontier issue for legal and compliance professionals. This panel explored the questions around accountability, oversight, and legal personhood that existing Canadian legal frameworks have yet to fully address. Of unique focus was the fact that these systems are increasingly acting with independence, and addressed how tech lawyers can engage with the risks associated with these new systems. The students found this topic to be particularly interesting, as they are entering the legal profession at the same time that this technology is being introduced, so it is imperative to build the correct ethical guardrails now to ensure their future practice can stay grounded during the shifting legal landscape.

Maria and Donald also had the opportunity to engage with legal professionals in roundtable discussions on various topics, including data sovereignty and agentic AI. “The roundtables offered us a unique opportunity to see multiple legal viewpoints on the same issues,” Maria said. “This conference helped us understand pressing concerns in technology law from the perspectives of industry leaders, technologists, and lawyers helping clients navigate an uncertain legal landscape.”

The students are grateful for the opportunity to attend CAN-TECH’s 2025 Fall Conference, and express their deepest gratitude to all the panelists for engaging with them and discussing such important topics. We truly look forward to implementing the lessons learned throughout the conference and are confident that our experience here will guide our careers for years to come!

Celebrating Indigenous Business Achievement

This year’s banquet brought together a record 305 innovators, elders, students, and business leaders, as well as a record number of corporate sponsors, to recognize the two award recipients who embody resilience, creativity, and cultural pride in their enterprise. 100% of the proceeds from the VIBE Awards banquet directly benefit IBEP students through scholarships, bursaries, academic support, and educational opportunities.

“The VIBE Awards are about celebrating inspiring community leaders, and I think that is what resonates with people and why our fundraiser continually breaks revenue and attendance records each year,” said Riley Proulx [BComm(Hon)/19], Director of IBEP.

Award Recipients

Oliver Owen grew up in Pauingassi, experiencing the transportation obstacles that remote northern communities face first-hand. His vision led to the creation of Amik Aviation in 2008, an Aboriginal-owned and operated airline that now provides essential passenger and cargo services to First Nations across Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

Cody Gonsalves started Purposeful Movements Ltd. based on the idea that movement is medicine. Through personalized coaching, fitness programs, and community workshops, Gonsalves helps individuals transform their lifestyles by building sustainable habits and fostering resilience. Of Cree Ancestry from Red Pheasant First Nation, Gonsalves utilized IBEP supports when he was an Asper student.

Advancing Indigenous Entrepreneurship

Dedicated and  committed to Reconciliation, the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic continues to foster collaborative relationships and provides supports to start-ups and entrepreneurs, including Indigenous entrepreneurs. Since Fall 2023, the Clinic has provided over 10,000 pro bono hours of legal assistance; 50% of its client-base are women entrepreneurs, 37% percent of its client-base are from rural and Northern Manitoba communities, and 18% of the Clinic’s client-base self-identify as Indigenous.

Jessie Canard (3L), a proud Anishinaabe third-year law student at the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic had the honour to take part in the Grand Entry at the VIBE Awards, and reflected on the event, saying, “I had the honour of talking with Elder Norman Meade at the VIBE Awards 2025. He shared with me how the event made his heart feel full because when he was younger, he couldn’t imagine events celebrating Indigenous entrepreneurship and business taking place.  His sharing what he’s noticed over time made my heart feel full because I care about the relationship between Canadian and Indigenous peoples. I think celebrating each other can be very healing.”

“The VIBE Awards was an incredible evening of learning with inspiring speakers and great conversation with community leaders,” said Cole Hutchison [BComm(Hon)/23],  a second-year law student. 

Law students also had the opportunity to meet and speak to with Diane Roussin [BSW/96], Vice Chair of the University of Manitoba Board of Governors, an Anishinaabe community leader, current Project Director of The Winnipeg Boldness Project, and incoming Chair of The Winnipeg Foundation.

Pathway to Reconciliation is a journey that we must all walk together

As the 19th Annual VIBE Awards came to a close, it was clear that the legacy of IBEP and the achievements of Indigenous entrepreneurs like E. Oliver Owen and Cody Gonsalves continue to inspire.

“When we look at who Cody and Oliver are and what they’ve accomplished, it is clear that they care deeply about their communities – something they have in common with all prior recipients. We are very excited to formally announce our revised award categories and call for nominations for the 20^th VIBE Awards this coming Winter season,” said Riley Proulx.

