Job Ad Position Title: Aboriginal Law Summer Student (2014) Ministry: Ministry of the Attorney General Division: Various Branch/Office: Various Offices Location: Various Available 18 Positions: Branch Overview: '~*'~ DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION- WED. JAN. 22,2014 Do you have a demonstrated interest in Aboriginal law? Arc you knowledgeable and experienced with Aboriginal communities? If so, you are encouraged to apply for the Aboriginal Law Summer Program. We are currently recruiting Aboriginal Law Summer students for the following Ministry of the Attorney General offices: o Criminal Law Division (9 positions) o Crown Law Office- Civil (2 positions) o Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Legal Services Branch (1 position) o Ministry of Natural Resources, Legal Services Branch (1 position) o Ministry of the Environment, Legal Services Branch (1 position) e Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Legal Services Branch (1 position) o Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (1 position) o Ministry of Community and Social Services/Ministry of Children and Youth Services AND Ministry of Education/Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (1 position) o Office of the Children's Lawyer (1 position) Ministry of the Attorney Gene1 al: Criminal Law Division The Criminal Law Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General offers challenging opportunities to work in one of 52 Crown Attorney Offices across Ontario or within the Crown Law Office-Criminal.
The Crown Law Office-Criminal is responsible for virtually all criminal appeals of indictable matters in Ontario as \Vell as the development of Crown policy and response to Aboriginal Justice issues. The majority of the work involves the preparation and argument of appeals both before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Counsel in this office appear on many of the leading cases you study in law school. Students assist counsel in developing policy on a vast array of issues, including Aboriginal justice issues, as well as formulating strategic positions and legal arguments in high profile criminal appeals and complex criminal trials. The Crown Attorneys' offices are responsible for prosecuting the vast majority of criminal offences in the Province of Ontario, from summary conviction offences in the Ontario Court of Justice to the most serious indictable offences in the Superior Court of Justice. Prosecutions occur throughout the province, from locations as remote as fly-in First Nations communities where proceedings are held in churches and school gymnasiums, to the country's busiest courthouses in downtmvn Toronto. Summer law students are provided with a similar experience as artiding students, ranging from legal research and drafting facta to assisting with serious prosecutions. Locations: Crown Law Office-Criminal (Toronto) Oshawa/Whitby (Durham) Newmarket (York) Barrie (Simcoe) windsor (Essex) London (Middlesex) Brantford (Brant) Cayuga (Haldimand) Weiland (Niagara/St. Catharines) Crown Law Oftice- Civil Crown Law Office- Civil (CLOC) is the Ontario government's central civil litigation and advisory office. CLOC represents the government on a wide range of Aboriginal issues including aboriginal and treaty rights claims, aboriginal consultation issues, aboriginal title claims and Crown obligations under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Legal Services Branch The Ministry of Aboriginal M fairs is responsible for developing and implementing the Province's Aboriginal Policy as well as negotiating and settling land claims. It also manages
the Province's relationships with Aboriginal Peoples, Aboriginal organizations, and the federal government. The Legal Services Branch of the Ministry provides a full spectrum of legal services to support the work of the Ministry. The Legal Services Branch al so works with counsel across government to assist with providing advice on matters related to Aboriginal Peoples and their rights and assertions, with a particular emphasis on consultation issues. Ministry of Natural Resources, Legal Services Branch The Ministry of Natural Resources, Legal Services Branch provides legal services t.o the Ministry of Natural Resources, whose mandate is to manage Crown lands and resources for the Province of Ontario. Our practice areas include matters involving fish and wildlife, endangered species, forestry, Crown lands, Provincial Parks, the Niagara Escarpment Commission, aggregates, aboriginal law, prosecutions/litigation, procurement and environmental Jaw. The legal work at the Ministry of Natural Resources is wide ranging and varied. Our lawyers: prosecute violations of Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Agricultme, Food and Rural Affairs legislation; conduct appeals; appear before administrative tribunals, including tbe Niagara Escarpment Hearing Office and the Ontario Municipal Board; draft agreements; provide legal advice and opinions to the Ministry; assist with drafting legislation; provide legal input into policy development; deal with legal issues involving Crown land and real property; and provide legal advice and opinions on aboriginal law matters. :Ministry of the Environment, Legal Services Branch The Ministry of the Environment, Legal Services Branch has three practice areas: the Prosecutions Team, Hearings Team, and Solicitors Team. Lawyers on the Prosecutions Team conduct prosecutions under environmental legislation. The Hearings Team litigates environmental matters before administrative tribunals, and is involved in judicial review applications, statutory appeals before Divisional Court, and arbitrations. The Solicitors Team assists in the drafting of agreements, drafting and review of regulatory instruments, development of environmental legislation and regul ations, and advising on the administration of environmental protection regimes such as the Environmental Assessment Act and Environmental Bill of Rights. The aboriginal law practice group is part of the solicitors team, but provides support and advice on aboriginal law issues ari sing in all practice areas,
