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The Organization

 has a deep history of working in low and moderate income communities. Their presence in these communities has enabled them to connect community members -- low and moderate income consumers -- who are most in need, but often hardest to reach, with information about their rights, financial literacy education, tax and benefit services, and leadership development training. By working collectively, they support communities to articulate priorities for addressing their financial needs and accessing fair financial services.

Type of Project

Research and Public Legal Education

The Project

Low-income renters face multiple barriers to exercising their rights when facing a major rent increase, fighting an eviction, and dealing with a landlord neglecting repairs or harassing their tenants. The high cost of legal representation, not understanding their rights or how the justice system works, and feeling overwhelmed by complicated legal forms, are major barriers tenants have identified for moving forward on important claims to improve their housing situation. Meanwhile, landlords and property management companies have the financial resources to retain lawyers during times of dispute whereas limited availability of and restrictions on free legal resources is a severe impediment for marginalized tenants.

This project will primarily involve legal research in support of ACORN Canada’s tenant organizing work and housing law reform campaigns. Students will work with ACORN to identify a focused research topic that aligns with ongoing legislative or policy priorities—such as rent control, eviction protections, or enforcement gaps in tenancy law. The goal is to produce actionable legal research that can inform advocacy, support public campaigns, and contribute to systemic change in housing law.

In addition to the core research project, if the opportunity arises, students will create a deliverable that provides legal information to low-income tenants regarding Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) forms and procedures.

Number of students

2 students

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is considered an asset.

Prerequisites and Assets

No pre-requisites are required. However, an interest in tenant law will be considered a strong asset.

The following are strongly desired skills: an interest in social justice, a general openness to public interest work, an ability to work well under pressure, experience interacting with marginalized clients, and strong verbal communication skills.

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organization

 (ACO) provides support, prevention, education and outreach services from an integrated anti-racism anti-oppression social justice framework that promotes the holistic wellbeing, human rights, and dignity of those living with, affected by, impacted by and at risk of HIV/AIDS in Ottawa.

Type of Project

Public Legal Education

The Project

The students will produce two fact sheets (1 each) that outlines the following:

1. Privacy rights of individual Rights in public and private spaces: the fact sheet will be related to photography, video, and social media. It will cover when consent is legally required, distinctions between public and private spaces, and when filming or photographing someone may constitute harassment (eg. Repeated or targeted recording.

2. The responsibilities of agencies regarding privacy: the fact sheet will clarify an agency’s responsibility to obtain informed consent before sharing any images or individuals (especially clients/participants) on social media, even if the photo was taken at a public event. Guidance will include immediate steps the individual can take if their privacy is violated, long-term recourse options, and relevant local supports.

If time permits, students will also complete a fact sheet that outlines the legal steps one can take if there is a violation of their right to privacy.

These resources are interned to help reduce stigma and prevent harm by outlining clear and practical privacy boundaries. Additionally, this resource will demonstrate how these privacy boundaries might intersect with protecting one’s implied HIV status, and their perceived association with an AID Service Organisation. 

• Droits à la vie privée des individus dans les espaces publics et privés : la fiche sera liée à la photographie, la vidéo et les médias sociaux. Elle expliquera quand le consentement est légalement requis, les distinctions entre les espaces publics et privés, et dans quelles situations filmer ou photographier quelqu’un peut constituer du harcèlement (par exemple, enregistrement répété ou ciblé).

• Responsabilités des organismes en matière de vie privée : la fiche précisera la responsabilité d’un organisme d’obtenir le consentement éclairé avant de partager toute image ou information concernant un individu (notamment les clients/participants) sur les médias sociaux, même si la photo a été prise lors d’un événement public. Des directives incluront les mesures immédiates que l’individu peut prendre si sa vie privée est violée, les recours possibles à long terme et les ressources locales pertinentes.

Number of students

2 students

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English.

Prerequisites and Assets

Health law, human rights law, privacy law

Lived or work experience with communities similar to ACO’s is an asset. 

Students will be able to complete all work remotely. Students will need a computer and internet access. 

The Organisation

The Ontario Legal Information Centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to anyone in Ontario facing a legal problem or whose legal problem is located there. The Centre is a welcoming and supportive space where individuals can receive essential legal information, learn about their options, and develop a plan of action to resolve their legal issues.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing

The Project

The student will conduct research into the law and case law in order to understand legal procedures and the state of the law. The student will then present their research findings in the form of a memo or infographic, which will serve as a reference document for future meetings with litigants or be distributed to litigants.

The student will research online resources available to self-represented litigants as well as community organizations that can serve them in designated areas. The work will take the form of a reference table to be completed.

The student will not provide legal advice to clients. 

Number of Students

1 student

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

French. 

Prerequisites and Assets

• The student must be at a superior to excellent French level

• The student should demonstrate strong research skills and initiative

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer and internet access. 

The Organisation

CliquezJustice.ca offers content intended for French-speaking minority populations outside Quebec. Its mandate is to inform the general public in a clear and simplified manner about their rights and obligations in everyday life.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing

The Project

The project will involve conducting legal research and drafting texts to explain legal concepts in clear language suitable for the general public, which will be used as content for the CliquezJustice.ca website. In the past, students have created content for the website and drafted documents in plain language. The area of law will depend on the needs of the organization and the interests of the student. Topics will be confirmed in October. At no time will the student provide legal advice.

In the past, students have chosen topics based on their interests. Some of these research topics may include: housing, private law, federal law, discrimination, and more. This year, we plan to work on offences and criminal law.

The partner organization will mention at the project development meeting that it is willing to accept at least one article and one infographic of each type. In other words, the student(s) will have to write at least one article and one infographic to be submitted at a date and time agreed upon between the student(s) and the supervisor of the partner organization.

Number of students

1-2 students

Who can apply?

Upper year students

Language of the project

French.

