Uncommons with Nate Erskine-Smith

While we've recognized the criminal law's failure in our approach to assisted dying and cannabis, we continue to undermine the human rights of sex workers and people who use drugs.Seven years ago in Bedford, the Supreme Court struck down criminal laws against prostitution because they prevented sex workers from taking measures to increase their safety. Our current laws don't fare much better, and decriminalization is a logical next step.In another area of consensual crime, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has now joined public health experts across our country to call for the decriminalization of the possession of all drugs for personal use. The status quo, in their words, "has proven to be ineffective."On this episode, Nate is joined by Richard Elliott, the executive director of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, to discuss sex, drugs, and evidence-based policy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Jenica Atwin is the MP for Fredericton and the first Green MP in New Brunswick. In this episode, Nate is joined by Jenica to talk about life as a first-time MP in these difficult times. They discuss making mental health a priority, the importance of measuring well-being, why she's definitely not running for leader, independence in the House, and the challenges of raising a young family while serving in parliament.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Despite public statements in support of a strong minimum wage, CEOs of our national grocers communicated directly with each other about the prospect of ending pandemic pay for essential workers. On this episode, Nate is joined by Unifor president Jerry Dias to discuss the Industry committee hearings, the growth of precarious work in our country, the NAFTA re-negotiation, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

The Prime Minister kneeled at an anti-racism protest, and then declared in the House of Commons that "we will do everything we can to eradicate" racism. The Parliamentary Black Caucus has published a roadmap to that goal, signed by 160 parliamentarians, including many cabinet ministers. Nate speaks about the letter and its calls to action with Greg Fergus, Liberal MP and Chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus.Read the full statement here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

In the face of opposition from legal scholars, animal rights advocates, and associations of journalists, Ontario has now passed unconstitutional ag-gag laws, an attempt to silence whistleblowers who expose animal cruelty. Nate speaks with Animal Justice lawyer Camille Labchuk and University of Alberta law professor Peter Sankoff about efforts in Ontario and across our country to hide animal cruelty on farms. Check out Camille and Peter's own podcast Paw and Order and donate to the efforts of Animal Justice to strike down these unconstitutional laws at animaljustice.caThis episode is dedicated to Regan Russell, a kind and passionate animal rights advocate who was fatally hit by a pig transport truck while protesting the new ag-gag laws outside of a slaughterhouse. We need more people like Regan in the world, those who dedicate so much of their lives to the pursuit of justice for others. She put herself in harm's way to help animals in distress, and it is hard to accept that she lost her life bearing witness to animal cruelty mere days after Ontario's legislature moved to make her activism criminal. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

The pandemic and economic fall-out have taken a toll on our society in a number of different ways, including a serious impact on our mental health. Before his appointment, Senator Stan Kutcher was an expert in the area, having served as the department head of psychiatry at Dalhousie University and as the director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health. Nate and Senator Kutcher discuss the impact of the crisis, how mental health supports can be improved, and the importance of evidence over ideology in politics, with reference to psychedelics.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has provided critical income support to millions of Canadians, but it's set to expire for many at the end of June. Should we extend the CERB? Improve it? Expand it? Nate is joined by Jennifer Robson, Carleton Professor and expert in social policy, to discuss the future of CERB.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Justice David Stratas sits on the Federal Court of Appeal, he's been prolific in writing judgments, and he's been vocal about the role judges should play. He was also a mentor to Nate and as a professor at Queen's University he taught Nate constitutional law. In this episode, the two have a conversation about the separation of powers: the role of courts versus the role of the legislature. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Cities are in dire financial straits and need federal support. Nate is joined by Toronto Mayor John Tory to discuss the city's financial needs in this crisis, how Toronto can better address racism in the wake of the tragic death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, as well as important issues of affordable housing and public health.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca

Protests against police violence and discrimination have taken place across the US and in Canada, and we need to do more to recognize and address racism. Nate speaks with Professor Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, a criminologist at U of T, Director of Research at Cannabis Amnesty, and expert in race, crime, and criminal justice. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.uncommons.ca