Part 2: Advocacy Actions Canadians Can Take in Response to MP Votes to Suspend Elections in Canada

 

Author: Tracey Young. (May 31, 2021). Part 2: Part 2: Advocacy Actions Canadians Can Take in Response to MP Votes to Suspend Elections in Canada. C4D Canadians 4 Democracy. Retrieved from: https://c4d-canadians4democracy.blogspot.com/2021/05/part-2-advocacy-actions-canadians-can.html.

Introduction

On May 25^th, 327 Members of Canada’s Parliament (MP’s) voted in support of a motion, ‘Elections During a Pandemic’ to cancel federal elections until the “pandemic is over.”

See ‘Part 1: Canadian Members of Parliament Vote to SuspendDemocracy and Elections in Canada’, for an overview and background to this situation.

Clearly, MP’s who don’t believe in, or vote to uphold parliamentary democracy and the rights of Canadians to participate in elections and chose their representatives are unable to continue in office, or, serve in public office ever again. This is a very basic thing.

Below I have outlined some concrete advocacy actions that Canadians can take to address the attacks the MP’s and political parties who voted in favour of suspending democratic elections have participated in. Canadians cannot allow these actions to occur without serious consequences for those MP’s who acted in this manner.

Actions In Response to MP’s Vote

Find the Contact Information for Your Members of Parliament (MP’s) here:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en

1. Send an email, letter, or call your Members of Parliament (MP’s) office to ask them about this motion and their vote for it. See template below for ideas of how to approach this.

2. Advise your MP that they have lost your vote due to their actions in supporting this motion. Politely thank them for their service, congratulate them on their retirement from politics and public life and wish them well in their transition back to private life.

3. Cancel all donations to political parties and MP's. Do not provide any further donations to any of the existing parties, or individual MP’s.

4. Cancel your membership in the political party. Tell them why you are cancelling your membership and that you want all of your personal information permanently removed from all of their lists because you will not support a party, or politician that does not believe in the democratic rights of voters to participate in elections.

5. Share Part 1 and Part 2 articles with your networks. Encourage them to also contact their MP’s and congratulate them on their retirement from politics as well.

Part 1: Canadian Members of Parliament Vote to Suspend Democracy and Elections in Canada Due to COVID-19. C4D Canadians 4 Democracy. (May 31, 2021). Link: https://c4d-canadians4democracy.blogspot.com/2021/05/part-1-canadian-members-of-parliament.html.

Part 2: Part 2: Advocacy Actions Canadians Can Take in Response to MP Votes to Suspend Elections in Canada. (May 31, 2021). C4D Canadians 4 Democracy. Link: https://c4d-canadians4democracy.blogspot.com/2021/05/part-2-advocacy-actions-canadians-can.html.

6. Ensure voters in your constituency riding become aware of the actions of your MP by writing letters to the editor, Op-eds, providing information in newsletters and any other ways people become informed about political matters in your area. 

7. Consider posting signs, stickers, and other materials to inform people in your riding that your MP has voted to suspend democracy and elections until the “pandemic is over”.

8. Approach local community leaders who have a proven track record of community service, ethical and inclusive leadership and success collaborating and working with others to improve your local community

9. Consider running as a Members of Parliament (MP) yourself if you believe you fit the description above. Begin political fundraising and campaigning NOW to create visibility in your riding to voters. Ensure voters know what the current MP has done in supporting to suspend democratic elections.

10. Begin to create new political networks and parties, and/or support parties you believe will behave with ethics and integrity, and offer real alternatives to the current political parties.

Template Email and Letter to Members of Parliament (MP’s)

Date

Name of Members of Parliament (MP’s), constituency

First off, I want to congratulate you on your May 25^th announcement of your retirement from politics and public life. Your service has been appreciated and I want to wish you the very best in your return to private life.

Elections During a Pandemic Vote

As you are aware, on May 25^th, 2021, 327 Members of the current Canadian Parliament (MP’s) voted to suspend elections “until the pandemic is over”. You are publicly identified as being one of those MP’s. Your vote can be seen here: 

Source: https://openparliament.ca/votes/43-2/118

Parliamentary vote: Go to 5 hr 30 minute in the video to see the final count of votes. 

Video: https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20210525/-1/35470

Video: Federal Budget 2021: What’s behind the government’s eye-popping deficit spending?

