The Spring 2021 Charter Challenge final was held by video conference on Monday, June 14th with two teams from Bloor Collegiate Institute in Toronto facing off against each other. The hearing was presided over by Justice van Rensburg, Matthew Parker (ONCA staff lawyer), and Holly Kallmeyer (law clerk). Ms. Kallmeyer joined ONCA clerks Christopher Puskas and Yadesha Satheaswaran for a question and answer period after the hearing.
We had great participation in the Charter Challenge this spring, despite all the difficulties this year has thrown our way. Thank you to all participants who reviewed the scenario and used it in class, as well as to those who submitted facta. Mr. Luis Filipe of Bloor Collegiate Institute was instrumental in setting up the video link for the finale, as well as a livestream for those who wished to watch the hearing. Thanks also go out to our markers from both rounds, and to Mr. Puskas and Ms. Satheaswaran for their commitment to planning both of this year’s Charter Challenges, and ensuring everything ran smoothly.
OJEN’s Charter Challenge is the only mock appeal program for Ontario high school students. Teams from across the province were invited to research and write facta either in favour or against a mock judicial statement. This time, the case examined the constitutionality of mandatory vaccination laws.
Congratulations to all the teams who participated in this extremely challenging program and to the Bloor Collegiate students for an outstanding performance at the Court of Appeal!