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Calendar of Upcoming Events |
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Unless noted otherwise, information meetings are normally scheduled for the 4th Monday of each month (7 pm) at the Reimer Corporate Building in Burlington, Ontario to provide personal information for people involved in the justice system. Persons interested in attending to obtain support and to have questions answered must call by phone no less than 48 hours ahead of the scheduled meeting to confirm their attendance and to be informed of the meeting room location. However, meetings may be moved to another date as a result of unforeseen circumstances such as holidays falling on the regularly scheduled date. Readers are advised to check this website for updates or changes to meeting dates and times. For directions and a map to our public meeting location click here. Note: Generally, a $3 donation would be greatly appreciated to help us with our work in the community, however, no one in need of assistance will be turned away because of personal economic circumstances. A sign language interpreter as well as interpreters for a number of common languages may also be available for the hearing impaired or for those who have difficulty with the English Language. Those who would like this service made available must call in advance for this service. Just some of the language interpreters that can be available include: French, Polish, Russian, Arabic, Farci, Spanish, Latvian, Italian, Chinese, Bulgarian and others, etc. Many immigrants have complained of injustice being perpetrated against them in Canada by the system and have joined in with our efforts. If you have any questions about any of the events listed, have a certain issue that you would like discussed at one of our meetings or if you would like to make a presentation on a topic of interest to the public relating to the legal system, then please call us at (416) 410-4115 or pass your suggestion by e mail at: info@canadacourtwatch.com
Monday April 28, 2008 7-10 pm A tentative support and information meeting is scheduled for those who are looking for information to help them in their cases. Note: Those wishing to obtain support and interested in attending must call 48 hours ahead of time to confirm attendance at the meeting and to confirm the meeting room location. Past Events Monday March 24, 2008 7-10 pm A tentative support and information meeting is scheduled for those who are looking for information to help them in their cases. Note: Those wishing help and interested in attending must call 48 hours ahead of time to confirm attendance at the meeting and to confirm the location of the meeting room. Monday February 28, 2008 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday January 28, 2008 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday November 26, 2007 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday October 22, 2007 7-10 pm Are women's shelter harming women
and children? What can families do to make CAS
workers and agencies accountable? General Support
Monday Sept 24, 2007 7-10 pm Did you know that: (1) our child
support guidelines rely on a formula to calculate all the levels of child
support? (2) that the child support formula assumes that the paying parent has
NO access, when the access parent's actual access can be up to 40%? (3) that the
assumption of no access result in more than doubling all the levels of child
support for the average access parent? (4) that the assumption was labelled as
"legislative fiction” by a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada on November 10,
2005? (5) that even a paying parent with an access of 40% or more is treated
unfairly by our child support guidelines? We will provide some time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday July 23, 2007 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday June 25, 2007 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. A parent from the Hamilton area has also asked to make a short presentation about an initiative to make changes to Canada's outdated and draconian child support guidelines. Those with issues relating to child support in Canada should attend. What are the objectives of the tables in the Child Support Guidelines? If your answer is “Child Support”, that would be incorrect! The intended answer was “Equalization of Standards of Living”. After faulty assumptions were incorporated into the original model, the answer now is “It’s unclear”. The Guidelines came into effect on May 1, 1997, based on the passing of an incomplete law. What was missing from it was a “formula” mentioned in Note 5 of Schedule I of the Guidelines. The Child Support Team of the Department of Justice Canada drafted a Research Report titled CSR-1997-1E in December 1997 which elaborated on that “formula”. The passing of an incomplete law and the delay in providing that missing piece months or years later may be seen by some as problematic. Sadly, that aspect of that law is its least troublesome part. The most disturbing part of it is that, while the original model intended the equalization of the standards of living, the model that resulted from the faulty assumptions led to the “formula” that was used to generate all the tables in the Guidelines. At our next monthly meeting of June 25, 2007, a father currently involved in child support proceedings will explain what’s wrong with that formula and the resulting tables and how you can participate in a movement to bring about permanent changes to them. Monday May 28, 2007 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday April 23, 2007 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday March 26, 2007 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday March 12, 2007 7-10 pm Information night - Videotaping children's testimony One of the complaints that Court Watch receives from both parents and children on a regular basis concerns false