Prerequisites and Assets

• The student must be at a superior to excellent French level

• The student should demonstrate strong research skills and initiative

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

AJEFO promotes access to justice in French in order to ensure equitable access to justice in both official languages. AJEFO raises awareness, informs, and educates legal professionals and the general public about their rights to legal services in the official language of their choice. Jurisource.ca is the common law website in French and aims to provide thousands of free legal and terminological resources in French for legal professionals working in common law provinces and territories.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing 

The Project

The project involves three types of tasks, ideally to be carried out in the following order, depending on the time available:

1. Updating a thematic file (criminal and penal law): this involves updating case law, legislation, and publications relating to criminal and penal law. This task is the most important and must be carried out as a priority.
2. Blog articles: if time permits, writing three blog articles to be published on Jurisource.ca. The topics will be determined based on the organization's needs and the interests of the selected candidate.
3. Reference document: also, if time permits, write a 5- to 10-page reference document on a topic of interest. The document will be posted on Jurisource.ca.

For blog posts, the person will have to prepare a work plan before writing the article. The work plan consists of proposing a topic, a title, and a table of contents. Once the topic is approved, the person writes the blog post. The first draft is reviewed by the entire Jurisource.ca team. Comments are then sent to the person to make changes and prepare a final version. The blog post will be posted online by a member of the Jurisource.ca team with administrator access to the site. 

The same process will be followed for the reference document.

To update the thematic file, the person will be required to conduct research. First, they will need to review the current content of the thematic file. They will then need to conduct research to identify whether case law has evolved and what new decisions can be included in the file. Each decision mentioned in the file must have a 1-2 sentence description to provide context. The person will therefore need to read the decisions and write the descriptions. The person will also need to review the legislation and ensure that it is up to date. Finally, they will need to identify general resources and publications to be added to or removed from the file.

Number of students

1 student

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students 

Language of the project

French. 

Prerequisites and Assets

• Practical experience in criminal law or advanced courses in criminal law is an asset

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organization

The is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization that fights for the civil liberties, human rights, and democratic freedoms of all people across Canada. We are an independent, national, non-governmental organization, working in the courts, before legislative committees, in classrooms and in the streets, protecting the rights and freedoms cherished by Canadians and entrenched in our Constitution.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing

The Project

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is a national, nonpartisan, non governmental organization that promotes and protects rights and freedoms for all of us in Canada. CCLA has developed a unique model of advocacy that supports five core activities: monitoring, litigation, research, public education and civil engagement. Currently CCLA’s work is focused on the following thematic areas: Fundamental Freedoms, Criminal Justice, Equality and Privacy.  Pro Bono students will conduct legal research in support of CCLA’s litigation, advocacy and public engagement work to protect and promote fundamental rights. Students should rank their preferences (1-4) of program areas.

Program Areas:

1. Criminal Justice Stream
   1. CCLA’s criminal justice program monitors the legal and policy frameworks that govern policing, the criminal justice process, and our prisons and jails to ensure that our civil liberties and the rights enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are respected. We also fight to illuminate and combat the discrimination – systemic and otherwise – that occurs at every stage of the criminal justice process and results in disproportionate harm to many historically disadvantaged communities, including Black and other racialized communities, Indigenous persons, those experiencing homelessness, people living with mental illness or addictions, migrants, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Examples of the types of research projects that might be required include:
      1. Conditions in prisons: Research to assist various avenues for accountability and systemic change related to Charter-violating conditions in provincial and federal prisons.
      2. Right to reasonable bail:Research related to advocacy strategies, both litigation and policy-based, to protect the right not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause under s. 11(e) of the Charter.
2. Privacy Stream
   1. Privacy is an internationally protected human right. It’s also a gateway right, because protecting privacy means protecting the information about us that can be used to deny equality rights based on profiling. Privacy supports free expression, because knowing we’re being surveilled chills our willingness to express (or hear) controversial speech, and it supports our right to dissent, which again, can be inhibited by intrusive surveillance. Whether the risks come from new (or old) technologies in the service of law enforcement or national security, or the ‘surveillance capitalism’ model that underlies contemporary online services, privacy is under threat as new ways to identify, track, and profile people proliferate. CCLA seeks to bring a principled and rights-focused approach to assessing and advocating around the impacts of new technology and surveillance wherever rights are at risk. Examples of the types of research projects that might be required include:
      1. State Surveillance at Protests: It has been reported that Canadian police services are increasingly relying on emerging technologies (facial recognition technology, body-worn cameras, social media monitoring, drones, etc) to surveil and profile people during and in advance of peaceful protests. This project would involve research on Canadian police services’ current policies/practices on surveillance of protesters, and an analysis of Charter issues arising from same, with the goal of developing a series of recommendations addressed to law enforcement.
      2. Facial Recognition Technology & Automated Assessment at the Border: A number of border control agencies, airports and airlines are increasing their use of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) and of various AI assessment mechanisms in border control settings. We would research the adoption of these tools in Canada and assess their Charter implications.
3. Fundamental Freedoms Stream
   1. The Fundamental Freedoms program is focused on defending Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Association, Freedom of the Press, the Right to Protest, Democratic Rights and Mobility Rights from unjustified state interference. While it is almost impossible to imagine how a democracy could work without the protection of these most basic rights and freedoms, they continue to be under attack in many ways in Canada. Examples of the types of research projects that might be required include:
      1. Outlining a Distinctive Concept of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly: More than 40 years after the Charter’s adoption, freedom of peaceful assembly (s. 2(c)) has yet to receive an authoritative interpretation from the Supreme Court of Canada. While s. 2(c) is often subsumed in expressive freedom (s. 2(b)), these two rights serve distinct values and should provide for distinct and complementary protections. This research project would involve research on international and Canadian case law and doctrine about freedom of assembly, with a goal to outline a distinctive conception of this right.
      2. Climate Justice and Charter Rights: A comparative analysis of how the fact of Climate Change has led to developments in constitutional law worldwide, with particular focus on cognate jurisdictions and circumstances which are likely to provide some precedent to Canadian circumstances.
4. Equality Stream
   1. CCLA’s Equality Program is dedicated to supporting, standing with, and fighting for the rights of individuals and groups who face discrimination, and in particular those who are most marginalized, many of whom experience intersecting forms of discrimination, whose right to full equality has not been realized. Equality in its full and proper (and legal) meaning includes the concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and recognizes that not every person has the same needs or abilities, but that all people are equal in value and worth, and all are deserving of equal fairness, dignity and rights in a meaningful way. Examples of the types of research projects that might be required include:
      1. Gender-Affirming Care in Prisons: There has been a rise in anti-trans policies and practices across many jurisdictions in North America. This research project involves analysis of provincial and territorial legislation and policies that deal with trans and gender diverse individuals who are incarcerated. This research involves inter-provincial and international comparative analysis, including on prison placement decisions, access to gender-affirming healthcare while incarcerated, and medical and security personnel trans-competent training policies. This research will be undertaken with a view to articulating any Charter rights infringements.
      2. Forced Treatment of People with Addictions: This research project would involve analysis of provincial and territorial legislation and policies that mandates involuntary treatment for people with addictions. The research would involve comparative analysis across provinces with a focus on the infringement of Charter rights (including but not limited to liberty, autonomy, and equality rights). 

