Feb 3, 2015
(Ed note: Marion Lane’s blog in the last communiqué made reference to an editorial in the Globe and Mail without specifying the date of the editorial. It was, in fact published Dec. 29, 2014, in the context of the Bill Cosby and Gian Ghomeshi issues and is no longer readily available on the Globe and Mail site.)
National Post – John Ivison
Tories intent on politicizing what should be a non-partisan issue — the safety of Canadians
Ivison is reflecting a commonly held view that the expansion of the powers of CSIS should call for an expansion of the role and scope of the oversight committee as well. Both opposition parties seem to be agreeable to the C-51 changes and the Conservatives will likely have to struggle to keep it as a political issue. “Even in an election year the opposition parties have a duty to ensure the concerns about preventative detention, the additional powers given to our spy agency, and the criminalization of advocating terrorism are given a thorough airing in the House of Commons and Parliament’s committee rooms.” http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/02/02/john-ivison-tories-intent-on-politicizing-what-should-be-a-non-partisan-issue-the-safety-of-canadians/ Related article; Toronto Star – Errol Mendes Tories’ anti-terror bill undermines values it’s meant to protect Related article: News 24 (Vancouver) – Bill Tieleman Harper takes liberties with our protection http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2015/02/02/harper-takes-liberties-with-our-protection Related article: CBC News – Laura Peyton Muslim groups ‘troubled’ by Stephen Harper’s mosque remark http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/muslim-groups-troubled-by-stephen-harper-s-mosque-remark-1.2940488 Related article: Hill Times-on-line – Tim Naumetz Anti-terrorism bill ‘more about politics than public safety,’ says civil liberties lawyer http://www.hilltimes.com/news/legislation/2015/02/02/anti-terrorism-bill-more-about-politics-than-public-safety-says-civil/40946 Related article: CBC News – Christianne Boudreau says Bill C-51 is reactive, not enough http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/christianne-boudreau-says-bill-c-51-is-reactive-not-enough-1.2939158 Related article: Globe and Mail – Bob Rae Harper got spy powers right, but civilian oversight very wrong http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/harper-got-spy-powers-right-but-civilian-oversight-very-wrong/article22756827/ Related article: Globe and Mail – Colin Freeze Edward Snowden urges caution over Ottawa’s proposed security law http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/edward-snowden-urges-caution-over-ottawas-proposed-security-law/article22755515/
Toronto Star – Editorial (Feb. 3, 2015)
Stephen Harper’s cynical crackdown on crime
The new laws, offered in the context of the lowest crime rates ever, draw an exasperated comment from the writers: “Prime Minister Stephen Harper has never met a criminal law he didn’t want to torque.” The prosed legislation, due sometime before June, seeks to end even the possibility of parole for certain types of crimes. The editorial concludes: “This has very little to do with justice. It’s a cynical political gambit from a government that is well past its best-before date.” http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2015/01/28/stephen-harpers-cynical-crackdown-on-crime-editorial.html Related article: Huffington Post / Canadian Press – Jim Bronskill Tories’ Plan To Jail Worst Criminals For Life Rejected By NDP, Liberals http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/01/27/tories-jail-for-life-ndp-liberals-crime_n_6556392.html
Global News – Patrick Cain
CBSA learned of its own detainee’s death by accident – three weeks later
Shawn Dwight Cole, a Jamaican, was held in a Ontario provincial jail – the Toronto East Detention Centre – at the request of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Just after Christmas 2014 Cole died but CBSA did not know until some three weeks after the death when their agents showed up with Cole’s immigration consultant and officers from the Immigration and Refugee Board who were anticipating a hearing. http://globalnews.ca/news/1802770/cbsa-learned-of-its-own-detainees-death-by-accident-three-weeks-later/
Globe and Mail – Sean Fine
Handling of man who killed Mountie prompts review of Alberta bail system
The Alberta Justice Minister is looking for a complete review of the bail system and the players in the decision to grant bail to Shawn Rehn who killed RCMP Constable David Wynn. D’arcy Depoe, past president of the Alberta Criminal Lawyers Association, says: “The Justice Minister says he wants a review, but what’s he going to review? We have a bail system that already keeps a great deal of people in custody… “How many more $600-million buildings do we want to build in Canada?” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/mountie-injured-in-alberta-shooting-dies-in-hospital/article22548533/
National Geographic Documentaries (US) – Niesha Barbera
Gangs in Prison National Geographic Documentary HD 720p Extraordinary Documentary
The link is to an hour and a half documentary on the way gangs influence life in most prisons. Many of the inmates come from gang life and bring gang affiliations with them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr168of8q_Q
Global News – Kim Smith
Regina becomes first Sask. city to implement anonymous sexual assault reporting
As of January 1, 2015, sexual assault victims may now report to police anonymously, through a counsellor without revealing names. The trial project is prompted by a considerable difference between actual occurring and reported assaults. Police are gathering the information for the sake of past or future investigations. Proponents also say that the reporting is helpful to the healing process. To date, no anonymous reports have been filed. http://globalnews.ca/news/1807867/regina-becomes-first-sask-city-to-implement-anonymous-sexual-assault-reporting/
San Diego Gay and Lesbian News (US)
UCSD names Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The University of California San Diego has announced the appointment of Becky Petitt as Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. The new appointee reports to the Executive Vice Chancellor and directly to the Chancellor as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet. “Inclusion doesn’t happen spontaneously when an environment becomes more diverse,” said Petitt, a recognized national speaker on issues of diversity and inclusion. “We have to be intentional in creating a welcoming environment in which all students, faculty and staff can thrive and reach their full potential.” http://www.sdgln.com/social/2015/02/02/ucsd-names-vice-chancellor-equity-diversity-and-inclusion#sthash.RYr8Yhr5.dpuf