Sept 25, 2023 – Quick bail reform?
Terrace Standard (BC) – The Canadian Press
Bail reform fast-tracking has federal watchdogs waving red flags – House of Commons sending bill to the Senate without committee
A reform that has been plaguing advocates on all sides has just been determined worth sending directly to the Senate without committee intervention of any kind, making it highly likely the bill will again fail the needed reform. “The unanimous decision by the House of Commons Monday to send the bill to the Senate without committee study means MPs will not probe the bill’s potential effects, including whether it could have a disproportionate impact on people who are Black, Indigenous or living with mental illness.” The present system requires the Crown to show why bail should be denied but this version of bail puts the onus on the accused. Said Catherine Latimer, executive director of the John Howard Society of Canada: ““There were a number of very legitimate concerns raised that should be brought to the attention of Parliamentarians.” https://www.terracestandard.com/national-news/bail-reform-fast-tracking-has-federal-watchdogs-waving-red-flags/ Related article: Government of Canada – Bill C-48: Proposed changes to strengthen Canada’s bail system https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/pl/pcscbs-cprslscc/index.html Related article: Global News (Sept 19, 2023) Bail reform bill passes in House of Commons https://globalnews.ca/video/9972845/bail-reform-bill-passes-in-house-of-commons Tweet from John Howard Society on Bill C-48 Bail Reform: “Bail reform fast-tracking has federal watchdogs waving red flags: Bail system needs an evidence-based, principle-driven overhaul – not ineffective erosion of fundamental rights to appease political pressures.” https://x.com/JohnHoward_Can/status/1705574558944653702?s=20 Related article: Lethbridge News Now – The Canadian Press Parole board warned employees about threats following Saskatchewan stabbings: emails https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2023/09/25/parole-board-warned-employees-about-threats-following-saskatchewan-stabbings-emails/ Related article: Best Lawyers: Jillian Williamson How Bill C-48 Could Reform Bail for Repeat Offenders in Canada – Everything You Need to Know https://www.bestlawyers.com/article/bill-c-48-could-reform-bail-for-repeat-offenders-in-canada/5543 Related article: Prison Policy Initiative (US): Bernadette Rabuy and Daniel Kopf Detaining the Poor https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/incomejails.html (Ed note: This link, comprehensive of the US scene, includes comments on the practice of imposing fees and fines while incarcerated and on parole.)
CBC News – Bobby Hristova
Hamilton police officer resigns 1 day before hearing on drug allegations – Const. Alfonso Esquivel allegedly used drugs and played a role in drug dealing
Esquivel was suspended with pay on June 9, 2021 (while suspended, in 2021 he received $112,524) after allegations that go back to failure to disclose drug use while in training. His resignation ends the internal accountability and illustrates both the cost of police misconduct and the special treatment of police who misbehave. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/police-officer-drug-use-resigns-1.6971285 Related article: Progress Report – Duncan Kinney Edmonton cop who stole cash three separate times can’t be fired rules judge. Likely owed more than $500,000 in back pay https://www.theprogressreport.ca/edmonton_cop_who_stole_cash_three_separate_times_can_t_be_fired_rules_judge_likely_owed_more_than_500_000_in_back_pay
The Guardian (UK / US Desk) – Dyjuan Tatro
US prison labor is cruel and pointless legalized slavery. I know first-hand – I was paid 10 cents an hour to do menial work that taught no skills or life lessons. Without a college-in-prison degree, I’d probably be back in prison today
Tatro challenges a well-known prison narrative that a job in prison is rehabilitative. Delivered from a job without return beyond the 10 cents / hour, Tatro points out the reliance on family for toiletry necessities, the Bard Prison Initiative offered her a college education and a second chance. Her assessment of the prison experience: “Prisons are designed to warehouse, traumatize and exploit people, then send them back home in worse shape than when they entered the system.” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/22/us-prison-labor-is-cruel-and-pointless-legalized-slavery-i-know-first-hand?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
The Marshall Project (US) – Closing Argument – Lakeidra Chavis
Juvenile Detention Centers Face One Scandal After Another – Despite repeated efforts at reform, allegations of mistreatment mount at youth facilities across the country.