Number of Students

1 student from �糵���� Common.

Please note: This is a joint project with the University of Toronto, Queen's University, McGill University, University of British Columbiam University of New Brunswick, Western University, Université de Montréal, and Université de Québec a Montréal. 

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

• Successful completion of a course on Constitutional and Public Law
• An expressed interest in the CCLA and/or civil liberties and human rights works

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organization

The (RCEN) is an independent, non-partisan organization. RCEN's primary role is to support environmental NGOs (ENGO) by providing them with valuable networking and communication services. RCEN also provides opportunities for ENGO representatives to participate in national and international meetings, conferences, workshops and consultations on environmental law and policy issues through a transparent, bilingual, and democratic delegate selection process.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing

The Project

The RCEN recently launched the Epistemic Community of Practice on the Rights of Nature in Canada (Turtle Island) to bring together academics and practitioners on the emerging topic of the Rights of Nature. The RCEN is seeking support to support the work of the Community and help grow its membership and outputs.

The student volunteers will assist in supporting the work of the Community in Practice, particularly the development of a special journal issue on Rights of Nature in Canada (Turtle Island). This support will come in the form of editorial assistance. Students will be tasked with reviewing journal submissions, primarily editing the content and ensuring accurate citations.  

Number of students

2 students

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English. 

Prerequisites and Assets

• Express interest and/or experience in environmental law 

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organization

The  is a public advocacy organization that has been working for forty years to protect and expand public health care in Canada. They are comprised of unions, health care workers, community organizations, faith-based organizations and academics, as well as affiliated coalitions in the provinces and 1 territory.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing.

The Project

Students will be asked to research legislation, bills, agreements, and policies at the federal and provincial level to assist the Canadian Health Coalition in developing a better understanding around one of the following research topics:

1. Students will build on the Canadian Health Coalition’s previous research and public education on barriers to health care access based on immigration status.
   1. This year, the focus could be a public education pieces on the Toussaint v Canada case. The Canadian Health Coalition, along with the Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre, FCJ Refugee Centre and others, are intervenors in Toussaint v Canada at the Ontario Superior Court. The case involves the estate of Nell Toussaint, a migrant worker who struggled to get access to public health care and died because of being denied access to timely care. At issue in the case is whether Canada violated Toussaint’s Charter rights by refusing to implement a UN Human Rights Committee decision that called on Canada to provide her with public health care. If successful, the case will set a precedent for the enforceability of international legal decisions in Canadian courts and for access to health care for all regardless of immigration status.
2. Students will conduct research on profitization/privatization trends in health care and the implications it has on provincial health care delivery.
   1. The Canadian Health Coalition is hosting a research roundtable on the profitization of health care at the University of Ottawa on Oct. 23. More info here: . If this topic is chosen, students will be expected to attend the research roundtable or watch a video recording and develop a research focus based on what is heard as a legal research gap at the roundtable.  

Number of students

1-2 students 

Who can apply?

All students 

Languages of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

• Health Law, immigration and refugee law, and Public and Constitutional Law will be considered assets
• The following are strongly desired skills for this project:
  • Research and writing skills
  • The ability to work independently
  • Self-starter

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organization

The (CHRC) is independent from the federal government and has the authority to conduct research, raise awareness and speak out on any matter related to human rights in Canada. The Commission is also responsible for administering the Canadian Human Rights Act. 

Type of Project

Research

The Project

This project consists of a research project that will focus on legislative reform proposals whereby the student will conduct an environmental scan of proposals and suggestions being made by civil society and provincial institution (anything outside of the federal government) for legislative reform regarding the processing of human rights complaints (backlog, wait times, etc.) in human rights institutions across Canada. This should include legal aid options being used in provincial human rights issues to explore the availability of legal aid as a tool for backlog reduction and how similar proposals could be made at the federal level. The final deliverable will be a research report.

This project is designed to better understand the needs of Canadians who file federally regulated Human Rights complaints under the Canadian Human Rights Act with the goal of reforming the system to address those needs. The CHRC is in the process of working to improve the complaint process for all Canadians. This research will be used internally with the goal of improving the CHRC’s human rights complaint process.

Number of Students

1 student 

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English.

