Compassionate Justice
ESG United Church hosts a free speaker series called Compassionate Justice several times each year. After a hiatus during COVID restrictions, the series returns for its 11th year from October 2022 – February 2023.
The principal focus of the series over the years has been all aspects of our criminal justice system and selected other topics such as the Truth and Reconciliation experience. Join us for another season of unique public speaking events with renowned and inspiring speakers.
All events in the series are offered free of charge. However, you may wish to support this work through at donation on our Canada Helps page here.
Visit our previous speakers archive to view video and audio of past presentations.
Our Speakers 2022-23
October 23, 2022 – Innocence Unplugged
Bill Trudell was a founding member and is now the current Chair of the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers. He is also a frequent lecturer and media commentator on Criminal Justice issues in Canada. “Much of the public misunderstands the Criminal Justice System yet it is a cornerstone of our democracy and the presumption of innocence is the essential mortar that supports it.” Read more
November 20, 2022 – Darkness on the Edge of Town
Doug Saunders is the international-affairs columnist for the Globe and Mail. He served as the paper’s London-based European bureau chief for a decade. Until recently, the world’s social problems and inequities were most visible in inner cities. But the last few years have seen a dramatic shift, with the suburbanization of poverty and immigration settlement shifting the most vulnerable communities to the outskirts. Read more
January 22, 2023 – What Judges Don’t Decide at Sentencing
Lisa Kerr is a law professor who teaches criminal law, sentencing and prison law. She serves as the Director of the Criminal Law Group at Queen’s Law and works with the Queen’s Prison Law Clinic on strategic litigation. Sentencing judges decide only the length of a prison sentence, which means that the experience and severity of punishment is beyond the control of criminal law. Read more
CANCELLED – February 19, 2023 – A Blunt Instrument: Long Term Detention of Individuals found Not Criminally Responsible
Erin Dann is unable to present as planned on February 19th. We look forward to welcoming her next year.