Law and justice

Minister of Justice David Lametti listens during an announcement on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Members of Parliament have agreed to expedite the Liberal government’s “extreme intoxication” bill in the House of Commons with a unanimous consent motion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

MPs agree to expedite passage of ‘extreme intoxication’ bill in House of Commons

Justice Minister David Lametti appeared before senators and urged them to share his sense of urgency

Minister of Justice David Lametti listens during an announcement on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Members of Parliament have agreed to expedite the Liberal government’s “extreme intoxication” bill in the House of Commons with a unanimous consent motion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett, back left, speaks as B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson listens during a news conference after British Columbia was granted an exemption to decriminalize possession of some illegal drugs for personal use, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As drug users in British Columbia will not be arrested or charged for carrying up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs starting next year, experts explain why the federal government is being asked to decriminalize drugs in order to stem deaths linked to the drug toxicity crisis in Canada, and what decriminalization means. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Experts explain why Ottawa is being asked to decriminalize small amounts of drugs

‘Criminal penalties for using some substances has spawned a range of unintended negative consequences’

Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett, back left, speaks as B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson listens during a news conference after British Columbia was granted an exemption to decriminalize possession of some illegal drugs for personal use, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As drug users in British Columbia will not be arrested or charged for carrying up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs starting next year, experts explain why the federal government is being asked to decriminalize drugs in order to stem deaths linked to the drug toxicity crisis in Canada, and what decriminalization means. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Cheyenne Stonechild, lead representative plaintiff, speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, June 20, 2022. The Federal Court of Canada has certified a class-action lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of off-reserve Indigenous children who were taken from their families and placed in non-Indigenous care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Federal Court approves class-action on behalf of off-reserve Indigenous children

Suit covers a time frame referred to in court arguments as the ‘Millennium Scoop’

Cheyenne Stonechild, lead representative plaintiff, speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, June 20, 2022. The Federal Court of Canada has certified a class-action lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of off-reserve Indigenous children who were taken from their families and placed in non-Indigenous care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - Bill Cosby arrives for a sentencing hearing following his sexual assault conviction at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown Pa., on Sept. 25, 2018. Eleven months after he was freed from prison, 85-year-old Cosby will again be the defendant in a sexual assault proceeding, this time a civil case in California. Judy Huth, who is now 64, alleges that in 1975 when she was 16, Cosby sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Bill Cosby civil trial jury must start deliberations over

Judge allowed juror to leave after Friday for a prior commitment

FILE - Bill Cosby arrives for a sentencing hearing following his sexual assault conviction at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown Pa., on Sept. 25, 2018. Eleven months after he was freed from prison, 85-year-old Cosby will again be the defendant in a sexual assault proceeding, this time a civil case in California. Judy Huth, who is now 64, alleges that in 1975 when she was 16, Cosby sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Image courtesy Creative Outlet

UPDATED: Liberals table bill responding to Supreme Court decision on extreme intoxication

Court struck down Criminal Code section on “self-induced intoxication” on violent offences

Image courtesy Creative Outlet
Former Canadian Football League wide receiver Josh Boden arrives at British Columbia Provincial Court in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday July 26, 2012. A Crown prosecutor has suggested a parole eligibility period of 12 to 15 years for the former Canadian Football League wide receiver convicted of the “brutal” murder of his ex-girlfriend.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Crown says 12- to 15-year parole eligibility suitable for former B.C. Lions player

Joshua Boden convicted in ‘brutal’ 2009 murder of his ex-girlfriend

Former Canadian Football League wide receiver Josh Boden arrives at British Columbia Provincial Court in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday July 26, 2012. A Crown prosecutor has suggested a parole eligibility period of 12 to 15 years for the former Canadian Football League wide receiver convicted of the “brutal” murder of his ex-girlfriend.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner speaks during a welcoming ceremony, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Backlogged justice system can’t return to pre-pandemic ways, chief justice warns

Justice system players reassessing what they do, how, and how effectively they meet people’s needs

Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner speaks during a welcoming ceremony, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2018 file photo, Bronx Zoo elephant “Happy” strolls inside the zoo’s Asia Habitat in New York. A legal fight to release Happy the elephant from the Bronx Zoo after 45 years will be argued Wednesday, May 18, 2022, before New York’s highest court in a closely watched case over whether a basic right for people can be extended to an animal. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Happy the elephant isn’t a person, top New York court rules

