Submitted by Paul Pearson
Summary of Activities
Number of Meetings Held: 6
September 21, 2011
Guest Speaker: Sherriffs, John Labossiere
1. Introduction of John Labossiere, new Deputy Regional Crown Counsel in charge of Crown Counsel (Provincial), Southern Vancouver Island;
2. Current issues facing sheriffs (including workload, possible staffing changes etc.);
3. Courthouse construction and how it is effecting in-custodies; and
4.Update on cell construction.
November 23, 2011
Guest Speakers: Peter Firestone, Rod Garson, Peter Juk
Use of information in the criminal process, including: 1. Informer privilege; 2. Plea Negotiation privilege; and 3. Implied undertakings on disclosure to defence counsel: point-counter-point on R. v. Basi 2011 BCSC 314.
January 25, 2012
Guest Speakers: John Green, Jeremy Carr, and Lesley Ruzicka
"Search and Seizure and Constitutional Challenge to Immediate Roadside Provisions."
March 27, 2012
Guest Speakers: The Honourable Associate Chief Judge Brian Neal, Provincial Court of British Columbia, the Honourable Judge Susan Wishart, Provincial Court of British Columbia, Dr. Ed Tollefson, Steve Kelliher, and Carmen Rogers
May 30, 2012
Guest Speakers: Robert Mulligan, QC, Marna Johns, Blair Spencer, Shane Johnson
Sentencing Issues, including probation concerns, Native Court worker role and assistance, FAS concerns.
June 27, 2012
Guest Speaker: Denise Girvin, Victoria City police records department
Draft policy on Police Information checks.
Reports and Resolutions
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Victoria Criminal Justice Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association denounces the closures of the female youth custody units in Victoria and Prince George and calls upon the Government of British Columbia to reverse the decision on the closures.
Comments and Observations of the Chair
We held some of our most informative and useful section meetings ever this year. Our guests really stepped up to make the quality of education and discussion second to none.
We have struggled with low turnout for some meetings, and have discussed ways to get more butts in seats next year.
Once again we benefited strongly from having a strong Crown presence on the executive, giving us access to government and police presenters that would normally not consider attending a "defence bar" event.