Prerequisits and Assets

None

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

The Catherine Street Community Service Hub, located at 370 Catherine Street, is a safe resting space where residents can access City and community social supports in one location. The Hub offers services by a team of Employment and Social Services and community partner agency staff. The ID Project at the Catherine Street Hub will assist community members in accessing necessary documentation. Documents that may be needed include birth certificates, health cards, permanent resident cards, and Ontario photo ID cards. Without official documentation, individuals cannot access many community services and programs.

Type of Project

Client Assistance and Intake

The Project

The ID Project is designed to address the challenge of helping marginalized communities obtain IDs so they may be able to participate in services around the city. Two to three students from PBSC and one BLG lawyer supervisor will meet at the Catherine Street Community Services Hub for shifts that will be determined based on schedules.  The project runs from October until March, with a break in December to accommodate student exams. The students and lawyer supervisor will check-in 15 minutes prior to the beginning of their shift and have an opportunity to meet each other and set up the space to receive clients. The lawyer will be paired with the PBSC students to assist in interviewing clients and filling out the relevant documentation. The City of Ottawa will provide a designated, private space for the students and lawyer to complete intake with the clients. 

PBSC students will greet and speak to the clients to inform them of the program, how it works, and whom they can speak with to obtain the documents they require. When clients ask to speak with a lawyer to fill out the appropriate documentation, PBSC students make the introductions, sit in on the consultation with the lawyer, and help fill out the applicable forms.

Volunteer lawyers then confirm eligibility requirements with the client and begin filling out either the “Ontario Photo Card - Address Requirement for the Homeless or Marginally Housed Applicants” for photo identification, or the “Agency Assistance Form and Registration for Ontario Health Insurance Coverage” for health coverage. Once the forms have been completed, PBSC students are responsible for making copies of the completed documents and providing them to clients for submitting with payment to 3rd party provider. In situations where clients require further support, PBSC Student Lawyers can liaise with a Catherine Street Community Service Hub Case Worker to assist client in requesting 3rd party payment from their Case Worker to accompany ID application. 

All students must be available for the following clinic dates: 

In addition to working at the clinic, students will spend time between shifts on assigned tasks such as creating and updating public legal education content in the form of pamphlets or infographics, online or physically tangible, meant for internal use, which can later be decided by the City of Ottawa to be disseminated to the public.

More specifically, the pamphlets or infographics include the following information:

• Step by Step process to obtaining IDs
• Associated costs (different for newcomers)
• Guide on obtaining Indigenous ID cards
• A checklist
• Order to obtain if no ID exists 

Number of Students

3 students

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the Project

English. Bilingualism is an asset.

Prerequisites and Assets

The following expectations are required:

• Ability to work well independently and as a team
• Good written and communications skills
• Punctual and good time management skills
• Interest in human rights and immigration

This project is conducted in-person- 370 Catherine Street.

The Organisation

Connecting Ottawa is a project funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario improving access to justice for linguistic minorities and those who face communication barriers in Ottawa. We work closely with a partnership network of over 50 organizations to educate and help front-line workers provide legal information and referrals to their clients.

Type of Project

Research and Public Legal Education

The Project

The One Year Window (OYW) program is a special immigration rule that allows resettled refugees, those who arrived in Canada as government-assisted or privately sponsored refugees, to apply to bring certain family members to Canada. It applies to eligible family members who could not come with them when they were first resettled in Canada. The OYW application must be submitted within one year of the refugee becoming a permanent resident, which is usually the day they arrive in Canada. The application must be submitted online through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal.

This year’s project will be to update and create resources that will be used for a future clinic. These resources will be based around topics such as eligibility questions, the application process, understanding the legal implications behind the application, information regarding the application itself, and any other topics the organisation deems valuable.

This project is to help create a strong foundation for a clinic that will involve PBSC students. The organisation is currently working on ensuring the clinic is a success and because of this, the exact number of resources that will be worked on is unknown. The organisation understands that the due to this component being unknown, it cannot be guaranteed that all resources will be completed prior to the end of the project and understand that students will produce resources to assist with the transition and opening of the legal clinic targeted for next year’s project cycle.

Number of students

1 student 

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

• Interest or experience in administration law, immigration and refugee law will be an asset
• Experience working with clients is an asset

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

Friends of the Earth is a campaigning environmental organization and the Canadian member of the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth International.  Climate and energy, biodiversity, water and plastics, and environmental justice are the key areas of work. Activities include research and education, policy development and advocacy, interventions, and litigation.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing

The Project

A law student volunteer will undertake this project that will assist Friends of the Earth in its preparations to develop input to the government’s considerations of new action to protect soils. The law student volunteer will develop an overview of Canada’s protection of soil against toxic chemicals.

This report should provide an understanding of, but is not limited to, the following:

• Proposed government actions to protect soils
• The current federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations in place to protect soils
• Legal critiques of the laws and regulations currently in place
• Legal gaps that have been noted by organisations and agencies in Canada
• International regulations and laws focused on protecting soil

The length of the report will be determined jointly between the student and the organisation.

If time permits, the law student will prepare an infographic to show how the legal system functions to address soil protection. 

Number of students

1 student

Who can apply? 

Upper Year Students

Language of the Project

English.

Prerequisites and Assets

An expressed interest in environmental law. Previous work or student addressing environmental law or environmental campaigning is an asset.

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

As Canada’s voice for animal welfare, Humane Canada drives positive, progressive change to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection, and promote the humane treatment of all animals. As the convener and representative of the largest animal welfare community in Canada, Humane Canada advances the welfare of animals with a strong national voice, promoting animal welfare interests and concerns to government, policymakers, industry, and the public.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing

The Project

The students will be researching and summarizing animal cruelty cases charged under the Criminal Code and provincial/territorial animal welfare legislation within prescribed parameters as set out by the organization. The summaries will then be edited for style, by the organization, and uploaded by the organization onto a public case law database ( made available for use by prosecutors and allied professionals for research and/or informational purposes.

