Advocacy
Through impactful interventions and policy initiatives, the Asper Centre works to enhance constitutional rights advocacy in Canada. Our advocacy projects—developed with students, faculty, and civil society partners—address emerging constitutional issues, support law reform and help inform the public about their constitutional rights.
The Asper Centre regularly intervenes in cases of constitutional significance heard at the Supreme Court of Canada or at provincial Courts of Appeal. Asper Centre Clinic students work with the Asper Centre director and our Constitutional Litigator in Residence to prepare applications for interventions and facta.
The Asper Centre and Justice for Children and Youth is representing 13 youth applicants in a constitutional challenge to the Federal Elections Act, arguing that the current voting age infringes the right to vote (Section 3) and the equality guarantee (Section 15) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by unjustifiably discriminating based on age.
The Asper Centre conducts impactful research and policy work on pressing constitutional issues—from equality rights and access to justice to democratic participation and police accountability. In partnership with students, scholars, and civil society organizations, our work strengthens constitutional dialogue and supports law reform across Canada.