How quickly can the COVID-19 crackdown turn into cracking the whip on Black and brown bodies?
OTTAWA—Evidently, the killing of Black men by the police is an essential service. Last week, Peel Regional Police in Brampton, Ont., shot and killed D’Andre Campbell, a 26-year-old Black man with a known—as in, known to the police—history of mental health issues. It was Campbell who called the police on April 6 and it was […]
‘Critical situation’ in prisons as health-care workers threaten to walk over lack of protective equipment
Health-care workers in Canada’s federal prison system are on the verge of walking off the job over coronavirus-related safety concerns, according to their union, as pressure mounts on other public servants who would be tasked with handling the early release of inmates. “This is a very critical situation that we’re trying to resolve” with the […]
COVID-19 illuminating challenges of democratic governance
Is COVID-19 a blessing in disguise? Patients infected or dying from COVID-19 are the least likely to think so. This virus has shaken a number of concepts that many citizens of democratic societies take for granted. Reviews of how this crisis has been handled by governments, and global efforts at bracing for its impacts, will […]
Government should be careful in using cellphone data to track COVID-19, advocates say
Privacy experts and the Conservatives are warning the federal government that if it follows the lead of other countries and begins using cellphone location data to track the spread of COVID-19, it should do so under strict limits and safeguards for Canadians’ privacy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) said on March 24 the federal […]
A call for humility in national security ‘expertise’
OTTAWA—‘Experts’ can help Canadians understand national security and public safety threats, but only if they are truly knowledgeable. One thing I have tried to be consistent in since my retirement from a 32-year career in national security in this country is an honest assessment of what I know and what I can contribute to the […]
Reconciliation is wearing Eau de Colonialism 2020
OTTAWA—Do you hear that? It’s the sound of reconciliation buckling under the oppressive weight of white supremacy. Ostensibly, Canada was founded on the principles of “peace, order, and good government,” and apart from missing the necessary aspirational quality expected in the birth of a nation, the list of principles is missing one defining feature: white […]
Rail blockades showing markers for genesis of domestic armed conflict
The blockades in Canada are a microcosmic case of what leads to domestic armed conflicts. It starts with legitimate or disproportionate recriminations of groups against state entities. The groups then increase the disruptive pressures affecting third parties who cannot act, are not interested, or are not responsible for responding to their complaints. Thereafter, only time […]
Same staff, new office: a look at federal Public Safety Minister Blair’s team
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair has brought a number of staff from his old office as border security minister to his new team, including director of parliamentary affairs Jordan Crosby and director of operations Radey Barrack. Mr. Crosby started out as an issues manager to Mr. Blair when he was border security […]
Parole officers still floundering from Harper budget cuts, says union head supporting Tory parole board motion
The head of the union representing federal safety and justice workers says he supports a Conservative opposition motion to conduct hearings into the Parole Board of Canada decision that led to the alleged murder of 22-year-old Marylène Lévesque last month by a man out on day parole. And although he says he applauds the Liberal government’s […]
Let’s see if a new GOC ‘terrorism prosecution unit’ gets it right
OTTAWA—Terrorism is a hard crime to prosecute. The things that terrorists do are not so difficult: murder or attempted murder is relatively straightforward one would think. Either you killed, or tried to kill someone, or you did not. Simple, right? On the other hand, proving the reasons why you chose to kill or try to […]