Global News. (April 19, 2021). Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VIbU2So-_k.

Statistics from the Canadian government for COVID-19

For well over a year now, the Canadian government has been providing statistics for COVID-19. You may not be aware of that, because, as a MP or you would never have voted in support of suspending elections in Canada, you are clearly not aware of how low the epidemiological prevalence rates for COVID-19 are in Canada. Here is an overview of the current COVID-19 statistics for Canada for May 30^th, 2021:

➡️.09% Active cases (35,935) of COVID-19 in the Canadian population

➡️96% Recovered

➡️3.5% of #Canadians have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in 1.5 years.

➡️5% hospitalization rate for all Canadians diagnosed with COVID-19

➡️.07% of the Canadian population have died; 96% of those individuals were over 60 years old and had pre-existing health conditions (co-morbidities) and/or were of advanced age

➡️ 3.9% positive rate for over 37+ million tests completed in Canada

Source: Government of Canada. (May 30, 2021). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Epidemiology update. Retrieved from: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epidemiological-summary-covid-19-cases.html.

Parliamentary Democracy: Citizens Require Representation in Parliament

As you are aware, parliamentary democracy is based upon Canadians electing representatives who will act in their best interests, and the nation as a whole.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has now created over $1 trillion in Canadian debt. It is now said that Canada is now generating $1.5 billion in debt every single day. This means that Canadian children who are not even born yet will inherit this debt. 

Clearly, Members of Parliament who do not believe that Canadians have a right to participate fully in democracy, including the most important ability to participate in elections and chose their representatives so that they have a voice in what happens in Canada have no place in the Canadian Parliament.

Action Requests For You as a MP

I am requesting the following from you in your current role as a MP:

1. You will send out an Information Update and notice via your social media accounts, post on your website, and send to your mailing lists to your constituents and others an update about the “Elections During a Pandemic” notifying constituents that elections will be suspended until the “pandemic is over.”

2. This update will contain how you voted on this motion, the scientific evidence you relied upon to inform your vote, and the reasons and rationale for why this was necessary.

3. You will provide assurances to constituents that mandatory COVID-19 vaccines will never happen in Canada, and that for your remaining time in office you will do whatever you can to oppose this on the public record.

4. You will also provide your constituents with an update that the Canadian Vaccine Injury Support program is not yet operational and provide constituents with information about how to seek financial support related to post-COVID-19 vaccine injuries, disabilities, and/or deaths (see the Canadian Adverse Health event statistical infographic presented).

5. Add any other action requests you might have for your MP. 

Thank you for your time of public service as a MP. I wish you the very best in your retirement from public office and your transition back into private life. 

Sincerely, 

Constituent name(s)

Constituent riding

Canadian COVID-19 Vaccine Statistics Update, May 31, 2021

▶️On Dec. 14, 2020 there were 460,743 COVID-19 cases in Canada & 13,251 deaths, the date on date COVID-19 vaccines started being administered in Canada

▶️On May 31st, 2021: 1,378,971 cases; 25,512 deaths

▶️There has been a 66% ⬆️ in COVID-19 cases (91,228 new) since vaccines started being administered in Canada

Source: Government of Canada. COVID-19 vaccine safety: Weekly report on side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Canada, up to May 21, 2021. https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/vaccine-safety/. 

References

Lorinc, J. (May 29, 2021). How much – exactly has the pandemic cost Canada? Star analysis finds toll is more than 1.5 billion a day. Toronto Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/05/29/how-much-exactly-has-the-pandemic-cost-canada-star-analysis-finds-toll-is-more-than-15-billion-a-day.html.

Rabson, M. (April 19, 2021). Canada’s debt set to cross $1 trillion mark as Liberals extend COVID-19 aid in budget. Canadian Press/Global News. Retrieved from: https://globalnews.ca/news/7768619/federal-budget-2021-liberals-covid/.

Copyright © 2021.Tracey Young/C4D Canadians 4 Democracy. All Rights Reserved.

_________________________________________________________________

#Canada #cdnpoli #democracy #cdnelections #Parliamentarydemocracy  #DutytoWarn #informedConsent #NurembergCode

Part 1: Canadian Members of Parliament Vote to Suspend Democracy and Elections in Canada Due to COVID-19

Author: Tracey Young. (May 31, 2021). Part 1: Canadian Members of Parliament Vote to Suspend Democracy and Elections in Canada Due to COVID-19. C4D Canadians 4 Democracy. Retrieved from: https://c4d-canadians4democracy.blogspot.com/2021/05/part-1-canadian-members-of-parliament.html.

