Advertise on podcast: The Rodgers Brief

This week, we welcome back Paul McNamara for an inside look at the Bill Macher acquittal and lawsuit, and the competency deficit at CSIS, the Canadian spy agency.Also covered in this episode;- Margaret Atwood defends due process again in speaking out on the Steven Galloway case, where the author, and former UBC professor was falsely accused of sexual misconduct- the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Diggs, reviewed the law on habeus corpus, and whether systemic issues at jails justify the urgency involved in a writ of habeus application. Adam reviews the arguments before the SCC, and predicts how the case will be decided- a Cape Breton police officer who stole a sign off the wall of a suspect during a search was the subject of an application for records related to that search, after being the exhibit custodian on another drug bust- the RCMP in PEI has lost key evidence in a murder trial involving a gay teacher, after an arrest had been made and DNA evidence seemed to point to the perpetrator- two Yellowknife RCMP officers have been charged after a person died in custody- former finance minister Christia Freeland has written a book - don't call it 'crazy'- OJ Simpson may have had an accomplice

This week, the Supreme Court of Canada released it's long-anticipated decision in R. v. Cope, dealing with sentencing of indigenous offenders, and specifically with the use of sentencing circles in the course of a sentencing.Guest Anita Stewart is the head of the Antigonish Women's Centre, where last week students at St. F.X. University unfurled a banner with a controversial message. Anita also shares her thoughts on the state of intimate partner violence services in the wake of the Mass Casualty Commission report.Adam and Paul also discuss the new Malcolm Gladwell book on policing and gun violence in the US.

This week we welcome back Tammy Oliver-McCurdie and Scott McLeod to discuss the announcement that more RCMP members would be receiving awards for their actions from the NS mass shooting, and the inquiry which followed, but that the names of those awarded would not be made public.Also this week;- the Cornell 7 sexual assault case has similarities to the London, ON junior hockey player case. We discuss how.- Mike Smith, the Trailer Park Boys' 'Bubbles', had sexual assault charges dismissed, after the complainant refused to testify- Lindsay Clancy lawyer Kevin Reddington has been building a reputation for his work on the case, but Adam thinks he made some key errors- the Supreme Court of Canada will be hearing a record number of cases this fall, and the one with the most intervenors is from a NS prison situation, where prisoners claimed the frequent lockdowns violated their rights- the Whitby Minor Hockey Association tried to ban a player's father who had been a teacher in the area and was convicted of sexual assault on eight students. - Douglas Smith was sentenced to six years in prison for killing his wife, who had asked him to help her die

This week we are very pleased to welcome Kevin Donovan, the lead investigative reporter for the Toronto Star, to discuss his series of stories about car thefts in Canada. We learn how the thieves operate, how the cars leave the country, and what owners can do to prevent their car from becoming a statistic.Also this week;- the Correctional Service of Canada is promoting a drug bust at the Springhill Institution as evidence of their advanced detection methodologies. We reveal what really led to the $1.16 million seizure.- details are emerging about the Synagogue shooting in Belleville, ON, involving a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces- former NS Justice Minister, Becky Druhan, responded to a Bar Society complaint from the current Justice Minister, Scott Armstrong. Adam explains how this seems to (accidentally or inadvertently) confirm that the Premier (or someone on his behalf) engaged in political interference on a police investigation or incident response. - the St. Paul, AB RCMP detachment put out a public notice saying they would not have any officers on duty for a few days- BC election call, updates on Air India investigation, online gambling, Paul's encounter with a fleeing driver, and Adam's week at the NS Legal Aid annual conference

This week, we take a look at the alleged corruption in the Toronto Police, as has been exposed through the 'Project South' investigation into officers dealing drugs, providing private information to criminal organizations, and running other criminal operations, as has been exposed following the attempted hit on a corrections officer.Also covered this week;- the Sydney Sweeney gambling ad is generating controversy, as is the damage done by unfettered gambling. A study out of Ontario provides details.- a video shows a car in NS reaching speeds over 300km/hr. Some jurisdictions are increasing speed limits. What is safe?- ASIRT is charging an officer for using a 'less lethal baton launcher', while an officer in York region tackles an offender off his motorcycle. We show that video and discuss the rules on use of force.- a male correctional officer at Beaver Creek Institution in Gravenhurst is being accused of using transphobic language with an inmate. How should transitioning and transgender inmates be accommodated?- Montreal police are advocating for fines for those who say negative things about members of the force- the editor of Frank Magazine is facing a criminal charge for publishing an intimate image. The complainant is seeking very broad publication bans. Where should the line be drawn?

