Since October’s shooting and attack on Parliament Hill, the Harper government has introduced or passed four pieces of legislation that impinge on civil liberties in ways that almost certainly contravene legal protections in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Though the government claims these reforms are meant help security agencies confront new terrorist threats to Canada, they could be used to hassle and spy on a larger group of people at home and abroad, in particular those opposed to the government’s energy agenda.
Law and legal issues
[Pour la version française, cliquez ici]
The January 30, 2015 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada was a very significant one for the labour movement, and in fact for Canadian society. In their decision the Court once more reaffirmed that a strong base of fundamental rights for union members is a cornerstone of Canada’s democracy and is protected under our constitution.
BC's provincial government recently released a "White Paper on Local Government Election Reform" and invited public comments about draft changes to the campaign finance laws governing local/municipal elections. The most significant change is a proposal to regulate election advertising by "third parties" (anyone other than candidates or political parties). The draft legislation is modelled on highly controversial and problematic third party advertising rules currently in place for provincial elections.
George Bernard Shaw used to tell the story of how he encountered “the man who lost his keys.”
Walking home from the theatre one night, he came upon a man on his hands and knees under a lamp-post, obviously searching for something.
“I’ve lost my keys,” the man told Shaw.
The playwright joined in the search, but after several minutes it was apparent the keys were nowhere to be found.
“Are you sure you lost your keys here?” Shaw asked.
Fillet of a fenny snake, in the caldron boil and bake;Eye of newt, and toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, lizard's leg, and owlet's wing — For a charm of powerful trouble, like a hell-broth boil and bubble. —William Shakespeare. Macbeth.
Imagine you are a woman who recently left your husband because he was assaulting you. Without a lawyer, fighting for the custody of your two children requires you to cross-examine your ex-husband in court about the sexual and physical abuse you experienced in your relationship with him. Unless your net monthly income is less than $2640 per month, you will not qualify for publicly funded legal representation. (If you are a single person without dependents, the financial cut off for representation is even lower – less than you would make working full time on minimum wage).
The BC government wants you to shut up during the next election.
That’s the message that emerges when you read between the lines of its proposed amendments to the Election Act.
On the surface, the Shafia murder case doesn’t look like a “political” issue at all. The horrifying killing of four innocent women by family members near Kingston nearly three years ago could easily be seen as simply the tragic drama of an individual family, not a matter for analysis and action in the broader Canadian socio-political context.
On reflection, however, that individualized assessment breaks down. In fact, the Shafia murders raise issues of a highly political nature which demand the attention of all progressive Canadians.
This report was produced with the collaboration of Ogijiita Pimachiowin Kinamatwin, The Community Education Development Association, The Canadian CED Network, Maintain the Momentum and Make Poverty History Manitoba.