Sept 17, 2016
National Post – Andrew Coyne
We are staring into the abyss of a Trump presidency and many people are to blame
Blame is always filled with more regret than satisfaction, once whatever that is distasteful or wrong arrives. Coyne assembles and impressive list of those in the US who can accept at least some of blame should Trump get elected or still enjoy an influence if he loses. Perhaps the article also has a usefulness in raising alarm over the same dark political forces in the US taking their toll on Canadians as well. Witness the immigration questions from the Conservative leadership contest??? http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/andrew-coyne-we-are-staring-into-the-abyss-of-a-trump-presidency-and-many-people-are-to-blame Related article: Toronto Star – Desmond Cole Suspicion of immigrants is a Canadian value https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/09/15/suspicion-of-immigrants-is-a-canadian-value-cole.html
Calgary Herald – James Woods
Alberta government funding transition housing for former inmates
The government is putting up $3 million to make provision for housing for federal inmates when released. The funding will go to a new Bedford House (John Howard Society) who respond to requests from the Correctional Services to accommodate the former inmates. The facility will have 32 beds and other on-site services and will be re-located to an industrial section. The funding from the provincial government is jointly with private money from RESOLVE. http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/province-funding-transition-housing-for-former-inmates
Ottawa Citizen – Ian MacLeod and Jason Fekete
Pressure to name first indigenous Supreme Court judge could see Trudeau shaking up rules
Just having gone through the establishment of a new process for the appointment of Supreme Court justices, pundits are wondering in the face of the rumours circulating in Ottawa whether the next appointee will be an Indigenous woman. Protocols would anticipate someone by-lingual and from Atlantic Canada but the leading candidate, Naiomi Metallic, the first Mi’kmaq person to serve as a Supreme Court law clerk would be outside the parameters. Other candidates are Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Jean Teillet, and newly appointed Sen. Murray Sinclair, from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. http://www.canada.com/news/national/pressure+name+first+indigenous+supreme+court+judge+could+trudeau/12199343/story.html
National Newswatch – Jordan Press, Canadian Press
Statistics Canada head quits, cites loss of independence
Statistics Canada’s chief statistician Wayne Smith has resigned in the face of on-going problems stemming from the failures of the new government computer services, Shared Services Canada, an effort by the previous government to consolidate computer services across the various departments. According to Smith, the state of the services compromise the independence of Stats Canada. http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2016/09/16/canadian-press-newsalert-stats-can-head-quits-cites-loss-of-independence/#.V9wl__nyuUl Related article: Ottawa Citizen – Kathryn May Shared Services Canada was a battle chief statistician couldn’t win http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/shared-services-canada-was-a-battle-chief-statistician-couldnt-win
Globe and Mail – Sean Fine
Inquiry into judge’s handling of rape case aims to reassure victims: minister
As the Alberta scene unfolds, there are now five cases of questionable judicial conduct in rape or sexual assault cases. Two issues seem at the base of the concerns to date: one, the legal definition of consent and two, the potential for the current concerns to dissuade victims from reporting or participating in the criminal justice system due to fear of re-victimization, a concern that some would see as the greater problem. “Ultimately,” says Alberta Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley, “the justice system is the thing that ensures the law applies equally and fairly to every citizen.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/inquiry-into-judges-handling-of-rape-case-aims-to-reassure-victims-minister/article31940659/ Related article: Globe and Mail – Ellen Vanstone How has rape become such a common trope of television drama? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/how-has-rape-become-such-a-common-trope-of-television-drama/article31931181/
Globe and Mail – Doug Saunders
Where to find school bullies? Not where you might expect
The article finds a lack of bullies and bullying in a most unlikely place: schools with high percentages of first and second generation immigrants. Not only does a recent McMaster’s study show lower rates of both bullying and being bullied among immigrants, but there is evidence to show that immigrants raise the educational performance standards. The study, not yet published, was by Kathy Georgiades, a clinical psychologist at McMaster University’s Offord Centre for Child Studies. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/where-to-find-school-bullies-not-where-you-might-expect/article31930773/