OJEN Classroom Resources
OJEN has over 200 resources available for use in classrooms, community agencies and justice education programs. All OJEN resources are available for free in English or French. Resources are for general educational use and are not legal advice. Anyone dealing with legal issues should consult a lawyer for confidential, specific legal advice. OJEN retains the copyright over all OJEN resources and materials cannot be modified without prior written permission. There are four ways to search for a resource:
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Landmark Case: The Spanking Case – Testing the Validity of Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada – The Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law (CFCYL) v. Canada
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. Known as the spanking case, this is a leading Supreme Court of Canada decision dealing with the constitutional validity of s. 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada […]
Landmark Case: The Same Sex Marriage Case – Halpern et al. v. Attorney General of Canada et al.
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. The common law definition of marriage requires that marriage be between “one man and one woman.” This opposite-sex requirement was challenged by eight same-sex couples as offending their […]
Landmark Case: The Question of Quebec Sovereignty – Reference Re Secession of Quebec
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and activities that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. In 1995, the Parti Quebecois held a referendum to determine whether the residents of Quebec wanted to separate from Canada. A narrow majority of voters opposed secession (50.6% to […]
Landmark Case: The Parental Rights Case – Trociuk v. British Columbia (Attorney General)
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. Darrell Trociuk and Reni Ernst were an estranged couple who had triplets on January 29, 1996. Shortly after the triplets were born, Ms. Ernst filled out the birth […]
Landmark Case: The Montfort Hospital Case – Lalonde v. Health Services Restructuring Commission (Ontario)
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. The Ontario Health Services Restructuring Committee recommended that Hôpital Montfort, the only Francophone teaching hospital in Ontario, become an ambulatory care centre and maintain a limited number of beds. […]
Landmark Case: The Métis Hunting Rights Case – R. v. Powley
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. Mr. Powley argued that as a Métis person he should be afforded the same protections as other Aboriginal people under s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 to […]
Landmark Case: The Ipperwash Inquiry
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. On September 4, 1995, Chippewas from the Stoney Point Reserve began an occupation of Ipperwash Provincial Park, located in Grand Bend, ON. Two days later, an Aboriginal occupier, […]
Landmark Case: Sniffer Dogs, School Searches, and the Charter: R. v. A.M.
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. In 2002, the police accepted a standing invitation from a principle at a Sarnia, Ontario high school to bring sniffer dogs into the school to search for drugs. […]
Landmark Case: Sexual Orientation and the Charter – Vriend v. Alberta
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. Delwin Vriend was employed as a laboratory coordinator at a private Christian college in Edmonton, Alberta. In January 1991, the college fired Mr. Vriend after they became aware […]
Landmark Case: School Searches and Privacy – R. v. M. (M.R.)
Each OJEN Landmark Case includes a case summary, classroom discussion questions and worksheets that encourage students to explore both the legal and societal importance of the case. This is a leading case from the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) dealing with search and seizure in Canadian schools. A vice-principal at a high school in Nova […]