A Legal Forum for Intellectual Diversity

The Runnymede Society is a membership-based organization that invites speakers from all across the ideological spectrum to debate legal ideas that engage the rule of law, constitutionalism, and individual liberty. The goal is to focus on these age-old principles in the context of real issues that are not often explored in the law school classrooms.

Moon: Free Speech in the Digital Age

How can we remain committed to free speech while addressing misinformation and disinformation in our democracies? Has social media “aggravated the harm of speech and made legal responses less practical”? Professor Richard Moon of the University of Windsor dives into these important questions and more in his latest appearance on Runnymede Radio, building upon his latest book, The Life and Death of Freedom of Expression.

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Snow: Bill C-63 and a Limited Tribunal

How will Bill C-63, commonly known as the Online Harms Act, impact Canada’s Human Rights Commission and Tribunal? Professor Dave Snow of the University of Guelph, discusses how descriptive statistics can help us understand the significant changes that Bill C-63 is expected to bring.

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Mancini: Charter Values in Administrative Law

What is the force and scope of the Charter in administrative contexts? Professor Mark Mancini of Thompson Rivers University tackles this issue by taking a look at key cases that have marked significant shifts in the role that the Charter has played in administrative law.

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Lagassé and Sirota: Parliament after the Power Case

Will the Power v Canada decision significantly shift the way that parliamentary privilege operates in Canada? Professor Philippe Lagassé of Carleton University and Professor Leonid Sirota of the University of Reading discuss the controversial Power decision and its impacts on the relationship between Canada’s legislative and judicial branches.

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The Runnymede Society: Our past, present, and future

Let’s take a look at key moments in Runnymede history: its inception, core values, and plans for the future. Naomi Papavero, Operations and Communications Director of the Runnymede Society, sits down with Tim Haggstrom, Runnymede’s current National Director, and Joanna Baron, the founding National Director, to discuss how the Society has evolved over time.

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Monday
17
November 17, 2025 | 5:30 pm

Checks and Balances in Constitutional Interpretation

Osler |

Please join the Runnymede Society’s Vancouver Lawyer Chapter for an intimate talk about checks and balances in constitutional interpretation by none other than retired Supreme [...]

Friday
14
November 14, 2025 | 12:00 pm

The Declaratory Judgment: Its Availability and Its Limitations

Alt Hotel St. John’s |

Please join us for a free talk by Professor Gerard Kennedy that will explore the “declaratory judgment”—i.e., a judgment that does not give parties any [...]

Wednesday
05
November 5, 2025 | 12:00 pm

Clause and Effect: Section 33 and the Constitutional Conversation

University of Alberta Faculty of Law (Room LC 101) |

Please join the Runnymede Society’s University of Alberta Chapter for a friendly debate on the interpretation of section 33 between Professor Eric Adams (Alberta) and [...]

Wednesday
05
November 5, 2025 | 12:00 pm

Runnymede “Lunch & Learn” with Edgar Schmidt

University of Manitoba Robson Hall (Room 205) |

Please join the Runnymede Society’s Manitoba Robson Chapter for a special “Lunch & Learn” event with Edgar Schmidt, former General Counsel at the Department of [...]

Monday
03
November 3, 2025 | 12:00 pm

Preemptive Uses of the Notwithstanding Clause: Interrogating the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Decision in UR Pride

University of Saskatchewan College of Law (Room 150) |

Please join the Runnymede Society’s University of Saskatchewan Chapter for a timely discussion about the concept of “preemptive” uses of the notwithstanding clause and the [...]

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Why join?

INTELLECTUAL ENRICHMENT

We provide funding for debates, symposia, and panel discussions with external speakers and refreshments. We are able to assist with reaching out to speakers and fund out-of-town speaker travel expenses.

SOCIAL LIFE

We host regular networking events with local members of the legal profession, academics, journalists, and other students.

ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE

We aim to connect first-year students with upper-years who can provide mentorship and academic guidance, as well as course summaries.

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