and also deals with aboriginal issues arising in broader Crown litigation contexts. Many of the aboriginal issues have interministerial aspects, <:lnd therefore involve collaboration with other Crown ministries. Ministr)' of Northern Development and Mines, Legal Services Branch The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) serves the northernmost 90% of Ontario and the province's minerals industry, and has a key role in furthering economic development in Northern Ontario, including Aboriginal communities. The Ministry continues significant work to implement a major review and modernization of Ontario's Mining Act. Among other things, the amended Act focuses on ensuring appropriate consultation and accommodation of First Nation and Metis communities. On an operational basis, the Ministry's Mineral Development and Lands Branch, supported by MNDM's Aboriginal Relations Branch, engages with industry proponents and Aboriginal communities where Aboriginal and treaty rights may be adversely affected by mineral exploration and development activity. The Ministry also provides direct financial support of capacity building and economic development in Aboriginal communities. The Ministry's Legal Services Branch provides strategic legal advice to MNDM including legal opinions and advice on matters affecting Ministry programs, Aboriginal issues, freedom of information, conflict of interest, Constitutional matters and statutory interpretation; preparation of contracts, Orders In Council, legislation and regulations; and representing MNDM at tribunals and instructing counsel in litigation matters. Ministt y of Health and Long-Term Care, Legal Services Branch The Legal Services Branch at the Ministry of Heallh and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) provides strategic legal advice on challenging, high profile issues facing the MOHLTC. Our lawyers provide advice to all of the diverse program areas within the ministry. For example: Ontario public drug programs, mental health, access :mel privacy, public hospital programs, independent health facility programs, long-term care, regulated health professions, public health, ehealth, information and information technology, and health insurance. While the majority of work in our office is solicitor focused, our lawyers, in conjunction with Crown Law Office - Civil and the Constitutional Law Branch, are involved in litigation,
judicial reviews and prosecutions. lviinistry of Community and Social Services/Ministry of Children and Youth Services AND Ministry of Education/Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities This unique opportunity will allow a student to work half time for the Legal Services Branch for the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, and half time at the Legal Services Branch for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The manner of dividing the student's time will be determined closer to the beginning of the summer, when anticipated workload relating to aboriginal issues in each Legal Services Branch will be more clear. The branches arc located across the street from each other at Bay & Wellesley Streets in downtown Toronto. Both Legal branches provide strategic legal advice on matters relating to all program areas of the Ministries they serve. This includes general legal advice on the interpretation and application of legislation, identification of legal risks associated with policy and operational decisions, advice on privacy, drafting of contracts, procurements, Orders In Council, ombudsman investigations, and drafting of lcgislalion and regulations. Office of the Children's Lawyer The Office of the Children's Lawyer (OCL) operates as an independent law office within the Victims and Vulnerable Persons Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General. The Children's Lawyer and a staff of twenty-four lawyers provide legal services for children under the age of 18 years. At any given Lime, the office represents the interests of over twenty thousand children and youth in various areas of Jaw including civil litigation, estates, child custody and access disputes and child protection proceedings. Description of Program: Depending on which office a student is assigned to, they may conduct legal research, assist with the drafting of pleadings or facta, assist in the preparation of court cases, or with the development of new legislation. Students may also work on an array of aboriginal law issues, including: aboriginal land claims; aboriginal rights claims; consultation issues; selfgovernment assertions; Crown obligations under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Students may also be involved in; aboriginal policy development and implementation; and managing relationships between the Province, the federal
government, and aboriginal Peoples. Specific descriptions are outlined belo\v for the hiring offices: Crown Attorney Offices, Criminal Law Division: You will have some legal research skills and will be tasked with assisting Crown Attorneys and Assistant Crown Attorneys with legal research and the preparation of cases and appeals. You will be provided with an opportunity to job shadow Crown Attorneys in court to further develop your skills in working with and communicating with people. Depending on willingness and readiness, you may be trained to conduct some prosecutions in Provincial Offences Court. This provides an excellent opportunity to experience court work. You will also be exposed to the administrative side of the office ami provided an opportunity to learn about court related functions such as screening files, preparing disclosure, preparing factums, opening files, etc. There is one position in Toronto, at the Crown Law Office, Criminal. The remaining criminal positions at Crown Attorney's Offices will be outside of Toronto. Crown Law Office - Civil: While at CLOC, you work as part of the Aboriginal Litigation Team and will be expected to complete one or more specific research projects that include elements of both factual and legal research. You will also assist counsel with various facets of legal work including conducting research, writing memoranda, and drafting facta and other legal documents. Students arc also encouraged to attend court proceedings with counsel at all levels of courts within Ontario, the Federal Court, and the Supreme Court of Canada. 1\!Iinistry of Aboriginal Affairs, Legal Services Branch: Under the supervision of counsel within the Ministry, you will participate in meetings with counsel on Aboriginal legal issues, conduct research and provide advice related to land claims and negotiations, major policy initiatives, and emerging legal issues impacting Aboriginal Peoples. Ministry of Natm al Resources, Legal Services Branch The Aboriginal Law Summer Student program at MNR-LSB involves both prosecution/litigation experience and solicitor work. We arc seeking a.summer student with a keen interest in natural resources and environmental law in Ontario. Within
