The truckers roll into town rudderless

 As the nation’s capital, the city of Ottawa and its citizens are accustomed to their share of protests. As the seat of our federal government, stakeholders are continuously in town to address and bring publicity to their causes. So much so, that local residents are almost indifferent. Not that they

The Public Square with The Hon. Sergio Marchi

 The Hon. Sergio Marchi’s column, ‘The Public Square’, looks at current affairs and political issues impacting the capital and our country. Click on the photo or the headline below to the individual articles. We hope you enjoy them, and we welcome your comments along the way.  Volodymyr Zelenskyy: A master class

The federal cabinet gets a good shake

 Finally, after an unusually long wait, on Tuesday, white smoke emerged from the Parliamentary ‘Sistine chapel’. Behold, we have a new cabinet! Before evaluating the starting line-up, a few thoughts about the cabinet-making process. First, it’s a lonely and difficult task. The PM can consult far and wide about whom

Federally, what’s in store for Ottawa?

 Photo of Yasir Naqvi via @YasirNaqviCDN  Following the federal election, the Liberals still rule Ottawa. Only one, lonely Tory MP survived. So, what’s in store for Ottawa? I put this question to the new Liberal kid on the block, Yasir Naqvi, who won his  first federal run in Ottawa Centre.

Getting back to governing

 This is Sergio Marchi’s first regular column under the banner, ‘The Public Square’, a bi-weekly look at current affairs and political issues impacting the capital and our country. We hope you enjoy it, and we welcome your comments along the way. On September 20th Canadians decided to essentially elect the same

Why haven’t the OPS constables who assaulted Roxanne Carr been charged?

 There are a lot of good police in this country. That is a fact. But there are also a lot of bad ones and the growing phenomena of the preponderance of police brutality and frankly, stupidity in Canada are reaching critical proportions. In Ontario, we have a weak kneed, wishy-washy

Naqvi Misleads Media

 Over the past two weeks, Ottawa Life has twice called for Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi to open up about his role and responsibility in the release of Constable Daniel Montison, who was acquitted without appearing before a judge for a bail hearing after he was charged with manslaughter in

The Justice For Abdirahman Coalition Demands Answers Following Preferential Treatment Of Officer Charged With Manslaughter

 In our continued efforts to share developments in the Abdirahman case, today Ottawa Life prints this press release the Justice or Abdirahman Coalition. (Ottawa ON – March 20, 2017) The Justice for Abdirhaman Coalition (Coalition) is demanding answers from the Attorney General of Ontario, Yasir Naqvi, following the preferential treatment of Constable Daniel

OPSB Chair Eli El-Chantiry Seeks “Correction” on Abdiraman Story – Ottawa Life Magazine Refuses

 The Chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board sent a formal request today to Ottawa Life Magazine Publisher and Managing Editor Dan Donovan and Carleton University Criminology Professor Darryl Davies seeking a correction a story yesterday related to the violent killing of Abdirahman Abdi by Constable Daniel Montsion:  Good afternoon

Criminology Expert Darryl Davies accuses Attorney General Yasir Naqvi of Corruption

 Carleton University Criminology Professor and Police procedural expert Darryl Davies has written a strongly worded letter to Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, accusing him and others responsible for enforcing Ontario's Laws of corruption. Davies's letter was copied to Ottawa Life Magazine and several other media outlets after CBC reported yesterday

How to Reign in the Excessive Costs of Policing

 Photo by Darryl T. Davies. While it’s a good thing that the major players involved in policing in this city have agreed to work out their internal problems there are important issues that need to be addressed.  First and foremost is the question of who exactly rules the police?  In

Ontario Offers Free Legal Advice for Survivors of Sexual Assault

 One in three women and one in six men experience some form of sexual assault in their lives. Knowing that this is a struggle many Canadians endure, the Ontario government has come up with a way to help survivors take their first steps forward in the aftermath of assault. Ontario

Ottawa Police Services Crisis: The Cart Pulling the Horse

 Ottawa Life Magazine has been writing about the problems with the Ottawa Police for the past five years. In 2011, we said that Councillor and Ottawa Police Services (OPS) Board Chair Eli El-Chantiry should resign over his all too cozy relationship with then Police Chief Vern White. El-Chantiry saw no