Check out this awesome comic produced by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
Social Smarts: Privacy, the Internet and You
It has useful information about privacy issues for social media, cell phones, video games, etc, as well as a "10 Tips to Protect Your Privacy Online."
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
A PLE Team volunteer's ideas about what to do this summer
PLE Team Volunteer Qasim Syed
My name is Qasim Syed and I am PLE Team youth volunteer at JFCY.
I wrote this blog in order to showcase the options available to make use of your extra time now that summer is approaching. I think there is value in youth keeping themselves busy. When I was in grade 5, I joined the community centre which was located really close to my house. Throughout the years, I participated in many of the events and activities, especially basketball. For those that know me, they know that I have loved basketball ever since and it has helped positively shape my life. I now participate in volunteering activities and school clubs.
As summer is approaching, it is a great time to start to think about what you may want to do with all that extra time. This blog will provide you with some information on opportunities to participate in sports and do volunteer work. I live in Toronto, so the activities here are Toronto-focused; however, if you want to check out options in your community I would suggest that you start by looking up your local YMCA or community centre.
I wrote this blog in order to showcase the options available to make use of your extra time now that summer is approaching. I think there is value in youth keeping themselves busy. When I was in grade 5, I joined the community centre which was located really close to my house. Throughout the years, I participated in many of the events and activities, especially basketball. For those that know me, they know that I have loved basketball ever since and it has helped positively shape my life. I now participate in volunteering activities and school clubs.
As summer is approaching, it is a great time to start to think about what you may want to do with all that extra time. This blog will provide you with some information on opportunities to participate in sports and do volunteer work. I live in Toronto, so the activities here are Toronto-focused; however, if you want to check out options in your community I would suggest that you start by looking up your local YMCA or community centre.
Sports
Participating
in sports is a great way to enjoy your time off during the summer. Some
examples of sports that promote skill development in youth include: basketball,
swimming, track and field and beach activities such as frisbee and beach
volleyball.
Sports
can help develop confidence and give you the opportunity to interact with
others who have similar interests.
The
YMCA organizes lots of activities for youth to participate in sports over the summer.
Click here to find the location nearest youth. The YMCA offers financial assistance to low-income families and youth so that everyone has the opportunity to participate in their programs. For more info on financial assistance, ask someone at the YMCA or check out this application form.
Activities at local community centres are often free or low cost.
The City of Toronto also has many opportunities for youth to get involved in sporting activities over the summer. Click here for more information.
Activities at local community centres are often free or low cost.
The City of Toronto also has many opportunities for youth to get involved in sporting activities over the summer. Click here for more information.
Volunteering Opportunities for Youth
Volunteering or finding a hobby is a great way to meet new people and develop skills and discover new interests.Volunteering is not only a great way of being productive but also encourages better time management. Moreover, by joining club or volunteering you could end up discovering a new activity or hobby you enjoy.
At your Community Centre
The opportunities are endless.The community centres around your neighborhood have several
different varieties of clubs and activities to choose.
To find out more about community centre volunteering opportunities click here.
With Charities
There are also charities in Toronto which are always looking for new volunteers. No matter what your interest from working with the environment to health organizations there are a variety of charities in Toronto which are always looking for more volunteers!
A great website which lists lots of opportunities to volunteer is Volunteer Toronto.
For other communities in Ontario, check out the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network.
At Festivals and Events
Toronto in the summer time is host to many events and festivals which need the help of volunteers to run smoothly.
For more information on events happening in Toronto this summer click here
Events at Harbourfront Center click here
To find out more about community centre volunteering opportunities click here.
With Charities
There are also charities in Toronto which are always looking for new volunteers. No matter what your interest from working with the environment to health organizations there are a variety of charities in Toronto which are always looking for more volunteers!
A great website which lists lots of opportunities to volunteer is Volunteer Toronto.
For other communities in Ontario, check out the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network.
At Festivals and Events
Toronto in the summer time is host to many events and festivals which need the help of volunteers to run smoothly.