and misleading information being provided to the court by CAS workers and lawyers with the Office of the Children's Lawyer. Many children are denied direct access to give evidence in the the courts and often complain that their court appointed lawyers are not representing them correctly. Some children have reported being coerced and intimidated through the use of leading and intimidating questions by professionals who refuse to videotape interviews. Many CAS workers and lawyers with Ontario's Office of the Children Lawyer refuse to record their interviews with children because many have been known to fabricate false information and would be unable to continue to submit misleading information to the courts if if interviews were videotaped. The Supreme Court of Canada has determined that videotaped evidence of children is of valuable assistance in the administration of Justice. Videotaping of children can also be helpful in gathering evidence to be used in civil lawsuits against CAS workers and children's lawyers who have fabricated information. We will also talk about covert videotaping of meetings that you have with workers with the CAS and with children's lawyers. With advances in miniaturization of recording equipment it is now possible to protect yourself and your family from workers and children's lawyers who fabricate false and misleading information. Parents now have the tools to get the evidence they need to take those workers and lawyers who lie to civil court. High quality video cameras are now available which persons can easily record at any time and at any location. Even children have the rights to record their meetings with workers and children's lawyers. During this presentation we will discuss how to have your child interviewed on videotape independently on topics such as abuse by CAS workers, lawyers and abuse. We will discuss video interview techniques, the use of non-leading questions and who should conduct recorded interviews. If you are interested in attending this information session to be held in Burlington, Ontario then send your request to info@canadacourtwatch.com with your name and phone contact information. There will be a $20 attendance fee charged. This is a good introduction for persons who would like to obtain more comprehensive training in regards to conducting videotaped interviews of children. Monday March 19, 2007 7-10 pm Upcoming information night - Dealing with Ontario's Child Abuse Registry A number of callers to Court Watch have reported that their names have been placed on Ontario's Child Abuse Registry without due process and without due diligence by CAS workers who are not even registered social workers in the Province of Ontario. Some claim that their names have been placed on the Registry maliciously by CAS workers. If you are a person who has had your name placed on Ontario's Child Abuse Registry and you feel that this has been done without due process then you may wish to attend an evening workshop on Monday March 19, 2007 7pm to 9:30 pm. to be held in Halton, Ontario Participants will learn about the Registry, what steps can be taken to have a name removed from the Registry and legal options for lawsuits against those CAS workers who may have placed names on the Registry without due process. Pre-registration and $10 registration fee required. To register send an e mail to Court Watch at info@canadacourtwatch.com providing your full name, address and phone number. Monday February 26, 2007 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday January 27, 2007 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. After the meeting, we will also be taking private video statements from individuals wishing to give their experiences about dealing with the Justice system in Canada which will be included as part of a series of video documentaries about Canada's system of justice. Call ahead at (416) 410-4115 to confirm if you would like to give a private video statement at the end of the meeting. Monday November 27, 2006 7-10 pm In recognition of the 12th year that NAPPA has been in existence, the Archbishop Dorian A. Baxter will be speaking to the audience about his family's experience with the Durham CAS. Hear Archbishop Baxter speak about the circumstances which motivated him to form NAPPA and the Canada Court Watch Program. Monday December 11, 7-9 pm We will be holding a preliminary consultation meeting In Burlington to hear concerns from members of the public about the application and use of the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario (2000). This meeting will be one of several to gather input from members of the Public in regards to application of this tool by CAS workers in Ontario. Members of the public who are interested in attending and submitting information to the Court Watch Consultation Committee should contact Court Watch at info@canadacourtwatch.com for time and location. Professionals in the community who have concerns about the way in which CAS are involved with families in Ontario are urged to contact Court Watch and to submit information at this consultation meeting. Monday October 23, 2006 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. After the meeting, we will also be taking private video statements from individuals wishing to give their experiences about dealing with the Justice system in Canada which will be included as part of a series of video documentaries about Canada's system of justice. Call ahead at (416) 410-4115 to confirm if you would like to give a video statement at the end of the meeting. Tuesday November 7, 2006 (7:00 pm) - Kingston, Ontario area Court Watch representatives will be delivering an evening presentation for the benefit of citizens in the Kingston, Ontario region. Topic of discussion will be the court system and children's aid agencies. Place and time to be announced If you would like to be included in this event, then contact Court Watch at info@canadacourtwatch.com. While in