By attending the VIBE Awards, law students with the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic left better informed, more aware, and inspired to support and assist Indigenous entrepreneurs in their mutual journeys towards success. Clinic students look forward to attending the VIBE Awards again next year to celebrate and continue to learn even more stories of Indigenous business excellence.

Miigwech!

This was his third visit in as many years since the clinic’s completion, and this time he brought two business colleagues to show them how his support helped to create an unforgettable, hands-on learning environment that is transforming the student experience.

The story of how Dr. Kerry Vickar made possible a business law clinic at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law never loses its impact. On his first day of articling, Vickar was asked to draft a contract and realized he didn’t know the first thing about where to start. Law school at the time didn’t teach such things.

Vickar tells the story of how he discovered how little practical experience he had when fresh out of law school.

Years later, engaging with former Dean of Law and UM Chancellor Emeritus Harvey Secter’s office about his desire to give back to his alma mater, he focused on ensuring his donation would create something that truly serves others. Through their discussions, Vickar saw how he could use his early experiences and subsequent business success to create the very kind of clinical learning experience he once wished he’d had and help to ensure today’s students gain mentorship, real-world experience and confidence for the future.

This year, Vickar and colleagues Molly McGuire and Jeff Gifford heard an update on the clinic’s activities from Yvan Guy Larocque, Clinical Counsel, and Nick Slonosky, Instructor and Supervising Lawyer, followed by stories of personal experiences shared by six of the clinic’s students.

Larocque shares details about the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic’s accomplishment with Vickar and his business colleagues Jeff Gifford and Molly McGuire.

The visitors were impressed to hear the impact of the clinic’s work as well as the work of the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, in which the students further help artists throughout Manitoba with legal matters including Contracts, Intellectual Property, Business structure, and other business-related issues that also affect regular business clients.

In his presentation, Larocque shared that because of Vickar’s vision, the clinic:

• Provided over 10,000 hours of pro bono legal advice and public legal education
• Engaged in over 700 files
• Provided real-life client opportunities to over 100 law students
• Was the only clinic in Western Canada to receive an ISED IP Clinic Grant (in both 2024 and 2025)
• Helped reimagine clinical education at Robson Hall
• Connected law students with practicing lawyers to gain unparalleled experience while still in law school

Following the presentation, law students Gilad Stitz, Paul Chorney, Jessie Canard, Tina Lerner, Vanessa Smith and Travis Dech each shared anecdotes of the experiences they were having, learning – already – to be fully professional business law practitioners, under the expert guidance and supervision of Larocque and Slonosky, two seasoned and award-winning lawyers.

Third-year law student Tina Lerner shares her clinical experiences with Vickar and colleagues.

While clinic staff and students were eager to thank Vickar for his vision, he was quick to redirect the praise. He commended the Faculty of Law’s leadership – Dr. Richard Jochelson, along with Slonosky and Larocque – for turning that vision into a meaningful and lasting reality.

The gathering brought together government officials, legislators, artists, cultural organizations, and arts supporters to celebrate the vital role the arts and culture sector plays in shaping Manitoba’s economy and identity. The evening powerfully underscored how investing in the arts enriches not only the cultural landscape but also the broader society.

The Reception was in the Golden Boy Room – graced with powerful Indigenous artwork – and provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with many of the inspiring individuals who shape Manitoba’s vibrant arts community.

Reflecting on the evening, Jessie Canard (3L), who is also a practicing visual artist, shared:

“Before getting into law, I was living as a full-time artist. Attending the event was uplifting. Witnessing the recognition the arts were receiving for their impact on our communities and economies filled my heart. The fact that, from 2023 to 2024, the arts supported 20,000 jobs and generated $477 million in tourism revenue is something worth celebrating. I loved being an artist, and knowing that others are living that dream—and that this province can support it—makes me so happy for the youth who want to live the artist life. It is possible and will take you places you’d never imagine. If it weren’t for the arts, I would have never gotten into law.”

Meaningful conversations

Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts law student Jessie Canard (3L) with Premier Wab Kinew.

Some of the meaningful connections made by Jessie Canard on behalf of the Clinic included conversations with Premier Wab Kinew, Hon. Glen Simard, Hon. Jamie Moses, Hon, Nellie Kennedy and many others, all who already either knew or were interested in the free legal work that law students at the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts do everyday to support artists, creatives, arts and culture organizations with free legal services, across all of Manitoba.

