Life and Death of Decriminalization

So, episode 139 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

We are joined by the amazing professor Daphnie Gilbert, who specializes in teaching criminal and constitutional law, to talk about the announcement that the government is delaying (again) the full implementation of Medical Assistance in Dying. 

Daphnie's research interests lie primarily in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, with a particular emphasis on equality rights, reproductive rights, medical assistance in dying (MAiD), sexual violence, and safe sport/abuse in sport. She is the Vice-Chair of Dying with Dignity and the perfect person to cut through the politics of this very important issue.

But we start with a rant about Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre's disingenuous spin on car thefts and Danielle Smith's attack on trans youth. Emilie also give an update on the Convoy litigation. Rants all around!

Remember, you can hang with some law nerds in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and (sometimes) listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm AGP LLP who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes or you favourite podcast app to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 138 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

This episode we dive into the murky world of Ontario judicial appointments under the Ford government and the newly released internal documents that show a disturbing pattern of delay raise questions of political interference.

Remember, you can hang with some law nerds in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and (sometimes) listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm AGP LLP who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes or you favourite podcast app to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 137– a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

This episode we sit down with journalist Rachel Gilmore. Some call her a lightning rod for the far right,  but more accurately she is a great communicator who delivers excellent short-form news reports that expose misinformation and extremists across all the social media platforms (but not Facebook, sorry olds). 

Because of her journalism Rachel has been on the receiving end of some scary shit - online harassment, stalking, and death threats. And she has spoken out about that too.

Why don't we do a better job or protecting journalists (and basically all non-white men) from hateful and scary harassment? Is it a problem with the laws (no) or a problem of police priorities (definitely yes)?

This episode we break it all down with Rachel Gilmore

You can find Rachel all over the social medias, check out her Linktree.

Remember, you can hang with some law nerds in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and (sometimes) listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm AGP LLP who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes or you favourite podcast app to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 136 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

We are joined by Benjamin Perrin to talk about his new book, Indictment: The Criminal Justice System on Trial. Ben is a professor at the University of British Columbia, Peter A. Allard School of Law and national best-selling author. He has served in the Prime Minister’s Office as in-house legal counsel and lead policy advisor on criminal justice and public safety, although his views on criminal justice have changed juuuust a little bit since then.

Michael also rants about the governments new bail laws that were rushed through the House of Commons with little debate and no study.

Remember, you can hang with some law nerds in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and (sometimes) listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm AGP LLP who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes or you favourite podcast app to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 135 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

We are back! Time to shake the dust of of the microphone and say some words! 

After a brief catch up we offer some free advice to new law students and then take a look at some interesting cases on the Supreme Court of Canada's fall... err... docket.

Remember, you can hang with some law nerds in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and (sometimes) listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm AGP LLP who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes or you favourite podcast app to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 134 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

Your weekly law podcast (that only sporadically releases episodes) is back!

Emilie and Mike do a 15 minute rapid fire review of all everything that has happened since the last episode and then Mike is joined by law professor and former Special Adviser and Legal Counsel to  Prime Minister Steven Harper Ben Perrin. 

During his time in politics Perrin was a tough on crime true believer, but he has changed his mind - especially when it comes to drugs, the opioid epidemic, and decriminalization.  Mike and Ben talk about that evolution in thinking and how Canada's current drug policy of criminalization is contributing to a deadly overdose epidemic.

Read Perrin's oped in the Calgary Herald: I used to agree with Kenney and Poilievre on criminalizing drug users, but I was wrong

Remember, you can self-isolate in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm Abergel Goldstein & Partners who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes or you favourite podcast app to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 133 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

After almost a month of inflicting harm and havoc in Ottawa, the extremist trucker protest is over. But the  lawless takeover of Canada’s capital city and the dramatic police action required to restore peace were troubling tests of our democracy. The occupiers inflicted prolonged and unrelenting harm on an entire city.

It seemed to take the federal government invoking the Emergencies Act to end the siege. 

Make no mistake, resort to the Emergencies Act is an admission of failure. A failure by the police to maintain public peace, a failure by the city and province to take the threat to our democracy and safety seriously, and a failure of federal leaders to engage in an honest discussion about the fundamental inequities in our society.

But the occupation is over, and now the court cases  begin.

This episode we break down Canada's bail system and take a closer look at why the leaders of the occupation, Pat King and Tamara Lich, were denied bail and remain behind bars.

You can read Pat Kings bail decision here

Please visit www.ottawafund.ca to learn more about the class action lawsuit against the truckers and how you can help!

You can read Michael's take on the troubling reaction to the occupation by some in the law community here: Did Canada become a police state after the protest in Ottawa? Hardly

Remember, you can self-isolate in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm Abergel Goldstein & Partners who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes or you favourite podcast app to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 132 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

After more than two weeks the truck protestors are still wreaking havoc in Ottawa and  the city and police have sat idly by and played footsie with extremists. 

So, who will step up and save the city? 

This episode Emilie and I speak with a very special guest, Emilie Taman! Yes, our very own Emilie is suing the truckers. Paul Champ, Emilie, and her colleagues have launched a class action lawsuit against the unvaccinated extremists. And they accomplished what no one else could - they silenced the horns.

Please visit www.ottawafund.ca to learn more about the class action and how you can help!

Remember, you can self-isolate in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm Abergel Goldstein & Partners who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 131 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

After a holiday hiatus the Docket returns to discuss the racist and extremist "trucker" protest in Ottawa and a bizarre and troubling story about an Ottawa Crown Attorney who was on the same soccer team as a key juror in a murder trial he was prosecuting.

Remember, you can self-isolate in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm Abergel Goldstein & Partners who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy

So, episode 130 – a new record.  But you know that right? Because you subscribe to the show and have already rated and reviewed the podcast – right? You should.

Last week the Ontario Court of Appeal released its decision in R. v. Morris, considering how  sentencing courts should take evidence of anti-Black racism into account on sentencing. Although the Court of Appeal affirmed that racism is a relevant factor on sentencing, there were some questionable parts of the decision.

This episode we are joined by Reakash Walters, lawyer at Addario Law Group, award winning podcaster, and soon to be Supreme Court law clerk to break down the Court of Appeal's  decision.

A huge thanks to Emond Publishing for supporting the podcast. For our listeners, Emond is offering 15% off Modern Criminal Evidence for our listeners. Just visit emond.ca/docket and enter code DOCKET15 at checkout.

Remember, you can self-isolate in The Docket’s Discord chatroom.  Join the Discord channel, take part in the ongoing chat, and listen to live recordings with this link: https://discord.gg/2TzUamZ

And as always, a huge thanks to my firm Abergel Goldstein & Partners who have not murdered me for editing the podcast at work!

Subscribe to The Docket on iTunes to get the latest episode pumped straight into your earbuds. If you like the show your subscriptions, comments and ratings really help us (so do that and then do it on your friends computer too).

Emilie Taman on Twitter: @EmilieTaman

Michael Spratt on Twitter: @mspratt

If you like show spread the word.

Enjoy