Kingston we will be also conducting interviews with persons from the Kingston area who would like to make a private video interview in regards to their personal cases. Children who wish to speak about their experiences about the court system, children's lawyer or CAS are also welcomed to provide their video statements as part of our efforts to improve the administration of justice. Early December - Court Watch training Burlington, Ontario Court Watch representatives will be conducting a one day training session for those citizens wishing to learn how to be a Court Watch reporter/advocate as part of the Court Watch network or for those wishing to monitor the courts on an independent court observer and family advocate. Registration fee is $300 per person, including training materials and follow up support. A discount will be provided to paid up members of Court Watch. Court Watch reward points may also be redeemed for the workshop for those who have earned points by participating at official Court Watch activities. If you are interested in becoming a Court Watch court reporter then send your request to info@canadacourtwatch.com with your name and phone contact information. Monday September 25, 2006 7-10 pm Guest Speaker: Mr. David Witzel - former CAS ward A former crown ward of a CAS agency in Ontario will talk about how he was sexually and physically abused numerous times over an extended period of time while in the care of the CAS. He will tell how CAS officials and police did nothing when abuse was reported. He will disclose how CAS tried to cover up the abuse. He will reveal documented evidence which support his claims that senior CAS workers, violated the law and violated their own complaints procedures as required under Ontario law. What is even worse was that when he went to police to report this, police refused to investigate the matter. This former crown ward believes that the police cannot be relied on to investigate CAS because the agencies work too closely together. This will be an interesting night with members of the public hearing chilling testimony by a former Crown Ward about cover up and inaction by CAS and police. The Archbishop Dorian A. Baxter, the National Chairman for Court Watch and the first person to successfully sue a children's aid agency will also address the audience.
Recent release of reasons for judgement by Madame Justice
Waldman Friday August 25, 2006 (Barrie, Ontario) Note: The Rally and barbecue in Barrie on the 25th was highly successful and well attended. Thanks to all those who attended and purchased Court Watch T shirts for the event. We will be conducting a number of activities in Barrie designed to educate the public about the family court system and about the children's aid societies in Ontario. In the afternoon we will be holding a barbecue for participants at the local beach. This will be a good opportunity for parents and children to meet other families affected by the courts and the CAS. If you would like to participate then send an Email to info@canadacourtwatch.com giving us your contact information. We need volunteers to hand out flyers and to help with other initiatives scheduled for that day. Information about overnight accommodation and car pooling will be provided to those who contact us. Those planning to attend who would like to order a Court Watch T shirt to wear on the day of the event just call us with your shirt size. Cost of T shirts will be about $15 to cover costs. A sample T shirt can be viewed [here] Monday August 28, 2006 7-10 pm (Summer) We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. After the meeting, we will also be taking private video statements from individuals wishing to give their experiences about dealing with the Justice system in Canada which will be included as part of a series of video documentaries about Canada's system of justice. Call ahead at (416) 410-4115 to confirm if you would like to give a video statement at the end of the meeting. Monday July 24, 2006 7-10 pm (Summer) We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. After the meeting, we will also be taking private video statements from individuals wishing to give their experiences about dealing with the Justice system in Canada which will be included as part of a series of video documentaries about Canada's system of justice. Call ahead at (416) 410-4115 to confirm if you would like to give a video statement at the end of the meeting. Sat. June 24, 2006 4 pm to ? pm (Spaghetti Dinner & Discussion) We will be holding a homemade spaghetti and meatball dinner at the home of a member in Oakville and will discuss issues of how we can better protect children who need protection yet at the same time, make CAS agencies more open and accountable to the public and to the families they serve. If you are interested in attending, then please respond by e mail to info@canadacourtwatch.com. $10 includes dinner and refreshments. Seating is limited. Money raised will be used to help promote Court Watch activities. Monday June 26, 2006 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. After the meeting, we will also be taking private video statements from individuals wishing to give their experiences about dealing with the Justice system in Canada which will be included as part of a documentary about Canada's system of justice. Call ahead at (416) 410-4115 to confirm if you would like to give a video statement at the end of the meeting. Monday May 29, 2006 7-10 pm Topic: Making your child's lawyer accountable (and other lawyers too) with discussion about the recent attack against Court Watch by Toronto family law lawyer, Nicole Tellier Because of the previous long holiday weekend the meeting originally scheduled for May 22, 2006, has been changed to May 29, 2006 (Monday night). Court Watch receives a number of complaints from parents and children about lawyers who are supposed to be representing children. The most common complaint we get is that the