Group was seeking to have Bronx Zoo resident released on grounds of illegal confinement

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2018 file photo, Bronx Zoo elephant “Happy” strolls inside the zoo’s Asia Habitat in New York. A legal fight to release Happy the elephant from the Bronx Zoo after 45 years will be argued Wednesday, May 18, 2022, before New York’s highest court in a closely watched case over whether a basic right for people can be extended to an animal. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
In this courtroom sketch, Aydin Coban is pictured at B.C. Supreme Court, in New Westminster, B.C., on Monday, June 6, 2022. The Dutch man accused of extorting and harassing British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd more than a decade ago has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jane Wolsak

Dutch digital investigator testifies at B.C.’s Amanda Todd harassment trial

Crown witnesses expected to testify accounts allegedly used to extort Todd were operated by Coban

In this courtroom sketch, Aydin Coban is pictured at B.C. Supreme Court, in New Westminster, B.C., on Monday, June 6, 2022. The Dutch man accused of extorting and harassing British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd more than a decade ago has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jane Wolsak
The Alberta Coat of Arms is shown at the Edmonton Law Courts building, in Edmonton on June 28, 2019. A woman has told an Edmonton murder trial she sought mental health help for her husband several hours before the fatal stabbing of a seven-year-old girl.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Aliens, 5G, preoccupied thoughts of man accused of killing Edmonton girl, 7: Crown

Wife, sister of David Moss testify of mental health concerns prior to death of Bella Rose Desrosiers

The Alberta Coat of Arms is shown at the Edmonton Law Courts building, in Edmonton on June 28, 2019. A woman has told an Edmonton murder trial she sought mental health help for her husband several hours before the fatal stabbing of a seven-year-old girl.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Carol Todd holds a photograph of her late daughter Amanda Todd signed by U.S. singer Demi Lovato with the words “Stay Strong” in Port Coquitlam, B.C., on Sunday October 5, 2013. The Dutch man accused of extorting and harassing British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd more than a decade ago has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

UPDATE: Amanda Todd shrieked over topless Facebook photo, mother tells sextortion trial

Crown prosecutor alleges ‘persistent campaign’ of online harassment against B.C. teen

Carol Todd holds a photograph of her late daughter Amanda Todd signed by U.S. singer Demi Lovato with the words “Stay Strong” in Port Coquitlam, B.C., on Sunday October 5, 2013. The Dutch man accused of extorting and harassing British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd more than a decade ago has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
MP Rob Anders comments on being defeated by Ron Liepert during the Calgary Signal Hill federal Conservative nomination, in Calgary on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Anders may not find the welcome mat out as he attempts to make the move from a big-city riding where he lost his nomination to a brand new rural one.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

‘Very relieved’: Crown stays tax evasion charges against former Calgary MP Rob Anders

Anders first elected as a Reform MP in 1997 and was a co-founder of the Conservative Party of Canada

MP Rob Anders comments on being defeated by Ron Liepert during the Calgary Signal Hill federal Conservative nomination, in Calgary on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Anders may not find the welcome mat out as he attempts to make the move from a big-city riding where he lost his nomination to a brand new rural one.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal
Actor Amber Heard waits before the verdict was read at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Va, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. The jury awarded Johnny Depp more than $10 million in his libel lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard. It vindicates his stance that Heard fabricated claims that she was abused by Depp before and during their brief marriage. But the jury also found in favor of Heard, who said she was defamed by a lawyer for Depp.(Evelyn Hockstein/Pool via AP)

Depp-Heard trial: Advocates fear case will prevent survivors from speaking up

‘People do not want to give the most intimate details of their personal life then be called a liar’

Actor Amber Heard waits before the verdict was read at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Va, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. The jury awarded Johnny Depp more than $10 million in his libel lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard. It vindicates his stance that Heard fabricated claims that she was abused by Depp before and during their brief marriage. But the jury also found in favor of Heard, who said she was defamed by a lawyer for Depp.(Evelyn Hockstein/Pool via AP)
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard arrives alongside his wife Rebekah Asselstine, for his sex assault trial at the Toronto courthouse on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 in Toronto. The Canadian musician, who is currently awaiting a verdict in his sexual assault trial, has been charged in another alleged sexual assault.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Hedley singer Jacob Hoggard facing new sexual assault charge

