Feb 23, 2017
Amnesty International Canada
Report 2016-17: The State of the World’s Human Rights
The report is just over 400 pages and offers an update on the practice and violations of human rights throughout the world. The index directs one to the pages of information on each country. Canada is found on p. 109ff. The report comments on Aboriginal rights, women’s rights, counter terrorism and security, justice system, refugees and asylum seekers, corporate accountability, legal, and constitutional or institutional developments. https://www.amnesty.ca/sites/amnesty/files/air201617-english_2017-02-08_11-21-28%20advance%20final.pdf Press release for the report: ‘Politics of demonization’ breeding division and fear https://www.amnesty.ca/news/%E2%80%98politics-demonization%E2%80%99-breeding-division-and-fear
CBC News – John Paul Tasker
Trudeau announces review of laws related to Indigenous peoples – Federal government struggles to amend Indian Act after Quebec court found parts were discriminatory
The feds have established a working group of six federal ministers to review all laws applicable to Indigenous people in Canada. Election promises around the current provisions gave way to the realization that there are multiple jurisdictions involved in any changes. Prompted by rulings of unconstitutionality in several cases in Quebec as well as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UBDRIP), Trudeau says “we are working on a complete renewal of Canada’s nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples.” First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde welcomes the review and looks to a joint effort “among equal partners and nations.” http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-indigenous-law-review-committee-1.3994227
Globe and Mail – Bill Curry
Charter will protect Canadians at U.S. border preclearance: Trudeau
Bill C-23 was introduced without much fanfare in 2015 between Stephen Harper and Barack Obama. But recent developments with shifting US immigration and refugee policy is causing a re-think. The Bill gives US border and customs agents on pre-clearance and while still on Canadian soil, extra authority for invasive questioning and even detention of Canadian citizens. The Bill expands the number of pre-clearance sites, authorizes the US personnel to be armed and forces the Canadian to explain why he/she has decided to withdraw from US entry and the screening process. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/charter-will-protect-canadians-at-us-border-prescreening-trudeau-says/article34110849/ Related article: CNN – Tal Kopan Trump admin sets stage for mass deportations http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/21/politics/dhs-immigration-guidance-detentions/index.html
Regina Leader-Post – Barb Pacholik
Thinking inside the box: The life of a ‘prison wife’
How do wives of men in federal prison cope? The link offers the thinking and the preparation for visiting that one wife undergoes. The article follows Sherri Maier through a series of visits with her boy-friend who is in Drumheller Institution, a seven hour drive from her home. Maier is a mom, is studying for a degree in human justice at the University of Regina, and is employed. “It can happen to anybody,” she reiterates. http://leaderpost.com/news/crime/thinking-inside-the-box-the-life-of-a-prison-wife
The Manitoban (U of Manitoba) – Anthony Huynh, with files from Shawn Garbutt
Immigrants won’t accept Pallister’s changes to Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program
Not too many heard of this practice established by Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba. Pallister established a $500 fee for an immigrant to apply to the Province’s nominee program to have their immigration papers processed. Huynh thinks we are back to the dreaded and often denounced head tax and thinks that Canadians should join with the immigrant and refugee community to protest program, instituted for the economic immigrant. http://www.themanitoban.com/2017/02/immigrants-wont-accept-pallisters-changes-manitobas-provincial-nominee-program/30805/ Related article: Times Colonist (Victoria, BC) 2012 law to handle illegal border crossers sits idle as calls for action persist http://www.timescolonist.com/2012-law-to-handle-illegal-border-crossers-sits-idle-as-calls-for-action-persist-1.10253775
CBC News (Montreal) – Kate McKenna
Renewed calls to review assisted death rules after Montreal man charged with murdering wife
Michel Cadotte, 55, is accused of killing his wife, 60-year-old Jocelyne Lizotte. Jocelyne had Alzheimer’s disease and was ill for many years, experiencing difficulty with normal functions like walking and eating. Under the present laws, both Quebec and federal, the family was refused an application for a doctor assisted death. Advocates are looking for an advance consent provision. Michel is charged with second degree murder. http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/montreal/jocelyne-lizotte-doctor-assisted-death-1.3993572
Youtube – Chris Hedges
Chris Hedges Gives a Heartbreaking Lecture about his Ideals
This video is 106 minutes and worth every minute. Hedges is a former international correspondent who spent a large part of his career in the war torn hotspots of the world. A preacher’s kid and Pulitzer Prize winner, Hedges speaks about journalism and social justice and describes the impact on his life of the moral lessons from people he encountered. Hedges is the author as well of The Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt. His personal journey led him to the rawest consequences of mass incarceration, racism and the worst of sentencing practices to support the mass incarceration. This video is a powerful and thought provoking personal story about finding hope among the most vulnerable people. https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=m9I-qHxrfwE Hodges’ Web page: http://www.truthdig.com/staff/chris_hedges