The Rodgers Brief

I am back after a hiatus with a new Rodgers Brief. This week, the long awaited Ruck Report on racism in the NS Barristers Society was released, with some interesting comments on the Lyle Howe prosecution. Also, I review (the very few) justice issues being mentioned by the main parties in the Nova Scotia election campaign. Nationally, there were two stories - one is the release of the report by Spe...

I am going to be taking a summer break from recording the Rodgers Brief. Legislatures are not sitting, and Courts tend to slow down some over the summer. Also, I am focusing my time on seeking the federal Conservative nomination in the newly configured riding of Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish. In this video, I describe the riding, and discuss my connections to each region of this vast geographical a...

This week, I review the controversy around the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians report on foreign interference, and the allegation that some MP's are witting participants in such interference. Also, I examine the government's Charter Statement on the proposed Online Harms Act, the Supreme Court's view on 'secret trials' in Canada, the NS justice...

This week I focus on two NS Court of Appeal decisions. One relates to the delay in Judge Rickola Brinton's decision in the sexual interference and exploitation trial of Brandon McNeil (who now goes by the name Brynn Milner), and the plentiful blame that can be laid at the feet of Judge Brinton, as well as former Provincial Court Chief Judge Pam Williams. The other is the successful appeal of a...

This week, I start with a look down south to the charges against world #1 golfer, Scott Scheffler, before the second round of the PGA Championship. I also examine the cross examination of former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, in the trial against the former President. In Canadian stories, I discuss the McGill University injunction application, seeking to end the student protests....

This week, I review two major reports, the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission Progress Monitoring Committee report and the Foreign Interference Commission interim report. Before that, I discuss the lack of a Charter Statement for the new Online Harms Act, the irony of the government critiquing the opposition for alluding to the Notwithstanding Clause, the rejected injunction application for the...

This week, I cover the appointment of the new NS Justice Minister and SiRT Director, the Toronto Police Chief's Comments in the Zameer acquittal, former President Trump's claim to criminal immunity at the US Supreme Court, and how Harvey Weinstein's successful appeal would have played out in Canada. Before that, I discuss the Pierre Poilievre well-received visit to eastern Nova Scotia...

This week, I examine several cases involving juries, Jeremy MacKenzie's efforts to have his NS charges dismissed, the expanding scope of video testimony, and justice spending in the new federal budget. First, on the 4th anniversary of the Portapique shootings, the NS Minister of Justice has resigned after his comments on domestic violence not being an 'epidemic'. I discuss those commen...

This week, the Foreign Interference Inquiry heard interesting testimony from Han Dong and Erin O'Toole. I discuss that testimony, the benefits of the inquiry process versus the Special Rappatour option the government wanted, and reforms needed to the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force. The Justice Minister was interviewed by Althia Raj regarding the proposed Online Harms...

Lots to cover this week after no show last weekend. The big, but underreported, story is the Federal Government appealing a decision of the Federal Court on the country-wide shortage of judges. The Chief Justice wrote to the Prime Minister about the issue, which generated a declaration from the Federal Court that the government should speed up the appointment process. Now, the government is saying...

As we get into March Break, there are some important legal stories to cover. This week, I start with some celebrity legal news from the US - the armorer on the set of the Alec Baldwin movie, Rust, has been convicted by a jury of mishandling the ammunition that lead to the death of the cinemetographer of that movie. There was controversy in the Iditarod, when a moose encounter lead to a two hour pe...

This week I start with some Nova Scotia news - four judges have been named to new positions within the NS judiciary, the Bar Society issued a "clarification" on media coverage of Lyle Howe's Court of Appeal victory, and former Better Business Bureau President Peter Moorehouse was sentenced for child pornography offences. Nationally, several stories caught my attention. Cameron Ortis...

This week I review how the Election Interference Inquiry is going to address evidence where there are national security concerns by the government. This has been dealt with by the Arar and Air India inquiries, and has the potential to delay or undermine an inquiry, if not handled properly. There were three Nova Scotia cases in the news this week. Kayla Borden's claim that her arrest by Halifax...

