About Obiter: Living Law, Pursuing Justice, Renewing Hope.
Obiter is a compelling podcast from the Law Commission of Canada, hosted by its President, Shauna Van Praagh. Rooted in the legal term obiter dicta—words often seen as secondary but sometimes proving to be the most significant—the podcast shines a light on overlooked yet powerful aspects of law and justice.
Each episode features thought-provoking conversations with individuals across Canada who are shaping, challenging, and reimagining law in innovative and meaningful ways. From lawyers and scholars to activists and everyday citizens, guests bring unique perspectives on the evolving nature of law and its role in fostering justice and hope.
Obiter explores the many spaces where law operates—whether in the courtroom, communities, or personal experiences—highlighting its complexity, creativity, and human impact. By challenging assumptions and broadening perspectives, the podcast positions law reform as a dynamic, collective effort that takes many forms.
Through engaging discussions, Obiter encourages listeners to reflect, question, and connect, making it more than just a legal podcast—it's a platform for inquiry, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of justice in Canada.
Le journalisme, le droit et la vigilance démocratique avec Yves Boisvert
Dans cet épisode d'Obiter, Shauna Van Praagh s'entretient avec Yves Boisvert, journaliste avec La Presse depuis plus de 30 ans. Ensemble, ils explorent le rôle essentiel du journalisme dans la compréhension du droit, de la justice et de la démocratie.
Diplômé en droit de l'Université de Montréal, Yves Boisvert n'a jamais voulu devenir avocat, mais sa formation juridique a profondément façonné sa rigueur et sa capacité à vulgariser des enjeux complexes pour le grand public.
Pendant plus de dix ans comme journaliste judiciaire, puis comme chroniqueur, il s'est imposé comme un « spectateur professionnel » de la justice, convaincu qu'une critique lucide et rigoureuse renforce les institutions publiques.
La conversation aborde aussi sa méthode de terrain : aller à l'écoute des gens, recueillir leurs histoires, donner un visage humain aux grands enjeux. Ses reportages aux États-Unis en 2016 et 2024 illustrent cette approche, notamment face à la crise de la primauté du droit et des politiques migratoires de l'administration américaine.
Obiter est un balado de la Commission du droit du Canada, animé par Shauna Van Praagh. Notre équipe pour cet épisode se compose du producteur Brian Peebles, de la productrice associée Amélia Souffrant et la recherchiste Charlotte Ruffo.
22 Apr 2026
The Power of Law, Writing, and Global Engagement with the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin
In this episode of Obiter, host Shauna Van Praagh speaks with the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Canada's longest-serving and first female Chief Justice, about her prairie beginnings to life on the international stage. We discuss the evolving nature of law and the importance of creativity, storytelling and imagination in legal reasoning and justice.
McLachlin shares how her experiences teaching law influenced her legal thinking and her approach on the bench. She also provides insights from her international judicial experiences and the importance of global legal dialogue.
She speaks candidly about her transition from judicial life to writing memoirs and fiction, and the role that clarity plays in both legal and creative writing. We conclude the episode with her observations on the significance of supporting the rule of law and hope for its future amid global turbulence and democratic decline.
Obiter is produced by the Law Commission of Canada and hosted by Shauna Van Praagh. The team for this episode includes producer Brian Peebles, and associate producer Tiran Bajgiran.
25 Feb 2026
Hope Is a Muscle: Faith, Law, and Living Together with Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
In this episode of Obiter, host Shauna Van Praagh speaks with Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, Senior Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom, to explore how faith communities engage with law, justice, and belonging in a pluralistic society. Rabbi Grushcow offers perspectives on the connections between faith, civic responsibility, and the pursuit of justice.
The conversation traces Rabbi Grushcow's personal journey and reflects on the ways in which exclusion and inclusion can shape ethical commitments. The conversation explores pluralism as a defining feature of human communities, and emphasizes the importance of curiosity, respectful disagreement, and the preservation of minority voices in both legal and religious traditions.
Rabbi Grushcow speaks candidly about the responsibilities of public leadership, the challenge of fostering genuine belonging, and the delicate balance between speaking out and holding communities together.
Obiter is produced by the Law Commission of Canada and hosted by Shauna Van Praagh. The team for this episode includes producer Brian Peebles, associate producer Tiran Bajgiran, and researcher Maxwell Brody.
11 Feb 2026
L'éducation, le droit et la démocratie avec Daniel Jutras
Dans cet épisode d'Obiter, Shauna Van Praagh s'entretient avec Daniel Jutras, recteur de l'Université de Montréal, afin d'explorer les liens entre l'éducation, le droit et la démocratie. À partir de son parcours personnel et professionnel, Daniel Jutras réfléchit au rôle fondamental des universités dans la formation des citoyens, la transmission du savoir et la vitalité du débat public.
La conversation aborde les transformations qui marquent le monde universitaire, notamment les défis liés à l'enseignement, les effets de la remise en question de l'expertise et du savoir dans un contexte de montée du populisme, et les risques que cela pose pour les institutions démocratiques et la primauté du droit.
Obiter est un balado de la Commission du droit du Canada, animé par Shauna Van Praagh. Notre équipe pour cet épisode se compose du producteur Brian Peebles, de la productrice associée Amélia Souffrant et de l'assistant de recherche Maxwell Brody.
28 Jan 2026
Stories of Justice: Law, Journalism, and Indigenous Perspectives with Duncan McCue
In this episode of Obiter, we speak with journalist and educator Duncan McCue about the intersections of journalism, law, and Indigenous ways of knowing.
Duncan shares how his experience living on a Cree trapline as a teenager shaped his identity and his approach to teaching, as captured in his book, The Shoe Boy: A Trapline Memoir.
