Docket Podcast Episode 141: Buckle up for a extra long episode dissecting the law and politics in acquittal of of Umar Zameer in the death of Toronto police officer Jeffrey Northrup.
I know this man who confronted Trudeau. He is a wonderful, generous, and hard working soul. He was one of my mentors and inspirations. I am the lawyer I am today because of him. And he is right on this one.
As for the actual arrest itself, the guy was walking out of the church on his own, when he says to the cops “Nice to see you defend these guys, who shut down the city for a month”
The cop then asks for his name and he replies “you’re a fucking hero”
Then he gets arrested
Over the last 15 years, have seen the most egregious examples of police abuse and disregard of Charter rights and now I have seen a lawless Ottawa and a police force that has chosen to give up. This is disgusting.
Protesters built a professional stage today at the corner of Wellington and Metcalfe where they are now having a concert. This is after Ontario Premier Doug Ford introduced tougher fines and possible jail times for protesters behind blockades.
#cdnpoli
I am choosing my words carefully,
@PierrePoilievre
’s claim that a crime wave is caused by 'woke' politicians is dangerous bullshit and does an injustice to the critical conversations we should have about criminal justice policy:
My letter to
@fordnation
about his guarantee that anyone who needs legal aid will get it. Ford said “If anyone needs support on legal aid, feel free to call my office. I will guarantee you that you will have legal aid." I'm waiting for your call...
This is sickening. Disagreement is good, sharp criticism is healthy, and protest is constitutional…. But this is none of that. And we should be clear about who is fanning the flames and basking in the glow of this unhinged hate.
WATCH: An event for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was cut short in Belleville, Ont., today after nearly 100 protesters surrounded him and his motorcade.
READ:
Remember when the
@OttawaPolice
claimed their deep respect for Charter rights explained their inaction on the trucker protest? Yesterday, the Ontario Court of Appeal found OPS engaged in conduct amounting to a "serious violation of two Charter rights"
I only do criminal law, so I am not a "free speech" expert. But my quick look at a s. 2b (freedom expression) seems to indicate that "free speech" does not grant the right to make airplane PA announcements? This is dumb.
NEW: In a recent Zoom call, Erin O’Toole shared tips with campus conservatives on how to win a debate with Liberals about residential schools.
He suggested the architects of the schools only meant to ‘provide education’ to Indigenous children.
#cdnpoli
OIn these dark times
@PaulChampLaw
is the hero we need. So glad
@EmilieTaman
worked late on a Friday night to help get this done. Class action filed against the truckers:
COMMON SENSE: Ford wants to hold judges accountable when they let people out on bail, only to see them repeat their crimes. So why the outcry? Via
@brianlilley
On why WE started doing work on a program that had not been approved and one that Trudeau had concerns about,
@PierrePoilievre
scores some point. Telford seemed flustered on that point.
This jaw dropping. What the hell are you doing
@OttawaPolice
. Maybe if these kids were truck driving extremists you would have exercised more restraint? FFS.
Doug Ford gave me his cell number in case I had concerns to bring to his attention. If you have concerns with his use of the notwithstanding clause maybe you should send him a message too: (416)805-2156
If I get 500 likes on this, I will apply. I mean, I can bake. But I don’t know if I can handle the pressure of the tent! A murder trial, no pressure. A soggy bottom 😓
You know you want to — and you've got nothing to lose! Now’s your chance to apply for Season 6 of The Great Canadian Baking Show. (Trust us, you'll thank yourself later 🙌).
This is an shocking attack on Canada’s judicial system. The Court applied the law. Perhaps the Court got it wrong. That’s what appeals are for. But to accuse the judiciary of working against the nation is incredibly dangerous.
Applications are open for the Ottawa Police Services Board - defence lawyers are excluded from applying. You can be a lawyer who represents police, or prosecutes criminal offences, or advocates for increased police power - just not a lawyer who holds police accountable.
Now Trudeau is introducing a "national school food program" which will need to be run by the provinces. Provinces he didn't consult on this with.
Just like last week's renters bill of rights.
I'll say it again, Trudeau wants to be a provincial premier!
The police couldn't do it, the city couldn't do it, but 4 lawyers (
@PaulChampLaw
,
@_CEJohnson
,
@EmilieTaman
and
@bijonroy_lawyer
) working around the clock for 4 days on their own dime have done it! A 10 day emergency injunction against the horns! Paul Champ is Batman!