This week saw the first court appearance of the five 2018 Canadian Junior hockey team players accused of sexual assault. I review their first appearance, and explain how the situation is being manipulated by the London Police and/or Crown, and what that means for the outlook of the case against the players. Cameron Ortis, the former Director General of the RCMP National Intelligence Coordination C...

This week saw the release of the long-awaited Desmond Inquiry report. As one of the lawyers involved in the inquiry, I provide my perspective on the final report of Judge Paul Scovil. I discuss the four main themes of the recommendations, the transition from military to civilian life, intimate partner violence, health services for African Nova Scotians, and gaps in firearms licensing. I discuss th...

This week, I focus on two stories. First, five players from the 2018 Canadian junior hockey team are set to be charged this week with sexual assault. I review some of the evidence, and possible outcomes. Also, the Federal Court has declared that the government was unreasonable in invoking the Emergencies Act to combat the trucker convoy/freedom protests in Ottawa. I dive into the decision, includi...

This week, I focus on some Nova Scotia-based cases, as well as the Supreme Court decision on a Quebec police officer, Jordan Peterson's rejected appeal, and the upcoming Parliament. In Nova Scotia, a 22-year old has been charged with setting the Shelburne fires, former political staffer and candidate Nargis DeMolitor has sued the Premier for wrongful dismissal and defamation after she was fire...

This week, I start by reviewing the Cameron Ortis sentencing hearing, including the intervention of Michael Kovrig, who wrote a letter in support of Ortis that brought to mind the movie 'Catch Me If You Can'. I explain why the Crown and Defense positions can sometimes be so far apart from one another. Next, I discuss the RCMP's failure to meet their year end deadline to submit a respon...

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break. This week, I start with a few words about the 7th anniversary of the deaths that lead to the establishment of the Desmond Inquiry, and where that process currently stands. I congratulate Dr. Margo Watt on her new book on forensic psychology, and encourage non-academic readers to give it a look. Dennis Edney, long time lawyer for Om...

For my final Rodgers Brief of 2023, I cover this week's extremely vague and unhelpful update from former Justice Linda Oland on the progress of implementation of the MCC recommendations, after two days of meetings with the 16-member implementation committee. Related to the MCC, I also discuss the controversial sale of decommissioned Cape Breton Regional Police vehicles, some of which still had...

This week, I review the reason for, and impact of, the inquiry on foreign interference decision on standing, which limited political parties' participation. Also, newly appointed Chief Judge Perry Borden has initiated a complaint against Judge Al Begin, over a decision I covered last week where the Court of Appeal overturned a decision of Judge Begin. Finally, the citizens group challenging th...

This week in law, the Serious Incident Response Team's interim director is busy revisiting cases - the Onslow-Belmont shooting during the NS Mass Shooting, and the wrongful conviction of Glen Assoun. The NS Court of Appeal had harsh words for Provincial Court Judge Alain Begin after Judge Begin made remarks about an accused before closing arguments, and then tried to have those comments remove...

This week in law, we have seen a very unusual charge out of the United Kingdom. A hockey player has died as a result of a collision on the ice, where the skate from the opposing player hit him in the neck and ultimately led to his death. Prosecutors in the UK have charged Matt Petgrave, the other player, with manslaughter. I describe what manslaughter is supposed to mean, and how it might apply in...

This week saw the end of the fall sitting of the NS Legislature, with long sitting days, and a few pieces of legislation passed, as the PC government passes the halfway point of its mandate. The trial of Cameron Ortis, the former Director of the RCMP Operations Research group, a high level intelligence unit, brings to mind what would happen if Ethan Hunt or James Bond were brought to trial. Ortis...

First, a look at the big political story of the week - the government announcing a carve out of the new carbon tax for those heating with oil. This announcement has been criticized from all sides, and may be the biggest political blunder of this government. Notably, it appears to have been spearheaded by the NS MP's, lead by Atlantic Caucus Chair, Kody Blois, who briefly practiced law before b...