Episode 104 | Barriers to Adequate Housing and How Indigenous Housing Organizations are Filling the Gaps
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
Release Date: 05/08/2025
#105 | Dans l’angle mort de la justice pénale internationale – Aux confins des enjeux géopolitiques (épisode 1)
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
Le juge Simon Ruel s’entretient avec Me Philippe Larochelle, président de l’Association du Barreau près de la Cour pénale internationale (ABCPI), pour faire le point sur la Cour pénale internationale (CPI), plus de 20 ans après sa création. Mandats d’arrêt contre des chefs d’État, accusations de politisation, enjeux de souveraineté, place des victimes, défis de la défense, écocide et preuve numérique : cet épisode explore les forces, limites et tensions d’un système de justice unique, confronté à un monde en mutation. Invité Me Philippe Larochelle, avocat et...
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Episode 104 | Barriers to Adequate Housing and How Indigenous Housing Organizations are Filling the Gaps
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
SUMMARY Due to the cumulative effects of settler colonialism and the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous lands, Indigenous peoples in Canada experience significantly higher rates of housing insecurity than the general population. Existing mental health and substance use issues further exacerbate this issue, creating a cycle of insecurity. Host Sarah Rowe is joined by Margaret Pfoh, CEO of Aboriginal Housing Management Association, and Justin Marchand, CEO of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, to discuss how intergenerational trauma, historical injustice, and systemic discrimination...
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Episode 103 | Addiction, Work, and Justice: What Are We Missing?
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
In this episode, CIAJ's Articling Student David Lazzam sits down with Jessyca Greenwood, Principal Lawyer at Greenwood Law, to discuss how the legal system responds to substance dependency in the workplace. Drawing from years of experience representing vulnerable clients, Jessyca explores common legal challenges, gaps in employer obligations, and the role of stigma in shaping outcomes. Together, they examine how specialized courts and diversion programs can help—or hinder—real change. From courtroom culture to systemic reform, this conversation highlights the need for compassion,...
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Episode 102 | The Toxic Drug Crisis Podcast Series: Rethinking Decriminalization
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
Drug toxicity is a leading cause of death in Canada and around the world. Over the course of three episodes, we address three interrelated topics related to the toxic drug crisis. This final episode will review decriminalization policies in Portugal, British Columbia, and Oregon, and examine the mandatory treatment scheme in Alberta. Guests discuss how decriminalization is ineffective as a standalone policy and suggest additional resources that are needed to address the overdose crisis. Host Sarah Rowe discuss this issue and more with guests, internist and addiction specialist, Dr. Monty...
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Episode 101 | The TAP Project: Chief Justice Marc Richard on Justice, Ethics, and Reform
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
In this episode, CIAJ's Executive Director Christine O’Doherty welcomes The Honourable Chief Justice J.C. Marc Richard (of New Brunswick) to talk about his involvement in the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) Project. Drawing from his experience in Mongolia and Moldova, he discusses the importance of judicial independence and ethics. He addresses questions about Canada’s role in strengthening global justice, the challenges of eradicating corruption, and the value of international judicial cooperation. He reflects on what motivates his involvement and how these experiences shape his...
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Episode 100 | Reprogramming Resilience: How Childhood Adversity Shapes Mental Health and Addiction
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
Nicole Sherren, a neuroscience expert and Principal Consultant at R2P Solutions, joins The Honourable P. Colleen Suche, Justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba, for an engaging discussion on the profound impact of childhood adversity on brain development, mental health, and addiction. Drawing on cutting-edge research, Sherren illustrates how early adverse experiences can rewire the brain, heightening susceptibility to addiction and mental health challenges later in life. The discussion explores the pivotal role of epigenetics in fostering resilience and examines how...
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Episode 99 | Indigenous Legal Principles: Wahkohtowin Lodge's Insights on Addiction, Mental Health and Governance
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
In this insightful conversation, host David Lazzam speaks with Gavin Cazon-Wilkes, a Legal Counsel with the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge. This episode highlights the Lodge’s methodologies for uncovering Indigenous legal principles, its efforts to address addiction and mental health, and its aspirations for advancing Indigenous-led governance. Through concrete examples, Gavin demonstrates how narrative tools are reshaping the legal landscape, offering a unique perspective on integrating traditional laws with contemporary challenges. Let's continue the discussion! To further explore...
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Episode 98 | The TAP Project: Insights from Ecuador’s Exploration of Canada’s Indigenous Justice System
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
Discover the impact of the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) through the experience of the Ecuadorian delegation at CIAJ's 2024 Symposium on Indigenous Justice System. Hosted by Christine O'Doherty, the Honourable Milton Enrique Velasquez Diaz, Justice of the National Court of Justice of Ecuador, explores how TAP facilitates exchanges between judicial experts and justice system actors, while supporting global reform efforts. This dialogue highlights lessons learned from the Canadian system on indigenous justice issues, and their relevance in an international context. ABOUT THE TECHNICAL...
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Episode 97 | Breaking Barriers: Exploring Addiction, Mental Health, and the Law
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
In this engaging discussion, host David Lazzam welcomes Justice Richard Schneider and mental health advocate Noah Irvine to explore the intersection of addiction, mental health, and the law. Justice Schneider reflects on his extensive experience with mental health courts and the criminal justice system, while Noah shares a powerful perspective as a national advocate for systemic change. Drawing from personal tragedy and resilience, Noah speaks with authority and compassion, having lost both parents to suicide and addiction by the age of 15. Together, they tackle pressing issues such as...
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Episode 96 | Child-Centred Family Law: A Call for Collaboration
CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice
In this episode, David Lazzam hosts a compelling discussion with Vincent Ramsay, a retired family law attorney, and Nicholas Bala, a professor specializing in family and children’s law. Together, they delve into the history of Canada’s adversarial family law system and its profound impacts on families and children. Their engaging dialogue highlights the contrasting roles of “peacemaker” and “hired gun” lawyers, while offering educational and policy reform suggestions to promote a more collaborative, child-focused approach to family law. The episode also provides concrete advice for...
info_outlineSUMMARY
Due to the cumulative effects of settler colonialism and the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous lands, Indigenous peoples in Canada experience significantly higher rates of housing insecurity than the general population. Existing mental health and substance use issues further exacerbate this issue, creating a cycle of insecurity.
Host Sarah Rowe is joined by Margaret Pfoh, CEO of Aboriginal Housing Management Association, and Justin Marchand, CEO of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, to discuss how intergenerational trauma, historical injustice, and systemic discrimination contribute to the unique barriers that Indigenous peoples face when seeking adequate housing and explain the need for culture-based housing policy.
Guests
- Justin Marchand, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS)
- Margaret Pfoh, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA)
Host
- Sarah Rowe, Articling Clerk, Legal Aid Newfoundland and Labrador
RELATED DOCUMENTATION
- Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS): https://www.ontarioaboriginalhousing.ca/
- Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA): https://ahma-bc.org/