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 […]
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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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
OJEN’s Summer Law Institute (SLI) is the go-to professional development event for Law and Civics teachers every August. This two-day conference features insights into emerging legal issues presented by experts in the field. We’ve lined up speakers involved in some of the most important and timely topics in the news, including Indigenous law, safe injection […]
OJEN’s Justice Education Fellowships are year-long placements that offer law and paralegal students in-depth training in public legal education theory and methods. Each Fellow plans and delivers a minimum of 3 justice education projects in schools in their communities, with support from OJEN’s staff and volunteers from the local legal community. The Fellowship program helps […]
Contest participants answered the question: What role is there for law reform in creating positive social change? Thank you to all the students who participated. The judges were impressed by the quality and thoughtfulness of the essays submitted! The contest winners are: First place: Zainab from Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy, Pickering Reforming Canadian Law […]
“Yes We Can” and its French-language version, “Tout droit vers le droit,” are new programs created and run by the Ontario Justice Education Network. Funded by the Ontario Bar Association Foundation and the Law Foundation of Ontario, they aim to teach middle school students from Black or other racialized backgrounds about the various professions and […]
