R v Boudreault: Cruel, Unusual, Mandatory

Our guest on this episode is Professor Carissima Mathen, Associate Professor of Law at the University of New Brunswick and former Director of Litigation for the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF). The episode unpacks the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2018  decision R v. Boudreault. In particular, Professor Mathen explains how the constitutional right against cruel and unusual punishment has evolved to consider the disproportionate impact of mandatory victim surcharges on disadvantaged and marginalized communities. She also explores the role of access to justice within the case.