I appreciate the remarks of my colleague. I share his confusion about why, given the conversation around the concerning issues with the appointment of the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court, the government would choose this moment to…
Read MoreI would echo the comments of my colleague. We in the NDP caucus - and I think all members of this House - are broadly supportive of increased access to justice, particularly in the Family Courts. From what we can see…
Read MoreMr. Speaker, I rise today on International Women's Day to recognize an outstanding feminist organization, Women's Wellness Within. Run by the inimitable Martha Paynter and a fearless crew…
Read MoreMr. Speaker, we agree that this government does go some way to protecting public safety. We support the bill. As to the presenter about bailiffs, the presenter in Law Amendments Committee was in fact a provincial civil constable, but I think he was making a point about his staff. Now, presumably most of them could also apply for that designation, but he did mention his…
Read MoreMr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice. For months now, I've been raising concerns about the use of solitary confinement in our provincial correctional facilities. Earlier in this sitting, I asked the minister if he had concerns about the province's vulnerability to a class-action lawsuit related to solitary confinement as we've seen …
Read MoreMr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Schulich School of Law, the Canadian Prison Lawyers Association, and all of the organizers, volunteers, presenters, and participants who made the Prison Law Conference hosted at Dalhousie last weekend such a…
Read MoreMr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice. Earlier this week an Ontario Superior Court Judge ruled that a $600 million class action lawsuit against the Province of Ontario could proceed. The lawsuit alleged that
Read MoreIt's unlikely that most of the members in this room look over their shoulders when they walk out of their doors in the morning or when they enter their vehicles or when they lock up after work or when they walk home from the grocery store. Sadly, this is the reality for…
Read MoreMr. Speaker, I beg leave to table a petition, the operative clause which reads: "WHEREAS the discriminatory use of street checks against Black people causes psychological trauma, perpetuates negative correlations between criminality and race, decreases trust in the judicial system, and disempowers Black communities to live safely and free of racism…
Read MoreI want to thank the minister for bringing this bill forward. As he mentioned in his comments, a very similar bill was passed by the NDP Government but unfortunately not proclaimed, due to its dependence on another piece of legislation that got stalled. Of course…
Read MoreWHEREAS the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms sets standards for interactions between all levels of government and government agencies with members of the public;…
Read MoreMr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice. The prisoners at the Burnside jail have just ended their 20-day strike. In a statement today they say: "It is with heavy hearts we write that shortly after the end of our protest, a fellow prisoner incarcerated here lost his life…
Read MoreMr. Speaker the majority of those in provincial custody, almost 60 per cent, are there on remand. They have been charged, but they have not been convicted. In the eyes of our justice system, they are innocent. Mr. Speaker, will the minister acknowledge the majority of people held in Burnside have not been tried, found guilty, or convicted of a crime.
Read MoreI rise today to congratulate the restorative justice workers of the Community Justice Society on their successful battle for fair recognition and compensation. Nova Scotia's recent expansion of its restorative justice program to include adults is laudable, but
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