This week, our main story is the arrest of Frank Magazine editor, Andrew Douglas, on a charge of distributing an intimate image. The charge arises from an story Frank published about 'slum' landlords, and has been subject to civil court proceedings as well. We discuss the charge, and the likely outcome.Also this week;- the Edmonton Oilers have signed Alex Formenton, one of five Team Canada junior hockey players acquitted of sexual assault, to a one-year contract. Some fans are calling for the signing to be reversed. - the RCMP has announced that their officers will no longer be required to wear name tags, for fear of being 'doxxed'- the NS legislature opened for its fall sitting this week, with no mention of the Mass Casualty Commission implementation committee report, or plans for carrying the work forward- New Mexico lawyer Stephen Aarons has been fined for using ChatGPT in a brief where the AI tool made up witness statements- the BC Human Rights Tribunal has awarded $15,000 to an inmate who claimed to have been mocked by guards while on suicide watch

This week, we welcome back Janet Merlo to give an update on the sexual abuse class action lawsuit against the RCMP, and get her views on two current abuse stories involving current RCMP officers. Also this week;- The Mass Casualty Commission's implementation monitoring committee has filed its final report, ending its three year existence. We discuss the impact, and what governments are committing to do next.- the Lindsay Clancy case has drawn international attention. We review the case, and discuss how it may have played out differently in Canada.- following up on Frank Magazine reporting, NS Energy Minister Marco MacLeod has resigned.- a woman was shot by police in Times Square, calling into question police tactics. - the Ontario Supreme Court has ordered an injunction against Premier Doug Ford's attempt to implement cash bail in that province- the Federal government has filed a defense to the claim that "gender diverse" prisoners have been committing sexual abuse in female prisons

This week we welcome back forensic specialist, Tom Juby, as the anniversary of the Swiss Air crash off Peggy's Cove approaches. Tom reviews the newly unveiled evidence from TWA 800, Egypt Air 990, and American Airlines 587 and compares that to the covered up truth of Swiss Air.Also discussed this week;- Lake Ontario/America- Frank Magazine wins a case on freedom of speech, and the Chronicle Herald runs up against a publication ban in their reporting of the case- prison guards write to us with more complaints from inside Canadian jails- the Province of NS is implementing an arrangement with some small municipal units to pay for specialized RCMP police services that said small municipalities always thought were included in the RCMP's commitment to policing in the province

This week we welcome one of our favourites, Frank Magazine editor, Andrew Douglas, back to the show with his latest summer scoop on the controversial rap song recorded and posted online by NS Energy Minister, Marco MacLeod. We discuss the song, and how the controversy is being handled by those in the Nova Scotia political arena.Andrew also adds some insight into our main story for the week, which is following up on breaking news out of Canadian prisons we discussed last show. Paul shares new details, including a 'town hall' meeting at Springhill in reaction to last week's show, and how the Correctional Service of Canada has tried to have our video taken down from YouTube.Also discussed this week;- the Canadian Civil Liberties Association is challenging the cash bail system started in Ontario last week- the CCLA is also challenging the Manitoba government's funding of Legal Aid in that province- Ashley MacIsaac has ended his lawsuit against Google AI, presumably with a settlement in his favour- a police shooting in Longveille, PQ was partly captured on video- bodies were located in Smith Falls, ON under suspicious circumstances- a report has come out this week on a death in custody in Smithers, BC, which has been blamed on a short staffed RCMP detachment

