Panel Spotlight on the Notwithstanding Clause
We are living in a defining moment for human rights in Canada; a time that demands less passive observation and much more collective, proactive action.
That is why the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, along with partners, is hosting Mobilizing Civil Society: From Global Commitments to Domestic Action. Taking place on May 21 and 22, 2026 in Regina, Saskatchewan (and online via a hybrid format), this two-day gathering is for advocates, organizations, and everyday change makers to connect and build real collective power. Taking place immediately after the federal Day of Dialogue with Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers, this event gives civil society the immediate space to debrief, strategize, and pivot toward action. Furthermore, 2026 marks the historic 60th anniversary of the Twin Covenants (ICCPR and ICESCR). With Canada’s next major UN review on economic, social, and cultural rights looming in early 2027, the time to coordinate our shadow reporting and hold our institutions accountable is now.
On May 22, one of Mobilizing Civil Society’s discussion panels will be on the topic of the use of the notwithstanding clause in Canada, and how its invocation has affected freedoms and protections for many.
Notwithstanding threats panel: SPEAKERS
This one-hour panel explores the use of the notwithstanding clause across Canada and its effects on civil liberties and human rights. Panelists from civil society and legal organizations will share examples of how the clause has been applied, the rights it impacts, and the broader implications for freedom of expression, equality, and protections for Indigenous, minority, and 2STQLGBIA+ communities. The session will highlight strategies for advocacy, legal challenges, and collective civil society responses. Participants will gain insight into engaging with these issues and strengthening accountability when governments invoke the clause.
Anaïs Bussières McNicoll
Director of Fundamental Freedoms Program; Canadian Civil Liberties Association
Anaïs Bussières McNicoll is the director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA). As part of her role at CCLA, Anaïs develops and manages strategic litigation in which the CCLA, as a party or intervener, endeavors to advance the law on fundamental freedoms, democratic rights and mobility rights. She also advocates for fundamental rights and freedoms in various forums, including parliamentary committees and the media. She is deeply involved in CCLA’s opposition to the increasing use of the notwithstanding clause to override basic human rights.
Anaïs believes that a society cannot be truly free and democratic without a transparent,accountable state that respects the rule of law and upholds Charter-protected rights. She is honoured to dedicate her professional career to defending these principles. Prior to joining the CCLA, Anaïs was a partner at a national law firm, where she practiced litigation, with a focus on public and constitutional law, as well as civil law. She was particularly sought after for her contributions to complex cases at the appellate stage, especially before the Supreme Court of Canada. Anaïs was called to the Quebec Bar in 2015 after earning her law degree with honors from the University of Montreal. She then completed a two-year clerkship at the Quebec Court of Appeal.
Ga Grant
Staff Litigation Counsel, British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
Ga (she/her) is a human rights and civil liberties lawyer serving as Litigation Staff Counsel with the BC Civil Liberties Association. Ga is passionate about innovative, relational, and community-lead human rights advocacy and education. Ga was called to law to find creative and strategic use of the colonial legal system as a tool for justice, practiced alongside a lens of decolonial engagement. Ga has been working on BCCLA’s interventions on notwithstanding clause related litigation and supporting BCCLA’s We’re Not(With)standing For This! campaign work.
Prior to joining BCCLA, Ga worked for four years serving First Nations with a focus on Indigenous rights, litigation, and specific claims. Previously, Ga clerked with the BC Supreme Court, assisted with legal aid work on Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en territories, and summered with government and a boutique litigation firm, among other community justice work.
Bridgit O’Brien
Executive Director, UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
Bridgit O'Brien is the Executive Director of the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity. She has lived and studied in New Brunswick, British Columbia and now Saskatchewan.
A trans elder who grew up in small-town Nova Scotia, Bridgit is tired of living in interesting times and now wishes to be bored.
Eric Freeman
Senior Staff Lawyer, Egale Canada
Eric Freeman (he/him) is the senior staff lawyer at Egale, where he supports litigation across Canada on behalf of 2SLGBTQI people. Prior to joining Egale, Eric began his career as a commercial litigator, working at a national law firm in Toronto. In 2021-2022, Eric clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada for Justice Suzanne Côté. He also clerked for the Judges of the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2019-2020, where he completed his articles.
Eric graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he served as a senior editor for the Osgoode Hall Law Journal. Prior to law school, Eric obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University and a Masters degree in Political Science at McGill University.
Interested? There’s still time to register!
Learn more about the Civil Society Mobilization: Translating Global Commitments to Domestic Action Gathering
Thank you to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and the McConnell Foundation for their support that allows us to do this work.