politics
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For generations, Canadians have been taught to believe in the fairness of our justice system. We are told that police investigate objectively, that prosecutors pursue truth rather than victories, and that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But recent concerns and investigations surrounding the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have forced many people to confront a…
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The jury system is often described as the gold standard of democratic justice. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, individuals charged with serious offences have the right to be tried by a jury of their peers. The idea sounds fair: twelve ordinary citizens, neutral and impartial, deciding whether the Crown has proven guilt beyond…
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There is a particular kind of fear that comes from sitting in a courtroom and realizing the person meant to defend you is not fighting. You are told to trust the process. You are told the system is fair. You are told that if you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you.…
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Institutions love frameworks. There are policies, procedures, operational directives, case management plans, reintegration models, rehabilitation pathways. On paper, everything works. There is a flow chart for progress. A form for every request. A policy for every complaint. A designated staff member for every concern. But inside, the framework often does not work for the inmate.…
