This podcast features analysis of current Canadian legal news, and stories with important legal angles. Previous episodes covered the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Inquiry proceedings, arising out of the tragic events of April 18-19, 2020 in Portapique and other locations throughout Central Nova Scotia. Adam Rodgers has been a leading Nova Scotian litigation and criminal defense lawyer, as well as a business and political advisor, for 15 years. He has represented clients on many ground-breaking and prominent cases, including his most recent responsibilities with the Desmond Fatality Inquiry.
This week, Paul and Adam reveal new details and discuss the arrest (and subsequent release) of 80-year old Geoff Ball by RCMP officers at a protest in Wolfville, which took place two weeks ago after a speech from NS Premier, Tim Houston. Premiers from across the country are asking for clarity on the upcoming expiration of the RCMP's contract to police much of the country on a contract policing basis. We review the different approaches provinces are taking. Also discussed this week;- two contenders are in place for the Liberal leadership contest in NS. Adam predicts the winner, and next Premier of NS. - the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously decided that the federal ethics commissioner's decisions are not immune from judicial oversight, opening the way for a claim that Justin Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act in the WE Charity scandal. - Global News announced that they will no longer produce morning news programming in markets across the country.
This week we welcome back two longtime police officers, forensic indent specialist, Tom Juby, and use of force expert, Calvin Lawrence, to discuss the video of police killing a suspect in a North Vancouver Plaza. The shooting victim had been disarmed of a knife by the person who filmed the subsequent police encounter. Tom and Calvin have major problems with how the operation unfolded, which has been wrapped in secrecy since last Tuesday when the shooting happened. Also this week, updates on the charges against the person accused of breaking the window of the NS Premier's car, Delta, BC mayor George Harvie is concerned about port expansion in his city, and the RCMP unveiled a new look for their front line vehicles.
This week we hear directly from Melissa Cross, a key direct witness to the events in Chelsea, NS that echo and expose the mistakes made, and lessons not learned, at Portapique and across central NS during the 2020 mass shootings. Melissa was told it was not safe to go home, and waited at a nearby school until it seemed all was clear. She saw the police caravan leave the Chelsea area and soon after the emergency alert was cancelled. The next morning, however, the shooter was in her yard, stole her 4-wheeler, and was shot by police. We get reaction to that story from Scott MacLeod and Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, who between them lost five family members during the 2020 shootings, and both of whom served a term on the Mass Casualty Commission implementation committee. Adam and Paul open the show with some thoughts on the controversial interaction between protesters and the Premier of NS, including the political messaging thinking involved.
This week we welcome former ATV and CBC journalist and consumer advocate, Yvonne Colbert. Yvonne was married to former News 95.7 host Rick Howe, and brings a wealth of knowledge to questions of media coverage of major events. She discusses the demise of Rogers radio stations, and also how Rick Howe would have covered this week's story out Chelsea, Nova Scotia, where the RCMP issued and then cancelled an emergency alert, but then revealed that they actually only shot the suspect 12 hours later.Paul and Adam also discussed the Chelsea situation, which has many of the same features as the 2020 NS mass shooting, and shows how the RCMP have not learned the right lessons from the Mass Casualty Commission.Also covered this week;Paul has inside detail about the video circulating about the man in Costco spouting offensive racial comments.Child pornography and sexual assault charges were dropped against a former Fredericton auxiliary, and Kenzington, PEI officer, with no explanation from the prosecutor as to why.
This week, Paul and Adam review the stories of the week, and then dive into an analysis of police media tactics, in a week where two RCMP officers were shot in Saskatchewan, and very little information has been shared with the public.Also this week;Former RCMP officer, now BC MLA, Macklin McCall is calling for the government there to address the Project Eastbourne/OPP report into the treatment of officers involved in the death of Robert Dziekanski.The RCMP purchased a Blackhawk helicopter, which is not capable of flying in Canada.Paul was interviewed for a CBC article on Cst. Kelan Henderson, a Saskatchewan officer who was charged with Breach of Public Trust, after failing to respond to a call for service for over 10 hours. His criminal case was stayed by the prosecution, with no clear explanation for why.Judge Michael Wendl sentenced Manjeet Singh to one year in jail, and not the 90 days jointly recommended by the Crown and defense, because he did not believe that the Canadian Border Services Agency, which had an order to deport Mr. Singh after his sentence, would actually do so.
