Since the introduction of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982, individuals and organizations have increasingly turned to the courts to try to bring about policy change in a variety of areas, including health care. But although the outcomes of Supreme Court cases on health care issues are closely watched, can they effect actual change in policy?

Christopher Manfredi, provost of McGill University and a professor in its political science department, will explore the systematic use of Charter litigation in the area of health care and the ultimate policy impact of the resulting judicial decisions in a free public lecture Monday, November 6.

Dr. Manfredi will examine three Supreme Court cases to illustrate the clash between two iconic Canadian policy instruments — universal, single-payer health care and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Eldridge (1997) and Auton (2004) invited the court to extend the scope of publicly funded services, while Chaouilli (2005) asked the court to allow private health services.

His lecture, entitled “Healthcare and the Charter: Legal mobilization and policy change in Canada,” will begin at 10 a.m. in Katzman Lounge, Vanier Hall. It is sponsored by the Humanities Research Group, the Department of Political Science, and the UWindsor provost’s office.