lawyers do not report the truth to the courts and that they have deliberately manipulated information for the benefit of one of the parties. We will discuss what you can do to make your child's lawyer accountable and how to deal with the lawyer so that you will be able to gather the right evidence which will be able to allow you to file a complaint to the law society and to launch a lawsuit against the lawyer and the government agency that the lawyer works for. Many of these children's lawyers do things which can get them into a lot of trouble if you are knowledgeable on how to catch them and to make them accountable. We will also be discussing a letter from Toronto family law lawyer which was sent to the Crown Attorney's Office in the Barrie, Ontario court in which false allegations were made by Ms. Tellier against Court Watch. We will review Ms. Tellier's letter to the Crown and discuss the circumstances surrounding how Ms. Tellier was using the letter in what Court Watch believes was an attempt to subvert the administration of Justice. We will also provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. After the meeting, we will also be taking private video statements from individuals wishing to give their experiences with dealing with lawyer or about the Justice system in Canada which will be included as part of a documentary about Canada's system of justice. Call ahead at (416) 410-4115 to confirm if you would like to give a video statement at the meeting. Monday May 15, 2006 7-10 pm - help clinic Some of our more experienced members will offer help to those needing advice about their own court matters. This meeting will be held at the home of one of our members in the Halton area and requires registration beforehand for attendance. Persons in the region interesting in attending should e mail us at info@canadacourtwatch.com. Seating is limited. Attendance fee of $5 per person which includes food and refreshments. Those with experience and willing to share their knowledge with those who register are also welcomed to attend. Monday April 24, 2006 7-10 pm Topic: Preparing an effecting parenting plan and presenting it to the court or to a child protection agency We will be discussing how parents can submit an effective plan of care when dealing with the courts or children's aid agency. Sample plan of care proposals will be reviewed with participants. Saturday April 22, 2006 9-5 pm
Parental Alienation (PA) and
introduction to Hostile-Aggressive Parenting workshop to be held in
Toronto - Ramada Airport Hotel. Harvey C. Shapiro, a retired police investigator who is an expert in the field of child abuse, mind control, and false memory, will be coming from California to Toronto to present a one day interactive workshop on alienation, memory, suggestibility, and the general re-unification process of children affected by Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS). This workshop is of interest to parents whose children have been affected by PA and to legal and health care professionals who are involved with Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) as part of their work in the courts. The workshop will consist of a structured presentation in the morning, followed by an interactive discussion, and question answer period in the afternoon. The subject of Hostile-Aggressive Parenting (HAP) will also be discussed during the afternoon. Cost is $85 for the all day event. Seating is limited so interested persons are urged to register early. Link to event flyer For more information about the event check out: http://www.parental-alienation-awareness.com/ or contact the Toronto event organizer Sarvy Emo at sarvy@parental-alienation-awareness.com. A second workshop will be held in Miami, Florida on Sunday April 30, 2006. Monday March 27, 2006 7-10 pm Monthly meeting topic: Assessing a lawyer's bill when you have been overcharged We will be discussing the issue of how to have your lawyer's bill assessed and to have some of your monies refunded when you have been overcharged for legal services. We will also be talking about how to launch a lawsuit against your lawyer for failing to represent you properly in court. We will also provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. After the meeting, we will also be taking private video statements from individuals wishing to give their experiences about the Justice system in Canada which will be included as part of a documentary about Canada's system of justice. Call ahead at (416) 410-4115 to confirm if you would like to give a video statement. Monday February 27, 2006 7-10 pm We will be discussing how to make Judges accountable to the people of Canada. Input received from persons who attend this meeting will be incorporated into a paper to be submitted to the Prime Minister of Canada for consideration by Parliament. The people of Canada do have the solutions for this problems with the judiciary. In reality, the people of Canada only want out judges to be fair and to deliver true Justice, something which most Canadians know is lacking in Canadian Courts. Come to our meeting and be a part of the solution. We will also provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. After the meeting, we will also be taking private video statements from individuals wishing to give their experiences about the Justice system in Canada which will be included as part of a documentary about Canada's system of justice. Call ahead at (416) 410-4115 to confirm if you would like to give a video statement. Monday February 13, 2006 Special meeting: We will be viewing and discussing an actual police interview tape of a young adult who made allegations to a major police force in Ontario that she recalled being touched on her private areas while having her diapers changed when she was only three years of age. The young lady was prompted by others to make these allegations against the child's father almost 17 years after the touching allegedly occurred. This