Oct. 1, 2015
National Newswatch – Don Lenihan
Progressive leadership for the future
The notion of wedge politics or polarization and divisiveness as a political goal has been frequently raised during this federal election. Lenihan, Dr. Don Lenihan is Senior Associate, Policy and Engagement, at Canada 2020, has an explanation for the strategy behind the approach and the strategies for each of the three major parties. http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2015/07/16/progressive-leadership-for-the-future/#.Vg1Fupf7GDk Related article: Halifax Chronicle Herald – Dan Leger Change reigns as major campaign issue http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1314206-leger-change-reigns-as-major-campaign-issue
Toronto Star – Desmond Cole
New election rules discourage voting, not fraud
The article assess the Fair Election Act on the basis of its capacity to confront election fraud and its encouragement of people, especially the young, new voter, to actually vote. Cole suggests that the changes introduced by the Act had a different purpose than fraud. The voter card cannot be used as identification and vouching no longer allows a vote, a set-back to many Aboriginals who depend on personal vouching. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/10/01/new-election-rules-discourage-voting-not-fraud-cole.html
Ottawa Citizen –
Court won’t block rollout of new screening process for public service
There is new procedure ahead if you want to become a public servant in Canada, including finger-printing, credit and criminal record checks, and extensive social media vetting. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada asked the federal court for an injunction but Federal Court Judge Catherine Kane denied the request saying that while the union raised significant issues it did not substantiate the claim of “irreparable harm.” http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/court-wont-block-rollout-of-new-screening-process-for-public-service
Calgary Herald – Dylan Robertson
‘Everybody can be radicalized’: How an everyday Canadian stunned the country as a terrorist
While politicians are often focused on security from dangers arriving on our shores from overseas, Robertson reviews the home-grown type of terrorist in the first incidents here in Canada through the life of Martin Couture-Rouleau, the driver of the car that rammed and killed Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, 53, in Saint Jean-sur-Richelieu in Quebec. Robertson also references various experts on radicalization of youth. http://calgaryherald.com/news/national/9999-lang-how-radicalize Related article: Ottawa Citizen – Kady O’Malley If citizenship revocation is your ballot box issue, you might want to read this http://ottawacitizen.com/storyline/kady-if-citizenship-revocation-is-your-ballot-box-issue-you-might-want-to-read-this Related article: Ottawa Citizen – Glen McGregor Ottawa man convicted of terrorism challenges constitutionality of revoking his citizenship http://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/ottawa-man-convicted-of-terrorism-challenges-constitutionality-of-revoking-his-citizenship
Chronicle Herald (Halifax) – Canadian Press
Canadian Centre for Child Protection starts new campaign for cyberbullied teens
The new program aims at those teenagers who have been seriously impacted by sexual pictures posted on social media. The centre is offering a site that can help with the removal of such pictures and dealing with the aftermath as well as with their peers. http://thechronicleherald.ca/canada/1314097-canadian-centre-for-child-protection-starts-new-campaign-for-cyberbullied-teens
The Hill (US) – Jourdain Carney
Senators make deal on criminal justice reform
The Cornyn-Whitehouse bill will tackle the issue of recidivism by determining how likely re-offending is. The bill will also attempt to target specific sentencing reform around the current mandatory sentences. The movement among the law makers comes a week after both President Obama and Pope Francis visited federal prison to highlight the problems around sentencing. http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/255487-senators-reach-criminal-justice-deal Related article: AP Business Insider – Stephen Ohlemacher Senators reach deal on criminal justice overhaul http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-ap-source-senators-reach-deal-on-criminal-justice-overhaul-2015-9
Prison Reform Trust (UK)
Families vital to helping vulnerable people through the justice system
The new report is a combined effort by PRT and Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group. The focus by the two groups involved all sorts of family connections and the special needs of prisoners – autistic, mentally challenged, diabetic, etc and how to facilitate the best interaction. http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/PressPolicy/News/vw/1/ItemID/272?dm_i=47L,3P4WY,6JSCMH,DAXSE,1 Full Report: PRT/PPFSG Relative Justice http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/relative%20justice.pdf