Angry in the Great White North

University of Ottawa law professor Errol Mendes is full of opinions.

Here's Errol Mendes' opinion about the detainee issue:

"International law is very clear," said Mr. Dosanjh, a lawyer and former attorney general of British Columbia. "You need circumstantial evidence; you don't need actual knowledge of any specific allegations, or actual knowledge of torture. There was substantial knowledge of torture in Afghan jails. Every kid on the ground knew that. All of the reports, national or international, knew that."

University of Ottawa law professor Errol Mendes says Mr. Dosanjh was correct. The government's oft-repeated line that there was no documented physical evidence of torture of Canadian-transferred detainees is a "detour," he said, which ignores the actual requirements of the law: circumstantial evidence that a risk of torture existed.

Having ratified the Geneva Convention, Canada incorporated its principles into domestic law through the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. Under this domestic law, Mr. Mendes said, the RCMP could investigate government officials.

Mr. Mendes said that for the "honour and dignity of Canada," the government should call a public inquiry. Once the facts are out in public, he said, the RCMP could decide whether to charge officials, or whether the political consequences-for example, if a minister were to resign-were sufficient.

Worried that Canada's dignity is at stake?  Quite a strong "legal" opinion.

Here's Errol Mendes' opinion about the prorogation of parliament:

The highest duty of a Prime Minister of Parliament is to uphold the Constitution of Canada, which includes the rights and privileges of the House of Commons and the duties owed to the Queen's representative in Canada. Stephen Harper keeps on failing in his duties on both counts as evidenced by the second prorogation of Parliament on Dec. 30.

Canadians must care about a minority government that undermines the fundamental democratic institutions of this country while also manipulating quasi-judicial tribunals and intimidating the public service from speaking truth to power. This abuse of executive power is tilting toward totalitarian government and away from the foundations of democracy and the rule of law on which this country was founded.

Totalitarian government?  Wow, that's harsh.

Harsh opinions...like Liberal opinions?

In September 2005, the Ottawa Citizen reported an appointment to the Privy Council Office:

Mr. Martin made several other appointments yesterday within bureaucracy's senior ranks, including the hiring of University of Ottawa law professor Errol Mendes as a senior advisor in the Privy Council Office to handle diversity in the public service and other special projects.

So maybe the media could report Errol Mendes as "University of Ottawa law professor and former senior Liberal advisor under Paul Martin".

Oh, and then there is this.  Since 2006, Errol Mendes has contributed over $3,600 to the Liberal Party, including over $200 in the past year.

So maybe the media could report Errol Mendes as "University of Ottawa law professor, Liberal Party supporter, and former senior Liberal advisor under Paul Martin".

Errol Mendes' opinions might be worth reporting.  I'm sure they are well thought out and thought provoking.  But that he is also cheek-and-jowl with the Liberal Party in recent years, including a prime ministerial appointment to the PCO, is thought provoking as well.