interview resulted in the arrest of an the girl's father with the father being put through months of legal hell. Ultimately, the father was found not guilty. Attendees will be discussing police interview techniques which resulted in charges. We will also discuss whether criminal charges were warranted based on the videotaped interview of this girl considering the fact that the mother of the child has a history of making false allegations against the father in the past. Those attending will be expected to fill out a questionnaire in regards to the police interview tape. Recommendations, based on input from members of the public, will be forwarded to the police force who conducted this review. If you are interested in being a part of this public discussion and policy group meeting please e mail us at info@canadacourtwatch.com. There is limited seating available for pre-registered persons only. Monday January 23, 2006 7-10 pm Election night in Canada We will discuss the election and how it will impact on the issues affecting children and families in the court system. Television monitors are located in our meeting room to keep us up to date as election results begin to come in. Monday November 28, 2005 7-10 pm How to deal effectively with the Children's Lawyer's Office and ensure accountability We will be discussing how people can more effectively deal with Ontario's Office of the Children's Lawyer so that they can better protect themselves and their children from bias and misrepresentation. Workers with the Children's Lawyer's Office can be made accountable for their actions if you know how to properly deal with them and collect the proper evidence when they are not doing their jobs in an accountable manner. We will be discussing a number of issues, such as as covertly recording workers, building a paper trail, tape recording in court, launching of a lawsuit against the Children's Lawyer's Office , how children can launch a lawsuit against their Children's Lawyer even years after the fact, etc. We will also provide time to answer people's questions about about their general court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday November 14, 2005 7-11 pm Surviving the Horrors of Canada's family court system group workshop (one full day). Cost $200 including course materials. Advanced registration required. For information brochure on the workshop <click here>. Individual one-on-one workshops can be arranged for those unable to attend on this date or for those wishing to obtain more intensive assistance by sending a request to info@canadacourtwatch.com Monday October 24, 2005 7-10 pm "Effectively dealing with Children's Aid agencies" We will be discussing how people can more effectively deal with Children's Aid agencies so that they can better protect themselves and their children. Workers can be made accountable for their actions. We will be discussing a number of issues, such as as covertly recording workers, building a paper trail, making lawyers accountable, tape recording in court, how to make workers accountable, launching of a lawsuit against CAS worker or agency, how children can launch a lawsuit against a CAS worker or agency even years after being in care, etc. We will also provide time to answer people's questions about about their general court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday Sept 26, 2005 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday August 22, 2005 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Monday June 27, 2005 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Other topics to be discussed: Canadian Tire donating money to the
Children's Aid Society Monday May 25, 2005 7-10 pm Due to conflict with the May 24 long weekend, this meeting has been cancelled. Monday April 25, 2005 7-10 pm We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. If you are interested in receiving training to attend courts as a Court Watch Reporter, please attend our meeting for further information on our next training session. Monday March 14, 2005 7-10 pm Court Watch Training Are you interested in becoming a court watch reporter or observer and to help the community make the system accountable to the public? Learn how you can become an trained Court Watch reporter. Do work as a volunteer or sometimes get paid to attend court. Evening training session for those who are interested will be held in Burlington, Ontario. Cost $25.00 Send your request and contact information to info@canadacourtwatch.com Monday February 28, 2005 7:00-10 pm General Support We will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. If you are interested in receiving training to attend courts as a Court Watch Reporter, please attend our meeting for further information on our next training session. Wednesday Feb 16, 2005 Queen's Park Rally for the Reform of the Child and Family Services Act A citizen's rally is being conducted by the Ontario group "Advisory Committee for Child and Youth Services" which is a recently formed coalition of parent groups from Ontario. This rally will take place between 12:30 pm. A press conference will be held between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. A tour of Queen's Park will follow from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. All citizens of Ontario with concerns about CAS agencies in Ontario should attend and meet up with other concerned parents. Click here for press release (word format) Monday January 24, 2005 General Support get your questions answered about your personal court matter. Recording your court hearing We will be discussing the issue of electronically recording your own court hearing. Many people in Ontario do not realize it, but they have the right under the Law to take their own tape recorder into court and to record the proceedings. Personal recording devices can be very effective in reducing the false allegations made in court and significantly increasing the level of accountability in the