MMIW terms…

Aug. 3, 2016

National Newswatch – Kristy Kirkup, Canadian Press
Five commissioners to probe missing, murdered indigenous women in Canada

The Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) has finalized its terms of reference and appointed its five commissioners.  The inquiry will start Sept. 1, and once running is designed to be at arm’s length from government.  The inquiry will cost $53.8 million ($13.8 beyond the initial forecast) and will have the same powers as a civil court.  http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/08/03/government-to-launch-inquiry-into-missing-murdered-indigenous-women-3/#.V6HkCPnyuUk   Related article: Toronto Star – Tanya Talaga and Bruce Campion-Smith  Female indigenous judge to lead probe into missing, murdered women  https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/08/03/bc-judge-marion-buller-to-lead-murdered-and-missing-indigenous-women-and-girls-inquiry.html  (Link has a number of related articles around MMIW)  Related article: Globe and Mail – Gloria Galloway   Ottawa launches inquiry into missing, murdered indigenous women    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-launches-inquiry-investigating-causes-of-violence-against-indigenous-women/article31253464/

Globe and Mail – Steven Chase
Trudeau under fire for denying MPs a role in picking Supreme Court judges

The new process for appointing judges to the SCC is under fire for the lack of participation by MP’s.  The process involves appointing seven – four from the various national legal groups and three by the government.  The government appointees do not include MP’s.  The appointments are for five year terms and the advisory board will present a short list of candidates to the Prime Minister, starting with the replacement for Justice Thomas Cromwell who retires in September.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/trudeau-slammed-for-denying-mps-a-role-in-picking-supreme-court-judges/article31248497/   Related article:  Globe and Mail – Errol Mendes   New advisory panel needs to dig deep for diversity on Canada’s top court   http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/new-advisory-panel-needs-to-dig-deep-for-diversity-on-canadas-top-court/article31235065/   Related article: National Post – John Robinson   Parliament should have a vote on Supreme Court appointments   http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/john-robson-parliament-should-have-a-vote-on-supreme-court-appointments   Related article: National Newswatch – Canadian Press   Want to be on the Supreme Court? Here are the requirements for nominees    http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/08/02/want-to-be-on-the-supreme-court-here-are-the-requirements-for-nominees-3/#.V6DqvfnyuUk   Toronto Star – Editorial (Aug. 2, 2016)  A better way to pick Supreme Court justices   https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/08/02/a-better-way-to-pick-supreme-court-justices-editorial.html

National Newswatch – Michael Tutton
Study suggests federal prisons blacking out errors in death reports: ombudsman

Yesterday’s communiqué offered a new report from Howard Sapers, the Correctional Investigator, on deaths of inmates in the federal system and the way that Corrections Canada handles the incidents.  This article provides an example of a report received by family members where the black lining of details excludes material that may compromise the prison or authorities.  “It’s very hard for me to conclude that all the redactions that I reviewed for this investigation were that legitimate. There were some redactions that I think Correctional Service Canada is going to have to explain,” Sapers said in an interview.   http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/08/02/study-suggests-federal-prisons-blacking-out-errors-in-death-reports-ombudsman-2/#.V6C7RPnyuUk

Globe and Mail – Shenaz Kermalli
Must American Muslims prove their patriotism before they speak?

Kermalli is a Canadian Muslim and professor at Humber College in Toronto.  She is speaking about the recent exchange between the parents of a Muslim American soldier and Trump and she asks if Muslims must prove something to others before being empowered to speak about political matters.  She notes the thunderous applause and the media maelstrom in response to the parents and offers this perspective:  “Is the idea of a Muslim being a proud citizen so novel that it merits thunderous applause? In the United States, it seems to be. Would a Canadian crowd respond with the same fervour to a Muslim who declared his patriotism and “undivided loyalty” to Canada from the start? I hope not.”  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/must-american-muslims-prove-their-patriotism-before-they-speak/article31229817/

Rabble.ca – Sophia Reuss
Immigration detainees end 18-day hunger strike

Detainees at the Lindsay facility – the Central East Detention Center –  have begun eating again after 18 days of a hunger strike protesting the indefinite incarceration of them as immigrants.  The source was unable to determine if the second group of such detainees held in the Toronto East Detention Center had also ended their fast.  None of the demands of the detainees have been met in spite of protests across Canada.  Detainees say they decided to save their strength for other tactics.  Part of the problem lies with people raised in Canada whose original country denies their citizenship making them stateless and subject to the indefinite detention.  http://rabble.ca/news/2016/08/immigration-detainees-end-18-day-hunger-strike