According to this
@globeandmail
article, a donor to the Ford government borrowed $100 million at a TWENTY-ONE PERCENT interest rate in order to buy up Greenbelt land that, in less than a year, was magically open to development. (1/x)
#Greenbelt
#Bill23
In Ottawa they have always had the legal power to act under the Criminal Code: unlawful assembly, mischief, and cause disturbance, (threats and assault in some cases). The police have chosen not to act. Not sure this will change anything in Ottawa.
Critically, this will give Ottawa Police the legal power to act, instead of writing bylaw and traffic tickets. The only question now: will they act, and when.
“Fuck the rule of law” as a policy is a bold and dangerous choice. This is not how the Charter works, popular opinion (and not even the notwithstanding clause) makes a law constitutional.
Poilievre hints to police he would use notwithstanding clause to change justice laws. While some provincial governments have used Section 33, it has never been invoked federally,
@DMajJourno
and
@ParryTom
report.
#cdnpoli
Find out more at
NEW: Premier Doug Ford say he's going to "triple down" on his comments about appointing "like minded" judges.
"We're going to triple down on getting judges that believe in throwing someone in jail," The premier says.
Ontario Crowns are seeking an injunction so they don’t have to attend court because of unsafe COVID conditions. Part of the complaint, they don’t get free masks. These are the same crowns who argue that jails are safe enough (note, inmates are not provided masks). Unbelievable.
It is time we talk about corporate charity. Let’s talk about
@bell
’s
#BellLetsTalk
marketing campaign & how they profit in a predatory way off Ontario’s jail population - many of whom suffer from mental health issues & cannot talk to family and supports:
I have been thinking about this all night. I want to say I am shocked, but I am not. If this is how
@OttawaPolice
treat kids on a sidewalk, imagine what they do to other people when the cameras are not rolling…..
A viewer just sent me a longer version of the arrest video from the dress code protest in Orleans today
Tough to see how the Ottawa Police explanation holds up that these “youths” were “trespassing” on the sidewalk, when they just wanted to cross the street and join the protest
This is so offside, so dangerous, and so against every norm everyone should be worried. This is how the independent judiciary crumbles. What are we even doing?!?
Premier Doug Ford says he is “tripling down” by saying he wants “like-minded” judges. He gets a standing ovation from obedient Tory MPPs for his thundering blast against judges.
#onpoli
Lich is having a day long bail hearing on Saturday. I can’t tell you how unusual this is. It is nearly impossible to get a long weekend bail hearing for a client.
In addition to needing to leave Ottawa, organizer Chris Barber's bail conditions include a $100k bond and that he not contact other key protest organizers. Tamara Lich is now expected to appear in court on Saturday.
#ottnews
I think about this client often and about all the ways I could have done more. I also remind myself that there is always much more to a person than the offence they committed.
A few years back I represented a client charges with a poppy box theft. When I got the brief the crown who agreed to bail was disgusted. So was the court staff. So was anyone who heard about the charge. Frankly, so was I - but then I got to know my client.
This is disgusting and would not survive a Charter challenge, except in the legislature - the one place in Ontario where the Charter doesn't apply. This is who the PC are....
I am going to use a legal term of art here: Ford is fucking dangerous. If you want to see a politicized justice system, just look south of the boarder.
Says the guy who had Ontario Proud’s Jeff Ballingall on his campaign team. Says the guy who TODAY was laughing in the house when Conservatives were chanting that the government loved Bernardo? Parting shots are for cowards.
Former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole took a parting shot Monday at the corrosive way social media is dominating political debate in Canada, warning his fellow lawmakers that this Parliament could mark the start of a national democratic decline.
Under the Harper government, for a stretch of FIVE years, car thefts were higher than Trudeau's worst year. There are some interesting questions to ask because there was a 20% spike in 2022. But I have yet to see anything that would tie that to Trudeau.
Under the previous Conservative government, both costs and crime went down.
After 8 years under Trudeau, both have gone up.
Not worth the cost and the crime.
MP starts out with class and grace by thanking his opponents and telling everyone in his riding, even those that didn’t vote for him, he will work hardto represent them….. wait…. no…. Pretty much the opposite.
