Category Archives: Crime and Justice

Where are the Ethical Lawyers?

Posted on February 23, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

In the last three months Albertans have witnessed a shocking display of raw power.  The Redford government calls it “delivering the responsible change Albertans voted for.”  The rest of us call it the abuse of majority power to crush the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 35 Comments

Forget “Angry Birds” Where are the Angry Canadians?

Posted on February 2, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Saturday’s headline in Canada’s “newspaper of record”, The Globe and Mail, was not “Harper government caught spying on Canadians” but “Rob Ford admits jaywalking ticket in Vancouver”.  Are you kidding me??? Let’s review the week, shall we? It started with … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government, Privacy and Surveillance | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

145 Children Die in Government Care; but 89 Don’t Count

Posted on December 1, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

               “WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes that children and youth are our greatest resource…blah blah blah”—Child and Youth Advocate Act  One hundred and forty five children died in government care since 1999.  The government reported 56 deaths.  The rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 37 Comments

Strike While the Iron is Hot: The Edmonton Remand Centre Labour Dispute

Posted on May 5, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

For years I’ve wondered whether unions had outlived their usefulness and were simply using their collective bargaining power to crank up wages and benefits at the expense of…well…who knows what.  But the wildcat strike arising out of the Edmonton Remand … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Face of Terrorism

Posted on April 28, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

I’ve been to Washington DC many times, but this trip was different.  In addition to the usual buzz created by lobbyists, bureaucrats, politicians and businessmen who had places to go and people to see, there was a sense of unease.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

What Would It Take to Make you Plead Guilty? Alberta Revamps Traffic Court

Posted on April 7, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

What would it take to make you plead guilty to a crime you didn’t commit?  One hundred dollars?  One thousand dollars?  Need more information? Okay, what if the crime isn’t serious?  And if you plead guilty you can avoid the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

The Price of Justice in Alberta: One Free Crime

Posted on March 24, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

On March 17, 2013, Alison Redford’s PC government broke the back of justice…and none of us saw it coming. Lady Justice, or Justitia, is the personification of the justice system.  Her blindfold symbolizes objectivity, her scales symbolize the balance between … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The Summons (!!)

Posted on January 6, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

“You’ve got mail!  It’s a letter the Alberta Department of Justice.”  Mr Soapbox solemnly passed me the envelope. Yikes!  It’s the PC thought police!  I ripped it open and found…a Summons for Jury Duty. Groan, this is even worse than … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice | Tagged , , | 30 Comments