court. A detailed document explaining all aspects of this issue, including legal arguments and the filing of complaints against judges and lawyers will be reviewed and discussed at our meeting. Children's letter of systemic abuse by the Canadian Family Court System We will be discussing an ongoing case involving children who have reported being abused by the family court system. We have a copy of a letter sent by the children to review. It is clear that the children are not being listened to by the family court system. January 2005 - Parent workshop on CAS We will be hosting a support meeting for parents having difficulty with Children's Aid agencies and who want to learn how to defend themselves and their children from unwarranted and sometimes unlawful intrusion into the lives of children and parents. We will discuss legal aspects of dealing with a child protection file, how to direct your lawyer, your rights, your child's rights and discuss how lawsuits can be launched personally against social workers and CAS workers who step outside their bounds or who act maliciously against a parent or child. This meeting will be held at the home of one our members. This Cost will be about $10 and will include refreshments. Because we deal with personal questions attendance will be limited to a maximum of 8 people who currently are involved with a children's aid agency. If you are interesting in attending this personal support and information meeting please send us an e mail at info@canadacourtwatch.com Monday December 13, 2004 - 7:00 pm The Family Justice Review Committee will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. As the year 2004 is winding down, we will be discussing initiatives for 2005. If you are interested in receiving training to attend courts as a Court Watch Reporter, please attend our meeting for further information. A training course will be held early in 2005. Monday November 22, 2004 - 7:00 pm The Family Justice Review Committee will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Come down and meet others who have information to share and who also want to effect changes to our system of justice. In addition to the regular information and support provided we will be discussing the specific items below Item #1 Citizens have advised us that the Bank of Nova Scotia has been involved in donating significant amounts of money towards violence against women programs. The Bank of Nova Scotia has previously announced a gift of $1.5 million, payable over five years directed to activities of the Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children. The Professorship is one of four components to be supported by this generous gift. The other three include: $75,000 to the Scotiabank Student Research Internship in Studies in Violence Against Women and Children $75,000 to the Scotiabank Scholarships for Studies in Violence Against Women and Children (to be approved by SCAPA, including detailed terms of scholarships) - two scholarships of $3,250 to be awarded annually for 10 years. $350,000 to the Scotiabank Community Research Fund for Studies in Violence Against Women and Children. This fund will be expended over 10 years to support the research activities of the Centre for Violence Against Women and ChildrenWhat is also concerning is that Melanie Randall who is involved with the Bank on this issue has continued her work with the National Judicial Institute, developing a national educational program designed to enhance judicial skills in relation to cases involving domestic violence. This project also involves contributing to the program’s Canadian bench book, a text and online resource that will be available to judges to provide information relating to legal responses to domestic violence and the challenges and complexities this issue raises. This raised the issue of whether judges are getting special training on violence against women's issues while being kept uninformed about violence against children, elders and men. This special training could be contributing to judicial bias in the family court.
It was noted that no money will be allotted by the Bank to violence against elders, children or men. We will discuss this funding initiative by the Band of Nova Scotia and in light of the violence against children, men and elders discuss whether this sort of initiative which is directed at only one sector of society by the Bank is in the best interest of the citizens of Canada. Item #2 We will discuss the issue of a father that was arrested about 6 weeks ago while at his home, based on claims by his ex-wife that she had seen him driving down the same street as her in Toronto. This father now has the disclosure from the Crown Attorney and Toronto Police. We will review the evidence upon which this father was charged, arrested, stripped searched and as a result lost his job. Did the Police arrest this father without sufficient evidence? If citizens feel that the Police and the Crown Attorney have used excessive measures to wrongfully incarcerate this father, we will write a letter to the Crown and the Toronto Police indicating our concerns as citizens to the handling of this matter by authorities. Monday October 25, 2004 - 7:00 pm The Family Justice Review Committee will be holding a general support and information meeting. We will provide a block of time to answer people's questions about about their court related matters and the justice system in general. Come down and meet others who have information to share and who also want to effect changes to our system of justice. In addition to the regular information and support provided we will be discussing the specific items below Item #1 -Threatening and assault of a parent by court security staff We will be discussing the issue of a parent who has reported being illegally harassed and threatened by court security officers at the Ontario Court of Justice on University Ave in Toronto. The parent has reported that when he went to get