those fields and under the supervision of the aboriginal law group the student may be tasked with: research and writing; drafting and reviewing agreements; providing legal advice and opinions; providing legal input into policy development; dealing with legal issues as they arise; attending negotiations, hearings and court. Ministry of the Environment, Legal Services Branch: At MOE you may become involved in any of a wide range of files handled in the legal services branch. While aboriginal issues come up in many MOE files, the ALSSP position is not intended to be dedicated to aboriginal legal issues exclusively. Summer students may be asked to conduct research, prepare memos, get involved in case preparation, attend meetings or proceedings with counsel, assist with review of file correspondence, policy or regulatory initiatives and legal advice, or may concentrate on a targeted project lo support the Branch's delivery of legal advice on matters relating to aboriginal legal issues and environmental protection in Ontario. A mentor is assigned to the student to ensure that the summer program is a rewarding experience from a learning and skills perspective. Students are able and encouraged attend learning sessions and training. Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Legal Services Branch: As a student in this Ministry, you will be offered challenging work in a small, collegial bnmch, assisting the Ministry in implementing its consultation obligations, particularly in the mining context. Drawing on Aboriginal, constitutional and public law, students will have the opportunity to assist counsel in relation to negotiations with Aboriginal communities and resource industries, and in conducting legal research, providing timely advice, and drafting legal opinions, agreements and other legal documents. Ministry of Health and Long~ Term Care, Legal Services Branch: Our summer students have the opportunity to work with experienced counsel on a range of legal matters and can expect exposure to diverse areas o.flaw, including: administrative law, intellectual property, labour/employment, and commercial law, as those areas pertain to the health sector. Students in the Aboriginal Law Program will also be given any opportunity to work on Aboriginal law issues as they arise during their contract.
Generally, summer students spend their time: o Researching legal issues, including case-law and statute research, and comparative analysis of law from diiterenl jurisdictions o Preparing legal memoranda, case summaries, presentations and briefing materials o Assisting counsel working on legislation and regulations., Attending client meetings. Ministry of Community and Social Services and Ministry of Children and Youth Senices, Legal Services Branch MCSS/MCYS Legal Services Branch provides legal services with respect to social welfare and child welfare matters. Our practice areas include administrative law, privacy law, contracts and procurement as well as special knowledge of and experience with statutes governing adoption, adoption disclosure, child protection, children's mental health, services for children with special needs, services for youth in conflict with the law, residential services, services to aboriginal children and youth, social assistance, and community services. Under the supervision of counsel the summer student at MCSS/MCYS will conduct research, assist in the development of policy initiatives, and provide advice on matters affecting Ministry programs. The student may work on an array of aboriginal issues including aboriginal child welfare, the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, the Aboriginal Child and Youth Strategy and the 1965 Indian Welfare Agreement. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Legal Services Branch Work at the EDU/TCU Legal Services Branch includes providing advice and drafting legislation and regulations concerning the publicly funded school system, child care, apprentices and tradespersons, employment programs and the post-secondary education sector. We also provide contract/procurement advice and deal with human rights, French language rights, bankruptcy, labour, pension, intellectual property, and immigration matters relating to the ministries' businesses. Aboriginal law and policy work at the EDU/TCU in the summer of 2014 is expected to touch on a range of education issues, including education self-government matters, other federal legislative and program initiatives with respect to First Nations education, and transfer payment agreements support.ing innovative projects to further the goals of Lhe First
Nations, Metis and Inuit education strategy. Oftice of the Children's Lawyer The responsibilities of summer students in the Office of the Children's Lawyer (OCL) may include: completing research assignments in the areas of civil litigation, estates, child custody/access, and child protection; summarizing cases; drafting motion materials; assisting counsel in summarizing transcripts and medical documents, reviewing and organizing complex files, preparing affidavits of documents, and preparing for trials and appeals. Summer students may also be given opportunities to accompany counsel to court appearances, meetings with clients and parties, settlement meetings, and mediation. Application Requirements: Applications must include a resume, cover letter, undergraduate and law school transcripts, as well as reference names. If you have a preference in terms of office placement, please indicate it in yom cover lettet. Otherwise you will be considered for a placement in any of the above-mentioned offices. Applications may be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail. Walk-in applications will not be accepted. ** DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2014 ** l'osting Date: Application Deadline: Monday, December 02, 2013 Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Send Applications T o: Bilal Khan AI Manager, Administration Crown Law Office - Civil Ministry of the Attorney General 720 Bay Street, 8th Floor Toronto, ON M7 A 2S9 Fax : 416-326-418"1 E-mail: cloc-recruit@ontario.ca Additional Tamara Barclay
Contacts: Counsel, Crown Law Office - Civil Email: Tamara.Barela y@on tario.ca Phone: 416-314-2080 All yssa Case Counsel, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs Email : Allyssa.Case@ontario.ca Phone: 416-326-6318 Erin Winocur Counsel, Crown Law Office- Criminal Email: Erin.Winocur@ontario.ca Phone: 416-314-0610