Little kids…

Sept 15, 2016

CBC News – John Paul Tasker
Federal government failing to comply with ruling on First Nations child welfare: tribunal – ‘What they’re doing is illegal, and immoral. We’re talking about little kids,’ Indigenous activist says

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal has re-issued a compliance order first given in January 2016 which called on the Canadian government to immediately correct the disparity between what First Nations reserve children get and what those under provincial government get.  The disparity is thought to be a serious factor in the state of impoverished living conditions and education on the Federal reserves.  “This pattern of the federal government using racial discrimination against children as a fiscal restraint measure continues, and I pray every day that the government will see the light and stop the practice. But it’s going to take Canadians rising up and saying that we no longer want to be a country that pays for anything on the backs of kids,” said Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations and Family Caring Society.   http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/human-rights-tribunal-failing-to-comply-1.3764233   Related article: Globe and Mail – Canadian Press   Ottawa hit with new compliance order over child welfare services on reserve   http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-hit-with-compliance-order-over-child-welfare-services-on-reserve/article31910739/  Related article Katie Hyslop – How to End Child Poverty, According to a Stanford Economist   http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/09/14/End-Child-Poverty-Stanford-Economist/    Related article: Tyee – Andrew MacLeod   BC Lib Bragging about Welfare-to-Work Far from Reality – Success vastly exaggerated, based on government’s own press releases  http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/09/15/BC-Liberal-Welfare-to-Work/

National Newswatch- Jordan Press, Canadian Press
Raising GIS earning exemption would help most low-income seniors, report says

How best to help low income seniors?  A new report from government says that raising the amount of the Guaranteed Income Supplement is the best way.  The report, just released but two years old, says that seniors and women does not benefit from an increase in the exemption amount allowed before the pension money is clawed back because the two groups are not generally in the workforce and have troubles getting a job even if possible. Both CARP and the Association of Retired Persons are asking for adjustments.  http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/09/15/raising-gis-earning-exemption-would-help-most-low-income-seniors-report-says/#.V9r7EvnyuUk

 Toronto Star – Alex Boutilier
Cyberattack on biometric data poses security risks at border, documents warn – Canada’s border security agency warns cyber-attacks could overwhelm network, infiltrate biometric databases

Bill C-51 is beginning to prompt the security agencies and the supporting industries to voice concerns around what could go wrong, perhaps a resistance to changes to the original bill that the Liberals promised to review.  The Canadian Border Services presently – since 2013 – uses biometric identity checks – fingerprints, facial recognition, retina scans – to identify people coming temporarily into Canada and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale assures us there is no plan to use these measures for Canadians.  The fear expressed by the CBSA is that enemies could hack the computer files that store the data collected to date.  Goodale is looking for advice on how to expand the practice and store securely the biometric data derived. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/15/cyberattack-on-biometric-data-poses-security-risks-at-border-documents-warn.html

Toronto Star – Betsy Powell
Body-cams for all frontline Toronto cops, police report urges

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders is recommending that all front line police constables wear body cameras.  The rec follows nearly a year long pilot study involving 85 constables with video cameras on the front of the uniform.  The cost, $85 million over ten years, in an era of restraint now becomes the focus while other implications are studied.  Part of the problem is the time it may take to classify and sort the recorded material at the end of a shift.  https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2016/09/15/toronto-police-urging-body-cameras-for-officers-despite-stiff-costs.html

Globe and Mail – Sean Fine
New sex-assault trial ordered after a fourth Alberta judge rebuked

A case in which a man who was acquitted of sexually assaulting his daughter and his two step-daughters is prompting more soul searching about judges in Alberta.  This case is the fourth over the last 16 months in which a judge’s conduct in a sexual assault case is under review.  “The repeated use of stereotypes has sparked concerns about how sexual-assault complainants in the Alberta court system are treated and whether abusers are getting away with sex crimes.”  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/new-sex-assault-trial-ordered-after-a-fourth-alberta-judge-rebuked/article31922789/  Related article: Globe and Mail – Sean Fine   Third Alberta judge faces review over handling of sex-assault case   http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/third-alberta-judge-faces-review-over-handling-of-sex-assault-case/article31892370/

Vancouver Sun – Douglas Quan
Eight overdoses in 20 minutes: The night fentanyl-tainted cocaine almost devastated Delta

The town of Delta, BC, is reeling over eight overdoses that occurred in twenty minutes from fentanyl lacked drugs.  Two hours later the town had its ninth victim.  In the effort to cope with the rising numbers of overdoses, BC had earlier this year declared a public health emergency.  “Said to be up to 100 times more potent than morphine, fentanyl, a synthetic opioid with legitimate medical uses, is quickly absorbed into the body. As little as two milligrams, equivalent to a few grains of salt, can be lethal, according to authorities.”  http://www.vancouversun.com/eight+overdoses+minutes+night+fentanyl+tainted+cocaine+almost+devastated+town/12196093/story.html