First Nations Leaders and City of Thunder Bay Sign Agreement to Address Systemic Racism
On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (“NAN”) Grand Chief, Alvin Fiddler, along with the Fort William First Nation Chief, Peter Collins, and Thunder Bay Councillors, Joe Virdiramo and Iain Angus, signed a Statement of Commitment to...
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Investigations Abound in Dafonte Miller Case
On July 27-28, 2017, two separate investigations were launched concerning the Dafonte Miller case. Firstly, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, ordered an independent review of police handling of the investigation be referred to the Waterloo Regional Poli...
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Dafonte Miller Case: ‘Troubling Aspects and Unanswered Questions’ Proclaims Mayor of Toronto, Tory
On July 25, 2017, the Toronto Star reported on the internal document prepared by the Toronto Police in respect of the Dafonte Miller assault. Mayor, John Tory stated, “I am concerned at some of what I’ve read, there are a number of unanswered question...
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Thread Tying the City of Thunder Bay’s Troubles
Amid probes into police racism, the Ontario Provincial Police have charged Thunder Bay Mayor, Keith Hobbs, with obstruction of justice and breach of trust. Julian Falconer, who represents the First Nations complainants behind the systemic racism investiga...
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Senator Sinclair to Head Investigation into Thunder Bay Police Services Board
July 24, 2017: The Ontario Civilian Police Commission (“OCPC”) announced that it has appointed retired judge and current Senator, the Honourable Murray Sinclair, to lead an investigation into the Thunder Bay Police Services Board (“TBPSB...
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Urban Alliance Intervenes on Behalf of Family Participation in Inquests
Urban Alliance on Race Relations President Nigel Barriffe says he finds it “shocking and very upsetting” that Ontario would appeal a Superior Court decision that allows families of a deceased person who participate in a coroner’s inquest...
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Falconers LLP represents NAPS at Cat Lake Inquest
The Inquest into the Death of Romeo Wesley concluded on July 20, 2017 as the jury issued its verdict and recommendations. The jury concluded that the means of death was accidental and provided 53 recommendations to prevent similar deaths from recurring ...
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Questions Mount on Scale of Police Cover Up
Update: July 21, 2017, SIU lays charge against co-attacking brother Christian Theriault in assault on Black teen, Dafonte Miller. Update: July 19, 2017, it was revealed, for the first time, that the father of charged Toronto Police Constable, Michael The...
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SIU Lays Criminal Charges Against TPS Officer Who Beat Black Youth
On July 18, 2017, following a full investigation, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Mr. Anthony Loparco, laid criminal charges of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and public mischief against Constable, Michael Theriault of 42 Divi...
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Pending Aboriginal Policing Legislation Topic of Presentation at National Policing Conference
July 13, 2017: Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (“NAPS”) Chair, Mike Metatawabin, and Chief of Police, Terry Armstrong, were joined on a panel by Julian Falconer, who acts as legal counsel for Nishanwbe Aski Nation (“NAN”) and NAPS in...
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Disproportionate Marijuana Arrests of Black and Indigenous People Must Stop
As part of a two-part series published last week, The Toronto Star obtained Toronto Police data, which breaks down arrests by neighbourhood and shows disproportionate numbers for Black people when it comes to pot possession charges. Falconers LLP lawyer, ...
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Review Panel Appointed to Examine how Law Society Addresses Indigenous Issues
June 28, 2017: Today, Bencher Julian Falconer, along with Bencher colleague Diane Corbiere, will be Co-Chairing the newly appointed review panel. The panel will examine the way in which the Law Society and its Tribunal address regulatory matters involving...
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