Sheppard, Colleen

Women as Wives: Immigration Law and Domestic Violence

This article focuses on the spousal sponsorship system in Canadian immigration law. The author argues that the current system creates significant obstacles to sponsored immigrant women with abusive spouses. The article examines the specific provisions of the sponsorship system through a human rights lens, with a focus on both the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and international human rights law. In conclusion, the author argues that the current spousal sponsorship regime needs immediate reform as it results in violations of Charter rights and international human rights law.

Aboriginal Women, Self-Government and The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

This report examines the issue of Aboriginal self-government in Canada and its potential impact upon the rights of Aboriginal women. The report raises concerns about where the inherent right to self-government may be rooted within Canadian law and argues that if it is found within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, this will leave the right to self-government open to the restrictions under section 1 of the Charter. (Charter rights are subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society).