Mar 22, 2015
National Newswatch – Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press
Canadian Bar Association denounces government’s anti-terrorism bill
The CBA assessment of C-51: the anti-terrorism bill contains “ill-considered” measures that will deprive Canadians of liberties without increasing their safety. Further, “the vague and overly broad language” puts many groups including environmentalist and Aboriginals in danger of being swept into its provisions making dissent itself a dangerous business; and the change in role for judges from protectors of the legal and charter rights of Canadians to one of authorizing the violation of these rights adds to the potential jeopardy of the whole Charter. The Bar represents 36,000 lawyers across the country. http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2015/03/20/canadian-bar-association-d
Canada.com – Sarah Boesveld, National Post
What it’s like to be a Muslim living in Canada: ‘People act as if I’m the spokesperson for ISIS’
The article includes a minute video that explains the names and uses for the various coverings Muslim women wear. The article itself interviews seven Muslim people from across Canada on being Muslim in Canada. http://www.canada.com/life/What+like+Muslim+living+Canada+People+spokesperson+ISIS/10906633/story.html Related article: Herald (Halifax) – Ralph Surett Harper’s extremism pushing opposition onto the streets http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1275743-surette-harper%E2%80%99s-extremism-pushing-opposition-onto-the-streets
National Newswatch – Canadian Press
Feds spend $4.3 million on pot for vets, 10 times more than year before
The issue must be a real puzzler for the Conservatives. Having already blasted the Liberals for Justin Trudeau’s advocacy of legalized marijuana only to discover that Canadian vets entitled to the use of medical marijuana have increased the cost of the service to the government by a factor of 10 since last year. From 2013-14 to 2015 users went from 169 to over 600 and costs from $400,000 to over $4 million. http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2015/03/22/feds-spend-4-3-million-on-pot-for-vets-10-times-more-than-year-before/#.VQ8G0eFQR0p
CTV News – Michelle Zilio
Outspoken First Nations activist says she’s being tracked by the government
Could this report be the first proof of the government’s confusion of protesters and terrorists suspected in C-51? Pam Palmater, a Mi’kmaq lawyer and professor at Ryerson University and an outspoken advocate for Aboriginals, submitted an access to information to four federal government departments and three of the four acknowledged they were following her activities. “They are already spying on me,” said Palmater. “So right now, without this anti-terrorism bill, my rights are already being violated.” http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/outspoken-first-nations-activist-says-she-s-being-tracked-by-the-government-1.2291711
Toronto Star – Editorial (March 22, 2015)
Ontario’s legal aid system gets some well-targeted help
The Ontario government has just announced a $4.2 million aid package for Ontario’s legal aid system this year and like amount next year. The province has 76 clinics, all of which have been struggling to cover the costs of legal services for the poor. The currently budget used to buy services is $370 million so the increase is barely 1%. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2015/03/22/ontarios-legal-aid-system-gets-some-well-targeted-help-editorial.html
Toronto Star – Bob Hepburn
How Stephen Harper came to love politics of fear
Hepburn consults both Marci MacDonald who wrote an article for the Walrus and political godfather Tom Flannigan, dismissed since the 2006 election. Flannigan, clearly a believer in the politics of fear, has written several books with an insider’s view of the Conservative strategy that changed Harper from conservative idealist to a strategist for hatred and fear. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/03/21/how-stephen-harper-came-to-love-politics-of-fear-hepburn.html# Related article: Toronto Star – Haroon Siddiqui Forget terrorists — be terrified of Harperites http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/03/21/forget-terrorists-be-terrified-of-harperites.html