OJEN’s Public Legal Education and Information (PLEI) for Racialized Youth program wrapped up in March after completing its 4-year funding cycle. Funded by the Department of Justice Canada’s Justice Partnerships and Innovation Program (JPIP), the program was designed for youth who identify as African, Caribbean, Black (ACB), and Indigenous, ages 14–29, living primarily in urban […]
Last month, close to 200 public legal education professionals from across the country gathered in Ottawa for the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC)’s annual conference. PLEAC is a national, non-profit organization that serves as an umbrella organization for public legal education and information (PLEI) groups across Canada. The 2026 conference was co-hosted by […]
After a 6-year legal journey that has seen many twists and turns, the 7 young Ontarians behind the landmark Mathur, et al. v. His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario go back to court this spring. Earlier this month, Ecojustice announced that the Court of Appeal for Ontario will hear the youths’ motion to […]
The Law Syrup podcast, a co-production between Herman Wong and the Ontario Justice Education Network, features conversations with special guests on various topics in Canadian law. In its second season, the podcast tackles discussions on Gladue Courts, tenant rights in Ontario, careers in family law, teaching and learning law, and much more. Two of the season highlights are the conversations with […]
In 2022, OJEN adopted a strategic plan establishing our organizational priorities through to our 25th anniversary in 2027. One of the 5 key priorities we identified was to: engage youth directly to increase the diversity of youth served. Advancing this goal, our programming focus has shifted from creating content for youth (youth-focused) to creating content with youth (youth-centred). A $20,000 grant from the TELUS […]
OJEN’s Board of Directors, staff and special guests met on November 25th for the 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM). The centerpiece of the meeting was a presentation by staff about key programing activities of the year that advanced the goals established in our strategic plan. OJEN’s strategic plan, established in 2022, takes the organization through […]
OJEN’s Public Legal Education programming for racialized justice-involved youth is an example of our strategic commitment to engage directly with youth. Over the last year, OJEN delivered 12 PLEI programs throughout Ontario to 100 racialized youth in open and closed custody facilities and in one diversion program. The program meets youth where they are and invites […]
By: Crystal-Claire Simmonds The 19th Annual Sistahs-in-Law Retreat coincided with the first major snowfall of Toronto’s 2025 winter season. Although I braved the weather to make my way to the Queen’s Quay district downtown, I fully expected the event to be sparsely attended – perhaps just myself and the organizers. Instead, I was shocked to […]
November 17, 2025 On November 12, the Chief Justices of the 3 Ontario courts met at Osgoode Hall to present the 19th annual OJEN Chief Justices’ Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions in promoting public understanding, education and dialogue in support of a responsive and inclusive justice system. A six-person team consisting […]
Tate’s Tableaux is a special evening of music and humour to honour, remember and celebrate the life of Tate Herbert. All proceeds go directly to support OJEN. Since 2014, the Herbert family and friends have come together to remember Tate, who was the age of many of the youth who benefit from OJEN’s programs when […]
By Marija Apostolovski For educators across Ontario, the end of summer looks different for everyone. Some spend the last weeks setting up classrooms, imagining the students who will soon fill them. Others savour slow mornings and warm coffee, enjoying the final days without alarm clocks. For a few, the pace of summer school has just […]