Louisiana State Prison Angola’s former death row cell block has house some 80 youth while the federal courts and the state fight each other on the appropriateness of the disposition. The teen rebelled at youth facilities where they were shackled and kept in solitary without rehab or education. They were then sent to Angola. “Chief U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick found that conditions at Angola violate the teens’ constitutional rights to due process and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.” The state gave in, withdrew the appeal of the federal order and moved the teens. Chavis reports many other states with similar mistreatment of teen and explains the Missouri Model as a solution: “one focused on a trauma-informed approach, instead of a punitive one.” https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/09/23/louisiana-youth-prison-missouri
CBC News – Katie Nicholson and Victoria Stunt
Wildland firefighters in many parts of Canada struggle to get compensated for serious illness – Unlike urban firefighters, those who battle wildfires not covered in all provinces
After a most remarkable and extensive summer wildfire season, this struggle appears most unfair and delays in resolution appear counter-intuitive. “Thomas Leblanc spent 35 years fighting wildfires in Montana, Alberta, British Columbia and his home province of Ontario, but when he developed a cancer linked to firefighting, he was repeatedly denied workplace coverage.” Were he an urban or a ‘structural firefighter’ Leblanc would had been determined to have a presumptive work related disease and would have been fully compensated. There is an exclusion to presumptive cause for wildfire fighters. He died leaving his wife to continue the nine year struggle: “Thomas Leblanc died at the age of 54 in August 2010, roughly a year after he was first diagnosed. He asked his wife to keep fighting the WSIB claim.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/wildland-firefighters-compensation-canada-1.6974808?cmp=newsletter_CBC%20News%20Morning%20Brief_9897_1266003 Related article: CBC News – Katie Nicholson Wildfire fighters work in heavy smoke, and in Canada have little protection – B.C., Alberta studying potential masks for wildfire fighters https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/wildfire-fighters-smoke-protection-1.6897879?cmp=newsletter_CBC%20News%20Morning%20Brief_9897_1266003
Blogger Russell Webster (UK)
Ethnicity, care experience and involvement in the justice system
Webster is referencing a study/briefing by three researchers who were able to take advantage of the availability of data bases from several government agencies to examine longitudinally race and care in the justice system. The opportunity came from a government decision to make data the first element of its policy making. The linking of the various government data bases resulted in four conclusions and some recs for re-dressing what the authors found. https://www.russellwebster.com/ethnicity-care-experience-and-involvement-in-the-justice-system/ Full report: Administrative Data Research Fellowship (ADR Research UK): Dr Katie Hunter, Professor Brian Francis and Dr. Claire Fitzpatrick Care Experience, Ethnicity and Youth Justice Involvement: Key Trends and Policy Implications https://www.adruk.org/fileadmin/uploads/adruk/Documents/Policy_Briefings/Policy-briefing-Katie-Hunter.pdf
Basic Income conference:
Hosted by @Intelliware , a leading Canadian business and technology consulting firm based in Toronto.
Dr. Evelyn Forget, “Basic Income: An investment in quality of life and security”.
Sheila Regehr (Chair of BICN) and Floyd Marinescu (UBI Works Founder) will discuss the known benefits and debunk common misconceptions.
Chris Ford, President of Intelliware — and one of the first #CEOsforBasicIncome signatories — will moderate the event.
Walid Herzallah of GiveDirectly about their unique philanthropy model,
Ken Yang of UBI Works on recent major developments in Canada. Envisioning Canada’s Future: The Basic Income Revolution
When: Oct 18, 2023 Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Where: Intelliware office, 200 Adelaide St. W, Toronto
Reserve your spot: https://intelliware.com/about-us/our-c