Nov. 21, 2017
CBC News – Kathleen Harris
15,000 on Canada’s deportation list, but some ‘un-co-operative’ countries won’t take their citizens back – Canada Border Services Agency won’t name countries, but says ‘engagement strategies’ are underway
Advocates are alarmed not only with the number of people to be deported but also with the consequences for those refused by their country of origins. But Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) is refusing to identify the countries who deliberately delay or simply refuse to accept their citizens. The tactic in the past when people become non-deportable is to imprison whole families until a solution is found, a default solution recently challenged in the courts. Some of the numbers involved are failed refugee claims and the article identifies the non-co-operating countries named by the US. The article also shows a graph of the top citizenships that make up the deportees. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/deportation-uncooperative-countries-1.4405383
Policy Options – Elizabeth Sheehy and Simon Lapierre
The Supreme Court’s Jordan ruling on trial delays could have a negative impact on how the justice system responds to violence against women.
The Jordan decision refers to the Supreme Court’s insistence that criminal trials be held within reasonable time lines or dismissed. The decision was since upheld by R vs Cody. The decision means that federal and provincial justice departments need more resources and more commitments to operating within the guidelines. The fear expressed by Sheehy and Lapierre is that lacking the resources, many cases involving violence against women will in fact survive the time guidelines and be dismissed, making complainants think the process is futile. Only proof from the Crown that the case involves exceptional circumstances allows trial beyond the time guidelines. http://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/october-2017/the-jordan-decisions-impact-on-cases-of-violence-against-women/
Ottawa Citizen – Kelly Egan
We handed homeless sector to faith groups. Now we cry for control?
The article reflects the approach of the local city council faced with a decision around the housing issue and tries to expand the discussion into a larger arena, asking more fundamental questions. The question of where to locate a new facility is the political issue at the municipal level but the more basic question is how can one end homelessness? What would all levels of government have to do? http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/egan-we-handed-homeless-sector-to-faith-groups-now-we-cry-for-control Related article: BC Tyee – Jessica Hannon Our Kids Are Safe: It’s Homeless People Who Are in Danger https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2017/11/21/homeless-people-are-danger/
CTV News – Jordan Press
About 450K children in families reliant on social assistance, report finds
Campaign 2000 which was established when the Canadian government passed a motion calling for the end of poverty by that date has just filed a distressing report 17 years past due date: there are almost one half million children reliant on welfare, the vast majority living below the poverty line. The coalition issues periodic report cards on how Canada is doing with the elimination of poverty. http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/about-450k-children-in-families-reliant-on-social-assistance-report-finds-1.3687153 Full report: A Poverty Free Canada Requires Federal Leadership https://campaign2000.ca/2017reportcard/ Related article: Toronto Star Ontario urged to make ending child poverty an election issue https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/11/21/ontario-urged-to-make-ending-child-poverty-an-election-issue.html
Fair Justice Project / Harvard Law School (US) – Rebecca McCray
Finding a Place for Restorative Justice
The movement towards the reform of the US justice system is bringing more attention to the Restorative Justice movement. Recognizing the presence of RJ in both US and Canada and the presence of other alternatives to imprisonment, McCray is suggesting that the US would do well to find a spot for RJ among the growing myriads. Her opinion is supported by the latest report out of the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice. https://injusticetoday.com/finding-a-place-for-restorative-justice-9552b91d7a1f Full Zehr report: Restorative Justice Listening Project https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c28cc3_1c445161c5ff4db9a15d7b59282283dc.pdf
Star Phoenix (SK) –
Collective Voice: Dealing with mental illness in adolescents
The Star Phoenix has a column called the Collective Voice which invites groups of people to offer a commentary on issues in the headlines. In this column, grade nine students share their opinions around mental health issues. “Having a mental disorder does not only affect the individual, but others close to them. It is important to pay attention to not only the person struggling, but their family and friends as well.” http://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/collective-voice-dealing-with-mental-illness-in-adolescents