Sept 6, 2014
National Newswatch – Jennifer Ditchburn, Canadian Press
Reports contradict PM’s view on aboriginal women victims
There are some 40 reports already on the issue of murdered and missing Aboriginal women, all with recommendations and analysis of the causes. Stephen Harper’s opinion that there is no sociological ingredient, simply a crime, seems to contradict the vast majority of these reports. Inaction on the recommendations is the common denominator. http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2014/09/03/reports-contradict-pms-view-on-aboriginal-women-victims/#.VAhpQGPej3t Related article: Globe and Mail – Rashmee Singh Stephen Harper is wrong: Crime and sociology are the same thing http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/stephen-harper-is-wrong-crime-and-sociology-are-the-same-thing/article20343609
iPolitics – Steve Sullivan
The parole bill bungle — and what happens when MPs vote blind
The Fairness for Victims Act was passed by all parties in the house and thought to be simply enshrining practices already in place. The wrong version went to the Senate for approval. The limits on parole were thought to apply to lifers. Everyone gets rejected for parole the first time so if your sentence is shorter – say three or five years – the bill effectively means that you don’t get parole and must serve until sentence expiry. The provision for retrospective and additional punishment likely violates the charter anyway. http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/09/03/the-parole-bill-bungle-and-what-happens-when-mps-vote-blind Related article: Globe and Mail – Sean Fine Serious error found in a second Tory crime bill http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/senate-approves-crime-bill-with-weakening-error/article20356826
Ottawa Citizen – Jordan Press
Audit raises concern about prisoners’ privacy rights
Hospitals, credit card companies and government agencies have all recently come under fire for failure to guard the privacy of people served. This report suggests that one of the most flagrant violators is Correctional Services of Canada. “The federal organization with one of the worst track records on privacy continues to suffer from lack of awareness, lack of training and a lack of reporting, according to a recent audit.” http://www.canada.com/News/canada/Audit+raises+concern+about+prisoners+privacy+rights/10171945/story.html
AbacusData – Bruce Anderson and David Coletto
The Agenda of Canadian Voters
Here is a report on the issues as currently viewed by the Canadian voters. Health care, the economy and the environment are the top three. And yes, crime and security are at the very bottom of the list. The survey offers a snapshot of both the national and provincial scenes after questioning some 1600 respondents. http://abacusdata.ca/2014/09/03/agenda-canadian-voters
Globe and Mail – Kim Mackerel and Grant Robertson
Dangerous crude could still travel in misclassified tank cars, TSB says
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has notified the Ministry of Transportation that the shipment of petroleum products by rail is still precarious and the regulations inadequate. The problems identified are the thin wall tank cars and the fact that the products may be blended with increased volatility without any notice. It would seem that there are already regulations requiring disclosures that are simply not enforced. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/dangerous-crude-could-still-travel-in-misclassified-tank-cars-tsb-says/article20341207
Toronto Star – Eric Tucker, Associated Press
U.S. to investigate Ferguson police
The US attorney General Eric Holder has announced an investigation by the Justice Department into the practices of the Ferguson police following the end of the state of emergency and a return to more tranquil life. The Justice Department is also doing a civil rights investigation around the death of the teen Michael Brown. http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/09/03/us_to_investigate_ferguson_police.html
Globe and Mail – Kate Kelland
One person dies by suicide every 40 seconds: WHO report
The World Health Organization has released its first ever global report on suicide prevention. 800,000 worldwide end their lives each year, some 75% of whom are from poor or middle income countries. While suicides happen at every age level, the second most frequent cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally is suicide. India has the highest rate. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/one-person-commits-suicide-every-40-seconds-who-report/article20343911
Toronto Star – Laurie Monsebraaten and Richard J. Brennan
Social groups applaud plan to end homelessness in Ontario, but urge deadline
Though Ontario is second to Alberta in planning to end homelessness, social housing expert and critic Mike Shapcott says that acknowledging the government’s responsibility for homelessness is a major step. Other critics say the plan now needs an accurate assessment of the extent and a timeline for completion. http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/09/03/liberals_promise_to_end_homelessness_some_day.html
Winnipeg Free Press – Bruce Owen
Manitoba‘s jails: By the numbers
Over-crowding in Manitoba jails has been a problem for some time and continues. Manitoba Auditor General Andrew Swan has put together some 29 recommendations to resolve the problem. Manitoba has about 10,000 offenders on any given day, 24% in jail; but as in other provinces, the bulk of those on remand – 66% – are in jail and likely responsible for a lot of the over-crowding. The system has had a 52% increase in capacity since 2008. http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/blogs/under-the-dome/273607195.html Related article: Winnipeg Free Press – Bruce Owen Slapping cuffs on corrections system http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/slapping-cuffs-on-corrections-system-251361841.html