For more information on events happening in Toronto this summer click here
Events at Harbourfront Center click here
For more information on events happening daily click here
If you have other ideas on affordable summer activities for youth, leave a comment on the blog so you can share your knowledge with others!
f you are under age 18 in Ontario
This post was written by Qasim Syed, a PLE Team Member volunteer, with contributions by JFCY volunteer Sarah Mehta Alexander and a JFCY staff lawyer.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Pot: What is the law?
Scenario:
Jeremy, 17, and his friends are excited to go to a big house party.
Jeremy’s parents have even lent Jeremy their car for the evening on the
condition that he not consume any drugs or alcohol. Along the way to the party,
Jeremy stops to pick up his friend Jonathan. As Jonathan approaches the car, he
pulls out a few small bags of weed and says to Jeremy “we are going to get sooo
stoned tonight!” Jeremy, usually a good boy, decides to take a small bag and put it in his pocket. He doesn't plan on smoking it but doesn't want to look like a loser in front of his friends. Jeremy lets Jonathan smoke some
weed en route to the party.
The
two boys are stopped by the police for driving with a broken taillight. When the
police officer approaches the car, she smells burnt marijuana and demands
the boys exit the car. After a “pat
down” search of Jonathan’s clothes, the officer discovers the bag of weed in one
of Jonathan’s pockets.
QUESTION:
Can
Jeremy be found guilty of possession even though he did not intend to use the
drugs? Did the officer have the right to search inside Jeremy and Jonathan’s
pockets?
Answer: Jeremy may be found guilty of possession even without the intention of using the weed. He had the drugs in his pocket and thus they were in his possession. (See s. 4(3)(b) of the Criminal Code.)
Answer: the legitimacy of the search of Jonathan’s pocket depends on
whether or not the officer had “reasonable grounds” to suspect Jonathan was
committing an offence. (See s.495 of the Criminal Code.) Odour may form the basis of a reasonable
suspicion. (To read a court case about this click here.)
MORE ON MARIJUANA AND THE LAW
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit
drug in Canada
There are legal consequences of possessing and distributing marijuana. Below is as a description of the charges, and examples of punishable activity, as well as some info on your rights during police searches.
CHARGE: Possession
of marijuana
In the CDSA the definition of drug possession is
borrowed from section 4(3) of the Criminal Code of Canada. “Possess” means to have the drug on your
person, but you may also be charged with possession if someone else is holding
the drug for you or if you have it stashed someplace for future use.
CHARGE: Trafficking
of marijuana
The definition of “trafficking” under the
CDSA is very broad. To traffic marijuana is “to sell, administer, give,
transfer, transport, send or deliver the substance...” or to sell an
authorization to purchase marijuana. Selling
does not require payment in exchange for the drug. Any kind of
transporting/delivering, offer of sale and distribution –even if not in
exchange for anything –can fall under trafficking. Consider a situation where a
group of friends get together and smoke Marijuana that one person “picked up”. The individual who shared the drug has 'trafficked' regardless
whether he asked his friends to pay or not.
You need not actually commit the crime of
trafficking in order to be punished for more than mere possession. Possession
for the purposes of trafficking is often punished just as heavily as actual
trafficking.
Marijuana-related searches
Everyone has a right not to be
“unreasonably” searched, but a police officer may search you with or without a
warrant, provided there are reasonable grounds to believe you are in possession
of a controlled substance. Where a police officer conducts a search without a warrant,
s/he must justify the search afterwards in order to use the evidence
obtained.
There must be some factual basis for
suspicion in order to justify the search. This might be a tip from an informant
or something the police observed. Your reputation and criminal record are also
admissible pieces of information the police may use to establish reasonable
suspicion.
You can legally refuse consent to be
searched, regardless to how many requests the police officers make to search
you or enter your home or vehicle. However, the police may refuse to allow you
entry into a restricted area unless you consent to a search.
