Rights + Justice
SFU prof: Robocalls did suppress voter turnout
By March 12, 2012 01:20 pm 3 commentsA Simon Fraser University economics professor says voters were "demobilized" by robocalls in the 2011 federal election. In a preliminary draft of her report, published on March 8, Dr. Anke S. Kessler argues that voters in non-Conservative polls turned out in fewer numbers in 2011 than they had in 2008. Read more…
Filed inFormer top AB oil sands salesman subject of ethics probe
By March 12, 2012 01:04 pmGary Mar used to be Alberta's best-recognized and most persuasive oil sands lobbyist in Washington, DC. But his diplomatic future is now uncertain, pending a probe from the province's ethics commissioner. Read more…
Filed inBC study finds mentally ill more likely to be arrested and harmed by police
By March 9, 2012 04:00 pm 8 commentsVANCOUVER - A British Columbia study suggests about 40 per cent of mentally ill people have been arrested at some point during their lifetime. Read more…
Filed inBC premier Clark's failure to debate education bill pathetic, says NDP's Horgan
By March 8, 2012 11:07 am 22 commentsNew Democratic Party House Leader John Horgan is mocking Premier Christy Clark for not speaking in the legislature about Bill 22, which is aimed at ending a job action by British Columbia's teachers. Read more…
Elections Canada launches complaint form for fraudulent calls
By March 6, 2012 01:50 pm 2 commentsElections Canada today announced a new complaint form for voters who believe they may have received misleading or harassing phone calls during last year's federal election campaign. Read more…
Filed inMissing Women's Commission avoiding lack of Aboriginal representation: lawyer
By March 6, 2012 12:58 pm 4 commentsThe former independent counsel* for Aboriginal interests at the Missing Women's Commission of Inquiry says Commissioner Wally Oppal and the council for the commission are opting to personally attack her instead of addressing the lack of Aboriginal witnesses at the inquiry. Read more…
Aboriginal representative withdraws from Missing Women's Inquiry
By March 5, 2012 03:56 pmRobyn Gervais, the Independent Appointed Counsel for Aboriginal Interests at the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry, has withdrawn from the commission citing a lack of Aboriginal witnesses called during the proceedings. Read more…
Filed inBC salmon-farming critic removed from Canada but vows to continue battle
By March 5, 2012 03:50 pm 1 commentsVANCOUVER -- Only days after he was removed from Canada for overstaying a visitor's permit, a controversial salmon-farming critic says he has settled in Norway to "slay the dragon in its own lair." Read more…
Filed inIn Egypt, no news is very good news
By March 2, 2012 08:20 pm 3 commentsAfter a blood-spattered December and a more deadly January, an unexciting February arrived leading Egypt into a March respite. Though Egyptians are basking in this short but peaceful phase, they are awaiting in anticipation the next few months leading up to June when many pivotal historic events will take place. Read more…
Filed in'Free Canadian scientists,' journal urges Harper
By March 2, 2012 10:35 am 7 commentsThe prestigious research journal Nature has called on the Canadian government "to set its scientists free" and allow them to explain their work to the media. The call comes after an earlier protest invoked the silencing of B.C. salmon researcher Dr. Kristi Miller. Read more…
Filed inBC government introduces bill to avoid teachers' strike
By February 28, 2012 01:44 pm 33 commentsThe British Columbia government introduced legislation today Education Minister George Abbott said he hopes will prevent a teachers strike and get negotiators back to the bargaining table. Read more…
Company seeking BC liquor distribution change was fined in US
By February 28, 2012 12:44 pm 7 commentsA company pushing for privatization of British Columbia's liquor distribution system was last week fined $283,000 for health and safety violations at a Pennsylvania plant. Read more…
Bill C-10 would increase cost per offender by 16 times: PBO
By February 28, 2012 10:10 am 6 commentsThe Parliamentary Budget Officer has released a new report estimating the costs of implementing Bill C-10. It says that if the bill had been in force in 2008-2009, the average cost per offender would have increased from $2,600 to about $41,000. This would have added $8 million to federal costs and $137 million to provincial and territorial costs. Read more…
Filed inMPs should defeat Internet snooping bill, says poll
By February 24, 2012 12:36 pm 4 commentsA majority of Canadians believe the federal government's Internet snooping bill should be defeated, according to an Angus Reid opinion poll released today. Read more…
Truth and Reconciliation Commission to release interim report
By February 24, 2012 09:58 am 1 commentsA commission set up to help First Nations heal from abuses says the residential school system was "an assault" on Aboriginal children, their families and their culture. Read more…
Ontario bogus call investigation more successful than earlier BC case
By February 23, 2012 03:51 pm 1 commentsElections Canada's success finding the source of illegal phone calls in Ontario is a reminder the agency abandoned its investigation into a similar incident in British Columbia in 2008. Read more…
Protest against Vic Toews in Richmond today
By February 22, 2012 10:41 am 2 commentsProtesters are gathering outside Richmond's River Rock Casino this afternoon where Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is supposed to be attending a fundraising dinner, to speak out against Toews and Bills C-10, C-11, and C-30. Read more…
