Local
Effective Oct. 15, OC Transpo will be re-adjusting routes that were cut short in expectation of the arrival of LRT. The routes will be subjected to changes in order to “improve connectivity and reduce walking distances.” The adjustments are small as OC Transpo says that they require a lead time of 4-6 months in order to make significant bus route changes. The service will continue to consult with the city and the public about other possible changes.
National
In a 7-2 vote against the Mikisew Cree First Nation of Alberta, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that lawmakers do not have to consult the Indigenous people before drafting legislation that may affect constitutionally protected Indigenous and treaty rights. The First Nation argued that the two budget bills introduced by the former Conservative government in 2012 affected its constitutionally protected treaty rights. The bills amended regulatory protections for waterways and the environment, which reduced the government’s oversight of lands and waters and thus threatened the First Nation’s right to hunt, trap and fish in their territory. The majority of the court decided that there is no binding constitutional duty to consult before passing a law.
International
Malaysia’s government announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to abolish the death penalty for crimes and also halt pending executions. More than 1,200 people are on death row for crimes including murder, drug trafficking, treason, kidnapping and acts of terror. This was part of the election pledge made by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s alliance, who won the election on May 9. The Malaysian human rights groups Lawyers for Liberty hailed the government’s decision and Amnesty International encouraged the government to abolish the death penalty for all crimes. Many Asian countries such as China, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam still enforce capital punishment.