Giving them voluntary consent makes
police searches automatically legal.
In public, police can request you to stop
and engage you in a conversation . Police can legally use false pretenses
(lie), use intimidation techniques, and steadily attempt to persuade you into
giving them permission for a search. But until they formally arrest you, you
have a right to refuse consent for a search and walk away from them. It helps
to remain respectful, to identify yourself, and avoid making quick movements
(especially towards the pockets!). Avoiding having Marijuana in public, of
course, helps.
If an arrest is made, remember that you
have the right to remain silent and insist to speak with a lawyer.
For more info on your rights during a
police stop or search, check out JFCY’s resources here: http://www.jfcy.org/ycj-police.html
This post was written by JFCY PLE Team Volunteer Shawn Malik and JFCY summer law student Robin McNamara. Legal info was reviewed by JFCY.
Photo
Sources:
Friday, June 8, 2012
Contraception: Options for Young Women
Scenario
What is it?
Pills that contain hormones a woman takes for either 21 or 28 days to prevent pregnancy.
How does it work?
What is it?
A plastic pouch worn inside the vagina
How does it work?
What is it?
A hormone injection given every three months
How does it work?
What is it?
A combination of natural methods of birth control
How does it work?
What is it?
How does it work?
What is it?
The patch is attached to the skin and delivers hormones into the bloodstream. It is changed once a week for three weeks each month. During the fourth patch-free week, the woman gets her period.
How does it work?
Nuvaring®
What is it?
A soft, flexible ring inserted in the vagina. It delivers hormones into the bloodstream. It is inserted for 21 days and removed for 7 days. A new one is inserted at the end of the 7-day break.
How does it work?
If you are under age 18 in Ontario
Sarah, 16, and her
boyfriend Mike, 17, have recently become sexually active. They have
been using condoms that Mike got from her older brother. However, Sarah sometimes gets nervous that they may break. Sarah has been thinking about it and has decided she would like to
start taking some other form of birth control in order to protect herself from getting
pregnant.
Sarah’s parents don’t know she is sexually active and she wants to find out what forms of birth control she can start taking without needing her parents’ consent. She has heard about different contraceptives like the birth control pill or NuvaRing from her friends, but she has no idea whether or not she can get them if she is not 18 years old.
Eventually she plans on talking to her parents, but she is not ready yet and for the time being she just wants to make sure she is protected.
Sarah’s parents don’t know she is sexually active and she wants to find out what forms of birth control she can start taking without needing her parents’ consent. She has heard about different contraceptives like the birth control pill or NuvaRing from her friends, but she has no idea whether or not she can get them if she is not 18 years old.
Eventually she plans on talking to her parents, but she is not ready yet and for the time being she just wants to make sure she is protected.
Information
There is no specific age requirement for accessing birth
control. Instead, this is governed by the Ontario Health Care Consent Act, which says that health practitioners (including doctors) can provide treatment (including medication) to patients as long as that patient is "able to understand the information that is relevant to making a decision about the treatment...as the case may be, and able to appreciate the reasonably foreseeable consequences of a decision or lack of decision." (See s. 4 of the Act).
If a young person is not capable of understanding info around certain health care decisions, then in most cases it is their parent or guardian who must consent to the treatment.
In this scenario, Sarah does not need permission from her parents to obtain birth control. Most 16 year-olds, including Sarah, are able to understand the information and issues around birth control and thus they don't need their parents' consent before a doctor can prescribe it. However, it is important that Sarah's doctor give her complete information about the pros and cons of taking various forms of birth control, including the risks, benefits and potential side effects. This will put Sarah in a position where she can give her "informed consent", which is what is required under the law. (See s. 11 of the Act. )
In circumstances where youth feel comfortable and safe talking to their parents or another trusted adult about issues around sexuality, then it may be worth considering whether to discuss contraception issues and questions with them.
For more on your health care rights, check out this JFCY pamphlet.