Introduction

On May 25th, 2021 three hundred and seventy-four (327) out of 337 Members of Parliament (MP's) voted to suspend Parliamentary Democracy and elections "until the pandemic is over." The only 'No' vote was cast by MP Derek Sloan. Below I will provide the names of the nine MP's who did not participate in the vote. You may not have heard much about this as the media has not widely covered this information to update Canadians, and the world about the state of democracy in Canada.

At the bottom of this article I have provided the current statistics for COVID-19 in Canada. As of May 31st, 2021: 

➡️ .09% Active cases (35,935) of #COVID-19 in the Canadian population 

➡️ 96% having already recovered. 

➡️ COVID-19 mortality rate is ️.07% of the Canadian population have died. 96% were over 60 with pre-existing health conditions (co-morbidities), and/or were of advanced age. 

Parliamentary Democracy

A simple definition of parliamentary democracy is it is a system of government in which citizens elect representatives to a legislative parliament to make the necessary laws and decisions for the country. This parliament is supposed to represent Canadians via our MP's. 

Elections are the only way that Canadians have direct input into who are representatives in the Canadian Parliament will be. Through advocacy efforts in reaching out to our MP's, we can share our perspectives and attempt to have influence in the Canadian government's policies, laws, and directions. 

The ruling Liberal Party, the Conservatives, Green Party of Canada, NDP, and Bloc Quebec and the Independent MP all voted to suspend elections. While the federal Liberal Party continues to hold a slim minority government, with all other parties upholding this betrayal of democracy, as Canadians, we must acknowledge that all political parties in Canada are over. 

It will be impossible for ethical Canadians who care about our country and democracy to politically (or financially) support any current MP's who voted for this motion for holding democracy in such contempt. And, by extension -- Canadians rights to exercise their vote in choosing who serves us in our political ridings, and in Ottawa. 

Details

On May 25th, 2021, the Bloc Québécois Opposition party brought forward a motion, "Elections During a Pandemic." 

"The motion urged the government to “make every effort to ensure that voters are not called to the polls as long as this pandemic continues.” 

Parliamentary vote: Go to 5 hr 30 minute in the video to see the final count of votes. 

Video: https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20210525/-1/35470

Voting Record of MP's on Elections during Pandemic Motion (Vote #118)

Source: https://openparliament.ca/votes/43-2/118

Yes Votes: 327 MP's from the Bloc, the NDP, the Greens, and the Liberals 

No Vote: 1 (Derek Sloan, Independent)

Did not vote: Scott Aitchison (Con); Diane Finley (Con); David Yurdiga (Con);

Laurel Collins (NDP);

Mélanie Joly (Liberal); Paul Lefebvre (Liberal); Lloyd Longfield (Liberal); Anthony Rota (Liberal); Ruby Sahota (Liberal); Gagan Sikand (Liberal); 

"The motion was supported by 327 MPs from the Bloc, the NDP, the Greens, and the Liberals." 

In response to Elections Canada’s concerns about the safety of holding a vote during a pandemic, last December, the government introduced Bill C-19, an Act to Amend the Canada Elections Act. The bill passed second reading earlier this month, and was sent to the House of Commons’ standing committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC).

At a PROC meeting on Tuesday morning, Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull asked committee members to proceed with the bill’s study. 

“Canadians don’t want an election; all the opposition leaders have pledged not to call an election during the pandemic. There’s no reason for the PM to trigger an election this summer unless it is in his own interests." (NDP MP Daniel Blaikie). (Silver, 2021). 

"Ontario Independent MP Derek Sloan was the only one who voted against it.

The Liberals had attempted to amend the motion to say it is the responsibility of all parties to avoid a pandemic election, but the Bloc rejected that amendment.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party has been supporting the minority Liberal government on confidence votes, said earlier today that if the Liberals provoke an election, it would be because they want more power.

He said holding a federal election would come at the cost of Canadians…” (Canadian Press, 2021). 

"The Bloc Quebecois found support from parliamentarians across the aisle Tuesday for their motion to denounce a pandemic election and agree that the government has a responsibility to prevent it from happening.

