Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Prof. Kent RoachProf. Kent Roach and his co-author Craig Forcese (University of Ottawa Faculty of Law) have been awarded the Reg Robson Award by the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) for their work on changing public opinion about Bill C-51, the "Anti-Terrorism Act."

The Reg Robson award is given annually to honour substantial and long-lasting contributions to the cause of civil liberties in BC and Canada. This is the BCCLA's longest standing and most prestigious award.

The BCCLA explains that the recipients were chosen because "These two individuals have been critical to mounting a resistance to the infringement of civil liberties in the name of national security. The astounding turn in public support for Bill C-51 was due to a public education effort that was virtually all premised on their real-time legal analysis. They have exemplified what it means to be engaged public intellectuals, and the civil liberties community owes them a great debt."

The award will be presented at the BCCLA Liberty Awards Gala on Thursday, May 26, 2016 in Vancouver.