Sarah can get a prescription for birth control from her health care provider, from a sexual health clinic, or (if she is in Toronto) from Planned Parenthood Toronto’s Health Services. If Sarah does not have OHIP it is still possible for her to get a prescription from Planned Parenthood Toronto’s Health Services.
Forms of Contraception
If a young person is not capable of understanding info around certain health care decisions, then in most cases it is their parent or guardian who must consent to the treatment.
In this scenario, Sarah does not need permission from her parents to obtain birth control. Most 16 year-olds, including Sarah, are able to understand the information and issues around birth control and thus they don't need their parents' consent before a doctor can prescribe it. However, it is important that Sarah's doctor give her complete information about the pros and cons of taking various forms of birth control, including the risks, benefits and potential side effects. This will put Sarah in a position where she can give her "informed consent", which is what is required under the law. (See s. 11 of the Act. )
In circumstances where youth feel comfortable and safe talking to their parents or another trusted adult about issues around sexuality, then it may be worth considering whether to discuss contraception issues and questions with them.
For more on your health care rights, check out this JFCY pamphlet.
Sarah can get a prescription for birth control from her health care provider, from a sexual health clinic, or (if she is in Toronto) from Planned Parenthood Toronto’s Health Services. If Sarah does not have OHIP it is still possible for her to get a prescription from Planned Parenthood Toronto’s Health Services.
Forms of Contraception
While JFCY is not an expert on medical matters or sexual health, we have compiled the following is a list
of available birth control options. You will need to discuss them with your health care provider.
Birth Control pills
What is it?
Pills that contain hormones a woman takes for either 21 or 28 days to prevent pregnancy.
How does it work?
- Contains hormones that stop the egg from being released
every month
- Makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting
to the uterus
What is it?
A plastic pouch worn inside the vagina
How does it work?
- A woman inserts it before intercourse
- Catches semen which contains sperm
Where can you get it?
Drugstores and some clinics
Spermicides (sponge, foam, gel, contraceptive film)
Drugstores and some clinics
Spermicides (sponge, foam, gel, contraceptive film)
What is it?
Sperm-killing chemicals, usually nonoxynol-9
Spermicides do not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections
How does it work?
Sperm-killing chemicals, usually nonoxynol-9
Spermicides do not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections
How does it work?
- Placed in the vagina before intercourse
- Spermicide is released which kills sperm
Depo-Provera
What is it?
A hormone injection given every three months
How does it work?
- Hormone makes cervical mucus thicker
- May stop eggs from leaving the ovary
Where can you get it?
From some doctors and some clinics
Depo-Provera does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Fertility Awareness Method
From some doctors and some clinics
Depo-Provera does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Fertility Awareness Method
What is it?
A combination of natural methods of birth control
How does it work?
- A woman keeps a record of her menstrual cycle
- She looks for signs that she is close to ovulation
(releasing an egg)
- She and her partner do not have sex around the time of
ovulation
- The Fertility Awareness Method can be used to make
other methods more effective because a woman knows when she is fertile and
can use a second method e.g. condoms
Where can you get it?
A woman can take a course to learn how to use this method effectively
Emergency Contraception
A woman can take a course to learn how to use this method effectively
Emergency Contraception
What is it?
- Methods used if a condom breaks, if there is
unprotected sex, or in the case of a sexual assault
- Two methods to choose from are the Emergency
Contraceptive Pill or the Intra-Uterine Device
What is it?
Pills containing hormones
Pills containing hormones
How does it work?
- Usually stops sperm from meeting the egg
- Also works by stopping the embryo from attaching to the
uterus
- Should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected
sex
- Can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex
Where can you get it?
Clinics and some doctors. It is available without a doctor's prescription at drugstores in Ontario.
The Patch
Clinics and some doctors. It is available without a doctor's prescription at drugstores in Ontario.
The Patch
What is it?
The patch is attached to the skin and delivers hormones into the bloodstream. It is changed once a week for three weeks each month. During the fourth patch-free week, the woman gets her period.
