Sept. 9, 2016
Ottawa Citizen – Mohammed Adam
Being Muslim on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
Here’s a timely reminder for all of us. A casual dinner date for Sunday to celebrate Eid al-Adha prompts realization that the day is the 15th Anniversary of 9/11, a day experienced in a vastly different way by many of our Muslim community here and in the US. The article offers an insight into the minute and daily adjustments by many Muslims while also offering a chance to reach inside ourselves for empathy with our fellow Canadians while sympathizing with the victims. http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/adam-being-muslim-on-the-15th-anniversary-of-the-911-attacks
CBC News – Elizabeth Thompson
Goodale rescinds Conservative directive that opened door to gun ‘misclassification’ – Former public safety minister Steven Blaney issued order to RCMP 3 days before election call
The RCMP had a list of Firearms Reference Table Numbers and importing a firearm required that its FRT Number be on the list or the weapon was a prohibited firearm. The previous Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney formed an Advisory Panel out of gun lobbyists and took the responsibility for the list away from the RCMP. The decision over what constitutes a prohibited firearm has been returned to the RCMP. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/guns-firearms-rifles-laws-1.3753514
Globe and Mail – Colin Freeze
Concerns over Bill C-51 prompt CSIS to brief other agencies on operations
C-51 is still stirring controversy and likely will for some time. The Liberal government accept the Bill vowing to cherry pick only parts after the election. The Bill deals with the operations of CSIS to engage in disruptive activity around security threats. CSIS has begun a series of briefings outlining its activities with agencies also impacted. The briefings started just after “Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale the job of undoing “the problematic elements” of C-51.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/concerns-over-bill-c-51-prompts-csis-to-brief-other-agencies-on-operations/article31788063/ CBC News – 2 minute Video – Goodale outlines plan for security consultations http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/goodale-outlines-plan-for-security-consultations-1.3753635
CBC News – Peter Zimonjic, Julie Van Dusen
Banning Canadians from U.S. for life for smoking pot ‘ludicrous,’ says Goodale
There are a few new but somewhat scary zealots among US Immigration officers on the Canada-US border. Some officers are asking visitors if they smoke pot. Anyone who says yes, even medically prescribed marijuana, – to a question they don’t have to answer anyway – can be banned for life from entering the US. Refusing to answer can result in refusal to entry and a check reference for the next attempt to cross into the US. Critics are astounded, given that one of high number of entry crossings is at Blaine, Washington, one of 25 states where medical marijuana is legal. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ludicrous-pot-border-goodale-1.3754315 Related article: National Post – Marni Soupcoff Pot laws still mean trouble at the border http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/marni-soupcoff-pot-laws-still-mean-trouble-at-the-border Related article: CBC News – Peter Zimonjic, Julie Van Dusen Have you ever smoked weed? Answer this question and you could be banned from the U.S. – Legal medical marijuana user travelling to Washington state, where pot is legal, is banned from U.S. for life http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pot-border-banned-waiver-1.3752278
CBC News – Pam Berman
Riot at Waterville youth corrections facility under investigation – Union questions security procedures at Nova Scotia Youth Facility
Four staff workers were injured when a riot broke out at the Waterville Youth Centre. The individual cells have a “gang open” button which opens all the cell doors at once and union reps for the workers say that one inmate asked to go to the washroom and the others in the facility used the gang open button. RCMP called to restore order arrested four and have so far charged two of the four. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/justice-department-waterville-youth-facility-corrections-riot-1.3753383 Related article: The Nib (US) – Sofie Louise Dam Inmates Are Planning the Largest Prison Strike in US History https://thenib.com/inmates-are-planning-the-largest-prison-strike-in-us-history
National Newswatch – Laura Kane, Canadian Press
Wilson-Raybould lays out vision for UN indigenous rights declaration
In May, 2016, Canada made a commitment to adopt the UN Convention on Indigenous People and then discovered that the document clashed with Canadian Law. Justice Minister Wilson-Raybould “laid out her case for a made-in-Canada approach” at a meeting of BC Government officials and First Nation Leaders. She also contextualized the difficulties. “She also said the implementation must take into account constitutional and legal contexts in Canada and the government must identify which laws, policies and practices need to be amended or introduced.” http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/09/07/union-of-b-c-indian-chiefs-leader-blasts-province-at-first-nations-gathering-2/#.V9Bt1fnyuUk
CBC News – Jon Hernandez
Quesnel officially adopts living wage policy – City staff and service providers get baseline wage bumped up to $16.52 per hour
Quesnel is the second city, after New Westminster, to adopt a policy of paying its employees a “living wage.” Mayor Bob Simpson says: “the living wage is what a family of four with two income earners would need to meet the local costs of living — which includes rent, food and transportation — with enough extra to enjoy basic recreational activities and small savings.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/quesnel-living-wage-1.3751799