April 1, 2016
CBC Firsthand
The War At Home
This 44 minute documentary examines the fall out of domestic violence. Frighteningly, “across Canada, a woman is killed every six days by her intimate partner. 3,000 more flee their homes each night, seeking refuge in our shelters.” http://www.cbc.ca/firsthand/episodes/the-war-at-home Related article: National Post – Paula Todd A post-Ghomeshi guide for reporting your sexual assault http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/paula-todd-a-post-ghomeshi-guide-for-reporting-your-sexual-assault Related article: Globe and Mail – Denise Balkissoon I’ll be ‘proud’ when Canada achieves justice for all http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/ill-be-proud-when-canada-achieves-justice-for-all/article29483681/
National Post
Police strength down for fourth straight year
The police numbers in Canada increased from 1999-2010 and then for the last four years there were decreases annually in the police strength. The report, based on Stats Canada publications, also identifies regions where the number of retirees is of concern. About 70% of those who leave a police force annually are retirees; the combination may generate real concerns since 54.5% of police in Canada are now over the age of 40. http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/police-forces-in-canada-shrink-for-fourth-year-in-a-row-a-contrast-to-increases-a-decade-ago Related article: Statistics Canada – Hope Hutchins Police resources in Canada, 2014 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2015001/article/14146-eng.htm Related article: Globe and Mail – Colin Perkel Police costs across Canada rising despite sinking crime rate http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/police-costs-across-canada-rising-despite-sinking-crime-rate/article29491395/
Independent (UK) – Serina Sandhu
Finland to consider introducing universal basic income in 2017
A tax free wage allowance for food, personal hygiene and clothing for approximately 10,000. The government of Finland is looking to experiment for two years as an experiment in saving money and would replace part of Finland’s social safety net, guaranteeing €550 per month per person, with the possibility of supplements. Similar proposals are coming from Switzerland, France and the UK. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/finland-to-consider-introducing-universal-basic-income-in-2017-a6963321.html Related article: BBC News (US) California on track for $15 minimum wage http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35937372
CTV News – Murray Brewster
Families of ex-soldiers struggle with lack of help, resources: ombudsman
In a new report issued by Guy Parent, the Veterans’ ombudsman, says that while the services to serving members has improved, many of the veterans and their families are not getting to share in the benefits available. Parent alleges that the problem is that the Department of Veteran Affairs does not outreach or follow-up. “Living with a transitioning member who suffers from an (operational stress injury) can put significant stress on the family… Due to stigma, families often face these stressful situations alone.” http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/families-of-ex-soldiers-struggle-with-lack-of-help-resources-ombudsman-1.2840301 Related article: National Newswatch- Murray Brewster Military watchdog blasts pension wait times after daily complaints by soldiers http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/04/01/military-watchdog-blasts-pension-wait-times-after-daily-complaints-by-soldiers-2/#.Vv5CT_nyuUk
Star Phoenix (SK) – Daniel Houle
Equestrian healing program whispers many truths
Indigenous people make up 3% of Canada’s population but 24% of Canada’s jails. One Arrow First Nations reserve had a program to address confidence and relationship building for its youth. The program used horses to teach the skills but unfortunately, though successful, the operation ceased in January after five years due to a lack of sustainable funding. http://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/letters/0331-edit-houle-view
The Sentencing Project (US)
Racial Disparities in Youth Commitments and Arrests
The ten years from 2003 to 2013 saw reduction overall in the number of youths committed to secure facilities across all racial lines. But the stark truth is that Black youth are four times more likely to be committed than whites, American Indian three times, Hispanics 61% more. The report offers a geographic picture by state statistics of the discrimination as well. http://www.sentencingproject.org/doc/publications/Racial%20Disparities%20in%20Youth%20Commitments%20and%20Arrests.pdf Related article: Talk Poverty (US) – Jeremy Haile How the Felony Drug Ban Keeps Thousands of Americans Hungry http://talkpoverty.org/2016/03/21/felony-drug-ban-keeps-thousands-hungry/ Related article: Smart Policing Initiative and the Centre for Evidence Based Crime Policy (US) Building Trust With Communities http://cebcp.org/evidence-based-policing/building-trust/ (Link offers three videos with a guideline for public use exploring the themes of Awareness, Education and Training and Action and Leadership.)
National Newswatch – Don Lenihan, Canada 2020
Yes, we can make consultation “meaningful” and here’s how
The new Liberal government is conducting a flurry of consultations with people to be impacted with changes in government policy. Public consultation, says Lenihan, is in trouble everywhere and the way to confront the struggle is “to make the engagement better, fairer, more open, more transparent, more meaningful and more productive. Digital tools raise the possibilities even higher. But to succeed we need a far more systematic approach.” Lenihan offers a public engagement framework. http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/03/30/yes-we-can-make-consultation-meaningful-and-heres-how/ Link to framework: https://www.ontario.ca/page/public-engagement