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Marches were held in several Canadian cities on the weekend to protest the controversial verdict that came down late Friday in which Gerald Stanley, a white farmer from Saskatchewan, was acquitted in the killing of Colten Boushie. Today in The Conversation Canada, we have a thought-provoking piece by David MacDonald of the University of Guelph on the Boushie verdict. Prof. MacDonald writes that the decision by an all-white jury, following a trial presided over by a white judge, to acquit the killer of the young Indigenous man is a severe test of the “settler-based” Canadian legal system. He suggests it’s time to examine how juries are selected, how Indigenous victims are treated and to challenge
embedded racism within police forces and courts.
South Africa is currently experiencing the worst-ever Listeria outbreak in human history, but did you know that the danger could lurk in your refrigerator? Jeffrey Farber, also of the University of Guelph, explains how Canadian researchers are isolating bacteria from the microbiome of exotic foods to try to develop strategies to combat Listeria outbreaks.
The notwithstanding clause in Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms has seldom been used. But it’s not totally gathering dust, according to Ken Norman of the University of Saskatchewan. Prof. Norman provides the Canadian history enthusiasts among us with a fascinating look back at the controversial way the clause was conceived in the early 1980s as Canada repatriated its Constitution – and points out that Quebec is hinting it might wield it soon to defend its niqab law.
In honour of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, John Bergeron of McGill University takes a look at some of the Canadian women who were “pioneers in providing a foundation of knowledge through the sheer force of their world-class talent.”
And just in time for Valentine’s Day, we have an interesting piece on sexual preferences. Gonzalo R. Quintana Zunino of Concordia University tell us that according to initial studies with lab rats, his research suggests that your first sexual partner may have something to tell you about your choice of spouse or current lover.
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Colten Boushie’s uncle, Alvin Baptiste, and his brother Jace Boushie address demonstrators gathered outside of the courthouse in North Battleford, Sask.,on Feb.10, 2018.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Matt Smith
David MacDonald, University of Guelph
It's time for an overhaul of the justice system in Canada: How juries are selected, how Indigenous victims are treated and to challenge embedded racism within police forces and courts.
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Smoked and other deli meats are common sources of the Listeria bacterium. In 2008, contaminated deli meat caused 57 cases of Listeriosis and led to the deaths of 24 people in Canada.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
Dr. Jeffrey M. Farber, University of Guelph
As the death count in South Africa’s listeriosis outbreak rises, Canadian researchers are isolating bacteria from the microbiome of exotic foods to try to develop a solution.
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Jean Chretien, then Canada’s attorney general, signs the proclamation repatriating Canada’s constitution while Queen Elizabeth II watches in Ottawa in April 1982. The Constitution includes Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the notwithstanding clause that allows provinces to opt out of adhering to the Charter.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Poling
Ken Norman, University of Saskatchewan
The notwithstanding clause in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms has seldom been used. But it's not totally gathering dust, and Quebec is hinting it might use it to defend its niqab law.
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Former governor general David Johnston invests Toronto scientist Janet Rossant as a Companion of the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa in 2016.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
John Bergeron, McGill University
Canada's female scientists are superstars in their fields yet most Canadians have never heard of them. On International Day for Women in Science, it's time to give them the recognition they deserve.
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Matheus Ferrero/Unsplash
Gonzalo R. Quintana Zunino, Concordia University
According to initial studies with lab rats, research suggests that your first sexual partner may have something to tell you about your choice of spouse or current lover.
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Health + Medicine
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Kenneth Carter, Emory University
When faced with chaos or danger, most people retreat. Not so for those who possess a certain personality trait.
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Arts
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Ron Levi, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Louise Bethlehem
Hugh Masekela's itinerary-in-exile was loud and clear in his songs.
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Environment + Energy
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Arturo Massol-Deyá, University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez
Many Puerto Ricans are happy to see their broke power utility sold off to whoever can get the lights turned back on. But privatizing the island's energy grid may bring more problems than relief.
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