Happy Father's Day to our viewers who celebrate. This week, we welcome police whistleblower, Kelly Donovan. Ms. Donovan was an officer with the Waterloo Police Service and has written two books about how those who speak out about issues in the police get suppressed, or else become the target of complaints from within their own police services. We discuss her early days on the job, how complaints are addressed, and the legal avenues Ms. Donovan has used to seek justice.Also discussed this week;Stories are emerging from Toronto of youth shooting at buildings and people, being hired from within and without Canada at $1000 per job.The federal gov't has passed C-14, their bail reform legislation. The Justice Minister gave special thanks to policing agencies for their input.AI-related privacy legislation was also passed, which has been subjected to major critiques from privacy experts.We follow up on Melissa Ellsworth's MAiD journey, the Monty Robinson interview, and Susan Butlin's story making the Globe and Mail.
This week we welcome back former RCMP Deputy Commissioner, Curt Allen, to provide his reaction to last week's guest, Kelly Donovan's story, as well as his insight on issues with various police chiefs throughout Canada.Also, we discuss the shooting from this past Monday in Montreal, where Cst. Mohmaed Benredouane was killed, as well as 68-year old Michel Mizrahi. We discuss the shooter's manifesto, which makes him seem to be an incel, who was targeting the PornHub offices in the building across from his hotel. Video evidence seems to show that Mr. Mizrahi was killed by another officer responding to the situation, though that has not been stated in any of the news articles on the topic. In addition, we discuss;Glen Joyal nominated to the Supreme Court of CanadaNewfoundland Crown Prosecutor Lee Ballett charged with seven criminal counts, including weapons and drug smuggling.NS has filed its defense to the employment lawsuit filed by Senior Crown Prosecutor Kathryn Pentz, in which they allege that Ms. Pentz improperly signed an immunity agreement, and allowed a contract lawyer to double bill for services up to $120,000.More drones are being used to deliver drugs to prisons, while drug sniffing dog programs are being cut.
This week we welcome Monty Robinson, the former police officer at the center of the controversial death of Robert Dziekański at the Vancouver Airport in 2007. He discusses the efforts he has made to clear his name, and the barriers to justice he has encountered. Also discussed;The deaths of two police officers in Ontario has brought to the forefront the challenges of policing in rural areas and the use of spike strips in one case, and potential Iranian links in the second.The federal government is going to ban social media for people under the age of 16, with the Safe Social Media Act, C-34. We discuss how it falls short on privacy, effectiveness, and in dealing with AI issues.Alberta's police investigator, ASIRT, is investigating Edmonton Police Chief Warren Driechal, for potential criminal charges for stating publicly that he would release details about the Ashley Rattlesnake investigation if the police did not approve of the approach the prosecution was taking in the matter. Updates on "Thunder Bay", the lobster intimidation case, and a look ahead at Saint John Police Chief complaints.
This week we are excited to welcome Ryan McMahon, the podcaster and documentarian behind the Crave hit "Thunder Bay", a 4-part story that follows McMahon as he re-investigates nine murders that were subject to official Police Review and Civilian Police Commission investigation reports. McMahon discusses his evolution from stand-up comedian to documentary storyteller, and has some advice for Paul on how to use what he has learned to tell the story of the NS mass shooting controversies. Also covered this week, - Carter Hart is out of court and leading his team in the Stanley Cup finals, where he is hearing it from the Carolina fans- the murder of Henry Nowak in England is generating discussions there and here about politicization of the police- the RCMP descended on the small town of Rogersville, NB but did not tell anyone why- St. Mary's University is conducting a study on the use of video in Court. Adam was interviewed this week by one of the professors leading the effort
This week, we welcome former RCMP officer, Cathy Mansley, to the show. Cathy has been the driving force behind two class action lawsuits against the RCMP, and made the complaint that lead to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission report on the death of Susan Butlin.Also discussed, the reaction to last week's story on the death by suicide of Clinton Ellision, including media coverage of the situation. We also go in depth on the case of Eric Thibault, who is alleged to be a mob boss-style figure in the lobster fishery in Southwest NS. This week, he had multiple charges dropped after it was discovered that none of the eight witnesses (including three RCMP officers) had been subpoenaed for the trial.
This week we discuss the tragic death of Clinton Ellison, as well as the report from the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP on the RCMP's botched investigation into the sexual assault complaint of Susan Butlin.Clinton Ellison was the brother of Corrie Ellison, who was killed on April 18, 2020 in Portapique, during the NS mass shooting. There have always been questions about who actually killed Ellison, and Clinton had claimed that the RCMP was responsible. He never waivered from that stance. This week, Clinton Ellison killed himself in Fredericton. We discuss his pursuit of the truth, and share some messages that he exchanged with Paul in the weeks leading up to his death.Also this week, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP released a report authored by the highly respected Brent Cotter, which showed the many ways that the RCMP failed to properly investigate the complaints of Susan Bultin, who was eventually murdered by her neighbour, Ernie "Junior" Duggan, who is now spending life in jail for her murder.
This week, we welcome guest Kim March, who was an 'unindicted co-conspirator' of William Majcher, who was acquitted this week in BC of targeting an alleged fraudster on behalf of the Chinese government. Mr. March was to be a witness in the trial, but was never called to the stand. He tells us about the trial, as well as stories from his career with the RCMP, and his work since travelling the globe tracking money and assets for governments and private investors.Also, this week the Supreme Court of Canada created the new tort of intimate partner violence, and affirmed a damages award of $100,000 to a woman who suffered for years at the hands of her abusive husband. We discuss the emerging legal treatments of coercive control, and whether it may lead to unintended consequences. Also discussed, updated details on the YVR4, NS gets a new RCMP Commanding Officer, and Ashley MacIsaac sues Google over false AI-generated claims.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms (and maternally-inclined care providers). This week, we follow up on stories from our recent coverage, with new details and reactions. First, we discuss the growing calls for an outside police force to take over the Jack and Lilly Sullivan investigation after the RCMP has gone a year without finding any answers. We discuss why an outside agency makes sense, why the RCMP may be resisting such calls, and some of the theories that are emerging about the case. Next we unveil new details on the prisoner who attacked five guards at the Springhill Institution. Thomas McConville was declared a dangerous offender after a conviction for robbing a bank and fleeing police in Ontario, and was transferred to Nova Scotia to serve his indeterminant sentence. Finally, we review the letter from National Police Federation President, Brian Sauve to RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme on the RCMP's lack of public statement on the highly critical Ontario Provincial Police report on the 'YVR 4' officers who were involved in the investigation and death of Robert Dziekański at the Vancouver Airport.
This week, we are excited to introduce a new guest, former RCMP Complaints Commissioner, Shirley Heafey. She is joined by former RCMP Deputy Commissioner Curt Allen to discuss her career, her interactions with senior RCMP leadership, and her role in the Robert Dziekański case (where she assisted the responding officers, who were eventually exonerated by an OPP report on the incident).Also discussed this week, the one year anniversary of the disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan in rural Pictou County, and the latest RCMP statements. We also discuss the death of an inmate in custody, and the lack of information available for such situations. There was an emergency alert issued in Colchester County this week, near the area where the NS mass shootings took place, which is raising fresh questions about the lack of cooperation between the RCMP and Truro Police.
This week we welcome back former Halifax Police and RCMP officer, Calvin Lawrence, author of 'Black Cop', to discuss the new book by retired Toronto Police homicide detective Hank Idsinga. Idsinga has made allegations of anti-sematic racism at the highest levels of the Toronto Police service in national interviews this week. Also, the NS government had committee hearings this week to discuss progress in the 25 recommendations for the Desmond Inquiry. Adam was counsel to the Desmond family during this Inquiry, and explains how the government and opposition parties are all missing the central issues of the Inquiry, relating to military medical records and PTSD in our soldiers. Also discussed this week, we read two letters that we received after last week's NS Mass Shooting 6th anniversary show, one critical and one complimentary. Finally, we give an assessment of the trial of William Majcher, the former RCMP officer charged under the Security of Information Act with attempting to assist the Chinese government in their efforts to bring a suspected fraudster back to China to face charges. A three week jury trial was reduced to a judge alone trial that lasted only a few days.