Arts and Culture: Significant Contributions to Manitoba’s Economy

Attendees were reminded by Premier Kinew and Minister Kennedy of the significant role Arts and Culture play in Manitobans’ well-being and the provincial economy. A recent report and survey by the Manitoba Arts Council confirms the sector contributes more than $1.75B annually to the Manitoba economy. A summary of the report and survey is available online at: Arts & culture adds more than $1.75B to Manitoba’s economy: new report – Manitoba Arts Council.

Arts Deserve to Be Supported by Everyone

All attendees that the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts met during the event agreed that everyone should support Arts and Culture in Manitoba. Arts are part of the cultural DNA of every Manitoban. Manitoba has always been known for and enjoys a rich history of creativity and cultural diversity.

Jessie Canard (3L) with Hon. Jamie Moses (Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation).

Those not already familiar with the Clinic learned that it is run by University of Manitoba law students. They support artists, creatives, and arts and cultural organizations that do not have a lawyer or cannot afford legal assistance anywhere in Manitoba, and they do it for free. Experienced lawyers supervise all client work done by law students.  Through its work, the Clinic and law students help remove barriers by offering assistance on a wide range of matters, including assisting artists to better understand intellectual property, their rights, contracts and more, all of which are needed by artists to protect their creative work and support their livelihoods, regardless of income or location. As Manitoba’s only dedicated legal clinic that provides services tailored specifically to the creative sector, the Clinic serves clients anywhere in Manitoba who have internet access. By using technology to overcome lack of services, affordability, accessibility, and geographic challenges, ensures support for individuals and communities is available province-wide, including, whenever in-person outreach – especially in rural, remote areas in the North — is not always possible, or accessible, or where there may be no lawyers, in the comfort of their own community.

Vital to Identity and Sovereignty

Arts and Culture are essential to strengthening cultural identity and sovereignty. Increasing equity and access to free legal services directly supports individuals, communities and contributes to a strong creative sector that benefits everyone, including the Manitoba economy.

The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts looks forward to expanding its community outreach, recognizing the value of the services it provides, and building trusted connections across diverse communities, including in Northern Manitoba.

Manitobans for the Arts

Manitobans for the Arts and the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts have a lot in common, including shared goals. Manitobans for the Arts is a non-profit advocating for arts, culture, and heritage by building relationships, engaging the public, and promoting a unified voice for all creative industries in the province.

The celebration at the Legislature was also part of Manitobans for the Arts’ larger campaign, Art Doesn’t Just Happen — an initiative aimed at inspiring Manitobans to reflect on and share how the arts shape their lives. Through social media, storytelling, and community engagement, the campaign invites grassroots participation across the province. Manitobans are encouraged to post their own artistic experiences online by tagging @ManitobansForTheArts and using the hashtag #MakeArtHappen. As part of the campaign, participants can also enter a contest to win a trip to Churchill, Manitoba. The contest closes on January 25, 2026. For full details, visit makearthappen.ca.

If interested in supporting Arts and Culture in Manitoba, consider becoming a member of Manitobans for the Arts. 

The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts is proud to be a member of Manitobans for the Arts, and stands with and next to others that are supporting Arts and Culture in Manitoba, and advocating for a culture of support and positive change to help Artists of all genres in Manitoba every day.

Learn more about Manitobans for the Arts.

Learn more about the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts.

The skill set required of lawyers is evolving, and the ability to creatively and expeditiously resolve client concerns through effective negotiation is increasingly important. The negotiation competition is designed to teach the knowledge, skills, attitudes, judgment, and values that are vital to law students’ success in legal practice. Such competencies include knowing key negotiation concepts; managing information and process; communicating and relationship-building; advocating for client interests in a problem-solving environment; internalizing ethical decision-making in negotiation; and engaging in reflective practice. The competition gives law students the opportunity to engage in negotiations like those that lawyers experience in practice and to receive feedback from expert negotiators.

In teams of two, the students met with another team representing the other side, each team possessing confidential details about their client’s circumstances and settlement preferences.  The purpose of this year’s negotiation was for a wildlife sanctuary to hire an expert to assist with the development of bird and animal shows and additional programming to support eco-friendly tourism. The students negotiated an agreement on important points such as the expert’s duties and responsibilities, contract length, time commitment, and compensation.

