WATCH ABOVE: Ahead of its visit to Edmonton, law students at the University of Alberta are taking the discussion about the Magna Carta online. Emily Mertz explains.
EDMONTON — It’s an 800-year-old document considered to be the basis of democracy and law, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less relevant today. One of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta is coming to Edmonton.
It will be in the Capital City from Nov. 23 to Dec. 29 as the final stop in a Canadian tour that also includes Ottawa, Winnipeg and Toronto.
As part of a new Law and Social Media course at the University of Alberta, five law students are tweeting from the handle @msmagnacarta and blogging about the Magna Carta, its historical significance and how it impacts legal decisions today.
“Through our blog, we discuss the history of this document, its link to constitutional law and also its present-day applications,” says law student Kathleen O’Driscoll. “We discuss physician-assisted death, warrantless cell phone searches, environmental protections, human rights, and we connect that back to the Magna Carta.”
“It plays such a huge role in all of our rights and freedoms.”
O’Driscoll says using online platforms helps the students expand the discussions to include a much broader audience.
Vice-Dean Moin Yahya says the project is also helping the students learn new skills.
The Magna Carta will be on display at the Alberta legislature starting Nov. 23.
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