author photo

November 26, 2009

Shaunna Mireau

Hopeless

On November 25, 2009 Bill C-36, An act to amend the Criminal Code, otherwise known as Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act passed 3rd reading in the House of Commons by a vote of 187 to 69.

The bill amends provisions in the Criminal Code regarding the right of persons convicted of murder or high treason to apply for early parole through the elimination of the "faint hope" clause. Using the new ability to link to a section of the Criminal Code, here is the current legislation.

One definition of hope is "to desire with expectation of obtainment". Having, thankfully, never been personally touched by murder or treason, I find myself with conflicted feelings regarding this legislative change. On one hand, I empathize with families of victims and feelings of justice for the loss of a loved one. I also recognize arguments against this change. There is an excellent legislative summary with commentary that describes the debate.

One interesting item that came to light while looking into this topic is a site called TweetCommons. A few MPs have discussed the bill in tweets. TweetCommons provides search functionality.

Director of Knowledge Management and Libraries at Field Law. I am excited by the daily challenges of managing the firm libraries, legal research and mentoring students, coordinating knowledge management projects, and close collaboration with the firm's technology team and practice groups. Thanks for reading slaw.ca
[click on the author's name for more information]

up

One Comment on “Hopeless”

  1. Trevor says:

    Politwitter.ca also indexes & archives tweets by MPs. The search on politwitter also as many options to help narrow your search http://politwitter.ca/search.php

SlawTips      

SlawTips Top 10 Financial Errors: #8 Always Assume More Risk Than Needed
Friday, February 3

You should assess whether you can accept the financial risks associated with taking the matter, just as clients will assess whether they can (and will) pay your fee. Spend time at the beginning of the. […] »»

Practice

SlawTips Seeing New Federal Legislation
Wednesday, February 1

Today’s Tip is a simple reminder to view by “latest activity date”. The Parliament is back in session and those Slaw Tips readers for whom monitoring legislation is a regular … »»

Research

SlawTips Top 10 Financial Errors: #7 Put Off Dealing With Underperforming Lawyers
Friday, January 27

When everyone in the firm is required to report monthly to all other partners, you instill a culture in the firm that is self-correcting. If someone fails to regularly meet their financial goals, you. […] »»

Practice

noted on Slaw    

MLB Selected Case Summaries    

These summaries of selected recent cases are provided each week to Slaw by Maritime Law Book.
More information.

  • Administrative Law - Judicial review - General - Scope or standard of review

    Ten individuals complained to the Information and Privacy Commissioner that the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) disclosed, in contravention of the Personal Information Protection Act, their personal information between October 13 and December 2, ...

  • Civil Rights - Property - Search and seizure - Search - What constitutes

    The accused was charged with possession of child pornography and making available child pornography. The accused brought an application, alleging several violations of his rights under the Charter.

    The Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s ...

  • Constitutional Law - Extent of powers conferred - Double aspect doctrine - General

    In provincial references, both the Alberta Court of Appeal (510 A.R. 200; 527 W.A.C. 200) and the Quebec Court of Appeal (2011 QCCA 591), concluded that the proposed Canadian Securities Act (CSA) was unconstitutional. A ...

  • Criminal Law - Procedure - Charge or directions - Jury or judge alone - Directions regarding evidence generally

    The accused was charged with breach of trust by a public official contrary to s. 122 of the Criminal Code. The trial judge acquitted the accused. ...

  • Civil Rights - Trials - Due process, fundamental justice and fair hearings - Criminal and quasi-criminal proceedings - Delay (Charter, s. 7)

    MacIntosh was charged on three informations with a total of 43 counts of sexual offences against nine complainants in the 1970s. The first information ...

  • Real Property Tax - Valuation - Business property - Considerations

    Two breweries’ respective properties were assessed as special properties under the Assessment Act, 2006. They appealed their respective municipal tax assessments to the Review Commissioner. The Commissioner dismissed the appeals. The breweries each appealed. The appeals ...

  • Barristers and Solicitors -Duty to court - General principles - Duty of integrity

    The applicant (Girao) and Allstate Insurance Co. disputed entitlements to accident benefits. The respondent law firm represented Allstate. Girao complained to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (PCC) against Allstate for disclosing her ...

  • Criminal Law - Sentencing - Sentencing procedure and rights of the accused - Plea bargain or joint submission - Effect of

    The accused was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for three breaches of a recognizance under s. 810.2 of the Criminal Code. He appealed and applied ...

  • Practice - Persons who can sue and be sued - Individuals and corporations - Status or standing - Class actions - Members of class - General

    The plaintiffs were Inuit or Métis persons who were forced to attend certain residential schools in Labrador and Newfoundland. They ...


law foundation icon

The re-development
of Slaw is assisted by
a grant from the
Law Foundation of Ontario

TalkLaw/ParLoi    

This is a listing of a few upcoming events in Canada of interest to lawyers, law students, legal librarians, and others involved in the practice of law.

Clicking on any event in the list below will give you access to more information and to links allowing you to see the full entry and to add the event to your own calendar.

Click this link for a fuller version of the TalkLaw/ParLoi calendar of events and for instructions as to how to add events and calendars to your own calendar.

Switch to our mobile site