He speaks of his time at law school and how the model of Western legal education and training ultimately strengthened his journalism. Duncan discusses confronting mainstream media approaches to reporting and why he wrote Decolonizing Journalism, a guidebook to introducing reciprocity, respect, and careful relationship-building when reporting in Indigenous communities.
We also learn about how he designed Carleton University's Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities to bring journalism training directly to Indigenous learners where they live.
Our conversation ends with Duncan sharing why the next generation of storytellers gives him hope for the future of journalism and the evolving place of Indigenous legal traditions in Canada.
Obiter is produced by the Law Commission of Canada and hosted by Shauna Van Praagh. The team for this episode includes producer Brian Peebles, associate producer Mackenzie Claggett, and researcher Diana Ebadi.
24 Mar 2025
Revitalizing Law: Indigenous Legal Traditions with Dr. Val Napoleon
Before law school, Dr. Val Napoleon worked as a community activist with the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en Peoples of British Columbia. She learned their legal traditions holistically - from those actively practicing them - an experience that profoundly shaped her approach to law. This foundation continues to influence her work as she reimagines the possibilities for both Indigenous and Canadian legal systems.
A member of the Saulteaux First Nation and an adopted member of the Gitenyau, Dr. Napoleon is a trailblazer in the revitalization of Indigenous law. She began law school as a grandmother and has since dedicated her career to exploring Indigenous legal traditions. As the Law Foundation Chair of Indigenous Justice at the University of Victoria, she founded the Indigenous Law Research Unit and co-created a dual law degree in common and Indigenous law. She also co-founded the National Centre for Indigenous Law and leads efforts to holistically rebuild Indigenous legal orders. Dr. Napoleon continues to shape the teaching, learning, and practice of law in Canada.
Photo: Greg Miller
Resources:
Indigenous Law Research unit: https://ilru.ca/
24 Mar 2025
Building Justice and Shaping the Evolution of Law with Frank Iacobucci
Building justice and shaping the evolution of law is an ongoing pursuit—one that Frank Iacobucci has dedicated his life to. In this episode of Obiter, we explore his remarkable career and enduring impact on Canadian law reform.
A graduate of UBC and Cambridge, Iacobucci began his legal career in New York before returning to Canada to teach law in Toronto. He later became Dean of the University of Toronto’s Law School, moved into university leadership, and ultimately took on key roles in government and the judiciary. His path led him to Ottawa, where he served as Deputy Minister of Justice, Chief Justice of the Federal Court, and then Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 1991 to 2004.
Beyond the bench, Iacobucci has shaped justice through the academy, reviews and inquiries, and as the federal government’s chief negotiator for the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. In this conversation, he reflects on his career, the evolution of law, and the legacy he hopes to leave for future jurists. His insights offer a profound look at law as a force for justice, reconciliation, and progress.
Photo: Torys LLP
24 Mar 2025
Tisser les liens entre le droit et la littérature, avec l’écrivaine Kim Thúy
Dans cet épisode d'Obiter, Shauna Van Praagh, présidente de la Commission du droit du Canada, reçoit Kim Thùy, écrivaine québécoise d’origine vietnamienne qui a aussi été interprète, restauratrice, et juriste. Kim Thùy partage l’histoire émouvante de son arrivée au Canada et l’accueil des gens de Granby, avant de discuter de son parcours en droit et ses influences sur son œuvre littéraire. Le tout conclu par une réflexion inspirante sur l'optimisme et l'espoir.
Photo: Karine Levesque
24 Mar 2025
Obiter: Bande-annonce
Obiter : Vivre le droit, poursuivre la justice, renouveler l’espoir est un balado de la Commission du droit du Canada, animé par sa présidente, Shauna Van Praagh. S'inspirant du terme juridique obiter dicta – des mots d’abord considérés comme secondaires mais qui s'avèrent parfois les plus importants – le balado met en lumière des aspects inaperçus mais significatifs du droit et de la justice.
Chaque épisode propose des conversations stimulantes avec des personnes de tout le Canada qui façonnent, remettent en question et réimaginent le droit de manière novatrice et significative. Qu'il s'agisse de juristes, d'universitaires, d'activistes ou d’artistes, les invités apportent des perspectives uniques sur l’évolution du droit et son rôle dans la promotion de la justice et de l'espoir.
Obiter explore les nombreux espaces où le droit opère en soulignant sa complexité, sa créativité et son impact humain. En remettant en question les hypothèses et en élargissant les perspectives, le balado présente la réforme du droit comme un effort collectif dynamique qui prend de nombreuses formes.
À travers de riche discussions, Obiter encourage les auditeurs à réfléchir, à s'interroger et à se connecter, ce qui en fait plus qu'un simple balado juridique - c'est une plateforme d'enquête, d'inspiration et de compréhension approfondie de la justice au Canada.
24 Mar 2025
Obiter: English Trailer
Obiter: living law, pursuing justice, renewing hope is a compelling podcast from the Law Commission of Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/law-commission-canada.html), hosted by its President, Shauna Van Praagh. Rooted in the legal term obiter dicta—words initially seen as secondary but sometimes proving to be the most significant—the podcast shines a light on overlooked yet powerful aspects of law and justice.
Each episode features thought-provoking conversations with individuals across Canada who are shaping, challenging, and reimagining law in innovative and meaningful ways. From lawyers and scholars to activists and artists, guests bring unique perspectives on the evolution of law and its role in promoting justice and fostering hope.
Obiter explores the many spaces where law operates, highlighting its complexity, creativity, and human impact. By challenging assumptions and broadening perspectives, the podcast positions law reform as a dynamic, collective effort that takes many forms.
Through engaging discussions, Obiter encourages listeners to reflect, question, and connect, making it more than just a legal podcast—it’s a platform for inquiry, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of justice in Canada.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
56
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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