Navigating the intricate and inherently politicized landscape of housing policy involves many areas of law, but because the vast majority of issues will be addressed through negotiation rather than litigation, adept dispute resolution and problem-solving skills will be necessary to reach goals for accessible housing in Canada.

Windsor Law will host the Canadian National Negotiation Competition on Saturday, March 8, bringing together law students from across the country to practise and improve their negotiation and problem-solving skills in English and French.

The competition simulates negotiation in which teams of two law students, acting as lawyers, negotiate a series of legal, social policy, and business problems. The winning teams will represent Canada at the International Negotiation Competition in London, U.K. in July.

A pre-competition symposium is open to the public on Friday, March 7. “Building Bridges: Negotiation, Housing Solutions, and Effective Public Policy” will run 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the law building’s Moot Court. Panel discussions will focus on challenges and breakthroughs in how housing problems have been framed and debated, as well as the successes and challenges of housing in Indigenous communities. Lunch, snacks, and coffee will be provided.

Find a full program of both days’ events on the Windsor Law website.

The event is sponsored by Windsor Law, the Centre for Cities, the Law Commission of Canada, the Desautels Centre, and the United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development in the Detroit-Windsor region.