This week, Paul and Adam break news in two stories, and discuss unexplored angles on several others in the news this week. The first breaking news relates to activities at the Springhill federal jail in NS, where there are allegations of senior female employees having intimate relations with male prisoners. Then, Paul reveals details on dead bodies having been found not far from Portapique, NS, and what the RCMP is telling the public.Also discussed this week;- a man is attempting to claim the Calgary Stampede 50/50 prize from July 11th, in the amount of $125,000. The Stampede says he only had 48 hours to claim the prize.- Ontario is bringing in cash bail on Monday, in a move that many defense lawyers are saying will not stand up to Charter challenge- Malehya Brooks-Murray, mother of Jack and Lilly Sullivan, has given her first interview since her children went missing over a year ago- Calgary Police officer Cst. Craig Stothard has been charged with murder, after shooting into a van following a police chase in 2023

This week we are pleased to welcome Dave Woodhouse to the podcast, to discuss issues in Canadian jails, including the secrecy with which they operate, and how unprepared recruits are to face the realities of life as a prison guard. Dave joins a discussion on changes to the policies in Canadian jails on drug possession and use, and how that may affect efforts to prepare offenders for release.To start the show, Adam and Paul discuss this week's arrest of Adam's former law partner, Jason Boudrot, over six years after he admitted to taking money from client trust accounts, for charges of theft and breach of trust.

This week, Paul and Adam reveal new details and discuss the arrest (and subsequent release) of 80-year old Geoff Ball by RCMP officers at a protest in Wolfville, which took place two weeks ago after a speech from NS Premier, Tim Houston. Premiers from across the country are asking for clarity on the upcoming expiration of the RCMP's contract to police much of the country on a contract policing basis. We review the different approaches provinces are taking. Also discussed this week;- two contenders are in place for the Liberal leadership contest in NS. Adam predicts the winner, and next Premier of NS. - the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously decided that the federal ethics commissioner's decisions are not immune from judicial oversight, opening the way for a claim that Justin Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act in the WE Charity scandal. - Global News announced that they will no longer produce morning news programming in markets across the country.

This week we welcome back two longtime police officers, forensic indent specialist, Tom Juby, and use of force expert, Calvin Lawrence, to discuss the video of police killing a suspect in a North Vancouver Plaza. The shooting victim had been disarmed of a knife by the person who filmed the subsequent police encounter. Tom and Calvin have major problems with how the operation unfolded, which has been wrapped in secrecy since last Tuesday when the shooting happened. Also this week, updates on the charges against the person accused of breaking the window of the NS Premier's car, Delta, BC mayor George Harvie is concerned about port expansion in his city, and the RCMP unveiled a new look for their front line vehicles.

This week we hear directly from Melissa Cross, a key direct witness to the events in Chelsea, NS that echo and expose the mistakes made, and lessons not learned, at Portapique and across central NS during the 2020 mass shootings. Melissa was told it was not safe to go home, and waited at a nearby school until it seemed all was clear. She saw the police caravan leave the Chelsea area and soon after the emergency alert was cancelled. The next morning, however, the shooter was in her yard, stole her 4-wheeler, and was shot by police. We get reaction to that story from Scott MacLeod and Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, who between them lost five family members during the 2020 shootings, and both of whom served a term on the Mass Casualty Commission implementation committee. Adam and Paul open the show with some thoughts on the controversial interaction between protesters and the Premier of NS, including the political messaging thinking involved.

This week we welcome former ATV and CBC journalist and consumer advocate, Yvonne Colbert. Yvonne was married to former News 95.7 host Rick Howe, and brings a wealth of knowledge to questions of media coverage of major events. She discusses the demise of Rogers radio stations, and also how Rick Howe would have covered this week's story out Chelsea, Nova Scotia, where the RCMP issued and then cancelled an emergency alert, but then revealed that they actually only shot the suspect 12 hours later.Paul and Adam also discussed the Chelsea situation, which has many of the same features as the 2020 NS mass shooting, and shows how the RCMP have not learned the right lessons from the Mass Casualty Commission.Also covered this week;Paul has inside detail about the video circulating about the man in Costco spouting offensive racial comments.Child pornography and sexual assault charges were dropped against a former Fredericton auxiliary, and Kenzington, PEI officer, with no explanation from the prosecutor as to why.