Feb 16, 2015
Star Phoenix (Regina) – Stephen Maher, Canada.com
Former spy speaks out on anti-terror bill
Francois Lavigne went from the FIU (Foreign Interference Unit) of the RCMP to CSIS when it was first formed in 1984 – he was hired, he says, by the “barn burners,” off-the-leash Mounties whose law-breaking ways led to the McDonald Commission. He thinks the new terrorist laws are not only unnecessary but part of a “fascist” approach to security. Lavigne says: “If you give them more powers, if you lower the threshold, if you allow them to collect even more information, follow more people, detain people, inevitably it’s going to lead to lawsuits, to embarrassment. It’s not if it will happen. It’s when.” http://www.canada.com/news/Former+speaks+anti+terror+bill/10814333/story.html Related article: Ottawa Citizen – Ian McLeod Former spymaster: Anti-terrorism bill will unshackle intelligence experts http://www.canada.com/News/politics/Former+spymaster+Anti+terrorism+bill+will+unshackle+intelligence/10812729/story.html
Toronto Star – Haroon Siddiqui
Stephen Harper plays the politics of hate against Muslims – The prime minister is stoking fear of Muslim terrorism, and pandering to public unease about Muslims and Islam.
Siddiqui looks at the recent Quebec Parti Quebecois effort to ban the niqab by banning all religious symbols and ultimately was voted out of office. He thinks Stephen Harper is stoking fear of Muslim terrorism, and pandering to public unease about Muslims and Islam. “Law-abiding Muslims are caught in-between.” http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/02/14/stephen-harper-plays-the-politics-of-hate-against-muslims.html Related article: Globe and Mail – John Ibbitson Harper walks a fine line by vowing to appeal niqab ruling http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-walks-a-fine-line-by-vowing-to-appeal-niqab-ruling/article22988249/
Globe and Mail – Kathryn Blaze Carlson
Aboriginal groups listed on Tory action plan say they were not consulted
Several of the Aboriginal groups listed as consulting for the federal government action plan in response to the murdered and missing women, it appears, were in fact not consulted at all. Three of the twelve groups listed did not take issue with their appearance on the list but others denied consultation on the plan to spend $25 million over five years and the plan “includes funding for projects aimed at breaking intergenerational cycles of violence, additional assistance for victims and their families, and the development of community safety plans where indigenous women face high levels of crime.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/aboriginal-groups-listed-on-tory-action-plan-say-they-were-not-consulted/article23010819/
Toronto Star Editorial (Feb 14, 2015) – Garfield Mahood Brian Iler
Charity law blocks progress on issues facing Canadians – Charitable tax status may do more harm than good for some non-profits
First, Iler lists some of the types of charity that have suffered from CRA audits – Environmental, human rights and international development charities, organizations struggling to address poverty and women’s issues. The common denominator is activity by the charities to shine some light on the under-side of federal government policy. Business is able to write off 100% of money spent on advocacy of political decisions; charities may spend 10%. The non-profit sector, suggests Iler, could lobby to change the Income Tax Act just like Australia and New Zealand have done. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/02/14/charity-law-blocks-progress-on-issues-facing-canadians.html#
Vancouver Sun – Tara Carman
Immigration detainees still being held in ‘prison-like conditions’ at Vancouver airport – CBSA failing to act on Jimenez inquest recommendations, advocates say
The 2013 suicide of Lucia Vega Jimenez at the CBSA’s Vancouver airport holding centre brought a number of recommendations from the coroner’s jury about holding centres. The jury recommended Canadian Border Security Agency personnel replace a private company and provide access to lawyers, families and community groups with telephone and internet access. A major recommendation involved an outside third party supervisor to replace the Red Cross. None of the recs have been followed to date. http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Immigration+detainees+still+being+held+prison+like+conditions/10809319/story.html
USA Today – 24/7 Wall St.com – Thomas C. Frohlich,
States with the worst taxes on average earners
Frohlich says the poorest states don’t pay the highest rate of taxes- the middle income states do. The disparity between the rate of tax for the top 1% and the lowest 10% is contributing to the income inequality. For example Washington state lower 20% pay 17% in state taxes while the upper most 1% pay only 2.8%, the biggest spread in all 50 states. http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2015/02/15/247-wall-st-worst-taxes-average-earners/23361553/
CTV Power Play – Don Martin
Putting an end to early release
In a 13 minute plus video, Martin interviews Public Justice Minister Peter MacKay on ending the statutory release proposal. Following, two MP comment on the proposed legislation: Liberal John MacKay and NDP Charlie Angus. Says Angus: Peter MacKay has had more recalls through the court review of conservative legislation than the Ford Pinto! http://www.ctvnews.ca/ctv-news-channel/video?clipId=550494&playlistId=1.2233466&binId=1.810401&playlistPageNum=1&binPageNum=1