Thoughts on BC Politics and More

There are volumes of legal and political arguments about the concept of bail, but where it all lands at ground level is in the BC Prosecution Service’s policy manual for Crown counsel. The eight-page directive on bail, refreshed three weeks ago, illustrates how entrenched the preference — more like the legal requirement — is for releasing people on bail whenever possible. It will have to be completely rewritten if the latest federal bid to restrict bail becomes law. That will amount to a big change in mindset. The Criminal Code is federal law, but the provincial prosecution service administers it ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

Conservatives and New Democrats don't agree on much, but it appears both have issues with provisions tucked into Bill C-2, the Carney government's Strong Borders Act. The 140-page bill would modify many existing laws, from the Criminal Code to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Canada Post Corporation Act and the Oceans Act. Much of it is about the border and the movement of people and goods, licit and illicit, across that border, as its full name suggests: An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures. But some MPs are having difficulty seeing how everything in the bill is at all "related" to the border ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Stiffer new Canadian bail conditions are a “significant step” towards improving public safety, but more work is required say some BC police, women’s advocates and municipal leaders. Amendments to the Criminal Code under Bill C-48 are now in effect, which require certain accused criminals to prove why they should be granted bail, rather than the reverse on the part of prosecutors ... ... people who are accused of having committed serious, violent offences, often involving the use of a weapon or involving intimate partner relationships. It’s not going to apply to, say, the prolific shoplifter for example ... CLICK HERE for the full story  

New legislation in neighbouring Alberta will have it become Canada’s second province to ensure convicted sex offenders must live under their own names. Under Bill 28, proposed changes to the provinces Vital Statistics Act , announced on Wednesday, will require anyone 18 years of age or older to submit to a criminal background check as part of their application to change their name. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney Those convicted of designated sexual offenses under the Criminal Code will be ineligible to complete a legal change of name in Alberta. Designated offenses include sexual exploitation, incest, aggravated sexual assault, child pornography, and others.  “ Sexual crimes, especially against children, are truly heinous. Prohibiting these offenders from legally changing their names is yet another step we are taking to ensure the safety of Alberta families in our communities ”, stated Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. Alberta already has some of the strongest legislation around name c...

“ The truth shall set you free ,” advises the old canon. Unless you’re a criminal, that is.  Then the truth will land you in prison.  That’s how the justice system works, most of the time. Roughly 40,000 convicts are presently locked away in the fifty-three federal and provincial prisons scattered across Canada. The vilest of the perps (the murderers, the rapists, and the pedophiles) are punished with lengthy consignments to the most secure of these institutions; eight federal maximum-security prisons are needed to house them all – and almost all of them are men. Women commit crimes too, but at far lower rates and attended by much less violence and predation, a fact reflected by the lower security and gentler living conditions typical of female prisons (there’s not a single dedicated maximum-security institution for women in Canada).  The Institutional Mother-Child Program even allows incarcerated mothers to raise their children in prison until the ...

As an explanation, this CBC article is an epic fail . First, the Queen’s Privy Council and the Government Cabinet are separate bodies with separate mandates. The Privy Council provides apolitical advice to the Governor General on what is going on in Government. The Cabinet oversees operations of government departments and agencies. Cabinet ministers are usually members of the Privy Council and their duties vary depending on which body they are attending. Privy council confidentiality is absolute. Members cannot disclose what is discussed during a privy council meeting. The Clerk of the Privy Council has no authority over the Government Cabinet. It is outside of his jurisdiction. Cabinet confidentiality is less onerous than Privy Council confidentiality and can be waived by either the Prime Minister or the Courts. In 1940, Prime Minister Mackenzie King amalgamated the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet into one position reporting...