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By David Lepofsky Opinion Mon., April 29, 2019 When it comes to ensuring accessibility for 5 million Canadians with disabilities, Canada lags far behind the U.S., which passed the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act 29 years ago. Canadians with disabilities still face far too many barriers in air travel, cable TV services, and when dealing with the federal government. For example, as a blind traveller, I’ve faced these barriers. I dread returning to Canadian airspace. It’s great that the Trudeau government promised in the last election to enact a national accessibility law. However Bill C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act that the House of Commons passed last fall, is much weaker than what we people with disabilities need. The bill is strong on good intentions, but weak on implementation. We’re calling on the Senate to strengthen it. The bill is called “An Act to ensure a barrier-free Canada” for people with disabilities. Yet, it … [Read more...] about Liberals failing to strengthen disability laws as promised
Law
Law enforcement has failed to curb horrific bike-accident toll
The blame is often placed on weak rule of law along with even weaker enforcement of that law. Instead of relying on these ineffectual remedies, why not turn to an undoubted strong point of Thai society – its hierarchical system. Thai hierarchy produces a visible ranking of seniority through certain obvious markers. Seniority in students, for example, is marked by the uniforms they wear from kindergarten level up to university. Given the number of universities spread across the country, why not use the “social side effects” of university student seniority to set an example of compulsory helmet use for all children, down to kindergarten toddlers (or at least their carers)? Thai society is rapidly ageing and cannot afford the rising number of road casualties it is suffering every year. Through such “noblesse oblige”, our cream of the educational crop could expand their aura as role models by always wearing helmets on bikes. Last year … [Read more...] about Law enforcement has failed to curb horrific bike-accident toll
Spectre of extradition law spreads as Hong Kong bookseller flees to Taiwan
TAIPEI: A Hong Kong bookseller who was detained by China is seeking refuge in Taiwan, saying his home city will no longer be safe when new laws are enacted allowing extradition to China, which could drive even more emigrations from the financial hub.Lam Wing-kee, 63, worked at a bookshop owned by a publishing company that printed books critical of China's leaders and their private lives. He found himself at the centre of a political storm in 2015 when he and five other Hong Kong booksellers were detained by Chinese agents.After being held in China, he was allowed to return to Hong Kong on bail for a brief visit, but stayed and lived there as a fugitive protected by Hong Kong's lack of an extradition law. Last week he left for Taiwan."There's a 99 per cent chance that they would catch me and send me back to China. They (Chinese authorities) have already explicitly said that I'm a fugitive," he told Reuters in a basement bookshop in Taipei.His decision to flee comes three months before … [Read more...] about Spectre of extradition law spreads as Hong Kong bookseller flees to Taiwan
Hong Kong defends extradition law after largest protest in years
HONG KONG (BLOOMBERG) - Hong Kong's government said it would press ahead with legislation to end a ban on extraditions to mainland China, despite opponents staging one of the largest mass protests since the 2014 Occupy movement. The government said in a statement late on Sunday (April 28) that the Bill was necessary "to plug the loopholes" in laws governing the transfer of criminal suspects between the former British colony and other jurisdictions. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam is seeking to pass the legislation, which would allow for one-off deals with places including mainland China, Macau and Taiwan, before the current legislative session ends in July. "The government understands that there are different views in the community on the proposed legislative amendments," the government said. "The government hopes that the Bills Committee can start its work as soon as possible, during which we will continue to explain the legislative proposals in detail to the Legislative Council … [Read more...] about Hong Kong defends extradition law after largest protest in years
No laws broken yet on Brexit, but impasse may require another vote
The law concerning the UK leaving the EU is governed by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, under its provisions the date of Britain’s exit from the EU has been extended. Leaving the EU is a matter of great legal complexity, especially concerning the Irish border. There are various legal and political agreements which maintain an open border and there is no desire in Northern Ireland for a situation which could lead to a return to the tensions of the past. A solution to the impasse may well be a People’s Vote where the implications of leaving the EU are clearly spelled out. Ian Martin … [Read more...] about No laws broken yet on Brexit, but impasse may require another vote