Nov. 5, 2015

Toronto Star – Canadian Press

Palliative care centre in Quebec to offer doctor-assisted suicide

February past the Supreme Court gave the then Harper government one year to propose an alternative to the present ban on doctor assisted suicide.  In February of 2016, the deadline for the new law is up and one palliative care facility in Sherbrooke intends to begin operations of its doctor assisted suicide services.   La Maison Aube-Lumiere will take some time to study the new rules but will offer the services from the point at which the Supreme Court ruling takes effect.  Under provincial law, medically assisted suicide will be legal in Quebec next month.  The response to the Supreme Court is viewed by proponents as a priority for the new federal government.  http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/11/03/palliative-care-centre-in-quebec-to-offer-doctor-assisted-suicide.html

Globe and Mail – Steven Chase and Gloria Galloway

Canadian veteran suicides should prompt action, advocates say

On Monday, the Canadian military responded to a series of pressing requests for information on the number of Canadian soldiers and vets from the Afghanistan who have committed suicide.  The military confirmed 59 whereas, to date, the Globe and Mail, could only discover 54.  Critics are puzzled by the need for secrecy and suspect that the government and the military are failing in medical care for the vets.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-veteran-suicides-should-prompt-action-advocates-say/article27092500/    Related article: Globe and Mail – George Petrolekas      Soldiers need a helping hand, not a push out the door     http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/soldiers-need-a-helping-hand-not-a-push-out-the-door/article27082296/

Toronto Star

Toronto anti-poverty plan reaches final hurdle

Getting rid of poverty has always had a contrast about pay me now or pay me later and many activists have always claimed that waiting is more expensive.  Toronto is designing a 20 year plan to get rid of poverty using the notion that social investment brings economic return as well as capital investment but the public, and sometimes public servants, see social programs as pure costs.  http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/11/03/toronto-anti-poverty-plan-reaches-final-hurdle.html   Related article: CTV News – Josh Elliott     CEO sees huge ‘human impact’ after slashing his salary to pay employees more   http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/ceo-sees-huge-human-impact-after-slashing-his-salary-to-pay-employees-more-1.2641053

Rabble.ca – Elizabeth May

Fixing what Harper broke: A to-do list for the incoming government

First, to realize what needs fixing calls for a detailed knowledge of the legislation under Harper since many of the objectionable provisions were buried in other legislation or in omnibus bills.  In the list format, May offers a comprehensive listing of what justice legislation she finds objectionable.  It would seem a good place to start.  This first of two intended pieces comprises the justice and environmental list while the second article has a focus on governance and parliament.  http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/elizabeth-may/2015/10/fixing-what-harper-broke-to-do-list-incoming-government   Fixing what Harper broke, part two: The toxic culture in our House of Commons must end   http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/elizabeth-may/2015/11/fixing-what-harper-broke-part-two-toxic-culture-our-house-commo

Hartford Courant – Bob Englehart

Six thousand prisoners will be released from federal prisons

Here’s a timely reminder about the lack of adequate re-integration practices once an inmate is released from prison.  We may get to thinking that the 6,000 about to be released for what was caused by a faulty justice system and poor sentencing options is a good step forward.  And it is.  But equally important how do these people now overcome the abundance of obstacles and prejudices they confront as free persons in a vengeful society?    Related article: Mother Jones – Delphine Damora    America’s Prison Population Is Falling, but Too Slowly to Undo Decades of Growth   http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/11/americas-prison-population-falling-not-fast-enough