Combating Hatred: Third Biennial Conference

Thursday, February 4, 2010

89 Chestnut Conference Centre, University of Toronto, 89 Chestnut Street, Toronto

The conference can be viewed via webcast (see below)
Powerpoints and texts of presentations are also available below 

Combating Hatred logoIn partnership with the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto and with the support of the Law Foundation of Ontario and other generous donors, we are pleased to present our third biennial symposium - Combating Hatred in the Twenty-first Century: Legal Remedies.

This is the only program that offers all sectors of the justice community a rare opportunity to come together for the purpose of gaining insight into current trends, issues, strategies, tools and remedies that address the threats of hate and bias crimes in our society.

For Media:

Building on the last two conferences, this year's conference:

  • Offered increased opportunities for interaction through video demonstrations that lead into table discussions
  • Delved more deeply into substantive law and case studies
  • Provided tools and remedies to address the threats of hate and bias crimes in our society

In addition, a combination of keynote speakers, panel debates and discussion workshops addressed:

  • Use of the Criminal Code and other remedies to combat hate
  • Hate on the internet
  • Campus issues
  • Human Rights Code
  • Sentencing and hate crime

The conference provided a unique opportunity to hear from several prominent Canadians as they shared their personal experiences with discrimination in a presentation moderated by Justice Harry LaForme of the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Webcasts and presentations

Click on the session titles for webcasts; click on speaker names for powerpoints (PPT) or texts (PDF).

9:00 amWelcome & Greetings
  • Associate Chief Justice Peter Griffiths, Ontario Court of Justice
  • Dean Mayo Moran, Faculty of Law – University of Toronto
9:10 am

The Use of the Criminal Code to Combat Hate (webcast)

Introductions & Overview

  • Mark Sandler (PPT), Lawyer – Cooper & Sandler LLP, Barristers and Solicitors
Panel Discussion
  • Acting Inspector Steve Irwin, Toronto Police Service
  • Deputy Director Howard Leibovich, Crown Law Office - Criminal

 

11:00 amUse of Civil Remedies to Combat Hate (webcast)

Introductions & Overview
  • Marvin Kurz (PPT), Lawyer – Dale Streiman & Kurz LLP
Debate: Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act
  • Professor Richard Moon, Faculty of Law – University of Windsor
  • Mark Freiman, Lawyer – Lerners LLP
A Menu of Innovative Remedies
  • David Matas, Lawyer
  • Professor Patrick Monahan, Vice President Academic & Provost –
York University
12:30 pmLunch
  • Networking and Displays
1:30 pmFighting Hatred in Europe: A View from the Front Lines (webcast)
  • Right Honourable Denis MacShane, MP – British Parliament
2:15 pm

Concurrent Workshops

1. Hate on the Internet (this session was not webcast)

  • Saleha Khan, Instructor – Ontario Police College
  • Marvin Kurz, Lawyer – Dale Streiman & Kurz LLP
  • Dr. Abbee Corb, Open Source Intelligence Specialist – Hate Crime Extremism Investigative Team
2. Campus Issues(webcast)
  • Professor Lorne Sossin, Faculty of Law – University of Toronto
  • Julia Hanigsberg (PPT), General Counsel – Ryerson University
  • Nouman Ashraf  (PPT), Former Director of the University of Toronto’s
    Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office
  • Bram Freedman (PPT), Vice President, External Relations and Secretary General – Concordia University

3. What do Human Rights Laws have to do with Hate? (webcast)

  • Raja Khouri, Commissioner – Ontario Human Rights Commission
  • Raj Anand, Lawyer – WeirFoulds and Chair, Ontario Human Rights
  • Legal Support Centre
  • Nathalie Des Rosiers, General Counsel – Canadian Civil Liberties Association

4. Sentencing for Hate Motivated Crime (webcast)

4:00 pm

Voices of Experience (webcast)

Moderator

  • Justice Harry LaForme, Ontario Court of Appeal

Panelists

  • The Honourable Irwin Cotler, M.P. for Mount Royal, Québec
  • Zubeda Vahed, Senior Policy Advisor – Ministry of Education
  • Reverend Dr. Brent Hawkes, Senior Pastor – Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
  • The Honourable Zanana Akande, M.Ed., B.A.

 

5:15 pmWrap Up and Thank You
  • Associate Chief Justice Peter Griffiths, Ontario Court of Justice