@susantoth
Scuba diver, snowboarder & proud Latine 🇨🇱 WOC. Law partner @ Spero Law, practicing employment, defamation, & human rights. Promotor of harm reduction, intersectional feminism, social justice, & science. Currently in #ldnont
The City of Niagara Falls does not get to pick & choose how fundamental freedoms are exercised. They cannot misuse the Trespass to Property Act to silence & muzzle individuals. I hope they reconsider. And I hope many people show up at the next city council meeting on July 8th to demand better! -end-
This should be national news, because while we watch in horror at what is happening south of the border, the incursion of our civil liberties is happening right here, right now, under our noses. Mission creep. The right to peacefully protest is a fundamental part of our democracy. 9/n
What is the City so afraid of? Why are they so intent on muzzling and silencing these women? They now face at least two law suits, that tax payers will fund, to fight, rather than simply admit they made a mistake. 8/n
In other words, the City of Niagara Falls has done all of this simply to stop this group from speaking to City Council about the issue of modernizing legislation on an issue that impacts workplace safety and public trust. 7/n
In response, the City of Niagara Falls has doubled down. They have engaged in DARVO - attempting to vilify these women, and paint them as the problem under the guise of "decorum". They have gone so far as to threaten one of the women with a complaint to the integrity commissioner. 6/n
These letters warned the City that what they were doing was a violation of the Charter, a misuse of legislation (including the Trespass to Property Act), and a concerning politicization of police. 5/n thepointer.com/article/2025...
Shockingly, this breach of constitutional rights has not made national news (yet). Since June 18th, the City of Niagara Falls has received TWO letters outlining the concerns with their actions. One from the venerable Canadian Constitution Foundation, and the other from me. 4/n
On June 18th, members & supporters of WOSN decided to quietly demonstrate by sitting in the public gallery of city hall holding small signs that said "Women of Ontario Say No". The Mayor refused to start the meeting. The City called police & 3 women were arrested. 3/n thepointer.com/article/2025...
They reached out to Niagara Falls to speak to city council. They were denied delegation. Why? Because Councilor Mike Strange was recently charged with assaulting a women. The City appears to have decided the delegation was "related to a legal proceeding". 2/n www.thoroldtoday.ca/local-news/a...
Women of Ontario Say No is a non-partisan group that advocates for modernizing legislation to ensure better accountability of municipal councillors if charged or convicted of a violent crime. They have been visiting different municipalities to seek support. 🧵 www.thewomenofontariosayno.com
Today is Red Dress Day. A day to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two spirited people. What is happening is a direct result of colonialism and its structures. Today, I reflect, learn and listen. More info here: amnesty.ca/red-dress-day/
Spoiler alert: she just won in court.
More First Nations chiefs reminding Dingbat Smith & the Bloc Rednecois that Alberta sits on treaty land & cannot be separated from Canada:
Canada, we’re with you!
TRUMPISM IS REPUDIATED IN AUSTRALIA!
#auspol
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association on Doug Ford’s attack on Judges today:
#cdnpoli #onpoli #lawtwitter
I'm not sure if its ignorance about civics or a blatantly Trumpian attempt to undermine the democratic system of checks and balances and erode judicial independence to consolidate power - but Ford's comments about judges is horrifying. If you aren't scared: you aren't paying attention.
Ontario chief justice, superior court chief justice and court of justice chief justice issued a joint statement on judicial independence and constitutional democracy in wake of premier Ford's comments on judges. #onlaw #onpoli www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/files/Tr...
According to CTV, here are the councillors who who supported ceasing the operation of the Watson Street Park Service Depot.
Hadleigh McAlister
Corrine Rahman
Jerry Pribil
Peter Cuddy
Paul Van Meerbergen
Steve Hillier
Steve Lehman
Susan Stevenson
Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis
This decision is a shockingly inhumane one. I am ashamed of this City. To the few councillors who voted against: thank you for standing up for the dignity and rights of all people.
So, in response to an act of gender based violence, they City decided to reduce services to the residents of the encampment.
Do you think this will solve the issue? Do you think this is somehow going to end homelessness? Do you think this will this make things safer for women?
The apparent excuse for this was a fire that had occurred at this site.
The fire was the result of a domestic violence situation, NOT as a result of any of the people living at the encampment.
Last week, the City of London voted to remove a stationary service depot that provided basic needs (food, water, and two portable toilets) to an encampment in London. www.ctvnews.ca/london/artic...
It’s probably the best location I’ve been too! Usually we are in a church community room. This was a treat!
Picture of a golden doodle dog posing in front of an Elections Canada Vote sign in front of Museum London.
Advanced polls are open! And couldn’t ask for a nicer location than Museum
London’s gorgeous atrium. Come to vote, stay for the view! Voting is an incredible privilege and right. Don’t take it for granted.
Protesters in St. Thomas, Ontario demand Conservative candidate Andrew Lawton be dropped
vm.tiktok.com/ZMBqD4yCV/
I definitely don't recall "supporting legislation which criminalizes poverty and addiction and violates the Charter" in his campaign platform. ☹️
Ironically, criminalizing poverty will actually be far more expensive than providing supportive housing. Making this new legislation (supported by so many mayors) incredibly fiscally irresponsible, on top of it being regressive and ridiculous.
I know. Why do you think that is? Ignorance? Catering to a populist vote (that seems to despise those who are unhoused or dealing with addictions?) Laziness? Compassion fatigue? A desire to punish those who are poor? or...?
"We agree with the premier that enough is enough: It’s time to end unsheltered homelessness in Ontario. But, let’s not waste more money shuffling people experiencing homelessness around the institutional circuit" of shelter, hospital and jail.
If Ontario & its mayors, incl #ldnont Mayor Josh Morgan, truly wanted to solve this crisis, there are communities doing it right. Advocate for this evidence based & dignity based approach. Listen to the experts and evidence, not ignorance and the anti-poverty populist trend.
