Oct. 22, 2013
Globe and Mail – Sean Fine
Victims to get louder voice in legal system, Justice Minister says
Here’s a preview of the crime legislations following the speech from the throne. Peter MacKay intends to change legislation around victim involvement, perhaps even to include participation in plea bargaining, around cyberbullying, and around a sentence of life without parole. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/victims-to-get-louder-voice-in-legal-system-justice-minister-says/article14956238/
Toronto Star – Keith Banting, John Myles Opinion
To fight income inequality, we need a new politics – Canadian economic policy has not kept pace with a rapidly changing world, and the middle class is suffering as a result. A new politics is the only way out.
The two authors are professors, Banting at Queen’s and Myles at U of T. They challenge the usual division into the 1% and the 99% and suggest that we suffer from long term stagnation in the middle and lower incomes significantly and that government policies around less social transfers for lower amounts have made matters worse. New risks and new pressures are calling for new politics. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/10/21/to_fight_income_inequality_we_need_a_new_politics.html
Vancouver Sun – James Keller
Teenage girl’s killer receives life sentence
The accused was a few days short of his 18th birthday and was sentenced to life as an adult. The sentence for life without parole for seven years means that with time served to date, the offender will be eligible for parole in just over five years. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Teenage+girl+killer+receives+life+sentence/9057201/story.html
City of Ottawa
Ottawa Gang Strategy – A Roadmap for Action 2013-2016
Ottawa police are offering what they call a holistic approach to gangs in a new strategy to be released today. The plan includes a summary of development to date, a strategy for community based response to gangs, and a series of guiding principles. http://ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/opsb/2013/06-24/2a-Ottawa%20Gang%20Strategy%20-%20Annex-FINAL.pdf
Global Post (US)
Australian gang members face pink prison uniforms
Pretty in pink? Australia is battling gangs with the army and with a threat to clothe the gangs in prison with fluorescent pink. Says state Premier Campbell Newman: “They are bullies. They like to wear scary looking gear, leather jackets, they have the tattoos, they have their colours. We know that telling them to wear pink is going to be embarrassing for them.” http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/131020/australian-gang-members-face-pink-prison-uniforms
Toronto Star – Nicholas Keung
One of Canada’s “most wanted” granted new detention review – Federal Court orders new detention hearing for Arshad Muhammad after finding officials withheld information that could have led to release..
Remember the bold new steps – including national photo posting – to find and deport Canada’s most wanted proposed by Minister Kenny? Here’s one – the case of Arshad Muhammad – that went a little astray. It seems that immigration officials had information critical to the case of this man and the information never saw the light of day. Worse still, Canadian authorities – Canadian Border Services Agency – accepted that the immigrant’s life would be at risk if re-patriated. http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2013/10/20/one_of_canadas_most_wanted_granted_new_detention_review.html#
Ottawa Restorative Justice Network
The Ripple Effect of Victimization: How Restorative Justice can Calm the Waters
Thursday, November 14, 2013 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Andrew Haydon/Jean Pigott Foyer, Ottawa City Hall
Featured as part of the RJ week in Ottawa are Dona Cadman & Supriya Dias. Dona’s son Jesse was murdered by Supriya’s son Isaac. The evening will try to explore the potential of restorative justice in addressing issues for families of both victims and offenders. Please register at 613-239-1268 or by email at rjnetwork@storm.ca . ORJN Poster for the event: http://orjn.org/news.html