information from his own court file, that the clerk was ordered by security officers to take back his number for waiting in line and then physically pushed from the public court desk and pushed him into the elevators. The parent was only wanting to get copies of documents from his own court file at a public counter which he has the right to do Based on this information, this parent had his rights violated and was technically assaulted by security staff who wanted to keep this man from obtaining public services at the court. The parent said the security officers told him that he was trespassing and if he did not leave, he would be taken into custody and and arrested. The parent involved in this incident will be present at the meeting to provide his story and to answer questions from the public. The Family Justice Review Committee has received similar written complaints of harassment by security officers at this same courthouse. Item #2 - Inappropriate letter from lawyer to mediator Another item of discussion will be a copy of a letter addressed from a Toronto area lawfirm to a reputable and very well known Toronto family mediator. This letter was forwarded to the Justice Review Committee for public review and comment. The parent who submitted the letter claims that the lawyer's letter to the mediator contains statements intended to taint the mediator's perception and to make one of the parents look uncooperative. The lawyer who wrote this letter claims to be a non-adversarial "collaborative" family law lawyer. We will discuss this letter with the public audience and will ask for those in attendance to cast their vote as to whether they agree or not agree with the parent as to whether this lawyer's letter was inappropriate and prejudicial to one of the parents. Is this correspondence appropriate for a lawyer who claims to be a "collaborative" lawyer? In response to the public's input at the meeting, the Family Justice Review Committee will send out letter to the lawyer's law firm indicating the findings of the public in this matter and provide the lawyer an opportunity to respond. Members of the public will be asked to cast a vote whether to place this lawfirm on our "do not recommend" list of lawyers and lawfirms in the region. Item #3 - Arrest of a father by Police for being on same street as his ex-wife Another item to be discussed will be the recent arrest and strip search of a father by the police, just because his former wife alleged that she saw him drive down the same street as her. There was no restraining Order in effect. We will discuss the obligations of the Crown Attorney and the police under law and discuss whether the actions of the police and the Crown were in accordance to the fundamental principles of Justice. Is this man a victim of malicious prosecution by police and the Crown. Note: A copy of the Ontario Crown Attorney Policy and Procedure manual which is rarely seen by the public will be at the meeting for members of the public to review and discuss. Depending on input from the public audience, the Family Justice Review Committee will send a letter to the police, the Attorney General of Ontario and the Crown informing them of the findings of the community meeting. Item #4 - Harassment of parents by Children's Aid agencies. We have had a number of parents, especially single mothers who have come to us for help in dealing with harassment by children's aid agencies. We will discuss what can be done and look into the possibility of providing a special workshop to teach those parents dealing with child protection agencies how to fight back. At a future meeting, we will be providing a viewing of the video "Best Practices for the conduct of a Child Protection file" which was presented to lawyers at Osgood Hall earlier this year. This video produced by the Law Society should help some parents to better understand their rights, their children's rights and the legal process that should be followed when a children's aid agency becomes involved with a family. Come down and be a part of the community's own justice review process. Your attendance will help change the system. Monday September 27, 2004 - 7:00 pm Public self help legal clinic The Family Justice Review Committee is holding a question and answer session with a panel of paralegals who are experienced in family, civil and criminal court matters. Come on down, meet others who have been adversely affected by the Justice system and get your questions answered. The meeting was a great success. Many thanks to the group from Brantford, Ontario who attended in regards to issues involving the Children's Aid Society in that region. Monday August 23, 2004 - 7:00 pm General meeting Tonight, the Family Justice Review Committee will have a question and answer session and have a general discussion about what individuals and organizations can do as their part to change the system. All members of the public are welcome. Monday June 21, 2004 - 7:00 pm What can we do to affect change in the system Tonight, the Family Justice Review Committee will be hosting a general discussion about what individuals and organizations can do as their part to change the system. All members of the public are welcome. Wednesday May 26, 2004 - 7:00 pm Custody and Access Assessments - Guest Speaker Gary Direnfeld The Family Justice Review Committee is planning to have a public information meeting on the topic of custody and access assessments featuring guest speaker Gary Direnfeld. Come down and find all about custody and access assessments. This presentation will address what makes for a good assessment and how to respond if you believe the assessment received was flawed. Included will be issues regarding the choice of assessor, costs, timeframes and procedures. This presentation is appropriate for any parent involved in contested custody and access disputes and family-law lawyers. Time will be provided for questions and answers. All members of the public are welcome.
