Gift to Pino
As things in our city continue to degenerate and our community becomes increasingly unsafe due to crime, Pino Demasi has fought through intense opposition to shed light on the nature and scope of the problem, as well as on the administration of justice behind the scenes in our courtrooms. The powers that be are not pleased.
We have seen the smear campaigns against us and his page. We have read the misinformation in the media attempting to discredit him and his news, as well as to slander those of us who follow his page. It didn’t work, and the number of “real concerned citizens” continues to rise. Now they have determined to use the court system as a weapon to silence him.
The current lawsuit against Pino is an attempt to suppress journalistic freedom by seeking to put restraints on the publicization of information pertaining to the lawyers of Atwood Labine, a large law firm which wields an enormous amount of influence in the city, practices encompassing everything from business, criminal, and family law, to real estate and coroner's inquests. The ban would also be extended to all their clients, thus covering a substantial portion of court matters which would be shielded from public scrutiny. Consequently, criminals seeking to avoid full disclosure of their crimes will find cover in this law firm.
This is a direct affront to our liberties, as explained as follows:
The “open court” principle is a fundamental constitutional right to “freedom of the press and other media of communication to publicize court proceedings established by the common law and guaranteed by section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms” (McConchie Law Corporation, 2019). This principle assumes that public confidence in the integrity of our justice system cannot exist if:
1. Administration of justice is not open and transparent;
2. We do not understand the administration of justice; and/or
3. We cannot hold to account those who are involved in the legal process through publicity and criticism.
If successful, the complainant, in this case, will set a dangerous precedent wherein the citizens of Thunder Bay and surrounding areas will be prevented from accessing the information they need to ensure our justice system remains accountable. Worse still, it will do so at a time when transparency and accountability are more critical than ever.
Undoubtedly, if we have any hope of curbing the growing crime rate in our city, we must demand transparency and not allow the court system to be weaponized and used to muzzle those who seek to inform the public. We cannot allow the common man to be targeted and bullied because it is assumed that he does not have the resources to defend himself.
For this reason, I am standing with Pino. If you believe as I do that these freedoms are important and must be protected—indeed, if you believe it is our right as citizens to stay informed—please consider coming alongside Pino with a financial donation to help him pay his legal fees. Every little bit helps.
This is an important fight that we can win together. Thank you for your support!
For clarification, legal aid is not available for people being sued.
Please refer to this CBC article for verification of the nature of the lawsuit: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5029648
McConchie Law Corporation, The “Open Court” Principle in Canada. https://www.libelandprivacy.com/resources/the-open-court-principle-in-canada/