All this took place under the close scrutiny of the judges, who scored each team’s negotiation skills.  At the end of each session, the judges provided detailed feedback to each team about what they did well, and potential areas for improvement.

The event was generously sponsored by Fillmore Riley, which has a very long history of supporting the competition.  In addition to covering all competition costs and supplying cash prizes, lawyers from the firm volunteered to judge the students.  These lawyers have extensive knowledge about and experience in negotiations. They were: Ari Hanson [JD/12], Kalev Anniko, Donald Baker [JD/17], Amber Harms [JD/21], Samantha Harvey [JD/23], Hannah Humphries, Nick Noonan [JD/21], Amelia Peterson [JD/19], Tamara Reimer [JD/16], Alexa Smith [JD/21], Rhiannon Swan [JD/23] and Michael Zacharias [JD/18].

These judges were tremendously impressed with the caliber of the students’ negotiations, and were faced with the unenviable task of selecting a winner.  Due to their stellar performance, the negotiating team of Emily Dueck and Kate O’Rourke were awarded first place. The runners up, who also did a tremendous job, were Dena Aminzadeh and Mitchell Klippenstein.  Both teams will now represent Robson Hall and compete in the Canadian National Negotiation Competition, which will be in Montreal at the l’Université de Sherbrooke – Campus de Longueuil on March 13th and 14th, 2026.

Robson Hall students have a long history of success in inter-school competitions: The winner of the 2014 Robson Hall competition went on to win the 2015 International Negotiation Competition in Dublin, Ireland. For the past three years, both French and English language streams have been held at the national competition, with Manitoba’s students placing strongly in both. In 2023, the English language team placed third, and the French language team placed second. In 2024, Robson Hall’s French team brought home the French Spirit of Negotiation Award (le prix d’excellence dans l’esprit de la négociation pour la section française). Last year’s English stream won the award for “Best Process Management” for best demonstrating skills in time management, preparation, adaptability and self-reflection. 

The winning team. From left to right: Emily Dueck, Ari Hanson (competition judge) and Kate O’Rourke (photo credit: Daniel Cha).

The runner-up team. From left to right: Mitchell Klippenstein, Ari Hanson (competition judge), and Dena Aminzadeh (photo credit: Daniel Cha).

A sincere thanks to Fillmore Riley for its generous sponsorship of the competition.

Congratulations Emily & Kate and Dena & Mitchell!

The newly launched Winograd Initiative for the Study of Contemporary Hate Speech & Antisemitism will greatly enhance the work being done on UM campuses to promote peace and justice. Funded by alumni, Chuck and Libby Winograd, this initiative will integrate rigorous research, academic engagement, and community collaboration, to address hate speech and antisemitism.

The Initiative is driven by legal scholar Kenneth Grad who will delve into this context and implications of hateful acts, and how our laws play a critical role in curbing this growing problem. This innovative project comes at a crucial time.

Hate speech and antisemitism rates continue to rise: hate crime against Jewish people increased 71 per cent in 2022-23 and nationally, police saw a 32 per cent increase in hate crime across Canada in 2022—the third sharpest increase in four years, according to Statistics Canada. And in 2024, B’nai Brith Canada found 6,219 incidents of hate, the highest since 1982, when counting began. Similar trends are reported in the United States as well.

With this backdrop, Chuck and Libby Winograd felt compelled to make an impact and so partnered with UM’s Faculty of Law to create and launch a bold idea that will push against this tide.

“Libby and I are pleased to support this initiative at a time when thoughtful and rigorous research on hate speech and antisemitism is so urgently needed,” said Chuck Winograd. “By making this gift, Libby and I hope that this Initiative will make a positive contribution to legal understanding and public awareness in Canada and beyond.”

Assistant Professor Kenneth Grad is the inaugural scholar to start work under the Winograd Initiative.

The Winograd Initiative is funded by a $500,000 philanthropic gift to support Dr. Grad’s research into the legal, historical, and societal dimensions of antisemitism and hate speech. His work will explore both the symbolic and practical enforcement of hate speech laws, the role of online platforms in spreading hate, and the Canadian Jewish community’s historic and ongoing advocacy against antisemitism. The Initiative will also support graduate and Juris Doctor student researchers, public education events, and collaborations with national and international scholars.

