• Episode 136: B.C. city CENSORS comedy. Plus, Bill C-9 could criminalize residential school 'denialism'
    Jun 3 2026

    In Episode 136, we explain why Nanaimo, British Columbia got our 2026 Municipal Muzzle Award for censoring Ben Bankas' comedy show, and we explain the status of Bill C-9, which would chill religious speech and may now also outlaw residential school 'denialism.'

    Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

    • CCF’s Municipal Muzzle Award Calls Out Nanaimo for Cancelling Comedy (TheCCF.ca)
    • Share Your Thoughts With Nanaimo City Council (CCF Letter Writing Campaign)
    • Nanaimo’s Port Theatre cancels controversial comedian’s show (CHEK)
    • Bill C-9 amended to criminalize "residential school denialism" (Juno)
    • Criminalizing denialism is not the path to truth (Globe and Mail)
    • CCF Petition: Tell the Senate to Fix Bill C-9 (TheCCF.ca/fixbillc9)

    Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor.

    The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

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    37 mins
  • Episode 135: Judge finds Waterloo can't shut down homeless encampment. Plus, Alberta votes.
    May 27 2026

    In Episode 135, we take a deep dive into an decision that says Waterloo Region can't tear down a homeless encampment to build a transit hub because that would violate the rights to life, liberty, security of the person and equality. Plus, Alberta to hold a referendum on a referendum.

    Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

    • Premier Doug Ford could use notwithstanding clause on Waterloo Region’s encampment ruling (CTV News)
    • Dear Albertans, here’s what you need to know about the Clarity Act (National Post)
    • Belgian court convicts nationalist activist for lecture that would be protected in the US (Brussels Signal)
    • Stratford's 'Strong Mayors' challenge hinges on three main arguments (Stratford Beacon Herald)

    Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor.

    The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

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    32 mins
  • Episode 134: B.C. tribunal finds classical liberalism is NOT a protected belief. Plus, a new tort is born.
    May 20 2026

    In Episode 134, we tell you about a BC Human Rights Tribunal decision that finds holding the classical liberal view on DEI is not a protected political view, unlike socialism. Plus, we discuss the newly-created tort of intimidate partner violence.

    Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

    • Gordon v. Simon Fraser University, 2026 BCHRT 101 (BCHRT)
    • Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia (Supreme Court of Canada)
    • Should family violence be it's own new tort? A debate! (Canadian Justice)
    • For intervenors in SCC case, the implications of a new tort of family violence are far-reaching (Canadian Lawyer)
    • Sign our Bill C-22 petition (TheCCF.ca)

    Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor.

    The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

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    42 mins
  • Episode 133: Edmonton Police use bodycams with FACIAL RECOGNITION. Plus, Kelowna v 'freedom rallies'
    May 13 2026

    In Episode 133, we explain why Kelowna can move ahead with its petition to rein in Freedom Rally protesters and we discuss an Edmonton Police pilot project using bodycams and facial recognition software. Plus, we share our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

    Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

    • Kelowna (City) v Lindsay, 2026 BCSC 842 (CanLii)
    • City of Kelowna wins court battle to proceed with injunction against COVID rallies (Castanet)
    • Edmonton police emails, documents provide new information on Canada-first AI facial recognition bodycam pilot (CBC News)
    • Canada gave citizenship to a terrorist. Revoking it has been ‘ridiculously’ slow (Global News)
    • CCF to intervene in Supreme Court case defending online reviews as free expression (TheCCF.ca)

    Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor.

    The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

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    36 mins
  • Episode 132: Conservatives and libertarians clash in Ottawa. Plus, a victory for free speech.
    May 7 2026

    In Episode 132, we tell you what conservatives and libertarians are clashing over at the Canada Strong and Free conference in Ottawa. Plus, we tell you about our latest victory on the free speech front.

    Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

    • CCF Victory: South Bruce Peninsula, Ontario reverses unconstitutional protest ban (TheCCF.ca)
    • CCLA Condemns Ontario’s Expansion of Arrest Powers to Transit Special Constables (CCLA)
    • Explainer: Bill C-22 increases risk of surveillance state, government spying (TheCCF.ca)
    • SCOOP: Jen Gerson: Elections Alberta's massive failure could have put people in danger. I tried to warn them. (The Line)
    • Pierre Poilievre urges conservatives to keep fighting in networking conference speech (CTV News)

    Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor.

    The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

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    31 mins
  • Episode 131: Did ARRESTING Professor Widdowson violate the Charter? Plus, N.S. BANS naming kid who die in care.
    Apr 29 2026

    In Episode 131, we discuss whether the University of Lethbridge's banishment of Professor Frances Widdowson violated the right to freedom of expression, and we tell you about a Nova Scotia law that bans naming kids who died in care. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

    Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

    • Bill that shields identity of children in care even after death receives royal assent (CBC News)
    • FAQ on Free Speech in Canada (TheCCF.ca)
    • Response to Media (University of Lethbridge)
    • Cancelling talk breached Charter freedoms, controversial academic argues in court (CBC News)
    • Disrobing the Aboriginal Stalinists on a Canadian Campus (Minding the Campus)
    • Into Wokism’s Raging Maw: Frances Widdowson at the University of Lethbridge (C2C Journal)
    • Disrobing the Aboriginal Industry (McGill University Press)

    Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor.

    The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

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    29 mins
  • Episode 130: Liberals to use majority to CENSOR online speech. Plus, court strikes down N.S. woods ban.
    Apr 22 2026

    In Episode 130, we explain our concerns that the upcoming Online Harms Act will include a digital safety commissioner tasked with censoring speech online, and we walk you through our successful challenge to Nova Scotia's woods ban. Plus, our Bad Legal Takes of the Week.

    Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

    • ‘Serious’ On Internet Controls (Blacklock's Reporter)
    • Statement on removal of extreme violent content (eSafety Commission)
    • Federal Court chooses not to extend temporary order blocking terrorist attack vision on social media platform X (ABC)
    • CCF concerned by Online Harms Act (TheCCF)
    • Alberta rejects commission’s proposed changes to province’s electoral map (The Globe and Mail)
    • CCF issues warning to Annapolis Royal over decision to end livestreaming of meetings (TheCCF.ca)

    Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor.

    The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

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    33 mins
  • Episode 129: Is floor crossing ILLEGAL? Plus, federal research funding BLOCKS non-disabled and men.
    Apr 15 2026

    In Episode 129, we explain why floor crossings are constitutionally permitted in Parliament even if they betray local voters, and we dig into the Canada Research Chair program's quotas, which lead to professor job postings limited to only women and people with disabilities.

    Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:

    • 2019 Addendum to the 2006 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement (Canada Research Chairs)
    • 2021 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement (Canada Research Chairs)
    • Assistant or Associate Professor- Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Forestry and Environmental Stewardship (UBC)
    • Could we ban floor crossing in Canada (Brian Lilley)
    • Preston Manning: It is time for some Liberals to cross the floor (National Post)

    Not Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn, with help from Alexander Surgenor.

    The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

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    33 mins