The Ontario Court of Appeal finds no harm or foul in blanket mandatory fines. Pursuant to Section 737 of the Criminal Code of Canada, The Victim Fine Surcharge is a mandatory fine imposed on each and every individual that is found guilty of a criminal offence in Canada. On each summary conviction: $100. On each […]

Yet Another Incident from the Ontario Court of Justice Raises Concerns About Those Presiding. A Justice of the Peace, presiding in Kenora, Ontario, decided that it was appropriate to make a racist remark, on the record, to an Aboriginal duty counsel in bail court this past August. Yes, you read that correctly. According to a […]

In the post-Ghomeshi trial hoopla, many seem to question the integrity of Canada’s criminal justice system. Hashtags, slogans, movements and even possibly legislation have been the ripple effects of an ever increasing angry public after Jian Ghomeshi was acquitted of his charges. Much to some of the public’s dismay, yet another acquittal has been handed […]

Why R. v. Brar [2016] ONCA 724 is a waste of court time, money and resources Mr. Brar was a 35-year-old who was convicted of sexual assault, child luring and prostituting a person less than 18 years old and a breach of his bail conditions. He was first time offender. He was convicted of these […]

How a Toronto-based radio station makes light of the presumption of innocence, every week. One of the cornerstones of our justice system is the presumption of innocence. It’s a constitutionally protected right that is supposed to guarantee an individual all the blessings and grandeur of ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ In reality, that’s rarely the perspective […]