“We are honoured by the Winograd’s remarkable generosity and their deep commitment to justice and education, and it also exciting to see our scholars being supported,” said Dr. Richard Jochelson, Dean of Law. “The Winograd Initiative will lead scholarship and education at the intersection of law, antisemitism, and human rights. This will help to greatly further research in the field and expand opportunities for students to study and learn in the field.”

“I am humbled and privileged to be named the designated jurist of the Winograd Initiative,” said Dr. Kenneth Grad. “Thanks to the generous support of Chuck and Libby Winograd, I can continue advancing sustained, interdisciplinary research on the troubling rise of hate speech—an issue that has deeply affected all minority groups, and especially the Jewish community. The Initiative also offers a meaningful opportunity to mentor students and contribute to critical conversations about the role of law in combating hatred and upholding human rights.”

 In addition to producing original research on hate speech and antisemitism, Dr. Grad will lead other activities supported by the Initiative. Notably, he is currently planning the First Annual Winograd Symposium on Law and the Jewish Experience, which will bring together student researchers from across Canada to share ideas and receive feedback from faculty advisors. The inaugural Symposium is planned for early May 2026 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.

“This Symposium is the first of its kind and offers a much-needed platform for emerging voices in the field of law and the Jewish experience,” said Dr. Grad. “By encouraging, celebrating, and advancing this work, we hope to cultivate the next generation of leaders dedicated to honouring Jewish life and combating antisemitism.”

Dr. Grad is Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, having joined the Faculty in 2024. His research and teaching focuses on criminal law, evidence, legal history, and human rights. He holds a B.A. (Toronto), M.A. (Queen’s), J.D./Ph.D. (Osgoode), and LL.M. (Harvard). Dr. Grad received many awards for his doctoral research, which studied the efficacy of the criminal sanction and other regulatory measures as tools for combating hate speech. His scholarly writing has been published in numerous academic journals, including the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Manitoba Law Journal, Canadian Journal of Law and Technology, Criminal Law Quarterly, Canadian Jewish Studies, and FIU Law Review. Dr. Grad is also a contributing author to the casebook Antisemitism and the Law (Robert Katz, ed.; Carolina Press, 2025).

What does a future fueled by generosity look like? It’s in the faces of new graduates with big ideas, in bold research solutions for Manitoba and the world, and in community initiatives coming to life in collaborative ways. Here, a legacy of philanthropy is shaping the leaders, innovators and change-makers of tomorrow. Learn how you can get involved.

Launched on May 12, 2025, this CRTC proceeding aims to improve how individuals and public interest groups can participate in its decision-making processes. The CRTC, an independent body regulating Canada’s communications sector, seeks to ensure a diversity of voices in its work. The current rules for public interest funding have not been reviewed in over a decade, prompting the CRTC to reevaluate how it supports participation — especially from underrepresented groups.

The submission by Emily Trottier [BA/23] and Donald Plant [BA/23], both JD Candidates 2027 who have been employed over the summer at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law Clinics, emphasized in detail the importance of enhancing inclusivity and accessibility in CRTC processes, and strongly support funding revisions which promote public participation in CRTC proceedings.  The Clinics provide free legal services to small businesses, start-ups, including family businesses, non-profits, charities, as well as artists, arts, cultural and community organizations and others who lack access to legal representation across Manitoba.

The Clinic students strongly believe in the importance of diverse perspectives and inclusivity, especially when various communities are impacted by CRTC proceedings.

“Ensuring that diverse voices are heard and that everyone can share their perspectives on issues that affect them is essential to building a CRTC that truly serves all Canadians,” said Trottier.

Plant added, “We are thankful for the opportunity to provide comments and recommendations that may reduce participation barriers and allow for a more inclusive process for all Canadians.”

Beyond offering direct legal support, both students saw the opportunity to contribute to long-term policy change as vital. Central to their recommendations is the creation of a unified, independent funding system to simplify how individuals and organizations can apply for financial support to participate in CRTC proceedings. Currently, the existence of separate funding processes for broadcasting and telecommunications proceedings complicates access and discourages participation, particularly among individuals, and underrepresented and equity-deserving communities.