Jury deliberations in earlier case against Hoggard have begun, meaning new charge can be made public

Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard arrives alongside his wife Rebekah Asselstine, for his sex assault trial at the Toronto courthouse on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 in Toronto. The Canadian musician, who is currently awaiting a verdict in his sexual assault trial, has been charged in another alleged sexual assault.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Jacob Sansom (left) and his uncle Maurice Cardinal are shown in a handout photo from the Facebook page “Justice for Jake and Morris.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Facebook-Justice for Jake and Morris

Jury finds Alberta men guilty of murder and manslaughter in shooting

Crown argued the accused, Anthony and Roger Bilodeau, took the law into their own hands

Jacob Sansom (left) and his uncle Maurice Cardinal are shown in a handout photo from the Facebook page “Justice for Jake and Morris.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Facebook-Justice for Jake and Morris
Sarah Sansom poses for a portrait at her home in Nobleford, Alta., on Friday, May 29, 2020. Sarah’s husband Jacob (Jake) Sansom and his uncle Morris Cardinal were found shot to death on a rural road in eastern Alberta in March 2020. Anthony Michael Bilodeau, 31, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder over the deaths of Sansom and Cardinal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Rossiter

Closing arguments made in case of Alberta father, son accused of murdering hunters

Were suspects defended themselves, or taking the law into their own hands?

Sarah Sansom poses for a portrait at her home in Nobleford, Alta., on Friday, May 29, 2020. Sarah’s husband Jacob (Jake) Sansom and his uncle Morris Cardinal were found shot to death on a rural road in eastern Alberta in March 2020. Anthony Michael Bilodeau, 31, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder over the deaths of Sansom and Cardinal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Rossiter
Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns addresses the House of Commons during Question Period on Feb. 3, 2022. Credit: Christian Diotte, House of Commons Photo Services

Pressure mounts for Liberals to back bill decriminalizing drug use

Gord Johns gaining support from mayors and advocates in his bid to address overdose crisis

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns addresses the House of Commons during Question Period on Feb. 3, 2022. Credit: Christian Diotte, House of Commons Photo Services
Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour, and Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, middle, release the final report of the Independent External Comprehensive Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces in Ottawa on Monday, May 30, 2022. Also in attendance is Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Review: past time for Canada’s military to scrap harmful traditions, structures

Arbour: some ‘more at risk of harm, on a day-to-day basis, from their comrades than from the enemy’

Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour, and Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, middle, release the final report of the Independent External Comprehensive Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces in Ottawa on Monday, May 30, 2022. Also in attendance is Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Defence counsel Megan Savard questions Jacob Hoggard at his sex assault trial in Toronto, Tuesday, May 24, 2022 as his wife Rebekah Asselstine (left) and Justice Gillian Roberts (top left) look on in this artist’s sketch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould

Crown alleges Jacob Hoggard is ‘sexual opportunist’ who didn’t take no for an answer

Defence says Hedley singer disrespectful towards women, but is not a ‘sadistic serial rapist’

Defence counsel Megan Savard questions Jacob Hoggard at his sex assault trial in Toronto, Tuesday, May 24, 2022 as his wife Rebekah Asselstine (left) and Justice Gillian Roberts (top left) look on in this artist’s sketch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould
FILE - Prosecutor Shawn Overstreet presents his opening statement at the murder trial of romance writer Nancy Crampton Brophy in Portland, Ore., Monday, April 4, 2022. A jury in Portland, Oregon, has convicted the self-published romance novelist — who once wrote an essay titled "How to Kill Your Husband" — of fatally shooting her husband four years ago. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)

‘How to Murder Your Husband’ author found guilty of killing her husband

Nancy Crampton Brophy’s attorney says Portland Oregon author plans to appeal

FILE - Prosecutor Shawn Overstreet presents his opening statement at the murder trial of romance writer Nancy Crampton Brophy in Portland, Ore., Monday, April 4, 2022. A jury in Portland, Oregon, has convicted the self-published romance novelist — who once wrote an essay titled "How to Kill Your Husband" — of fatally shooting her husband four years ago. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)