Students will create case summaries from existing animal cruelty cases to be uploaded onto Humane Canada’s case law database. Students can expect to complete between 5 to 7 case summaries per semester. The cases will be provided by Humane’s Crown prosecutor partners and common case law repositories such as CanLII and QuickLaw. Students will also research to find newly reported Criminal Code or provincial/territorial animal cruelty cases.

In addition, students will also be updating the National Animal Prohibition Order database with publicly available cases as well as those submitted by some of our partners at BC SPCA and Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan. The Database was set up as a response to the lack of a consistent method to track animal prohibition orders and is available via secure log in to the NCPAC Resource Portal. Students will update the database using a template provided by the organization. These updates are done as needed and is based on the cases they summarise. Where applicable, the organization will note whether or not the student must update the database, therefore students can expect to update the database 5-7 times per semester.

Students would complete the following depending on the cases they have been tasked to summarize:

• Case without animal prohibition order: NCPAC Database Case Template only;

  Or

• Case with animal prohibition order (Criminal Code or provincial): NCPAC Database Case Template and NCPAC Animal Prohibition Order database submission form.

Content Warning

Due to the nature of the content that will be reviewed by students, where there is information that the organization deems necessary, a “Content Warning” will be provided to the students. The student can choose, with absolutely no judgement or repercussions, whether they would like to summarise the case in question or be given a different case to summarise. 

Number of students

2-3 students from �糵���� Common. 

Please note: This is a joint project with the University of Toronto.

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

None

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

Kind Space gives people personal and peer support to understand and inhabit their particular identities with confidence and courage, whatever kind of identity it is. They often do so when these people experience emotional crises and are most vulnerable physically and mentally. 

Type of Project

Client Services and Intake

The Project

This project has two components—a clinic and public legal education component. The first component of this project involves the operation of a Trans ID Clinic. The Clinic will operate virtually. If issues arise with operating the clinic virtually, there is space available at Kind Space to shift the clinic to in person. Kind Space will be responsible for advertising the clinic on their website and providing the appointment booking platform for clients. The clinic will comply with PBSC’s Confidentiality and Privacy regulations (Policy 4), where students will not provide their personal contact details while volunteering with the clinic. The Clinic will be opened to assist with the process of updating personal identification. The students and Lawyer Supervisor will provide support and information on the process of requesting a name change.

Students will be provided with streamlined notes and training by Kind Space about the clinic operations.

The students are expected to attend the clinic for 2 hours, 2 times per month. Shifts will be scheduled based on student availability.

The second part of the project involves public legal education produced content. Only if there is down time during the drop-ins, students are encouraged to ask questions and receive mentorship from their Lawyer Supervisor. Students will also work on their public legal education research during downtime. The public legal education component will be determined in consultation with the lawyer supervisor and the organization on what information clients often request. Examples of these projects are:

• Pop-up Legal Clinic Event
• Community training workshop on the steps to legally changing their name
• In depth resources that guide individuals on their rights regarding changing their name

Number of students

2-3 students from �糵���� Common Law. 

Please note: This is a joint project with Lakehead University. 

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

The following will be considered when selecting a candidate:

• Applicants who identify as LGBTQ2S+ are encouraged to apply
• Preference will be given to third year students

All work, including clinic shifts, will be conducted remotely. Students must have access to a computer, internet, a private space, and Zoom/Teams.

The Organisation

LLG is a volunteer group based in Ottawa that meets with members of the Millhaven Lifers’ Groups (MLG) (A-Unit & J-Unit), the Bath Lifers’ Group (BLG), and the Collins Bay Max Long-term Sentence Guidance Group, which consist of people serving a life, indeterminate, and/or long-term sentence. Our purpose is to connect the members of those groups to the community, providing up-to-date information about matters related to their incarceration, as well as supporting their efforts to return to the community. The meetings facilitate judgement-free support to help the members navigate their sentences, allowing for an exchange of ideas and identification of plausible solutions to shared issues among all in attendance.

Type of Project

Public Legal Education

The Project

Building on the research and findings of last year’s students that explored the legal entitlements of imprisoned people with intellectual disabilities, this year’s project will investigate the legal entitlements of federally incarcerated people with physical disabilities.

The project will involve researching the legal frameworks, policies, and complaint mechanisms within the federal correctional system. The students will focus on how physical barriers impact their ability to understand and exercise their rights while incarcerated, as well as progress through their correctional plans. The student(s) will conduct legal research into constitutional protections (such as sections 7 and 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms), statutory provisions, correctional policies, and relevant case law to determine what legal obligations correctional institutions have to provide accessible environments and accommodations (e.g., ramps, interpretation, translation). This project will be informed by written materials and ongoing consultations with presently incarcerated individuals (facilitated by LLG volunteers).

The students will produce public legal education (PLE) resource(s) that outline legal entitlements for federally sentenced people to have their accessibility needs met, and the complaint/remedy process for when these populations experience breaches of their rights while incarcerated. The final product will be clear, accessible, and designed for a public audience, which may take the form of a written guide, infographic, or other user-friendly format. The purpose to ultimately help incarcerated individuals better understand their rights and how to assert them.

Number of students

1 student from �糵���� Common Law

Please note: This is a joint project with �糵���� Civil Law

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

The students must be:

1. Pro-active, self-starters   
2. Effective & resourceful (in terms of research)   
3. Excellent written communicators (especially in terms of adapting legal information into plain language text)
4. Personable and professional
5. Have an interest in prison law, criminal law, human rights
6. Value the inherent worth of all human beings 

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

LLG is a volunteer group based in Ottawa that meets with members of the Millhaven Lifers’ Groups (MLG) (A-Unit & J-Unit), the Bath Lifers’ Group (BLG), and the Collins Bay Max Long-term Sentence Guidance Group, which consist of people serving a life, indeterminate, and/or long-term sentence. Our purpose is to connect the members of those groups to the community, providing up-to-date information about matters related to their incarceration, as well as supporting their efforts to return to the community. The meetings facilitate judgement-free support to help the members navigate their sentences, allowing for an exchange of ideas and identification of plausible solutions to shared issues among all in attendance.

