Tag Archives: christie blatchford

Blatchford: Kachkar decision in no way ‘getting away with it,’ but verdicts have so little to do with grief

In the stirring language of the imperfect but noble beast that is the Canadian justice system, Richard Kachkar put himself upon his country. It’s a phrase from jury selection, where an accused person is told to look at each of … Continue reading

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Blatchford: Defamation case against Rob Ford offers terrifying glimpse into Toronto’s municipal bureaucracy

It remains to be seen if George Foulidis, whose restaurant was awarded a controversial, long-term, untendered, exclusive lease on prime waterfront parkland by the City of Toronto, was defamed by the fellow who is one of the most newsworthy mayors … Continue reading

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Blatchford: The disaster that ended in Ashley Smith’s death began with prison bureaucrats’ directive (1)

If Canadians are outraged by the recent release of video depicting teenager Ashley Smith’s treatment in the federal prison system, it stands in stark contrast to how authorities reacted both before and after her death. “The reaction from Canadians is … Continue reading

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Blatchford: Inquiry into Manitoba judge’s sex scandal stuck in limbo — along with her career

The federal inquiry into the conduct of Manitoba Associate Chief Justice Lori Douglas is mired in a procedural bog. That sad truth became undeniable Tuesday as no fewer than 16 lawyers, including some representing the inquiry panel itself and the … Continue reading

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Blatchford: Manitoba judge’s sex scandal quickly turns into a circus (1)

WINNIPEG — The Lord does giveth and taketh away and so, just as the Red River Ex was moving out of town Sunday night, so was the circus rolling in the very next morn. Or so it seemed, at least, … Continue reading

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Blatchford: Inquiry into judge who had illicit pictures posted online a witch hunt

If it looks like a witch hunt and stinks like a witch hunt, it’s probably a witch hunt, however it’s dressed up. So it is with the Canadian Judicial Council’s release Thursday of the formal allegations against Manitoba Associate Chief … Continue reading

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Blatchford: Eaton Centre shooting exposes farce of bail enforcement

TORONTO — The arrest of Christopher Husbands, the alleged Eaton Centre shooter, has inadvertently lifted the veil upon one of the justice system’s dirty little secrets — the joke that a “recognizance of bail” often is. The 23-year-old Mr. Husbands, … Continue reading

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Blatchford: Two more seniors die in nursing home fire as government dithers on sprinklers

Just hours after a coroner’s inquest jury called for the retroactive installation of sprinklers in all seniors’ homes in the province, an elderly couple has been killed in a fire at an unsprinklered residence in Hawkesbury, Ont. Anne-Marie Bonin and … Continue reading

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Blatchford: Moments of wrenching grace mix with horror show of Tori Stafford trial (1)

LONDON, Ont. — OPP Detective-Constable Robin Brocanier was speaking about one shot of many taken by one security camera of several on the day Tori Stafford was last seen alive when he said, “The view is obscured by sunlight.” The … Continue reading

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Blatchford: ‘Stay warm’ and other silly advice for the urban helpless

About a week ago, one of the smartest women I know sent me a note. She had just read a newspaper “life” section, and was understandably in a state of serious despair. “Such easy-peasy stories,” she said. “The ‘how-to’ as … Continue reading

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Blatchford: Bad logic behind light Caledonia sentence

When in court in Cayuga, Ont., two days before Christmas, a young native man was sentenced to less than two years in prison for the near-fatal beating of builder Sam Gualtieri, something called the Gladue decision was cited by the … Continue reading

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