Meeting Location: 5500 North Service Rd., Burlington, Ontario (for map click here). Meeting is held on main floor of building in the conference room. Date & Time: Wednesday May 26, 2004 - 7:00 pm
Monday April 19, 2004 General information and support meeting General meeting Info: Details of this meeting to be posted when available. Location: 5500 North Service Rd., Burlington, Ontario (for map click here). Meeting is held on main floor of building in the conference room. Date & Time: Monday April 19, 2004 - 7:00 pm A $3 donation at the door would be greatly appreciated to help us with our work in the community, however, no one in need of assistance will be turned away from our support meetings because of their personal economic circumstances. Wednesday March 24, 2004 General information and support meeting The Family Justice Review Committee is planning to hold a family law information clinic. One lawyer and one paralegal who deal in family law and criminal law proceedings will answer questions from the audience relating to family law / domestic violence and Children's Aid matters. Bring your questions and concerns to our meeting for some free advice and discussion. All members of the public are welcome. Location: 5500 North Service Rd., Burlington, Ontario (for map click here). Meeting is held on main floor of building in the conference room. Date & Time: Wednesday March 24, 2004 - 7:00 pm Note: A $3 donation at the door would be greatly appreciated to help us with our work in the community, however, no one in need of assistance will be turned away from our support meetings because of their personal economic circumstances. A sign language interpreter is available for those who may be hearing impaired who to attend the meeting. Those requesting this service must call in advance for this service. Monday February 23, 2004 In follow-up to the many inquiries from the standing room only crowd at our January 12, 2004 meeting in Burlington, Ontario, the Family Justice Review Committee plans to hold a general information and support meeting for members of the public to discuss their issues of injustice and to discuss with other concerned citizens how the community can forge ahead to effectively deal with these issues of injustice in the community. If your family has experienced problems relating to the involvement of the family courts, lawyers, the police, the Office of the Children's Lawyer, the family responsibility Office (FRO) or the Children's Aid Society then you will want to come to this meeting and meet with others in the community who share your concerns. As part of our research work to gather information and to document the problems with the justice system, we will be distributing questionnaires about the Justice system which will help the Justice Review Committee clearly identify the kinds of injustice that Canadians face and to help pinpoint the cause of these injustices. Location: 5500 North Service Rd., Burlington, Ontario (for map click here) Meeting is held on main floor of building in conference room. Date & Time: Monday February 23, 2004 - 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm (doors open at 6:45 pm) Monday, January 12, 2004, at 7:00 pm, Burlington, Ontario The Family Justice Review Committee will present an information session relating to family law of interest to members of the general public entitled "How to mount a persuasive custody case in family court" Come down and meet other families from the Greater Toronto/Hamilton region who are concerned about family law in Canada. Guest Speaker: Gene Colman, Family Law Lawyer Download PDF flyer for Event Click here See complete details. Click here Follow-up: This event was a resounding success. The meeting hall was filled to capacity with standing room only. In the event planning stages Discussion panel: Should judges be elected or appointed? A public debate. Many members of the public and the media are becoming alarmed over what some say is ever-increasing judicial activism. Many claim that the judges are now making the law in Canada and that there is no accountability to the people of Canada and that elected judges are the answer to this problem. Others claim that elected judges will only introduce other problems similar to those in the United States. Are there solutions to these problem? To elect or to appoint, that is the question. We will be hosting a public discussion regarding the pros and cons of elected v. appointed judges A panel of speakers with opposing positions will be available to discuss this issue. Members of the public are urged to come out and to express their views on this subject and to share your experience with the justice system and whether you feel that elected judges are the answer, or to continue with the status quo. Domestic Violence Courts and the violation of rights and freedoms in Canada Toronto Criminal Lawyer, Walter Fox, is scheduled to give a presentation on domestic violence and how repressive and draconian laws have subverted the Administration of Justice in Canada.. Details of this meeting will be posted in the near future.
Our family's experience with a women's shelter and Children's Aid A husband and wife who claim to have been unjustly persecuted by the actions of one women's shelter and their local children's aid society will discuss their family's experience with these government-funded agencies. People in the community can hear first hand from some of those who have actually experienced these organizations first hand and what they have to say about what these government funded agencies are doing to promote the break-up of families and to persecute children and families in the community. This should be a real eye-opener for some parents in the community and a good topic for discussion.
A drawing by a young boy showing his anger at the women’s shelter where he was forced to stay at against his wishes after being taken from a good home and loving father and then abused again by his mother and shelter staff while he was forced to stay at the shelter The Rev. Dorian A. Baxter's 10 year battle to make the Durham Children's Aid Society Accountable for its crimes. The National Chairman of NAPPA, The Archbishop Dorian A Baxter, will tell his story of injustice and how he came about to form NAPPA and the Canada Court Watch Organization. Dorian was once referred to in newspapers throughout the world as the "David" who slew "Golliath" in his 10 year battle to fight the child welfare protection agency that had maliciously taken his children based on false allegations of his wife and to correct the injustices perpetrated against his children by the Durham Children's Aid Society and one social worker in particular, a Marion Van den Boomen. Come to our meeting and hear about one of the most widely publicised court battles against a child welfare protection agency in Canadian History!
Dates and Times of the above events to be posted when details have been confirmed
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