Public Advocacy

The Falconer Group is committed to Public Advocacy on issues of state accountability. The Group’s public advocacy work includes making deputations before various government boards or committees on significant policy changes and pro bono test cases meant to bring about positive social change.

Julian Falconer’s Deputation to Toronto Police Services Board
July 22, 2010 Courtesy of Rogers Cable 10

Julian Falconer on Libel Defences in Canada
May 31, 2010 Courtesy of TVO, Agenda

“I have a great deal of respect for the work police do. I'm the first one to admit I couldn't do their job. They have a right to go home to their families. The problem is, they carry a gun and they're licensed to use lethal force. Questions must be asked. It's all about accountability.”

National Post, December 20, 2000

“A VOICE FOR THE POWERLESS: As the son of a Jamaican father and Jewish mother, Julian Falconer knew at an early age what it was like to be an outsider. In retrospect, he was training for his present role as a civil rights lawyer.”

National Post, December 20, 2000

"When my six-year-old is 16 years or 17 years of age, I will be encouraging him to engage in democratic debate. He might ask me where was I when this law was passed that allows people to be summoned to a secret room to be asked about their religious beliefs, I want to be able to say proudly that I was trying to call the attention of the country to the problem. I think that you, with great respect, ought to be saying the same things to yourselves. This is wrong."

Excerpted Statements of Julian Falconer before the Senate Committee on the Anti-Terrorism Act (December 2001) from Hansard on the Anti-Terrorism Act 384750930-1