CTA 151 Legal Writing: Analysis of Current Canadian Legal Issues

This report analyzes several recent Canadian news articles covering a range of legal and governmental issues. The articles discussed include the legalization of marijuana and Brian Mulroney's changing stance on the issue, the problem of racism in prenatal healthcare for Indigenous women, irregular border crossings and immigration, Toronto's mayoral race and Jennifer Keesmaat's political approach, and the impact of meat consumption on climate change. Each article is summarized, highlighting the key issues and arguments presented within the Canadian context. This assignment is available on Desklib, a platform that provides students with access to a variety of study tools and resources, including past papers and solved assignments.

Running Head: LEGAL WRITING
Legal Writing & Research Communications Law
Name
Affiliation
Instructor
Date

2
Legal Writing
Contents
5 Legal or governmental issues addressed in Canadian Articles...............................................3
Introduction...............................................................................................................................3
Name of Article: Brian Mulroney explains his about-face on cannabis”..................................3
Name of Article: “Racism a barrier to prenatal health care, midwives say”.............................4
Name of Article: Amanda Connolly, ‘More irregular border-crossers have arrived so far.......5
Name of Article: Chris Selley “Chris Selley: Jennifer Keesmaat says she's not a politician, ....6
Name of Article: Deena Shanker, “Want a radical plan to slow climate change? Eat less
meat”..........................................................................................................................................7

3
Legal Writing
5 Legal or governmental issues addressed in Canadian Articles
Introduction
The Canadian government has been faced by different issues that have continuously
affected the government and its citizens. On the other hand, there are various issues that
are mainly addressed by Canadian newspapers and online publication which help in
highlighting them. In this analysis, the most recent articles to be discussed range from the
recent legalisation of marijuana, racism during prenatal care of indigenous women,
immigration, climate change and politics in Toronto.
Name of Article: '” (It's) the way to go': Brian Mulroney explains his about-face on cannabis”
Date it was published: October 18 2018
The Source: CBC news- https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mulroney-pot-marijuana-
investment-1.4868995
Issues in the article
The discussion about legalisation of Marijuana has been contested against for several years.
However political aspirations by individuals such as the Former Prime minister Brian
Mulroney have pushed for the legalisation of Marijuana. Previously, he advocated for
Cannabis to be treated in a similar way with heroin. After the passing of this legislation, he is

4
Legal Writing
seen to be at the most advantageous point if benefiting from its recreational use. He also
states that the position taken by the government is the right way. In an area where there
are social advances, it is essential to keep up the pace and play accordingly. As such, this
move is seen as a precedent which may be followed by other nations across the world.
An announcement was also made concerning Mulroney joining the Acrage Holdings Board.
This is a marijuana company based in New York. Its directors include William Weld the
former governor of Massachusetts and John Boehner- a former House Speaker in America. It
is also evident that Mulroney is taking advantage of this so that he can capitalise on its
commercial opportunities that come with the Legalisation of the drug. It is also worth
noting that Mulroney’s sentiments and stands are termed as ‘hypocricy’ by Nathaniel
Erskine- Smith. Smith states that once politicians are out of office, they will participate in the
promotion of cannabis. On the other hand, Mulroney is of the view that recreational use of
the drug has been allowed because attitudes towards use of drugs have changed over time.
It now remains for other nations such as the United States to make a stand whether they
will follow suit or not.
Name of Article: “Racism a barrier to prenatal health care, midwives say”
Date it was published: October 18 2018
The Source: CBC News- Sandra Abma. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/midwife-
racism-prenatal-health-care-conference-1.4867236
Issues in the article
Ellian Allon in this article states that indigenous women in Canada face a lot of
discrimination based on race. They also have a problem of distance and insufficient funds

5
Legal Writing
especially when they are seeking prenatal and postnatal care. The existence of systematic
racism thus puts their lives and those of the unborn at risk. This also applies to foreigners in
the country and those with colour, as well as mistrust. The Canadian Association of
Midwives thus provides a platform where expecting mothers will receive equitable care
without any form of discrimination. To prove this, the association has planned for a
convention which will be held this week in Gatineau. According to Karkine Wilson a director
from Ryseon University, equity when it comes to health is still a major problem and this
comes as a result of unequal means to access healthcare, issues of racism and structural
discrimination. Due to the problem of unequal access to resources and Medicare, [pregnant
women undergo isolation and stress. This makes them face a lot of challenges especially
when they have to deliver far away from their homes, and away from their family members
and loved ones. Due to this, there are high rates of infant mortality amongst the indigenous
communities. As Nathalie Pambrum concludes, solutions should come from the community
with midwives being at the forefront in providing the so much needed service to indigenous
and marginalised communities.
Name of Article: Amanda Connolly, ‘More irregular border-crossers have arrived so far this
year than by this time last year’
Date it was published: October 18, 2018
The Source: Global News https://globalnews.ca/news/4568328/canada-irregular-border-
crossings-2018/
Issues in the article
Immigration is a worldwide phenomenon and also a legal issue. However, there are many
irregular and illegal border crossings every year. Border patrols have led to the arrest of
1,601 individuals in September this year alone. In 2017, those arrested within the same

6
Legal Writing
period were 1,881. By the month of September too, the total number of illegal crossovers
was 15,102 as reported by the RCMP patrols. According to the Public Safety Minister, this is
a challenge but not enough to be termed as a crisis.
Name of Article: Chris Selley “Chris Selley: Jennifer Keesmaat says she's not a politician, but
Toronto mayoral race has turned her into one”
Date it was published: 18 October 2018
The Source: National Post, https://nationalpost.com/opinion/chris-selley-jennifer-
keesmaat-says-shes-not-a-politician-but-toronto-mayoral-race-has-turned-her-into-one
Issues in the article
A mayoral election was scheduled for October 22 and it is most probably that Jennifer
Keesmaat may not win. Having been in the limelight for a shorter time, it makes it hard for
her to even win the elections. It is her attempt to create better housing in Canada and this
has been her main agenda set out during her campaigns. Her replies to the media have been
based on the fact that she is an entrepreneur and not the usual bureaucrat. It is evident that
she does not want to play politics, but to only develop the city so that it becomes habitable
to everyone.

7
Legal Writing
Name of Article: Deena Shanker, “Want a radical plan to slow climate change? Eat less
meat”
Date it was published: October 16 2018
The Source: Nation Post, https://nationalpost.com/news/world/want-a-radical-plan-to-
slow-climate-change-eat-less-meat
Issues in the article
Climate change is one of the most common problems faced in Canada and the wold at large.
According to Deena, one way of combating climate change is by avoiding the consumption
of meat. The main agenda behind this is the desire to fight biodiversity losses, stop
violations towards rights that are indigenous in nature and also boost food security. Saving
more on meet manages to reduce the negative impacts of climate change because the
ecosystems will be renewed by fresh growth of pastures and forests which will enable the
environment to regenerate.

8
Legal Writing