Canada-United States Legal Studies Centre
Overview
Founded in 1989, the Canada-United States Legal Studies Centre integrates Canadian legal issues into the Law School by coordinating its activities with those of research groups, faculty initiatives, and student organizations. The Centre's directors and staff actively encourage and support Canada-related and comparative Canada-United States related research, curricula initiatives, and public presentations. Faculty members are encouraged and funded to pursue Canadian perspectives or topics in their research, and to include Canadian speakers to academic events they are organizing. Students interested in Canadian studies or legal practice are given advice and direction.
Cross-border issues have been identified as being of particular interest in the UB 2020 strategic strength on Civic Engagement and Public Policy. The Law School and the Canada-U.S. Legal Studies Centre are integral parts of the development of this strategic strength.
Courses & Seminars
Law School Courses and Seminars
UB Law School offers a number of courses with Canadian content. The same courses and seminars may not be offered every year.
Courses and Seminars:
- Advanced Family Law (focusing on Comparative and International Family Law)
- Environmental Law 1
- Environmental Law 2
- Environmental Law Externship
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement Externship
- International Business Environment
- International Labor Law
- International Trade and the Environment
- International Trade and Finance
- Topics in Regional Economic Development: Industry
- U.S. Customs and Border Externship
Graduate Certificate in Canadian Studies
UB offers a Graduate Certificate in Canadian Studies available to law and graduate students through UB’s Canadian Studies Program. [View full details]
Funding & Grants
Research and Speakers, Conferences, and Workshops
Modest support for research on a Canadian legal topic may be available from the Centre and the Centre. If you are interested in funding for research or support for bringing in a visiting speaker for a class presentation, a law faculty workshop, a conference, or other events, contact either of the directors: Professor Robert Berger or Laura Mangan. See also, small grants available from the UB Canadian American Studies Committee, and more substantial funding from the Canadian Embassy and Quebec Government.
Since 1989, the Centre has hosted events every year on subjects including: Canadian Health Care in Comparative Perspective; Subsidies under NAFTA; Nunavut: Creation of a New Territory; Canada-U.S. Immigration Issues; Power: the Battle by the Cree to Stop St. James Bay Hydro; and most recently, The Politics of Climate Change in Stephen Harper’s Canada.
Cosponsorship
The Centre frequently provides resources to support an event organized by another group. Contact either of the directors: Professor Robert Berger or Laura Mangan.
Practicing Law in Canada
Students at UB and U.S. lawyers interested in practicing in Ontario or representing Canadian clients will find the Web site for the Law Society of Upper Canada at interesting and informative. Please note that rules for each province or territory will differ.