All MPs who voted, with the exception of Independent MP Derek Sloan, agreed holding an election during the pandemic would be “irresponsible.”

"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reinforced that his focus remains centred on supporting Canadians through the pandemic and the government has no intention of triggering an election before it's over.

CTV News political commentator Scott Reid says he suspects the Liberals want to hold off on an election until the majority of Canadians have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“What will derail a 2021 election campaign is a horrible development with respect to COVID-19, if a new variant arises that proves itself [in]vulnerable to the vaccine, if we see the rate of cases rise rather than fall, those sorts of things will put politics on the backburner.”

Nevertheless, parties are preparing and getting their rosters assembled.

The Liberals have so far nominated 152 candidates, while the Conservatives have nominated 206, the NDP have nominated 75, and the Greens have nominated 18." (Turnbull, 2021). 

Canadian COVID-19 Statistics, May 30, 2021

➡️.09% Active cases (35,935) of COVID-19 in the Canadian population

➡️96% Recovered

➡️3.5% of #Canadians have been diagnosed w #CV19 in 1+ yr.

➡️5% hospitalization rate

➡️.07% of the Canadian population have died; 96% > 60 w pre-existing health conditions

➡️3.9% positive rate of 37+ million tests completely in Canada 

Source: Government of Canada. (May 30, 2021). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Epidemiology update. Retrieved from: https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epidemiological-summary-covid-19-cases.html.

References

Government of Canada. (May 25, 2021). Parliamentary motion vote count: Elections during a pandemic. (15 min; 30 seconds). Retrieved from: https://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20210525/-1/35470. 

Canadian Press. (2021). House of Commons adopts Bloc motion against holding COVID-19 pandemic election. Yahoo News. Retrieved from: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/house-commons-adopts-bloc-motion-204617893.html.

Silver, J. E. (May 25, 2021). All parties support motion against holding a pandemic election. Ipolitics. Retrieved from: https://ipolitics.ca/2021/05/25/all-parties-support-motion-against-holding-a-pandemic-election/.

Turnbull, S. (2021). MPs nearly unanimous in declaring a pandemic election 'irresponsible'. CTV News. Retrieved from: https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/mps-nearly-unanimous-in-declaring-a-pandemic-election-irresponsible-1.5442156.

Copyright © 2021.Tracey Young/C4D Canadians 4 Democracy. All Rights Reserved.

#Canada #cdnpoli #democracy #cdnelections #Parliamentarydemocracy  

Event 201: Coronavirus Pandemic Simulation Event - October 2019

 

           Event 201: Coronavirus Pandemic Simulation Event

Author: Tracey Young. (March 22, 2021). Event 201: Coronavirus Pandemic Simulation Event - October 2019. C4D Canadians 4 Democracy. Retrieved from: https://c4d-canadians4democracy.blogspot.com/2021/03/event-201-coronavirus-pandemic.html. 

Date held: October 18, 2019; 8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Location: The Pierre hotel, New York, NY

About

Event 201 was a 3.5-hour pandemic tabletop exercise that simulated a series of dramatic, scenario-based facilitated discussions, confronting difficult, true-to-life dilemmas associated with response to a hypothetical, but scientifically plausible, pandemic. 15 global business, government, and public health leaders were players in the simulation exercise that highlighted unresolved real-world policy and economic issues that could be solved with sufficient political will, financial investment, and attention now and in the future.

The exercise consisted of pre-recorded news broadcasts, live “staff” briefings, and moderated discussions on specific topics. These issues were carefully designed in a compelling narrative that educated the participants and the audience.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, World Economic Forum, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation jointly propose these recommendations.

Scenario: Details about the scenario are available here.

Funding: Event 201 was supported by funding from the Open Philanthropy Project.

Purpose

In recent years, the world has seen a growing number of epidemic events, amounting to approximately 200 events annually. These events are increasing, and they are disruptive to health, economies, and society. Managing these events already strains global capacity, even absent a pandemic threat. Experts agree that it is only a matter of time before one of these epidemics becomes global—a pandemic with potentially catastrophic consequences. A severe pandemic, which becomes “Event 201,” would require reliable cooperation among several industries, national governments, and key international institutions.

