Ongoing Projects

Upholding Canada's International Human Rights Law Obligations with Respect to Arms Exports

Under Canada’s Export and Import Permits Act, the government is prohibited from issuing a permit to export arms if there is a “substantial risk” those arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law. However, the government has continued to issue permits for the export of arms to Israel, despite mounting evidence of serious violations of international law being committed by Israeli forces. 

Students are providing legal research in support of a court challenge seeking to uphold Canada’s international human rights law (and domestic law) obligations by stopping Canadian arms exports to Israel. The claim raises unique legal issues with respect to the application of international human rights norms in Canadian courts and has the potential to be a landmark case in this regard.

Concurrently with the legal proceedings in domestic courts, and in collaboration with our partners at the Global Human Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School, our students will also use their research to do advocacy with UN and other international bodies on Canadian military exports to Israel, implementing a coordinated international legal advocacy strategy to complement the Canadian legal proceedings.  

Corporate Accountability for Indigenous Rights in Amazonas, Brazil

Our clinic students are working with the Human Rights and Atrocity Prevention Clinic at Cardozo Law School and experts at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law to investigate the human rights and environmental impacts of Canadian mining in the Brazilian Amazon and develop a multi-pronged strategy for promoting corporate accountability for harms. Clinic students will get the opportunity to work directly with affected Indigenous communities and local civil society organizations in Brazil to prepare a human rights report and advance a collaborative strategy that engages international and regional human rights institutions.  

Assessing the Human Rights Impacts of Mining Development on First Nations Ontario

Our clinic students are working with the Anishnawbe Business Professionals Association (ABPA) to assess the human rights impacts of mining operations in the Ring of Fire on First Nations communities in Northern Ontario. In partnership with the Investor Protection Clinic at the Faculty of Law, students are conducting research on company and government engagements with affected First Nations communities in Treaty 9 territory and examining the impact of mining-related development on both procedural and substantive Indigenous rights under international law while considering the challenges of just transition.

Challenging the Impact of a Transnational Pipeline

Our clinic students are working with Representatives of 51 Tribal and First Nations of Anishinaabe People to assist with their efforts to challenge the operation of a major transnational pipeline that carries crude oil and gas originating in Canada through Anishinaabe territories in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario. Advocates claim that every minute the pipeline continues to operate extends the likelihood of catastrophic oil spills along its route, threatening Indigenous territory, culture, and way of life, as well as precious freshwater bodies like the Great Lakes. 

It is alleged the Canadian government has ignored the dangers this pipeline poses and continues to shield the pipeline company from such challenges. 

Accountability of a Canadian Resource Extraction Company for Human Rights Abuses Abroad

Students will support, through legal research and analysis, an anticipated claim relating to serious human rights abuses alleged to have been committed by employees of a Canadian resource extraction company that operates abroad. The claim has the potential to progress corporate accountability by redressing the survivors in this case while setting a precedent for future harms to be remedied. 

Investigation Against a Canadian-based Mining Company

A Canadian oil and gas exploration company carrying out exploration drilling abroad has caught global attention and attracted accusations of disrupting key ecosystems. The company's operations are suspected to be harming the environment and violating the rights of local communities. Students will be working with a local community alliance dedicated to challenging the company's oil and gas exploration and drilling in the river basin to assist affected individuals and communities.

* Please Note: The IHRP only selects projects through referrals from NGOs. We do not provide legal services to individuals without a referral from an NGO.