Nov 25, 2014
National Newswatch – Murray Brewster, Canadian Press
Vets seeking benefits plagued by delays, AG finds
The Auditor General says that vets are waiting up to eight months just to see if they are eligible for mental health services. “Access to the disability benefits program is slow and the application process is complex,” said the audit released Tuesday. “The audit also found that almost a quarter of the 15,385 veterans who applied for mental health benefits between 2006 and 2014 were denied.” http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2014/11/25/vets-wait-eight-months-for-benefits-auditor/#.VHSvCsnegx5 2014 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada ( There are seven chapters plus a commentary on closing down Crown corporations; each has a full report, a summary and a video; cf Chapter 3 for the Vets; ) http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_201411_e_39950.html Related article: National Post – John Ivison Auditor General’s report slams government for failing veterans on mental health services http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/11/25/auditor-generals-report-slams-government-for-failing-veterans-on-mental-health-services
Ottawa Citizen – David Pugliese
Boards of inquiry ‘designed to cover the military’s butt’
When a soldier dies, the military forms a board of inquiry to find out what happened. Joe Grozelle disappeared from his dorm at Royal Roads Military College and four years later there are no answers about how he died. The Boards are closed to the public and evidence introduced is closely control. Some relatives think the Boards are less than determined to resolve the questions and issues even when the death is a suicide. http://www.canada.com/news/Boards+inquiry+designed+cover+military+butt/10407439/story.html
Canada.com – Douglas Quan, Postmedia News
Majority of Canadians worry about domestic terrorism, according to new survey – Poll conducted after two attacks on soldiers in Quebec and Ottawa
A poll says that almost two thirds of Canadians are concerned about home grown terrorism; just over one half supported new anti-terrorism measures and a further 22% thought the government should go further without regard to any civil liberty concerns. Respondents also identified a number of issues such as religion, mental health and marginalization and looked to preventative measures. http://www.canada.com/news/national/Majority+Canadians+worry+about+domestic+terrorism/10407841/story.html
CBC News – Terry Milewski
Ottawa shooting: Federal security chiefs warned days before attack – Alert from Privy Council Office came 5 days before shooting on Parliament Hill
The Privy Council issued an alert three days before the Quebec attack but the alert appears to have gone unnoticed and without reaction, given the critique of lax security. The warning came from Iwan Chan, director of security operations and from the Integrated Threat Assessment Centre. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ottawa-shooting-federal-security-chiefs-warned-days-before-attack-1.2847552 Related article: Ottawa Citizen Public divided on Zehaf-Bibeau’s motives: poll http://www.canada.com/News/canada/Public+divided+Zehaf+Bibeau+motives+poll/10410849/story.html
Toronto Star – Peter Edwards
Manitoba Court ordered to review conviction of man who spent 23 years in prison
This article recounts two victories this week for the Association of the Wrongly Convicted – one, Frank Ostrowski, 65, from Manitoba, who spent 23 years in prison; the other, Glen Eugene Assoun, 59, who spent 17 years in prison. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/11/25/court_to_review_conviction_of_man_who_spent_23_years_in_prison.html
Church of England podcasts:
Most popular tracks for #prisons week
Over the course of the last week, the Church of England has been running a fascinating series of podcasts talking to offenders currently in prison about finding God and the difference their faith makes while serving their sentences. https://soundcloud.com/tags/prisons%20week The podcasts are supplemented by a blog from Archbishop Cranmer. (http://archbishopcranmer.com/the-power-of-gods-love-to-transform-hardened-criminals )
Newser (US) – Jenn Gidman,
Utah Cops Killed More People than Gangs – 5 year review finds only domestic violence has taken more lives in the state
The Salt Lake Tribune went over homicides in Utah since 2010. Surprisi9ng, death from law enforcement officers was the number two ranking most frequent homicide in the state. Death by law enforcement represents 45 of the some 300 homicides, 15%. http://www.newser.com/story/199080/utah-cops-killed-more-people-than-gangs.html
CBC Radio – Sunday Edition – About 10:30AM
Michael Enright’s Sunday Edition and John Howard Society
Enright interviews Catherine Latimer, Executive Director of John Howard Canada on key problems facing the justice system and the JHS five point plan to improve the Correctional System. http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition