Nov. 6, 2014
Globe and Mail – Denise Balkissoon
Sorry, we haven’t reached a ‘watershed’ on violence against women
The media is full of reports striving to know who did what to whom around sexual assault – whether the case at hand involves radio announcers or parliamentarians. Here’s a perspective that is worth putting in the mix. “I’m not swayed by the newly enlightened, standing with outstretched, protective arms, advising victims of violence that there’s no longer a need to be ashamed or afraid of coming forward. Let me tell you what too many have heard, and will continue to hear, perhaps forever. I don’t believe you. I don’t believe you. I don’t believe you.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/sorry-we-havent-reached-a-watershed-on-violence-against-women/article21452668 Related article: Globe and Mail: Josh Wingrove, Bill Curry And Chris Hannay Trudeau suspends two MPs over ‘personal misconduct’ allegations http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-suspend-two-mps-over-personal-misconduct-allegations/article21453310 Related article: CBC News – Former Parliament Hill staffer alleges 2 MPs sexually harassed him – CBC commentator Ian Capstick says harassment took place several years ago http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/former-parliament-hill-staffer-alleges-2-mps-sexually-harassed-him-1.2825380 Related article: CBC News – Judy Foote says no process in place for MP harassment allegations http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/judy-foote-says-no-process-in-place-for-mp-harassment-allegations-1.2825424
CBC News
Mental health court a success, say province and offenders -Of the 232 people referred to the court, 199 have successfully completed the diversion program
The mental health court was first established in Nova Scotia five years ago and now sees between 20 and 40 people a week, to date with an 86% success rate at solving the problem and avoiding jail time. Legal aid lawyer Kelly Rowett says: “It’s a success to me if someone is supported in the community. If they have housing, medication.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/mental-health-court-a-success-say-province-and-offenders-1.2825303 Related article: Chronicle Herald News (Halifax) Special court ‘changed my life’ http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1249064-special-court-changed-my-life
MacLean’s – Stephanie Levitz, The Canadian Press
Meds for kids, prenatal care among new refugee health benefits
In the confrontation between the courts and the federal government over health care for refugees, the feds have proposed a temporary solution until when and if they run out of legal avenues to challenge the court’s directive to restore health care services. The measures do not include comprehensive coverage and critics say there is a chance that the government is in contempt of the court order. Over the four months since the original court order, the government has lost an appeal for a stay as well. http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/meds-for-kids-prenatal-care-among-new-temporary-refugee-health-benefits Related article: Vancouver Sun – Matthew Robinson CBSA can’t fix its dramatic problems on its own: civil liberties watchdog http://www.vancouversun.com/CBSA+dramatic+problems+civil+liberties+watchdog/10357331/story.html#ixzz3IJczHknp Related article: End Immigration Detention Ontario Finally Allows Red Cross Investigation of Immigration Jails but Deaths and Indefinite Imprisonment Remain http://endimmigrationdetention.com/2014/11/05/ontario-finally-allows-red-cross-investigation-of-immigration-jails-but-deaths-and-indefinite-imprisonment-continues
The Guardian (UK) – Press Association
Liberal Democrat justice minister says prison system is in crisis
A Liberal minister of government – Simon Hughes – says the prisons are in a mess. Not so, says the justice secretary, Chris Grayling. The UK is embroiled in a fierce political disagreement over increasing violence and suicides as well as arguments over who should and should not be in prison in the first place, especially persons with mental illness. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/06/liberal-democrat-prison-system-crisis-simon-hughes
Forbes Magazine – Vinod Khosla
The Next Technology Revolution Will Drive Abundance and Income Disparity
The author is a co-founder of Sun Microsystems who offers vision of what big data may do for creativity and productivity. Machines and systems which are able to process better than humans may lead to a de-valuation of labour and therefore increase considerably the current income disparity. We may, he suggests, be at the end of the era in which new technology replaces old jobs with new; we may be entering an era in which there are no new jobs while the economic activity is reaching abundance in production. We may also need to look at changes in rules, regulations and laws to cope when the upper 20% is sufficient to the workforce. http://www.forbes.com/sites/valleyvoices/2014/11/06/the-next-technology-revolution-will-drive-abundance-and-income-disparity
Miller Thomson LLP – Evan Campbell
Interesting Case from Ontario – Farm Workers Denied Coroners Inquest
The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal is pushing the Coroner’s office to hold an inquest into the death of a immigrant migrant worker Ned Peart on an Ontario farm. The Coroner refused an inquest on the grounds that the death was not in the context of construction or mining environment. http://www.millerthomson.com/en/blog/the-food-web-canadian-agribusiness-and-food/interesting-case-from-ontario-farm-workers?utm_source=Mondaq&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=View-Original