This is one of the strangest bail hearing I have every seen. I would have some serious serious concerns about this bail plan. Some of the answers are totally off the wall and concerning.
I want to thank
@JustinTrudeau
@BillBlair
@marcomendicino
for the constructive discussions this afternoon on the next steps we need to take together, including the commitment of additional resources, to put an end to the ongoing occupation in Ottawa’s downtown core.
New from me: It’s high time we stop babying the delicate egos of the police and start realizing that sometimes they deserve nothing more than a good ol’ middle finger.
Seriously. Enough with the leaks from the PMO (because who else is leaking this). It is truly damaging to the administration of justice. It risks making judicial appointments partisan (which Canada has been largely spared from). Stop. Just stop.
WINTER CLOTHING NEEDED. Ottawa friends, there is a shortage of winter clothing at the Ottawa courthouse and police station. We need to find: Ski jackets, winter hats, boots, track pants, hoodies, mitts and scarves. DM me and I can help facilitate drop off at the courthouse.
It is so strange how all of these funding announcements for something as serious and urgent as climate change have been delayed until the eve of an election.... its almost as if its all political and not principled.
The people of British Columbia understand the threat posed by climate change — they've already seen the impacts and they're already taking action. It's up to us to support them and that's why, today, we're announcing funding for climate action projects at
@UBC
.
Has Pierre read the bail hearing transcripts (which are subject to a publication ban), because otherwise how the hell would he be able to form an opinion? Unless he is just using a tragedy as cheap political theatre.
The murder of Cst. Pierzchala is an outrage.
The alleged killer shouldn’t have been on the streets at all but was out on bail despite repeated gun crimes.
Listen to the OPP Commissioner who said it best. Our justice system is broken and must put victims and public safety first.
Last night I spoke with
@CTVNews
about the RCMP, SNC, and
@JustinTrudeau
’s attempted interference with the justice system. Maybe or maybe not a crime but definitely disqualifying for public office:
Section 121(1)(c) of the Criminal Code makes it a crime for any official of the government to directly or indirectly accept an advantage or benefit of any kind from a person who has dealings with the government.
Let’s be honest. 15 min of sandbag filling was totally a photo-op that probably delayed things. Intent was good but the goals can be accomplished without interfering with the time sensitive work on the front line. But politicians gotta politician (just like Ford did yesterday)
Right-wing media personality Derek Fildebrandt is going viral after posting a “weird” and “creepy” video recorded inside an airport washroom.
Ottawa’s Airport says it is aware of the video recording and referring complaints to police.
#cdnpoli
#ottnews
I have some thoughts on Greenspan's
#SNCLavalin
opinion piece. I know Brian is a pillar of the criminal defence bar. He is a legend. He also almost offered me an articling job. This is why it pains me to say this. His opinion piece is a dumpster fire:
This is a lie. A blatant lie by a lying liar. “All the experts” never agree. But in this case, by an overwhelming margin, the experts don’t agree with Pierre, on his simplistic justice policy. But all the experts will agree that Pierre’s plan of “no bail” is unconstitutional.
Such a dangerous and casual undermining of the justice system. Oh, and the 3 Court of Appeal judges who dismisses your appeal and 6/8 judges who denied you leave to appeal to the SCC were Harper appointees - so fuck off.
Some free advice to the
@OttawaPolice
- it is not a criminal offence to chalk a sidewalk. It is not a crime to chalk a hopscotch diagram. It is not a crime to chalk art. It is not even a crime to chalk messages critical of the police.
The state of Canadian conservatism: homophobic jokes, climate change denial, anti-vaccine, anti-trans, white grievance, pro-Russian, lies about democracy, a misunderstanding of the concept of free speech and what constitutes mainstream media in Canada, and more
No one has died at a safe consumption site, but many many people have been saved from an overdose there. Those people would be dead. Those are the facts. But Brian don’t care.
I keep hearing these “safe” consumption sites save lives. Many of my colleagues in the media repeat that claim made by activists.
Show me the numbers.
These sites were approved starting in 2017.
Look at the charts. Deaths are up.
Read the column.
Tomorrow is
#BellLetsTalk
day. Talking about mental health is so important. But when you tweet for one day about this issue please remember that Bell profits off inmates with mental health issues by charging exorbitant jail collect call fees. Let’s talk about that too.
