The Rodgers Brief

In this episode, the final of the series, I read from Deficits of Trust, Part 3, sections 15-16 The Future of Policing is Not Present; Ending Without Closing; Summary of Recommendations

In this episode, I read from Deficits of Trust, Part 3, sections 13-14 - Lisa Banfield Answers No Real Questions, Avoids Criminal Charges; The MCC Really Wants You to Know It Cares About Domestic Violence

In this video, I read from Deficits of Trust, Part 3, sections 11-12 Unnecessary Accommodations for Senior RCMP Officers Leads to Participant Boycotts; Critical Incident Experts Not Permitted to Criticize Incident

This week, I focus mainly on Nova Scotia cases, including the tragic death of 37-year old mother of three, Allison Holtoff, and the legal threats made by the Provincial Department of Justice to Independent MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin. MLA Smith-McCrossin was speaking out on behalf of her constituent, alongside Ms. Holtoff's husband Gunter, after Ms. Holtoff died after a six-hour wait at the emer...

In this video, I read from Deficits of Trust, Part 3, sections 9-11 - Disorienting, Not Trauma Informed, Approach to Evidence, Attending the MCC In Person - More Like a Seminar, Withholding Big Stop Videos

In this video, I read from Deficits of Trust, Part 3, sections 5-8 - Pausing Before Starting - Delay for Narrative Formation, Marginalization of MCC Participants, and Early Outlook for the MCC and Police Intelligence Questioning

This week's analysis starts with three cases out of Nova Scotia - a homicide on a home invasion in Halifax where the occupier of the home killed one of the intruders and was determined to be acting in self defense, a small claims court case involving a legal bill on a divorce where the adjudicator incorrectly agreed to keep the names of people involved anonymous, and the failed attempt by Ernest F...

In this video, I read from Deficits of Trust, Part 3, sections 1-4, Calls For an Inquiry, Inquiry is Political and Legal, The Commissioners, and Elasticity of “Trauma Informed”

Looking back on 2022 in Canadian Law means looking back at three public inquires that took place, some notable decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada, and some thoughts on pandemic-related litigation.   The Desmond Inquiry and the Mass Casualty Commission were based in Nova Scotia, but are national in scope, examining re-integration of our military members, and the way we are policed. The...

The Big Stop, Post-takedown Misinformation and Political Calculations, Manipulating, Then Overprotecting, Lisa Banfield   In this section, I will outline and review what we know about the events of April 18-19, 2020. Much of this information comes from the MCC investigations, but there are other important sources as well. I have attempted to organize the details in a cohesive narrative, cover...

This week, the focus is on two Nova Scotia Court of Appeal decisions, the Federal government attempting to override the independent Electoral Boundaries Commission, and how to have a legal Christmas party.   In R. v. Mitchell, the NSCA called out an RCMP Corporal for deliberately violating the Charter rights of an accused by kicking down his door and attempting to arrest him without a warrant...

In this section, I will outline and review what we know about the events of April 18-19, 2020. Much of this information comes from the MCC investigations, but there are other important sources as well. I have attempted to organize the details in a cohesive narrative, covering what happened, and what could have happened instead, if police had made better decisions as events unfolded.  This rea...

Revelations at Dawn – Still No Warnings, Communications Analysis Paralysis, 2nd Escape, and Two More Dead, (Neither) Alert (Nor Quite) Ready,  Plains Road and Plain Language   In this section, I will outline and review what we know about the events of April 18-19, 2020. Much of this information comes from the MCC investigations, but there are other important sources as well. I have attem...

In this week's Rodgers Brief, I cover law-based stories from NS and across Canada. Included this week are;  1. Comment on the Supreme Court decision on admissibility of confessions after two Calgary tenants killed their landlord, but had their Charter rights violated by the police  2. The Supreme Court of NS approved a $10million settlement involving the Diocese of Halifax/Yarmouth.&nbsp...

What (Really) Happened - Wortman Escapes Portapique, Specialized Resources Un/Misused, Critical Incident Command Unstructured, and Overnight Confusion   In this section, I will outline and review what we know about the events of April 18-19, 2020. Much of this information comes from the MCC investigations, but there are other important sources as well. I have attempted to organize the details...

Alberta and Saskatchewan have each introduced legislation that aims to assert their respective Provincial jurisdictions in the face of what they say are ongoing and frequent Federal intrusions.  Neither Province is explicitly trying to change the wording of the divisions of powers sections of the Canadian Constitution, yet each in their own way is trying to take power over key resource develo...

What (Really) Happened - Lisa Banfield's Account of the Early Moments, and MCC Evidence of Portapique Killings  In this section, I will outline and review what we know about the events of April 18-19, 2020. Much of this information comes from the MCC investigations, but there are other important sources as well. I have attempted to organize the details in a cohesive narrative, covering what h...

In Part 1 of The Rodgers Brief Report on the April 18-19, 2020 Nova Scotia Mass Shooting and the Commission of Inquiry That Followed, I review what we know about the killer, from his abusive upbringing, to his criminal and violent past, and his wealth accumulation. I discuss some of the psychological evidence raised in the MCC, and some from other sources.

In this podcast, I begin something of an audiobook version of my report on the events of April 18-19, 2020 in Portapique and other areas of central Nova Scotia, and the Mass Casualty Commission that followed. 'Deficits of Trust' is available as an e-book through these retailers;   Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ARodg19 Apple Books - https://books.apple.com/.../deficits-o...

This week, I provide a legal analysis of the appearances of federal cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister at the Emergencies Act Inquiry. The participants had been trying all week to figure out the legal advice the government had been given about the EA, but all cabinet ministers, including the Justice Minister, had refused to say what that advice had been, citing solicitor-client privilege. In...

This week, I discuss some reconciliation videos being filmed, including one I did with Chief Stephen Augustine on the legacy of Donald Marshall Jr., the most impactful individual litigant in Canadian history, in my view. In the news this week, the NS Mass Casualty Commission continues to release new information, even though proceedings have concluded. This week featured a memo regarding the Onslow...

This week in Canadian law, the Emergencies Act Inquiry looked at the protests that were taking place at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, ON, as well as those at Coutts, Alta. In both cases, evidence presented seems to show that both protests were disruptive, but that the Emergencies Act was not necessary to deal with them. Also during the Inquiry, one of the lawyers collapsed in the middle of que...

This week on the Rodgers Brief, I analyze the major law-related news stories of the week. The main topics this episode are;  1. The Emergency Act Inquiry in Ottawa. This week the protest 'leaders' take the stand, seemingly to show themselves as disorganized and non-violent.  2. The Ontario government has announced that it will use the Notwithstanding Clause in the Charter of Rights and F...

This week I analyze the proceedings of the Emergency Act Inquiry (including Premier Ford's invocation of parliamentary privilege in refusing to testify), the Canadian Civil Liberties Association victory over NS Public Health at the NS Court of Appeal re: an injunction against protesting the Covid-19 restrictions, a BC Supreme Court case on mandatory vaccine policies in non-union workplaces (the fi...

Welcome to the new version of The Rodgers Brief. Instead of daily analysis of the NS Mass Casualty Commission, I will be doing weekly summaries of news stories with legal angles which are either underappreciated or which I think you will find interesting.  This week, I examine; 1. Week 1 of the Emergencies Act Inquiry 2. Hockey Canada and the issue of non-disclosure agreements in sexual assau...