The heart of the SNC-Lavalin controversy

The SNC-Lavalin controversy will be hanging over the Trudeau government again this week as it attempts to change the channel by bringing in the budget. It’s more likely, however, the scandal will be around until this fall’s election. One of the most misunderstood parts of the political storm is the legal mechanism at the heart of the issue: deferred prosecution agreements. Today in The Conversation Canada, Sukanya Pillay of the University of Windsor offers an excellent explainer on DPAs – how they work, why Canada brought them in and why the decision to prosecute (or not) is providing fodder for both sides of the debate.

It’s one of several great reads we have to start your week.

  • It’s tax season, and part of the stress that comes with filing your personal income tax is deciding whether it’s best to do it yourself or to hire a specialist. Francois Brouard of Carleton University offers advice on which way you should go: DIY or hire a pro?
  • Two environmental experts, Mark Winfield and Deborah Curran, have combined with legal expert Martin Olszynskiwe to help us wade through the “post-truth politics” about Bill C-69, the government’s latest attempt to restore some credibility to Canada’s environmental assessment process.
  • Is it possible that a young boy’s behaviour can be predicative of his financial success later in life? Francis Vergunst of the Université de Montréal writes about a newly published study that attempts to answer that question by following kindergarten boys over 30 years. Are you still buying your pot from the black market?
  • Michael Armstrong from Brock University provides some interesting insights on the legal and illegal marijuana markets five months after legalization.

And finally…we’ve added a special section to our newsletter to highlight the work of our colleagues at The Conversation Australia, who have provided several insightful articles on the mosque attack in New Zealand by a white supremacy terrorist.

Regards

Scott White

Editor

Today's Featured Articles
Former SNC-Lavalin CEO Pierre Duhaime leaves a courtroom in Montreal in February 2019. Duhaime pleaded guilty in a bribe scandal around the construction of a $1.3-billion Montreal hospital. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

SNC-Lavalin: Deferred prosecution deals aren’t get-out-of-jail free cards

Sukanya Pillay, University of Windsor

The SNC-Lavalin controversy has resulted in some misunderstandings and misinterpretations of the legal mechanism at its heart: Deferred prosecution agreements.
Ah, yes. Once again, it’s tax season. If you decide to outsource filling out your returns to someone else, be sure to ask the right questions to get the best service. Shutterstock

Dread doing your taxes? Some tips on hiring someone to take over

Francois Brouard, Carleton University

You need to be confident and establish a firm, trusting relationship before entrusting someone to do your taxes. Start as soon as possible. Don't wait for the April 30 tax deadline.
The United We Roll convoy of semi-trucks travels the highway near Red Deer, Alta., in February 2019 en route to Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Cooling the rhetoric on Canada’s environmental assessment efforts

Mark Winfield, York University, Canada; Deborah Curran, University of Victoria; Martin Olszynski

Canadians would be better served by a calmer and better-informed debate over the specifics of Bill C-69 than what we have been seeing over the past few weeks.
Behaviours identified as early as kindergarten are clues about larger contexts that have lifelong consequences for individuals and society. (Shutterstock)

Boys’ attention and prosocial behaviour linked to earnings 30 years later

Francis Vergunst, Université de Montréal

Inattention is one of the most important early behavioural risk factors for a range of adverse life outcomes, including lower earnings.
Governments worry that medical cannabis tax exemptions could tempt recreational users. Some might seek prescriptions to save money. Eliminating taxes on medical purchases of only cannabis oil could work as a compromise. (Shutterstock)

Scarce retail weed shops means most Canadians still use blackmarket pot

Michael J. Armstrong, Brock University

With cannabis, governments must balance taxing legal sales versus competing with illegal ones.

Terrorism in New Zealand