Type of Project

Public Legal Education

The Project

This project will examine the rights of federally sentenced individuals to maintain connections with the community, and the rights of community members to maintain connections with federally incarcerated people (e.g., visitors at the institution, in-reach from community-based volunteers and organizations, Escorted & Unescorted Temporary Absences).

While maintaining connections with the community is a key consideration among correctional plans and when applying for parole, there are significant barriers to practically maintain/build such connections (e.g., use of ion scanners, involuntary transfers, limited access to technology, lack of advertisement of opportunities, lack of engagement from institutional staff). The project will involve researching the legal frameworks, policies, and complaint mechanisms within the federal correctional system, as well as their practical application. This project will be informed by written materials and ongoing consultations with presently incarcerated individuals (facilitated by LLG volunteers).

The students will produce public legal education (PLE) resource(s) that identify what requirements are being put on incarcerated individuals, legal entitlements the various effected parties have, and what remedies there if such entitlements are breached. The final product will be clear, accessible, and designed for a public audience, which may take the form of a written guide, infographic, or other user-friendly format. The purpose to ultimately help incarcerated individuals better understand their rights and how to assert them.

Number of students

1 student from �糵���� Common Law

Please note: This is a joint project with �糵���� Civil Law

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset.

Prerequisites and Assets

The students must be:

1. Pro-active, self-starters   
2. Effective & resourceful (in terms of research)   
3. Excellent written communicators (especially in terms of adapting legal information into plain language text)
4. Personable and professional
5. Have an interest in prison law, criminal law, human rights
6. Value the inherent worth of all human beings

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

Nelligan O’Brien Payne is a multi-practice law firm, with a team of over 50 lawyers and over 80 business and support staff. They are unique in the breadth of services they offer as well as the expertise and specialization. Their size allows us to ensure the right fit and optimal service levels for our clients.

Type of project

Public Legal Education

The Project

Many clients do not understand the process of completing financial statements and why financial disclosure is necessary in family law. In the past years, the students created a webpage that served as a comprehensive guide to completing the financial disclosure and statements. Since the legislation and criteria is always changing, the goal for this year will be multi-fold:

• Fact checking the current information and cross referencing with the relevant legislation to ensure that everything contained within the previous versions is accurate. This is a great opportunity to become familiar with the family law legislation and what governs disclosure for married and common law spouses;
• Update the organisations website as applicable;
  • The website is currently in the drafting stages and has not been published. It is expected that the students will prepare it, to the best of their abilities, to be published.
• Review the site from the perspective of someone not already working in the family legal field to highlight anything that may be unclear or confusing and correct those opportunities.
• Create a presentation, centre around the website, that the students will deliver to community organisations

The goal is to present the website, as well as work done by the supervising lawyer in their own practice, at the 2026 Family Law Conference, which is held annually. If the project is accepted for presentation, an opportunity will be presented to the students to attend virtually so that they can also be recognised for their contribution. This conference is highly attended by family law counsel and the Ottawa bench. 

Number of students

3-4 students 

Who can apply?

All students 

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

• An interest in family law is an asset
• The following are required skills:
  • Public speaking and communication skills
  • Ability to work well with a team and independently

This project can be done both remotely and/or in-person - Suite 300-50 O’Connor Street. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

To enhance the quality of life for Indigenous people in the Capital Region. To maintain a tradition of community, an ethic of self-help and development as well as to provide traditional teachings from our elders. These are important values we will continue to reinforce and promote in the coming years.

Type of Project

Client Assistance and Intake and Public Legal Education

The Project

The purpose of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre Human Rights Clinic is to combat anti- Indigenous racism and discrimination by building knowledge about human rights amongst urban Indigenous communities and empowering individuals to make decisions about their rights. The activities of the Clinic will include providing summary legal advice and legal information to clients regarding their experiences of, or questions about, discrimination;referrals, and public legal education presentations on human rights law.

Student volunteers will work under the supervision of the partner organization representative and lawyer supervisors to: conduct clinic intakes, attend and support lawyer supervisors in summary legal advice and legal information meetings, provide referrals, administer clinic files, present public legal education, and other responsibilities related clinic operations as directed and supervised by lawyers (if of a legal nature) or the partner organization representative. A detaileddescription of Student Volunteer responsibilities will be set out in a Clinic Policy Manual and Law Student Handbook provided to students.

The schedule will be made based on student availabilities. 

Number of students

4-6 �糵���� Common students. 

Please note: This is a joint project with Lakehead University. 

Who can apply?

All students. 

Language of the project

English.

Prerequisites and Assets

• Past volunteer experience
• An interest in working on human rights issues
• An interest in working with Indigenous communities

This project is conducted in a hybrid mode. Some of the work will be conducted in person at the centre- 815 St. Laurent Boulevard- and some will be conducted remotely. Students must have access to a phone, internet, and computer.

The Organisation

OJEN develops innovative educational tools that introduce young people to the justice system, help them understand the law, and build their legal capability. They work to help prepare young people to manage the legal aspects of problems that arise in their own lives.

Type of Project

Public Legal Education

The Project

Aimed at demystifying the youth criminal justice system, the students will create an engaging, educational game that serves as a public legal education resource. Developed in collaboration with OJEN and under the guidance of a lawyer supervisor, the game will help Ottawa educators teach young people how to navigate the criminal justice system—from understanding their rights and the steps involved, to recognizing barriers to access and the broader context of youth justice in Canada.

The students will start by creating a document, to be used internally, that provides an outline of how the youth criminal justice system functions and the details within it. They will then use the document as a base for creating the game.

