The Whiff is again privileged to hear from the eminent criminal lawyer, James Lockyer. He first spoke to us in April 2010 about “Wrongful Convictions in Canada“ and updated us again at the February 2022 Whiff@Home meeting on “Miscarriages of Justice in Canada“. As our April speaker, he will help us understand the current failings of the Canadian Bail Process, what has been done to try to fix it and discuss what he believes is necessary to protect the innocent and maintain the public’s confidence in the administration of justice.
James Lockyer C.M. is a partner in the Toronto office of Lockyer Zaduk Zeeh. Mr. Lockyer obtained his LLB at the University of Nottingham in 1971 and 1974 and was called to the Bar in England as a barrister. From 1972-1973, he was an Assistant Professor of Law at McGill University; from 1974-1977, he was an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Windsor. In 1977, he was called to the Ontario Bar and began to practice criminal law. He has been a criminal lawyer for 45 years doing trial defence and appeal work. Since 1992, much of his practice has involved unravelling wrongful convictions. For over 40 years, he has given numerous special lectures, talks and speeches on criminal justice issues. Most recently, in 2021, he gave the annual Sopinka Lecture.
Continue reading James Lockyer C.M., “Is Canada’s Bail System Broken?” April 30, 2024
Category Archives: Coming Events
June Bash, Monday, June 3, 2024 ** Save the Date!! **
Your Junta is pleased to announce that the 2024 June Bash will be returning to the RCYC on the Island on Monday, June 3rd. We are hoping for as lovely an early summer evening as we enjoyed at the very successful 2023 June Bash.
Once final planning details are in place,
a communiqué will be sent out to all members.
John Tory, Broadcaster, Businessman, Politician, September 24, 2024
John Howard Tory OOnt KC (born May 28, 1954) is a Canadian broadcaster, businessman, and former politician who served as the 65th mayor of Toronto from 2014 to 2023. He served as leader of the Official Opposition in Ontario from 2005 to 2007 while he was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario from 2004 to 2009.
After a career as a lawyer, political strategist and businessman, Tory ran as a mayoral candidate in the 2003 Toronto municipal election and lost to David Miller. Tory was subsequently elected as Ontario PC leader from 2004 to 2009, and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario representing Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey and serving as the leader of the Opposition in Ontario from 2005 to 2007. After his resignation as PC leader in 2009, Tory became a radio talk show host on CFRB. Despite widespread speculation, Tory did not run for mayor again in 2010. He was also the volunteer chair of the non-profit group CivicAction from 2010 to 2014.
On October 27, 2014, Tory was elected mayor of Toronto, defeating incumbent mayor Rob Ford’s brother, councillor Doug Ford and former councillor and member of Parliament (MP) Olivia Chow. On October 22, 2018, he was re-elected mayor of Toronto in the 2018 mayoral election, defeating former chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat. He was elected to a third term as mayor on October 24, 2022, after defeating urbanist Gil Penalosa.
Marie Henein, Partner, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, October 29, 2024
Marie Henein has been a respected criminal defence lawyer for years, but she became a household name while defending former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi during his sexual assault trial – a case that she won. In the aftermath of that victory, Henein was called a traitor to her gender. The backlash also launched a discussion, especially in legal circles, about whether the public understands the role of the justice system and, in particular, criminal defence lawyers.
Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank, November 26, 2024
Neil Hetherington joined Daily Bread Food Bank as CEO in January 2018. Neil began his career in project management at Tridel Construction, Canada’s largest condominium developer. In September 2000, he made a career change by joining Habitat for Humanity Toronto, at the time as the youngest CEO of a Habitat affiliate in the world.
Continue reading Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank, November 26, 2024