Recommendations

The next severe pandemic will not only cause great illness and loss of life but could also trigger major cascading economic and societal consequences that could contribute greatly to global impact and suffering. The Event 201 pandemic exercise, conducted on October 18, 2019, vividly demonstrated a number of these important gaps in pandemic preparedness as well as some of the elements of the solutions between the public and private sectors that will be needed to fill them. The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, World Economic Forum, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation jointly propose these recommendations.

Recommendations: https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/event201/recommendations.html

Videos from Event 201

All videos: https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/event201/videos.html

Details: These five segments include discussions among high-level leaders of global businesses, governments, policy and public health. (Length ~3 hours)

Select video segments:

Event 201 Pandemic Exercise: Highlights Reel

Center for Health Security. (Nov. 4, 2019). Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoLw-Q8X174.

 

Section 3 - Finance Discussion (Financial Resource Allocation Discussion)

Center for Health Security. (Nov. 4, 2019). Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWRmlumcN_s.

Segment 4 - Communications Discussion and Epilogue Video

Center for Health Security. (Nov. 4, 2019). Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBuP40H4Tko.

Segment 5 - Hotwash and Conclusion

Center for Health Security. (Nov. 4, 2019). Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-_FAjNSd58.

Copyright © 2020-2021.Tracey Young/C4D Canadians4Democracy.  All Rights Reserved.
__________________________________________________________

#Coronavirus #Infectiousdiseases #Pandemics #Event201 #BillGates #GatesFoundation #JohnsHopkins 

Pre-2019 Coronavirus Patents for COVID-19 Tests: 2015 and 2017

 

Author: Tracey Young. (March 4, 2021). Pre-2019 Coronavirus Patents for COVID-19 Tests: 2015 and 2017. C4D Canadians4Democracy. Retrieved from: https://c4d-canadians4democracy.blogspot.com/2021/02/pre-2019-coronavirus-patents-for-covid.html.

Credit for Patent Information: Costinescu, S. (Oct. 4, 2020). Atomic Bombshell Rothschilds Patented COVID-19 Biometric Tests in 2015. And 2017. Silview.Media. Retrieved from: https://silview.media/2020/10/04/atomic-bombshell-rothschilds-patented-covid-19-biometric-tests-in-2015-and-2017.

Patent Registration #1: System and Method for Testing for COVID-19, Netherlands 

Registered: Oct. 13, 2015                                        

Source: Dutch Government patent registry website

Link:https://nl.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?II=0&ND=3&adjacent=true&locale=nl_NL&FT=D&date=20200903&CC=US&NR=2020279585A1&KC=A1#

Information about patent:

A method is provided for acquiring and transmitting biometric data (e.g., vital signs) of a user, where the data is analyzed to determine whether the user is suffering from a viral infection, such as COVID-19. The method includes using a pulse oximeter to acquire at least pulse and blood oxygen saturation percentage, which is transmitted wirelessly to a smartphone. To ensure that the data is accurate, an accelerometer within the smartphone is used to measure movement of the smartphone and/or the user. Once accurate data is acquired, it is uploaded to the cloud (or host), where the data is used (alone or together with other vital signs) to determine whether the user is suffering from (or likely to suffer from) a viral infection, such as COVID-19. Depending on the specific requirements, the data, changes thereto, and/or the determination can be used to alert medical staff and take corresponding actions.

                    

Patent Registration #2: System and Method for Testing for COVID-19, United States

Filed: May 17 , 2020; Published: Sep. 3 , 2020.

Link: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/61/a3/0d/3d91325d909386/US20200279585A1.pdf.

Details: Related U.S. Application Data ( 63 ) Continuation - in - part of application No. 16 / 704,844 , filed on Dec. 5 , 2019 , which is a continuation of application No. 16 / 273,141 , filed on Feb. 11 , 2019 , now Pat . No. 10,522,188 , which is a continuation of application No. 15 / 495,485, filed on Apr. 24 , 2017, now Pat . No. 10,242,713, which is a continuation of application No. 15 / 293,211, filed on Oct. 13 , 2016, now abandoned.

ABSTRACT 

A method is provided for acquiring and transmitting bio metric data ( e.g. , vital signs ) of a user , where the data is analyzed to determine whether the user is suffering from a viral infection , such as COVID -19. The method includes using a pulse oximeter to acquire at least pulse and blood oxygen saturation percentage , which is transmitted wire lessly to a smartphone . To ensure that the data is accurate , an accelerometer within the smartphone is used to measure movement of the smartphone and / or the user . Once accurate data is acquired , it is uploaded to the cloud ( or host ) , where the data is used ( alone or together with other vital signs ) to determine whether the user is suffering from ( or likely to suffer from ) a viral infection , such as COVID - 19 . Depend ing on the specific requirements , the data , changes thereto , and / or the determination can be used to alert medical staff and take corresponding actions.

