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CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2010 This year I am pleased to report that CJRB made its presence known on a number of fronts. Executive director William Nichol provided testimony and a submission concerning the effect of, and possible improvements to, Bill C-52 (white collar crime) to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights at its November 25th sitting. Constitutional expert, CJRB past chairman Robert Martin discussed how and why human rights laws and the commissions created to enforce them have evolved into instruments of oppression and offered suggestions on what can be done to reverse the trend, at the Free Speech and Liberty Symposium held December 7, 2009 in Ottawa. CJRB founding member Karen Selick was also a participant and addressed the current litigation scene on issues pertaining to freedom of speech and expression and discussed which opportunities there may be for using the courts to effectively defend and promote individual liberty in Canada. CTV's W-5 featured CJRB vice-chairman Wallace Craig. Retired judge Craig spoke about the lack of appropriate sentencing for a broad range of criminal behaviours. The May 6th CTV programme has been re-broadcast several times and is available as a link on the CJRB website as well. On December 7, 2009 I appeared before a December sitting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (by video link from Toronto) to make suggestions for improving Bill C-52 relating to "white collar crime". My special interest is the law (or lack thereof) that places savers or investors at considerable risk, because of increasing financial complexity and non-pursuit of securities crimes that have led to major escalations in securities thefts, including extensive pyramid and Ponzi frauds. In this regard Hazel Magnussen and I have discussed plans to hold a conference on white collar crime. Tentatively we are looking at an Ottawa location for an April or May 2011 one-day event, to encourage necessary major changes in corporate and securities law. In mid-October 2010 additional research and grounds for improving investor protection will be available in a book titled "Swindlers", written by my son and me. The book explains, using many Canadian examples, why all Canadians are suffering because white-collar crime is being permitted to rapidly escalate across the country. In 2011, various speakers and writers are expected to provide their research and experiences to show that Canada has become a non-prosecution territory for international fraudsters. Canada is de-regulating at a time when other countries are re-regulating after their recent deep failures. Sadly, given re-regulation elsewhere, Canada has become the favoured location for international white-collar criminals. Interesting research will be made available on the CJRB website. Previous chairmen have noted, and I reiterate that we, at the CJRB, have special insights into various other aspects of our justice system that are in urgent need of reform. During the past year, your Board has continued to bring these issues to the notice of members and the wider public through copying published reports, letters, articles and speeches on its website. I am pleased to report that in 2009-2010 the CJRB attracted more new associate member subscribers, and a record number of people visited and reviewed articles posted on the CJRB website. I look forward to the continuing support of the Executive Director, our Vice-chairman, Treasurer and other Board members as we go forward. Canadians have no choice but to pay attention to lobbying that is preventing improvements to our systems. Points of view other than those advocated by self-serving paid lobbyists must be presented. Yours truly, Al Rosen Chairman |