People First Media program archive
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Preserving restorative justice

September 29th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Preserving restorative justice)

Advocates fear the federal government’s strong emphasis on incarceration and punishment will push healing to the side

The federal government’s emphasis on incarceration and punishment in response to crime has created concern that restorative justice approaches are being pushed to the background. The government describes restorative justice as “one way to respond to a criminal act” but a former federal ombudsman for victims of crime says “In reality, there’s no interest from this government (in restorative justice).” What does this mean for the future of restorative justice in Canada?

We speak with three people who have experienced—and studied—restorative justice. (more…)

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Advocates praise sex trade strategy

September 22nd, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Advocates praise sex trade strategy)

PACE Society is pleased that the City of Vancouver has finally taken a position and steps toward a sex trade policy

A new strategy on the sex trade developed by the City of Vancouver [opens to PDF] is intended to provide a comprehensive framework and action plan to address sexual exploitation and the negative effects of sex work. The strategy is considered to be part of Vancouver’s Urban Health Initiative, which works to take a comprehensive approach to difficult social issues including homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness. (more…)

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A world without hate

August 4th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on A world without hate)

Rais Bhuiyan forgave the man who tried to kill him in a hate crime, then campaigned to save him from the death penalty

Ten days after the September 11th attacks in the U.S., Texan Mark Stroman entered the gas station where Rais Bhuiyan was working, asked “Where are you from?” and then shot him in the face.  Rais, who is from Bangladesh, was one of three victims shot during Stroman’s revenge attacks on “Arabs,” and the only one to survive.

Rais Bhuiyan went on to forgive Mark Stroman for trying to kill him, and to campaign vigorously—and internationally—for Stroman’s sentence to be commuted from death, to life without parole. Mark Stroman was executed in Texas on July 20th, 2011. (more…)

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Death with dignity back in focus

July 21st, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Russel Ogden—and the Farewell Foundation—prepare plans for Canada’s first facility to offer legal assisted suicide

Last November, sociology professor Russel Ogden offered to accompany a small group of Canadians to Switzerland’s Dignitas centre and to act as a witness to the assisted suicide of a severely ill family member. When he saw the effects of Canada’s criminal code on the family and their loved one, the social scientist became a legal activist. Russel Ogden and several associates formed an organization called the Farewell Foundation, which believes its members should have the right to receive assistance to end their lives, and that members should have the right to provide assistance. (more…)

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Medical marijuana laws struck down

May 19th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Medical marijuana laws struck down)

Judge notes overwhelming, undermining refusal of doctors to participate in Canada’s medical marijuana program

On April 11, 2011, a ruling by an Ontario judge struck down Canada’s medical marijuana laws and the laws dealing with cannabis possession and production, giving the government 90 days to fix the program. The ruling stemmed from the constitutional challenge of Matthew Mernagh, a man who relies on medical marijuana to ease pain brought on by fibromyalgia, scoliosis, seizures and depression. (more…)

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Spotlight is on Nanaimo bullying

April 7th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Spotlight is on Nanaimo bullying)

A violent incident in Nanaimo has refocused attention on bullying, schools, parents and social media

A Nanaimo woman has established a Facebook page called Bullying Awareness in Nanaimo in the aftermath of a high-profile incident involving teenaged girls that found its way onto YouTube and is now the focus of a police investigation.

Several teens assaulted a Nanaimo girl while more than a dozen others watched and videotaped the attack. The assault took place over spring break in the parking lot at Woodgrove Centre. Criminologists and police say the incident is part of a bigger issue related to social media and how it has been used to glamorize fighting. Kristyn Robert, who herself was bullied while attending a Nanaimo school, says that “enough is enough.” She hopes to start a campaign to stop bullying through the involvement of local schools. (more…)

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