Wearing the thin blue line symbol, on or off duty is misconduct and it is a complete dereliction of duty for
@OttawaPolice
chief Stubbs to suggest off duty bad conduct is beyond his ability to reign in.
This is dangerously unhinged. No receipts, no evidence, no truth, but lots of buzz words. Lies by politicians are bad, but lying about these important issue is criminally negligent. This BS will cost lives and risk public safety.
McKenna was just asked about SNC and if she agreed with what happened to
@Puglaas
and if she didn’t why she did not speak up. McKenna does not answer. Says mistakes were made but does not provide any substantive answer. A very disappointing and telling answer.
#OttawaCentre
BS. I’m regulated and have been outspoken on a lot of issues, never been silenced. I guess the difference is that I have never told people to harm themselves.
#Canada
faces a new kind of
#censorship
.
Professional regulators are silencing those who fail to conform.
@jordanbpeterson
is just the most famous case.
Lawyers, doctors, accountants, nurses, psychologists, & others are being silenced.
-
@cvangeyn
Calling on criminal lawyers, criminologists, people on the ground, hell even cops: I don’t think this is possible? 150 arrests per person per year. Even 150 charges per person per year? And how did he get such granular data? I have never seen this, has anyone?
Let me be very clear, police officers should NEVER be appointed as JPs. EVER. over 1/3 of the new appointments are former police, military, or corrections. This is a dark day for the appearance of justice in Ontario.
Remember when Doug Ford and Doug Downey wanted to mess around with the appointment of Justice of the Peace and judges. Well they did it. And now they have appointed 41 new JPs. Hard to see how anyone can feel confident about this:
Breaking: Massive COVID outbreak at the Brockville jail. How big you ask? They are shutting it down and transferring everyone prisoner out of the jurisdiction. A bad day for the justice system and a huge failing by
@SylviaJonesMPP
,
@douglasdowney
and the Ontario government.
I bet lots of witnesses wish they could review other witnesses evidence before deciding and self-selected what evidence they want to hand over...... not the way it should be done.
Having reviewed Ms Wilson-Raybould’s further testimony, I have tabled with the Justice Committee notes and texts between us related to the events Ms Wilson-Raybould describes.
This is one of the most disturbing things I have heard - Ford wants to appoint "like-minded people" - a look into Fords mind is dark: disregard the Charter, engage in shady backroom deals, unflaggingly support police, reward his friends, and prefer politics to evidence.
Premier Doug Ford just defended the appointment of two of his former staffers to a committee that selects judges by advocating for explicitly partisan judicial appointments as "part of democracy."
The Star has the background:
Hey
@OPSChiefSloly
, quick hypothetical questions. Can police officers be charged with aiding and abetting in mischief and facilitating an unlawfully assembly.
Meanwhile Pat King is telling truckers the OPS has said they will let truckers leave. He recommends taking their white shirts or underwear off to hold a white flag because the cops "cannot touch you if you are holding a white flag. That is international law."
No No No CTV - the issue at the heart of the SNC scandal was not the combination of Ministerial and AG roles. The issue at the heart of the scandal was the actions of the PMO.
Got the bakes done for my Great Canadian Baking Show interview tomorrow: Sticky Toffee Apple Caramel Cake, Poppy Seed White Bloomer (and buns), and Lemon Curd Tartlets. 🤤
But most importantly statements like this are the types on misrepresentations and lies that do real harm to the justice system. This is snake oil being settled by a man bereft of real idea. Don't buy his bullshit.
Proud to support
@cmckenney
for our next mayor. Catherine knows how City Council works, supports smart, green development, has a fully costed program that prudently uses our tax dollars, & will continue to stand up for all to make Ottawa an even better place for everyone.
Pierre Poilievre’s newly elected Conservative MP attacked Doug Ford’s government in a bizarre by-election victory speech.
Newly elected Conservative MP Jamil Jivani denounced his former employer as ‘liberal elites’.
#cdnpoli
@LucyvanOlden
@EmilieTaman
@PaulChampLaw
Paul's whole firm worked all weekend on this. Missed dinner, family time, and burned the midnight oil. Amazing, creative, and equitable litigation. All on their own dime. These are all great citizens.