Patent Registration #3: System and Method for Using, Biometric, and Displaying Biometric Data, United States

Filed: April 24, 2017; Published: August 10, 2017.

Link: https://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2017/0229149.html

ABSTRACT 

A method is provided for processing and displaying biometric data of a user, either alone or together (in synchronization) with other data, such as video data of the user during a time that the biometric data was acquired. The method includes storing biometric data so that it is linked to an identifier and at least one time-stamp (e.g., a start time, a sample rate, etc.), and storing video data so that it is linked to the identifier and at least one time-stamp (e.g., a start time). By storing data in this fashion, biometric data can be displayed (either in real-time or delayed) in synchronization with video data, and biometric data can be searched to identify at least one biometric event. Video corresponding to the biometric event can then be displayed, either alone or together with at least one biometric of the user during the biometric event.

US Patent References:

20160035143	N/A	2016-02-04
20140316713	N/A	2014-10-23
20140214568	N/A	2014-07-31
20090051487	N/A	2009-02-26
20070189246	N/A	2007-08-16

Copyright © 2021.Tracey Young/C4D Canadians4Democracy.  All Rights Reserved.

___________________________________________________

#COVID19 #COVIDPatents #SARSCoV-2 #PCR #PCRtesting #Canada

Investigations – Part 2: Evidence: Gathering Different Types of Evidence Through Investigation

 

Author: Tracey Young. (March 3, 2021). Investigations – Part 2: Evidence: Gathering Different Types of Evidence Through Investigation. C4D Canadians 4 Democracy. Retrieved from: https://c4d-canadians4democracy.blogspot.com/2021/03/investigations-part-2-evidence.html.

Introduction

The primary reasons for conducting many types of investigations is to gather evidence. In this article I will provide an overview of different types of evidence; how to create an evidence-gathering work plan; and some resources for people to do deeper dives into collecting evidence. I will also provide some tips for documenting and organizing your evidence as you collect it, and cyber-security considerations to protect evidence gathered during investigations.

Evidence Collection Work Plan: List of Documents

When conducting investigations of any sort, I typically start with brainstorming what kind of evidence I might need to collect. I also might create a work plan to increase the efficiency and focus of my investigation.  

List of Documents: I will often create a list of documents to guide my evidence gathering as it helps me stay on task, be focused, and more organized as I conduct investigations. I also use Things to Do lists for the same reason. 

Parking Lot: It isn't uncommon to come across other evidence and sources I want to take a look at, so I create PL's where I can place this information so it doesn't disrupt my work flow when reviewing specific evidence. 

One of my first steps is to identify what organizations might have the evidence and records I am interested in collecting. I will then be able to research their websites to see what records are available in the public domain. This is called, "Open Source" information, or data. Some of this could be in the form of reports; meeting minutes; motions that are passed by a board, or a city council. 

I will identify if I need to file formal written Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to obtain records that are not available to the public. This is a formal, written process that is guided by legislation, and particular timelines that public bodies and other organizations must follow. FOI's take time, and can sometimes be challenging depending on the organization you're dealing with, and the sensitivity of the information and records you're requesting. 

Types of Evidence: Audio-Visual and Written Records

Audio: Recordings that have been made of a specific interaction, or situation. 

Documentary: Written or "paper" records, including reports, handwritten or typed notes; correspondence, such as letters, emails and faxes; text messages; comments on social media posts. 

Government records: These can be public, such as reports; open source data and information releases; service plans; meeting minutes for council meetings, or other government committees and decisions made. 

Legal: Police records; investigation reports; forensic evidence that has been collected at a crime scene. 

Legislation: Laws that are relevant if you are conducting an investigation related to a specific situation, or complaint. 

Medical and Health Care records: Written, or electronic patient chart information and clinical notes; written correspondence, such as letters, referral documents, consultation notes from treating physicians, specialists and other health care professionals, and emails.  

Photographs: Pictures of crime scenes; accidents; injuries; locations, or other relevant visual information. 