The students will not, at any time, be interacting with youth, only the organisation contact, the lawyer supervisor, and their fellow project member. 

Number of students

2 students 

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English

Prerequisites ans Assets

• An expressed interest in the criminal justice system and youth will be an asset 

The students will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

Operation Come Home serves as a center for homeless and at-risk youth aged 16-29, dedicated to providing employment, education, and support services. Our programs prioritize the needs and aspirations of youth, fostering personal growth on an individual level.

Type of Project

Public Legal Education

The Project

Many youths are concerned about eviction—either for themselves or on behalf of their families. Since eviction is a critical part of homelessness prevention, this project aims to equip youth with accessible, accurate legal information about the eviction process in Ottawa and Ontario. Students will develop a plain-language handout and/or flowchart outlining the legal steps in dealing with the process, when met with an eviction, available appeal mechanisms, and key options tenants have at each stage. The resource will also include exceptions to standard protections, such as cases involving owner-occupied buildings, rooming houses, or renovictions. The goal is to empower youth with knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid preventable housing loss.

Number of students

2 students

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English

Prerequisites and Assets

None. 

The students will be able to complete all work either in-person or remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

The ID Project helps the homeless and marginally housed obtain essential identification documentation such as birth certificates, health cards, permanent resident cards, and Ontario photo ID cards. Without official documentation, individuals cannot access many community services and programs. This barrier can create a domino effect that makes it increasingly difficult to address the conditions that lead to homelessness

Type of Project

Client Assistance and Intake

The Project

The ID Project is designed to address the challenge of helping the homeless, marginally housed, and newcomers obtain IDs so they may be able to participate in services around the city. 

PBSC students speak to clients, informing them of the program, how it works, and whom they can speak with to obtain the documents they require. When clients ask to speak with a lawyer to fill out the appropriate documentation, PBSC students make the introductions, sit in on the consultation with the lawyer, and help fill out the applicable forms. 

Students must be available for the following clinic dates: 

It is expected that a diverse range of other legal issues may arise during the course of interviewing clients. Volunteer lawyers and PBSC students are encouraged to make the appropriate referrals and to look into other resources for clients as appropriate.

In addition to working at the clinic, students will spend time between shifts on assigned tasks related to running the clinic such as file management, developing a referral guide, researching fee waiver options, and exploring expansion options for the project. 

Number of students

2 students

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

The following expectations are required:

• Ability to work well independently and as a team
• Good written and communication skills
• Interest in human rights and immigration

This project is conducted in-person- 35 Waller Street.

The Organisation

Founded in 1976 and turning 50 in 2026, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is a national non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of Canadian consumers, particularly those who are vulnerable or marginalized. It focuses on ensuring fair access to essential services such as telecommunications, energy, transportation, financial services, and privacy. Through research and policy work, PIAC promotes affordability, transparency, and consumer dignity and protection. The Public Interest: WE FIGHT FOR THAT.

Type of Project

Research 

The Project

The broad arc of this project is as follows: This project is dedicated to researching and supporting the team at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre with their project on holding technology platforms accountable for various social harms (inappropriate content, violence, extremism, unhealthy images e.g., eating disorders, sexual violence, impacts on mental wellness) while taking into account constitutionally-protected free speech. The students will perform research on aspects such as :

• Litigation strategy
  • Territoriality considerations
  • Types of causes of action and procedures what jurisdictions can a case be brought in, possible
• Relevant legislation and concrete proposals for legislative reform
• Supporting government relations and public relations activities (print, media, lobbying, online)
• Other areas that the organisation/lawyer supervisor and the students deem relevant

This is an ongoing, constantly evolving project that may require adjustments in the exact topics that the students will research. These changes will not change the scope of the students’ responsibilities, simply change what they will be researching. 

The exact details of who this project involves will be shared with the selected students upon project commencement. 

Number of students

2 students

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English.

Prerequisites and Assets

• The students should be philisophically asligned with the purpose of the project and the objective of the organisation

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

RCMP Veterans is a Not-for-Profit organization, mainly comprised of volunteers that are retired veterans. As a Not-for-Profit, there are certain parameters around what the organization can do (ie. fundraising, taking on new projects, etc.). The organization looks to expand its community involvement at the local, provincial and national level to better assist our veterans, current employees of the RCMP and the law enforcement community in Canada.

Type of Project

Legal Research and Writing

The Project

The project will build off the resource that was completed last year (2024/2025) which also outlined the next project for 2025/2026 to research the ongoing legal aspects of bail reform in Canada and how the RCMP Veterans Association could provide meaningful insight to its membership, the government and the public to better inform them about the significant aspects of modern bail reform

Students will research existing law, regulations and guidelines that govern bail reform. The research will include information on current bail reform activities, proposed changes to the legislation and the possible impacts of those changes. Students will review legal sources including current and proposed legislation, relevant case law and current positions on bail reform from our respective federal political parties.

Once the research is done, the task of the student volunteers will be to create a policy proposal/intervener proposition for consideration of the Chief Administrative Officer (“CAO”) of the RCMP Veterans Association. 

The research should examine the following: 

1. Case law analysis
   1. Investigate notable legal cases over the past ten years involving bail reform under the Criminal Code of Canada.  This analysis will identify legal precedents, trends, and emerging issues impacting the operational application of the current bail processes and proposed changes currently being considered by the Government of Canada.
2. Regulatory Compliance Review
   1. This review, which will examine how current and proposed bail reform measures align with existing laws, regulations, and legal standards, will help identify any inconsistencies or areas where proposed changes may conflict with established legal frameworks. It will also ensure that the final policy proposal or intervener proposition reflects a clear understanding of the legal obligations and constraints that govern bail practices in Canada.

Number of students

3 students

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English.

Prerequisites and Assets

None.