Toews must go says National Post editor, and the tweets roll on
By February 21, 2012 03:40 pm 5 commentsIt's time for Vic Toews to resign, insists National Post editorial board member and columnist Matt Gurney today. That may dampen the laughs Toews claims he's enjoyed while reading tweets sent his way via #TellVicEverything, the crowd-sourced revolt intended to satirize and shame the Tories and Toews for introducing Internet snooping bill C-30. Read more…
Ombudsperson details senior care problems, government promises new advocate
By February 14, 2012 05:09 pm 2 commentsBritish Columbia Ombudsperson Kim Carter today released a detailed report on problems with seniors' care in the province and suggestions to improve the system. Read more…
Filed inMinister says Canada needs online surveillance law to chase cyber-criminals
By February 14, 2012 02:04 pm 16 commentsOTTAWA - Justice Minister Rob Nicholson says legislation that would give police and spies easier access to information about Internet users is simply an attempt to bring the law into the 21st century. Read more…
Filed in
The next page contains:
BC fighting to keep secret its reason for keeping secrets
Judge rejects cameras in court for Stanley Cup riot sentencing
Vancouver police recommend more riot charges, ask for info about officer assault
Appeal court upholds ruling on protection of orca habitat
Foreign takeover score is 14,218 to two calculates Mel Hurtig, who speaks Saturday
Prime Minister Harper mixes oil with human rights on visit to China
Civil jury finds former BC premier Vander Zalm guilty of defamation
Egypt: 'Nothing will satisfy the protestors'
New jail unlikely to reduce Aboriginal incarceration: criminologist
BC justice system review is more talk when action needed, say critics
UBC profs say Aboriginal oral history misunderstood
Attawapiskat third party manager will stay: Federal Court judge
Youth reps: Canada needs national strategy for Aboriginal children
Youth advocates launch BC child labour study
Inequality growing here and across Canada: BC Stats
RCMP complaints commission demands laws to speed police response to complaints
Month on welfare challenge wins more media attention than years as critic
Attawapiskat seeks injunction against third-party manager
PMO threatened environmental charity, affidavit alleges
Media outlets post Vancouver riot photos online before handing over to police
The page after that contains:
The Arab spring through women's eyes
BC has spent $125,000 fighting to keep IBM contract secrets
Addict turned expert says mainstream view of addiction needs rethink
Government to repeal law on sending election results before polls close
No charges one year after alleged slaughter
Occupy movement calls for worldwide general strike on May Day
Cairo: The calm before the storm
Three kinds of thugs emerging in Cairo
Canada's top CEOs have already earned what you'll work all year for: CCPA
Vancouver blogger covers 'blue bra' beating in Tahrir Square
UN criticizes conditions in Attawapiskat
Fate of B.C.'s failed drunk drivers to be debated in court after law tossed
BC implements new Taser rules for police in wake of Dziekanski death
BC opponents slam gov't ban on veils at citizenship ceremonies
Protesters stage brief, rolling blockades at Vancouver port
Attawapiskat: Duncan says Spence accepts third-party management; Spence says "it's a lie"
Attawapiskat must pay Ottawa appointee $1,300 a day to run its finances
New police investigation boss should look at old cases: Wright
National law organization joins call to ban asbestos
BC gov't can't hide ministers' records from FOI with 'Out of Scope' claims
Democratic Trust
As British Columbia and other jurisdictions consider allowing online voting, can it be made secure enough that people will trust it? Will it encourage more people to vote? But if something goes wrong, will it further erode people's confidence in their democracies? And what role is the media likely to play in shaping the debate?
These are among the issues to be considered at a May 26 discussion that Fair Voting BC and PartyX are hosting at The Hive in Vancouver. I'll be on the panel, along with UBC Law's Fathima Cader and SFU computer scientist Steve Wolfman. The results and recommendations are to inform the two organizations' public positions on online voting.
Meanwhile join me and other contributors on The Hook as we bring you the latest from B.C. and across Canada.
-- Andrew MacLeod
Sign up for the Tyee's free headlines
The Hook Most Recent
BC snuffs out AirCare test program
AFN national chief Shawn Atleo to launch re-election bid
Citizens group releases video to fight undead Bill C-30
Conservative MP says he might vote against budget, then 'clarifies' his position
Genetically modified plants won't take root with councillors in Richmond, BC
The Tyee Most Recent
Death in Remand: Stacked Deck
Fewer accused given bail means strained jails and dangerous conditions that contributed to John Parker's death. Last in a reader-funded series.
'The Dictator'
Watching Sacha Baron Cohen update Charlie Chaplin in a US Cineplex.
Should You Run from that Medical Test?
Alan Cassels, author of 'Seeking Sickness' on the disease screening industry, what it really catches, when to say no, and more.
Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
Folks, this is not a referendum on whether teachers 'nurture' or 'care' enough.
Death in Remand: A Jail Crammed with Risk
Guards say North Fraser Pretrial Centre where John Parker was killed by the cellmate he feared is like other remand facilities: dangerously crowded. Fourth in a reader-funded series.