[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Malthus]

But on the other hand, why won't you ever make it out to Edmonton?

Why would anyone? 

[ducks, runs]

Anyway, any one of you is welcome to a dinner on me, if you make it out to Toronto ... the Centre of the Universe(tm) 

I never got a dinner on you. 

Hey, we should do a Toronto meet. 

[Josephus]

I'll be up for that...sometime this summmer?

[Malthus]

I'll be up for that...sometime this summmer?

Sounds good to me.

[crazy canuck]

The SCC has struck down the minimum sentencing law for firearms offences.  The reasoning of the majority was that it made no sense to impose a minimum prison sentence for an act which could be as minimal as missing a license renewal date.  The more interesting thing about this case is that it pitted the gun lobby and civil rights groups against the Conservative government.  Bad timing for the government I would say.

[Neil]

I generally favour the removal of mandatory minimums.

[Tonitrus]

Mandatory minimums are stupid as term limits are stupid.  They take responsibility away from those empowered to select/appoint judges (or in our case, often voted in), as they take away responsibility from the electorate.

[Barrister]

The SCC has struck down the minimum sentencing law for firearms offences.  The reasoning of the majority was that it made no sense to impose a minimum prison sentence for an act which could be as minimal as missing a license renewal date.  The more interesting thing about this case is that it pitted the gun lobby and civil rights groups against the Conservative government.  Bad timing for the government I would say.

The very firm minority pointed out that because it was a hybrid offense which could be prosecuted by either summary conviction or indictment, and the minimum only applied to prosecutions by indictment, and there was no evidence anywhere that prosecutors had ever proceeded by indictment for someone merely missing a renewal date, and the accuseds in this case weren't actually arguing that the minimum was inappropriate in their own case, therefore the majority was full of shit.

I want the conservatives to go full hog, take away most discretion from judges, and impose a sentencing grid or tables ala the US.

[Tonitrus]

Why have judges at all then?

[Barrister]

Why have judges at all then?

To determine where on the tables someone fits.

[Tonitrus]

Why have judges at all then?

To determine where on the tables someone fits.

Might as well just have them face the wheel.

[Barrister]

Why have judges at all then?

To determine where on the tables someone fits.

Might as well just have them face the wheel.

No, that's the current system.

[Neil]

I'd be more inclined to keep the judges and eliminate the lawyers.

[Barrister]

I'd be more inclined to keep the judges and eliminate the lawyers.

Of course you would. :patsonhead:

[Neil]

It's nothing personal, you understand.  You're a good person, but you're part of something bad that exists to trick people and rob them of their money and (to a much lesser extent) their freedom.

[viper37]

Supreme court has ruled: prayer at municipal council is illegal.
CBC News