The Clinics propose a consolidated single funding process that removes administrative complexity and fosters equitable participation across all proceedings, would create fewer barriers to participation. The Clinics further argue that funding eligibility should be broad, encompassing individuals and organizations including Indigenous communities, racialized groups, persons with disabilities, official language minority communities (OLMCs), legal clinics, grassroots organizations and others, so all may have an opportunity to participate and have their views heard. They stress that participation must go beyond formal written submissions. Funding should also cover and support outreach, consultation, translation, accessibility services, and other necessary and meaningful engagement activities.

Complementary procedural reforms are also recommended, such as:

• Public and regional hearings
• Hybrid engagement models (online and in-persons)
• Pre-hearing consultations

These steps are seen as essential for building trust and ensuring input from rural, Northern, and Indigenous communities and OLMCs. The Clinics emphasize the need for dedicated funding streams and culturally appropriate consultationpractices, including the availability of Indigenous and other non-official languages during proceedings, or broader translation services, if necessary, in official proceedings recognizing the English and French are not the only first languages of many Canadians.

The submission stresses the importance of inclusive practices that remove barriers to participation, specifically financial as well as other supports needed, reflecting a wider push for greater equity in regulatory processes. With their experience serving underserved populations, the law students are deeply committed to ensuring all Canadians can have a say in decisions affecting their lives.

By adopting these recommendations, the CRTC could position itself as a leader in regulatory inclusiveness, shaping a more accessible and representative communications landscape in Canada. These Clinic students view this consultation as a critical opportunity to develop a more accessible and representative communications landscape in Canada.

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The CRTC Call for Comments invited all interested persons to participate in this proceeding. The deadline for public comments is September 9, 2025, with replies due by October 9, 2025. Only those who submit initial comments may file replies.

The Clinics look forward to reviewing the submissions of others and to the outcome of this important proceeding.

The full submission by the Clinics is available and may be read online. 

Emily Trottier [BA/23], and Rachael Buchwald [BHSt/23], both JD Candidates 2027 at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, spent the summer providing free legal support to artists and arts organizations across Manitoba. Their experience shows the arts’ vital role in Canada’s identity and the need for sustained support.

They endorsed the Coalition’s call for the federal government to permanently allocate at least 1% of total federal spending to arts, culture, and heritage, beginning with a $330 million increase for the 2025–26 fiscal year. This includes $140 million for the Canada Council for the Arts and $190 million for the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Emily Trottier [BA/23], 2L.

“The arts define who we are as Canadians,” said Trottier. “We had the honour of helping people behind that work, many of whom face legal barriers they cannot navigate alone. Supporting this proposal means standing with them.”

At the Clinic, students assist clients with legal issues such as intellectual property, contracts, and tailored legal content. In the creative sector, where artists often act as their own business managers, producers, and agents, accessible legal help is critical.

This summer, seven law students worked at the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts and the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic to meet rising demands for services, assisting a range of clients. Many clients are women and Indigenous creators, earning income from their art that is at or below the poverty line. Through this work, students are gaining hands-on legal experience and an appreciation for public interest law.

Rachael Buchwald [BHst/23], 2L.

“Public interest advocacy belongs in law schools,” added Buchwald. “We believe more law schools across Canada should combine legal education with real community impact. Being part of something that uplifts others makes studying law more meaningful.”

The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, based at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, is a proud member of the Canadian Arts Coalition, and is currently the only pro bono legal clinic in Canada operated by law students that is part of the Coalition.

The Coalition is a non-partisan, volunteer-led movement advocating for strong public investment in Canada’s arts and culture sector. Its guiding principles: equity and diversity, sector-wide consensus, partnerships, non-partisanship, and constructive advocacy, align with the Clinic’s values.

Both Trottier and Buchwald attended Coalition meetings on behalf of the Clinic, learning about the sector’s needs, public policy, and collaboration.

“We felt it was important not only to support artists through direct legal services but also to support long-term policy change,” said Trottier.

Buchwald, with a background in the performing arts and experience with local non-profits, added, “Art is how culture endures and evolves. This funding recommendation is about more than financial support; it reflects our values, the kind of society we strive to build, and the communities we choose to uplift.”

The arts play a critical role in economic development, community resilience, and national unity. At a time when Canada faces complex challenges, investing in culture is essential.

The submission reminds us that law students can and should engage in public discourse. Their advocacy reflects a growing awareness that the law is not just a set of rules; it’s a tool to build a more inclusive future.

Learn more about the Canadian Arts Coalition and its 2025 pre-budget submission.

Learn more about the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts.