Media

A rare public intervention in the case of a slain eight-year-old Indigenous girl highlights tension between the police and Crown prosecutors, and the need for greater transparency in the justice system

Assoun spent almost 17 years in jail and five years under strict bail conditions before being acquitted of the killing in 2019. Four months after his acquittal, the province's Supreme Court released the federal investigation of the case, which revealed that an RCMP constable's evidence — both electronic and paper files — pointing toward alternative suspects had been deleted or was missing.

Recently, the Ontario Court of Justice has announced a near shut down of court operations because of the Covid19 virus. While this makes medical sense, and reflects the emergency and quarantine laws of our governments, I wonder about the impact of such a restriction to access on the open court principle – that justice must be seen to be done.

There is mounting opposition to the Ontario government’s proposed changes to the way judges are appointed, which critics argue will open the door to patronage appointments.

Recently, the Ontario Court of Justice has announced a near shut down of court operations because of the Covid19 virus. While this makes medical sense, and reflects the emergency and quarantine laws of our governments, I wonder about the impact of such a restriction to access on the open court principle – that justice must be seen to be done.

Recently, the Ontario Court of Justice has announced a near shut down of court operations because of the Covid19 virus. While this makes medical sense, and reflects the emergency and quarantine laws of our governments, I wonder about the impact of such a restriction to access on the open court principle – that justice must be seen to be done.

A Toronto judge says an outbreak of COVID-19 is inevitable in corrections facilities, but serious crimes still deserve custodial sentences.

Prospective jurors are being told to ignore their summonses in several provinces, and people charged with crimes and waiting in custody for trials face a slower-than-usual legal process while Canadian courts struggle to remain open without contributing to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Customers don't have to comply with routine receipt checks, civil rights expert says.

Ontario has announced the biggest expansion of its criminal-justice system in more than two decades, two weeks after a judge scrapped a first-degree-murder charge because the accused had spent four years in jail waiting for his trial to be completed.

Call 911 and report having been threatened by an ex-spouse, hated neighbour or jealous co-worker. Now, sit back and watch the ruination of a potential career or volunteer service. It’s as easy as that.