Policy: Insurance policies that outline terms of the agreement. Government and organizational policy records that are supposed to be used to guide the behaviour and conduct of people who work for, or represent them. 

Reports and submissions: Reports that have been made on specific topics. Submissions made to public consultations, or for other purposes.

Statistical: Data and information and research; graphs and charts; infographics; and any other way to visually present statistics. 

Video: Visual evidence of a specific interaction, or situation. Security camera footage has been playing an increasingly important role in legal cases. 

Witness account or statement of events: Someone directly witnessed, or was involved in the situation under investigation. 

Tips for Securing Evidence

Chain of custody

• A chronological documentation of the handling of evidence throughout a criminal investigation. This refers to meticulously documenting dates, times, names, and storage locations/addresses (and other details) for how evidence moves from one place to another. 

• Integrity of evidence can be a huge issue in legal cases. Evidence integrity can be seen as the overall accuracy, completeness, and consistency of the data and information, and evidence you have collected. 

Criminal and forensic investigations: If you are investigating a crime, or anything that may involve court (forensic), you need to be very careful in how you manage the evidence you are collecting. As an investigator, you must carefully document the details about how you came to have this evidence in your possession, which is referred to as "custody". 

The following is what you will need to store evidence: 

➤ A secure, safe place to store your evidence where others' cannot access it.  

➤ A log to document evidence you collect. This could be a written log book, or an electronic one (ensure you back up the latter). 

➤ A file folder to collect and store the evidence. 

➤ Electronic and/or digital storage capacity, such as computer file folders; thumb drives; hard discs; and/or external drives. 

Back Up Evidence

You always want to back up any documentary, audio, or visual evidence you collect offline. An external hard drive; thumb drive; or even hard disc are ways to do this. You may even want to create multiple back ups, in case your computer is not accessible, or if it gets hacked and evidence collected is removed, stolen, or altered. 

Identifying and Labeling Evidence

The best way you can approach this is think about being as clear and straightforward as possible. Consider this question: If someone else were to come across this evidence, would the information I'm using to label it make it clear what it is, and what other important details are needed to support the integrity of the evidence. 

➤ Date and time you collected the evidence.

➤The address and location you collected the evidence from.

➤ The full legal name and contact information of the person who gave it to you, or how you obtained the evidence (source). 

➤ Label the type of evidence you have collected. Ie. "Notes from interview with Full Legal Name on Date from X-Y time at Location/Address." 

➤ Identify the online source and include the full website page name; URL for the website. See below under 'References'. I use APA format for documenting my sources, but there may be a different method that is more suitable in your situation. 

Security of Evidence

• Cybersecurity and IT security of your network, computer and other devices is absolutely key. Cyberespionage, hacking, and other cyber-crimes are among the most common crimes that are occurring these days. This is particularly challenging when you are conducting highly sensitive investigations. 

• Working offline may be a good option when reading and collecting information contained within specific records. 

• Cloud-based storage, such as using Dropbox, Google Drive, One Drive, or any other online storage is something to be used with extreme caution for storing evidence. 

• The only materials I typically store in cloud-based storage are publicly available records and research that I might refer to while writing reports, articles, submissions, or other things. 

• Download and store evidence, such as records, reports, audio, or visual data and information and store them securely if they are, or might be relevant to your investigation. Things disappear online. Censorship is rampant. Public reports, or media stories disappear quickly. Download and back it all up. 

References

B.C. Campus. Chapter 3: What You Need to Know About Evidence. Introduction to Criminal Investigation: Processes, Practices and Thinking. Retrieved from: https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/criminalinvestigation/chapter/chapter-3-what-you-need-to-know-about-evidence/.

Hudson, D. (2020). Evidence Collection: Practical Tips for Workplace Investigations. Queens University: Industrial Relations Centre. Retrieved from: https://irc.queensu.ca/sites/default/files/articles/evidence-collection-practical-tips-for-workplace-investigations.pdf. 

I-Sight. Collect Evidence In An Investigation: Articles on Evidence Collecting. Retrieved from: https://i-sight.com/resources/collecting-evidence/

Legal Dictionary. Chain of Custody. Retrieved from: https://legaldictionary.net/chain-of-custody/.

Copyright © 2021.Tracey Young/C4D Canadians4Democracy. All Rights Reserved.
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