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

ABLE2 is an organization whose programs and services empower persons of all ages across the disability spectrum and their families to build meaningful lives as valued members of the community. One of its programs is the Reach Legal Program (formerly Reach Canada which amalgamated with ABLE2 in December 2023). The Reach Legal Services provide an independent legal referral service and regular legal educational seminars. Reach maintains a list of lawyers, paralegals and mediators who have agreed to provide free legal advice for clients with disabilities.

 Type of Project

Client Services and Intake

The Project

Students will assist with the operations of the Reach Legal Services for people with disabilities.  Duties include: 

• Direct and daily client interaction through phone,virtual meeting platforms and email intakes with people living with diverse disabilities, their families and case workers.
• Identifying legal issues and areas of law and making appropriate legal referrals to community legal clinics, legal aid, other community resources, private bar of lawyers, paralegals and mediators.
• During their assigned shifts, throughout the referral process, students will conduct phone and email communications with clients and legal professionals within Ottawa and its surrounding regions.
• Ongoing file management and documentation using legal software (Clio)
• Conducting research on legal topics and drafting memos with analysis of research for the attention of the supervising lawyer.
• Researching and writing legal articles for the Plain Language Legal Library on the Reach page of ABLE2’s website.
• Performing outreach activities to legal professionals and agencies serving people living with disabilities. Assisting in the implementation and manning of the Chat Box function on the Reach page of ABLE2’s website.
• Updating legal referral procedure office materials and resources
• Assisting with Reach's educational seminars 

Students will be scheduled based on their availability. They must be available for 5 hours per week for their shift. Shifts are scheduled for a duration of anywhere between 3-5 hours/week from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, ideally students work one 5 hour shift each week. 

Number of students

9 students from �糵���� Common Law. 

Please note: This is a joint project with Queen's University and Lincoln Alexander School of Law.

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and assets

• Excellent interpersonal skills (confidence in answering phone calls, speaking with clients about sensitive issues, speaking to legal professionals).
• Customer service experience is an asset.
• Sensitivity and empathy for people with disabilities.
• Professionalism
• Experience working with vulnerable populations is an asset.
• Bilingual

This clinic is conducted remotely. Students must have access to a computer, internet, Microsoft Teams, headphones, and the ability to download internet phone software to their computer or cellphone.

The Organisation

St. Leonard’s Society of Canada (SLSC) is a national, membership-based charitable organization that brings together a network of individuals and independent community-based agencies to collectively advance our purpose to promote humane and informed criminal and social justice policy, practice, and responsible leadership to foster safer communities. We achieve this by:

• supporting our members;
• conducting research and developing policy;
• advocating for and applying evidence-based approaches; and,
• advancing collaborative relationships and communication.

SLSC’s vision is to be an organization that participates in transformative change within and beyond the criminal justice system to cultivate safe, healthy, equitable, and inclusive communities.  

Type of Project

Research and Public Legal Education

The Project

Building on the research and findings of last year’s PBSC project, this year’s project will explore the practical application of Sections 81 and 84 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (i.e., access to healing lodges and community-led release planning). There will be a focus on collaborating with and integrating feedback from Indigenous partner organizations. The goal is to assess how these provisions—which support community-based and culturally appropriate reintegration pathways for federally-sentenced Indigenous Peoples—can be more effectively implemented.

The project will be divided by legal tradition:

• The common law student will focus on the common law dimensions of the project, including relevant jurisprudence, statutory interpretation, and practical implementation within common law jurisdictions.
• The civil law student will focus on civil law considerations, examining how these federal provisions interact with civil law principles and their application in Quebec.

This project supports broader efforts to promote reconciliation and equity within Canada’s correctional and parole systems.

Public legal education components will comprise resources as determined by Indigenous partner organizations and deemed feasible by project supervisors (e.g., brochures, infographics).

The students' primary role is not translation. Ideally, the final resource(s) will be available in both English and French. The Common Law and Civil Law students will collaborate to conduct research, brainstorm ideas, and co-develop the resource(s) in both languages.

Number of students

1 student. 

Please note: This is a joint project with the �糵���� Civil Law chapter.

Who can apply?

Upper Year Students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset. 

Prerequisites and Assets

• An expressed interest in criminal law
• The following are strongly desired skills:
  • Ability to work independently
  • Strong reading comprehension
  • Strong writing skills, including writing in plain language for a broad audience

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access. 

The Organisation

Located in Ottawa, Youville Centre is a non-profit, registered charity and Accredited Child and Youth Mental Health Agency that serves adolescent mothers and their children. Since 1985, Youville’s trauma-informed, holistic programs and services include: a fully accredited secondary school, crisis intervention, intensive mental health therapy and treatment, substance use counselling, collaborative problem solving, a licensed child development program with a focus on infant mental health, and attachment-based parenting programs with intervention and treatment.

Type of Project

Public Legal Education

The Project

Some of the Youville Centre’s clients are navigating the family law system regarding child custody arrangements. The students will complete two documents:

1. Outlining the legal process for custody arrangements and what to do if your custody rights are violated
2. Explaining the custody rights themselves and what is required in order to legally hold and exercise those rights.  

These documents can be in the form of either a brochure orplain language document, which will be decided by the students and organisation.

The students should study legislation and court rulings aroundcustody arrangements as well as the court process for establishing custody agreements. Studentswill not be providing any legal advice for clients. The deliverable will be legal information on thecurrent state of the law surrounding custody and parenting rights.

Number of students

3 students

Who can apply?

All students

Language of the project

English. Bilingualism is an asset.

Prerequisites and Assets

• An expressed interest in family law is an asset
• Other skills include professionalism, respect of the lived experience of the clients of the Centre, and prior experience working or volunteering in a social services organization would be helpful.

The student will be able to complete all work remotely. The student will need a computer, Zoom, and internet access.