We're pleased to welcome Scott Fairley (Cambridge LLP) for a lecture on his newly released book, Foreign Affairs in the Canadian Constitution.
This hybrid event will be held on January 29 at 12:00PM MST in room 113 of the Law Centre and online via Zoom.
To register for in-person attendance, please click the red button on the right-hand side of the page, or follow this link: Foreign Affairs in the Canadian Constitution | January 29 @ 12:00-1:00 PM MST | Eventbrite
To register for online attendance, please follow this link: Foreign Affairs in the Canadian Constitution | January 29 @ 12:00-1:00 PM MST | ZoomÂ
Abstract: This book challenges siloed understandings of treaty-making (federal) and treaty implementation (federal or provincial depending on subject matter, regardless of the international context) with a view to bringing them together under a single subject, as its title suggests. However, it does so, mindful that Canada remains a diverse federal state spread over a vast territory. My account does not seek to drive a cart and a horse through constitutionally allocated provincial powers. What I do say, however, is that the "international" makes the "local" of national interest and importance for purposes of federal competence to act comprehensively for that purpose, both at the executive level and through Parliament as a key part of federal residual powers for the Peace, Order and Good Government of the Nation (or POGG for short). Federal trade and commerce cases have also been very helpful in conveying a similarly principled message. There are chapters on both. In this, I am perhaps a little ahead of the Supreme Court of Canada on point, but that court is not far behind. We might even go so far as to say that our current government is leading with its chin in this area in seeking new allies to augment or replace our now mercurial neighbor to the south and trying to pull off grand projects in the national interest, in part, to nurture those relationships.
January 29, 2026, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
