July 3, 2016

National Newswatch – Glen Pearson

How Obama Saw Canada Is Increasingly How We See Ourselves

Pearson is responding to the sight of the combined enthusiasm displayed in the House when US President Obama addressed the Parliament.  Pearson, a career professional firefighter and former MP from Southern Ontario, thinks we Canadians have initiated an expression of identity that departs significantly from the fractious past.  This new Canada “remains a noble vision and perhaps more than at any other time in recent memory we are prepared to struggle for it.”   http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/07/01/how-obama-saw-canada-is-increasingly-how-we-see-ourselves/    Related article: Toronto Star – Rick Salutin   What are the prospects of a left wing populism?    https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/07/01/what-are-the-prospects-of-a-left-wing-populism-salutin.html   Related article: CBC News – Aaron Wherry    Justin Trudeau’s Canada Day debut and the patriotic debate – PM will preside over sesquicentennial next year, already touted as celebration of ‘diversity and inclusion’   http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-trudeau-canada-day-1.3660354   Related article: Ottawa Citizen – Joanne Laucius    Millennials and the ‘Canadian dream’: What’s the plan?  http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/millennials-and-the-canadian-dream-whats-the-plan    Related article: Globe and Mail – John Ibbitson   In a world of closing doors, Canada is embracing inclusion  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/in-a-world-of-closing-doors-canada-is-embracing-inclusion/article30731700/   Related article: Globe and Mail – Elizabeth Renzetti   Welcome to Canada, Americans! We put the you in neighbour   http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/welcome-to-canada-our-news-is-dull-crime-is-low-and-were-very-polite-sorry/article30713482/

CBC News – Catherine Tunney

Marijuana legalization in Canada: What we know and don’t know – Liberal government hopes to introduce legislation to legalize marijuana in 2017

Spring of 2017 is the federal government’s target date for legislation around legalized marijuana but critics are noticing a certain reticence  in the appointment of both former Toronto police chief Bill Blair and the chair of the parliamentary committee – Anne McLellan, a former deputy prime minister under Paul Martin who also served as a health and justice minister.  Another indication is the apparent decision that possession for personal use will not be supressed before the new law arrives.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/marijuana-legislation-knowns-unknowns-1.3660258   Related article:  Ian Mulgrew – Vancouver Sun, Canada.com  Liberal pot legalization plan like a Cheech and Chong skit    http://www.canada.com/news/mulgrew+liberal+legalization+plan+like+cheech+chong+skit/12028657/story.html   Related article: CTV News – Jesse Tahirali  7 in 10 Canadians support marijuana legalization: Nanos poll  http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/7-in-10-canadians-support-marijuana-legalization-nanos-poll-1.2968953  Related article: National Newswatch – Kristy Kirkup    Trudeau government launches task force to study marijuana legalization   http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/06/30/trudeau-government-launches-task-force-to-study-marijuana-legalization/#.V3UxafnyuUk  Related article: Globe and Mail – Daniel Leblanc   Ottawa vows strict regulation of recreational marijuana   http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-government-to-keep-prosecuting-pot-users-until-bill-introduced-by-next-spring/article30700349/

Toronto Star – Alex Boutilier

Encryption creating a barrier for police, documents suggest

Consequent to an access to information request, the Star obtained a document submitted to Minister Ralph Goodale about the problems for law enforcement in getting access to information in the face of encryption.  Many, perforce of a default feature in the software, are using encryption for privacy, others without realizing the device uses the encryption.  Beyond the limits of privacy debate, the issue is further complicated by the fact that many communications are international and beyond the reach of national police forces anyway.  https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/07/02/encryption-creating-a-barrier-for-police-documents-suggest.html

CBC News – Dean Beeby

Revenue Canada forbids Unitarians from working for justice – Tax auditors continue Harper-launched probe of religious charity under new Liberal government

In 2012, the Harper government put $13 million into a Canadian Revenue Agency audit of charities for political activity.  Many suspected the motive came from the level of the political commentary by the targeted charities.  Charities submit what are called letters of patent describing the intended focus of the charitable activity to CRA.  Now, Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier has refused to end the rash of charity audits or to intervene in rulings by CRA that the objects of the charity must be changed.  The Canadian Unitarian Church has long been a vocal critic and has been told that they cannot have ‘work for justice’ as an object of their charity.    http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-revenue-agency-political-audit-unitarians-justice-liberals-1.3658743

Globe and Mail – Canadian Press

Convicted murderer found dead in Saskatchewan psychiatric facility

The problem of inmates or patients dying while supposedly in protective custody is getting more deadly and pronounced with yet another to record.  Corrections Canada says that Traigo Ehkid Andretti, a convicted murderer was found dead in his cell.  Beyond the failure to protect, this case, and others like it, will likely follow the already established process of a coroner’s inquest, jury recommendations that no one is obliged to accept or implement, and eventual statistical anonymity.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/convicted-murderer-found-dead-in-saskatchewan-psychiatric-facility/article30733862/