Opinion

Friday, August 11, 2023 @ 9:53 AM

In the foreword to my upcoming book, journalist and author Justin Ling looks at the failure of our criminal and correctional systems in facing up to the inadequacies inherent in their structures and operations. He writes, “Much the same way we warehouse the people we don’t want to deal with in the darkness, we keep in the darkness the entire issue of our prison system. We would rather believe the machine is running smoothly.” ... [read more]

Thursday, August 10, 2023 @ 8:56 AM

A growing homeless population and government action has led to a situation where courts and the judiciary have been forced to weigh in on the ever-growing encampments that populate our major urban centres. ... [read more]

Wednesday, August 09, 2023 @ 2:33 PM

“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” — Jerry Seinfeld ... [read more]

Wednesday, August 09, 2023 @ 10:16 AM

New Brunswick’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development new version of their policy on sexual orientation and gender identity, policy 713 is not about protecting children. ... [read more]

Friday, August 04, 2023 @ 2:25 PM

Definitely do not try this one at home. A gentleman in China, a Mr. Chen, showed up at the ER of a local hospital in Zhejiang, China, with the screw base of a lightbulb sticking out of this mouth. I suppose y’all want to hear more? ... [read more]

Friday, August 04, 2023 @ 10:37 AM

As Canada’s new Minister of Justice, Arif Virani has the opportunity to take a more expansive — and I would argue correct — interpretation of s. 4 of the Department of Justice Act than did his predecessor, David Lametti. The Act sets out the powers, duties and functions of the minister of justice and the attorney general of Canada, and s. 4 requires the minister to see that public administration is consistent with the law. ... [read more]

Thursday, August 03, 2023 @ 2:40 PM

The other day my wife, Maureen, told me about a friend who was complaining that his busy adult children do not call him very often. Her friend asked Maureen, “Don’t they care about their dad?” To which Maureen replied, “they care … in their spare time.” ... [read more]

Thursday, August 03, 2023 @ 12:24 PM

Justice Minister Arif Virani had been in office less than a week when he came under attack by the Conservative opposition. The press release issued by Conservative spokespersons included the following: “Justin Trudeau’s catch-and-release policies have unleashed a crime wave across this country. Canadians don’t feel safe in their communities and on their streets. But Arif Virani, Trudeau’s new Justice Minister and Attorney General is telling Canadians this is all just in their heads, and that an increase in crime is ‘empirically unlikely.’ ... [read more]

Thursday, August 03, 2023 @ 9:59 AM

New Brunswick’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development recently released a new version of its policy on sexual orientation and gender identity. Policy 713, which has been in place since August 2020, “sets minimum requirements for school districts and public schools to create a Safe and affirming school environment” for all who identify as (or may be perceived to be) LGBTQ+. ... [read more]

Wednesday, August 02, 2023 @ 10:57 AM

Some people were taken aback last week when Toronto MP Arif Virani was sworn in as Canada’s minister of justice and attorney general, replacing veteran David Lametti. Virani is youthful, with a record in his legal practice as an advocate for human rights issues.  ... [read more]