Canadian Lawyer

"I would say at the top of my list with a huge degree of urgency is somehow being a key contributor to resetting the First Nations-Canada relationship on a justice-based footing." has to do with what the NDP has been able to accomplish despite losing an amazing leader. ily reviewing legislation being put forward by the Conservatives including the omnibus crime bill. "We need to tie the implemen- tation of C-10 into an education and messaging strategy across the country so people don't forget," he says. As deputy justice critic, Scott serves on the justice and human Scott has been kept busy since arriving in Ottawa, primar- " rights committee. He admits he "half expected it to be inordi- nately slow moving, tee in the House of Commons. "I thought once C-10 had gone through surely they would have run out of steam. I've spoken to or analyzed, either in the House or in committee or within cau- cus, something like eight bills and that' " but has found it to be the busiest commit- he says. Part of the reason for his particular focus, he says, is the s all within seven weeks," extensive use of private members' bills. According to Scott, many he has reviewed were PMBs sponsored by individual members of the Conservative party with "completely murky background in terms of how much they are de facto govern- ment bills." "There are deep problems with this because there is a require- ment that the Department of Justice produce a Charter analysis of every government bill but there is nothing about private members' bills," he says. "Bills that arrive without the government being the sponsor can be a mess both normatively in terms of how they interact with human rights norms, and sometimes in terms of their formulation. We've been consistently protesting this method of private members' bills as veiled government bills." According to Scott, this includes the "concealment of identity Kovit "Aeh" Ratchadasri, for six years. Scott says he "was person- ally extraordinarily depressed" by some of the testimony he read on Ontario' fundamentalist religious orientation from many camps including Catholic spokespeople that I think has frankly no place in public institutions. One only has to read those transcripts to be very wor- ried about the political pressures Catholic schools are under from fundamentalists elements." Politics aside, Scott is also a lover of the arts and wants to bring forward projects that will aid the arts community, includ- ing some initiatives to support live theatre. He previously owned the Craig Scott Gallery in Toronto, which now exists as a web site to showcase the work of artists who used to work with the gallery. But he' early June he and fellow Toronto-Danforth politicians MPP Peter Tabuns and city Coun. Paula Fletcher, supported the 14th annual Riverdale Art Walk, a self-guided exhibit of more than 125 artists on Queen Street East at Jimmie Simpson Park. "It' s found a way to support the arts as an MP, too. In people to get out in their community and see some really terrific artists." YOUR FINANCIAL OR PLANNED GIFT CAN CHANGE THE LIFE OF A CANADIAN WITH A DISABILITY. Special Skills Hearing Ear Canine Vision Seizure Response Autism Assistance act," bill C-309, as well as one to bring back the so-called anti- terrorism provisions sunset in 2006. Yet another bill adds a new offence to the Criminal Code for those seeking to leave the coun- try with the intent of participating in training or collaboration with a terror organization. "More or less it means police officers can grab people before they step on planes. The whole question is what kind of proof will be available?" he says. In addition to keeping an eagle eye on proposed legislation, I would say at the top of my list with a huge degree of urgency is somehow being a key contributor to resetting the First Nations- Canada relationship on a justice-based footing. s sustainable in terms of how much to bite off, but to work on the issue of Afghan detainees. "It's something I spent considerable time on as a professor," he says. "I feel we owe it to " He also wants Canadians and Afghans to know the full story. Accountability is AWOL on this file. It's also important to him to be known as an openly gay mem- ber of Parliament. Scott has been in a relationship with his partner " ntitled-2 1 s a great way for s anti-bullying Bill 13. "It was what I would call a Scott has identified specific projects he wants to champion in Ottawa. "I have a rather long list," he says. "I have to find my feet to know what' Helping Canadians with disabilities achieve greater mobility, safety and independence. Heelp elpiningpinng Caan dinaadia diaa i Leave a Legacy. Change a Life. For more information: call 1 (800) 768-3030 email info@dogguides.com visit www.dogguides.com www.CANADIAN Lawyermag.com A U GUST 2012 21 12-07-17 2:26 PM illiittiees a hieve ies acchieeve

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