C-51: A Trojan horse…

    Mar 20, 2015

 iPolitics – Michael Geist
How dangerous is C-51? You might be surprised. 

In the light of the testimony of witnesses to date, Geist thinks “the proposed legislation is an unprecedented undermining of Canadian privacy protection.”  Three early warning signals: the bill permits information sharing for a wide variety of purposes, and second across a broad spectrum of agencies (17 federal ones in all); third, the neglect of oversight is a giant problem.  Still, the conservatives have even blocked the testimony of Canada’s privacy commissioner!  http://www.ipolitics.ca/2015/03/19/how-dangerous-is-c-51-you-might-be-surprised/

 Canada.com – Ian McLeod, Ottawa Citizen
Medical marijuana law goes to Supreme Court

Does the notion of permissible medical marijuana include cookies made with marijuana?  The SCC will decide it seems.  The law seems presently to ban any type of consumption other than smoking marijuana.  The issue for the court, a first in the realm of medical marijuana, is whether the prohibition in Canada Health Regulations for other forms violates the constitutional rights of those users.  http://www.canada.com/news/Medical+marijuana+goes+Supreme+Court/10904194/story.html

 Toronto Star – Bill Dunphy, Hamilton Spectator
Toilet cams in cells spark court challenges -The OPP and Halton police have changed their holding cell policies in response to charter challenges.

It’s about prisoners using the toilet:  does a prisoner have the right to privacy while using a toilet and does a video camera on the cell and monitoring the toilet as well violate individual rights?  Some court decisions and the OPP say it’s a matter of safety; opponents say it is an invasion of privacy and a disregard for human dignity.  The case came about when a female lawyer arrested for suspicion of drunk driving asked for a private toilet and was told no by the OPP.  http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2015/03/20/toilet-cams-in-cells-spark-court-challenges.html

 Toronto Star – Allan Woods
Pierre Karl Péladeau apologizes for comments about immigrants hurting sovereigntist cause

One riding a year.  According to the Parti Quebecois leadership, the loss is due to immigrants who pledge allegiance to the Queen.  For a year or so, the Parti has been skirting the issue for fear of losing more of the immigrant vote but Péladeau in a 30 second news clip has ignited the controversy directly and is suggesting that the Parti speed up the march towards Québec sovereignty.   The remarks came at a Université de Laval leadership candidates’ debate where Péladeau is considered the front runner. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/03/19/immigrants-to-quebec-hurting-sovereigntist-cause-pierre-karl-pladeau-says.html   Related article: Globe and Mail – Tu Thanh Ha   Péladeau apologizes for controversial comments on immigrants    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/immigrants-are-closing-the-window-for-quebec-independence-peladeau-says/article23534316/

 Globe and Mail – Omar El Akkad
Swatting escalates from rare prank to serious concern for police

Swatting is a growing concern for police and victims.  It is a practice of calling in false 911 information to provoke a police response.  Largely limited to the gamers, the perpetrators are hard to uncover because of software calculated to offer anonymity while also offering intimidation of a rival.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/swatting-escalates-from-rare-prank-to-serious-concern-for-police/article23550301/

 Globe and Mail – Rachel Geise
How a high-school principal curbed suspensions with a bit of compassion

St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton was once thought a problem school but Principal Mark Daly’s approach seems to have changed that perception.  The school, says Daly, once had a secretary who spent a large portion of her time writing suspension letters to parents.  In response to what was the school version of tough-on-crime – zero tolerance, “the Hamilton Catholic board introduced alternative forms of discipline, such as restorative justice, in which students who have caused harm have the opportunity to make amends.”  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/the-punishment-principle/article23537269/

 Ottawa Citizen – Chris Cobb
After 35 years, federal government takes jobs from developmentally disabled workers (with video)

50 workers on Ontario Disabilities have been getting a supplement to their income for running a plant to sort and dispose of waste paper coming from government offices.  The workers, who have been told to vacate the federal government building space, have been getting $1.15 per hour.  Library and Archives Canada, charged with disposing of the federal government waste paper, has been the largest client but the provincial government has been involved as well.  Not surprisingly, the various government agencies will now have to contract privately at much largest costs the disposal of its own waste paper.  http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/after-35-years-federal-government-takes-jobs-from-developmentally-disabled-workers-with-video