Hosted by the , the , and ’s , the event marks the 150th anniversary of Canada’s highest court with two days of in-depth panels, keynote discussions, and critical reflection.
This fully bilingual and hybrid conference will bring together judges, scholars, lawyers, and students to assess the Court’s historical trajectory, its emergence as a central institution in Canadian democracy, and the complex challenges it faces in an evolving legal and political landscape. Simultaneous interpretation will be available for all attendees.
A Pluralistic Framework for Reflection
The conference is organized around a foundational premise: that Canada is made up of three collective projects – Canada as a whole, Indigenous Peoples, and Québec – each with equal legitimacy and authority. By foregrounding the country’s multiple juridical orders, the event seeks to offer a pluralistic framework for examining the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence and institutional role. This inclusive lens is especially timely as the Court continues to grapple with issues at the intersection of reconciliation, federalism, individual rights, and institutional legitimacy.
Conference Highlights
The program features three panels and a keynote discussion on Day 1, followed by additional panels and a preview of a special multimedia project on Day 2:
Day 1 – June 11
- Panel 1: Public Law Fundamentals – Past, Present and Future
- Topics include administrative law, the amending formula, and unwritten constitutional principles.
- Speakers: Vanessa MacDonnell, , and Max Adams.
- Panel 2: Judicial Legitimacy & Institutional Relations
- Discussions will explore judicial appointments, legitimacy, and parliamentary privilege.
- Speakers: , , , and .
- Panel 3: Asserting Rights and Self-Government
- A critical look at Indigenous rights, gender equality, and constitutional identity.
- Speakers: , , and .
- Keynote Panel: Judicial Reflections on the Supreme Court at 150
- Featuring Federal Court and Superior Court judges reflecting on the Court’s legacy.
- Speakers: Justices , Alexander Pless, and .
Day 2 – June 12
- Multimedia Preview: “Supreme Court of Canada – 150 Years”
- A look at a new multimedia project with creators and .
- Panel 4: The Influence of Foreign & International Courts
- Examining how comparative and international law inform Canadian jurisprudence.
- Speakers: , and .
- Panel 5: Pluralism and Future Constitutional Orderings
- Future-oriented discussions on self-government, pluralist constitutionalism, and climate federalism.
- Speakers: , and Nathalie Chalifour.
- Panel 6: Critical Perspectives on the Supreme Court’s Public Law Jurisprudence
- Engaging critiques on interveners, Crown-Indigenous relations, and the performative dimensions of Section 35.
- Speakers: , and .
Join the Conversation
This anniversary conference is more than a commemoration – it is a moment to reflect critically and constructively on the role of the Supreme Court in shaping Canada’s legal and constitutional order.
Legal scholars, practitioners, students, and members of the public are invited to join the conference in person or online.
When: June 11 and 12, 2025
Where: University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law (Hybrid event)
Languages: English and French, with simultaneous interpretation available
.Please note that a discounted rate is available for students.
Click here for the full conference program.
This event is made possible through support from , and .