This week, we acknowledge the 6th anniversary of the Nova Scotia mass shootings in Portapique and other communities in central Nova Scotia, with guests Scott McLeod and Darrell Currie. Scott's brother was a victim of Gabriel Wortman, and Darrell Currie was Deputy Fire Chief of the Onslow-Belmont Fire Department and was shot at by officers who claimed to have mistook an officer for Wortman. We discuss the RCMP's controversial training exercises in nearby Debert this week, the lack of progress on implementing changes in policing since the shootings, and how those close to the events are handling the memories brought to the forefront by the anniversary.
This week, we welcome former RCMP officer, Rob Creasser, who was involved in the formation of the RCMP union, and who has thoughts (and breaking news) on the National Police Federation, and it's (now former) head, Brian Sauve. Also covered this week;The Premier of Nova Scotia called for respect for the RCMP, after vehicles were damaged following raids on cannabis dispensaries located on First Nations property.The former head of the Public Prosecution Service in Cape Breton, Kathryn Pentz, is suing the PPS and Justice Department after she was demoted last year. A jail guard is being sentenced for breach of trust after smuggling drugs into the Northeast Nova jail in Pictou County, NS. The case provides some insights into the market for drugs in the jail system.
Happy Easter! We start this week's show discussing the dispensary raids that ended in arrests, police having to abandon their vehicles, and politicians looking to shift the blame from their own Ministerial Directive.Paul and Adam also discuss the comments from Canadian Bar Association President, Bianca Kratt, regarding a newspaper column that that made comment on Ontario Justice Faisal Mirza, who had been a vocal advocate of incorporating a racial lens into sentencing decisions. Finally, we welcome Dave Moore back on the podcast, with his reflections on the Cameron Ortis case, and the turmoil in the National Police Federation. Also discussed, a special Easter look back at the trial of Jesus, and the various modern Charter/procedural protections that were not in place in his prosecution.
This week, Paul and Adam discuss the National Police Federation election controversy, the Attorney General's report on RCMP staffing levels, the RCMP's "expression of regret" for spying on Indigenous leaders (including former National Chief George Manuel) in the 1970's, and the arguments in the Supreme Court over Quebec's controversial legislation to prevent public servants from wearing religious symbols. Paul starts the show with a story of a meeting he had with a former biker gang leader, and then the guys discuss the resignations of two board members of the National Police Federation, over allegations that union leadership was trying to control nominations for the board of directors. This comes as the NPF is being sued over $3.39 million in payments to some of those board members. Also discussed this week, the Tiger Woods DUI arrest, the Justin King bail matter out of Newfoundland, Gladue Reports, and Halifax Police posing as homeless people begging for change in order to investigate traffic and criminal violations.
This week, Adam and Paul delve into two parole board decisions, threatened school shootings, and the efforts being made to clear the names of Toronto Police officers who were found to by lying by a judge and jury. Cameron Ortis, the former head of RCMP Intelligence, was granted parole soon after starting what was reported as a 14 year sentence. The parole board decision indirectly calls into question the trial decision (and perhaps even the decision to prosecute Ortis).The other parole decision was a denial of parole for Lindsay Souvannarath, who was convicted of planning a mass shooting at the Halifax Shopping Centre. Podcast host Jordan Bonaparte was referenced in the decision, and was part of the parole board's critique of Souvannarath, for recording podcasts with her while she was in jail, and for transferring money to her from an American who is on Canada's terrorist list. Also covered, two teens arrested in Nova Scotia and Manitoba for threatening to effect school shootings, Premier Doug Ford and the Chief of the Toronto Police are calling for a judicial apology after a report contradicts findings of a judge and jury trial on the killing of an officer, and Brian Sauve is running to remain head of the RCMP union.