How does it work?
- Contains hormones that stop the egg from being released
every month
- Makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting
to the uterus
Where can you get it?
A woman gets a prescription from her doctor or a clinic
A woman gets a prescription from her doctor or a clinic
Nuvaring®
What is it?
A soft, flexible ring inserted in the vagina. It delivers hormones into the bloodstream. It is inserted for 21 days and removed for 7 days. A new one is inserted at the end of the 7-day break.
How does it work?
- Contains hormones that stop the egg from being released
every month
- Makes cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from getting
to the uterus
The Nuvaring® does not protect against
Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Use condoms every time.
Where can you get it?
Consult your doctor
Use condoms every time.
Where can you get it?
Consult your doctor
JFCY is not an expert on medical matters or sexual health.
For more information on birth control listed above please click here
For more information on birth control listed above please click here
Scenario was written by Cemone Morlese, a PLE Team Member volunteer. Information written by JFCY volunteer Sarah Mehta Alexander and a JFCY staff lawyer.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
New Bullying Law
The Ontario government has passed the Accepting Schools Act, a new bullying law that aims to better protect students from bullying in publicly funded schools.
One important part of the law is that now all schools must allow students to form Gay-Straight-Alliances (GSAs), groups that are geared towards fighting homophobia and trans-phobia in schools as well as supporting students who may be dealing with issues of coming out and other challenges and triumphs related to their sexual and/or gender identity.
JFCY is pleased with this new law. All students have the right to feel safe and supported in school.
To read Bill 13 click here.
On a related note, last week JFCY participated in the LGBTQ Youth Suicide Prevention Summit, a two day conference geared towards developing a strategy to address the high numbers of suicidality among queer and trans youth.. The value and importance of GSAs was part of these discussions. For more info, click here.
For more on GSAs click here!
One important part of the law is that now all schools must allow students to form Gay-Straight-Alliances (GSAs), groups that are geared towards fighting homophobia and trans-phobia in schools as well as supporting students who may be dealing with issues of coming out and other challenges and triumphs related to their sexual and/or gender identity.
JFCY is pleased with this new law. All students have the right to feel safe and supported in school.
To read Bill 13 click here.
On a related note, last week JFCY participated in the LGBTQ Youth Suicide Prevention Summit, a two day conference geared towards developing a strategy to address the high numbers of suicidality among queer and trans youth.. The value and importance of GSAs was part of these discussions. For more info, click here.
For more on GSAs click here!
Monday, June 4, 2012
The Great Debate
The Ontario Justice Education
Network is hosting the Great Debate on June 5, 2012.
JFCY is
not involved in this Debate, but is helping spread the word to those who may be
interested.
The Great Debate
Active Citizens Great Debate 2012:
Youth Ideas on Legal Reform
In celebration of OJEN’s 10th year
anniversary, this year’s Great Debate highlights proposals young people have
made while engaged in OJEN programs about legal reform, ideas on active
citizenship or their experience of the justice system. Attendees will hear five
short presentations from community or school groups and then participate in the
debate, which will include challenging the students on their proposals.
OJEN and The Law Society of Upper Canada are pleased to
present this annual event, where lawyers, educators and academics meet to
discuss the issues affecting Canadians. A networking reception will follow the
debate. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.
Date: Tuesday June 5th, 2012
Debate: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Reception: 7 – 8 p.m.
Location: The Law Society of Upper Canada
Convocation Hall, 130 Queen St. West, Toronto
(Enter via east doors facing Toronto City Hall)
Debate: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Reception: 7 – 8 p.m.
Location: The Law Society of Upper Canada
Convocation Hall, 130 Queen St. West, Toronto
(Enter via east doors facing Toronto City Hall)
This program is offered FREE
OF CHARGE. Space is limited. Registration is required by June 4, 2012
at 12:00pm to attend.
To register go to: http://ojen.ca/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=526 or
use the registration link on the Great Debate page at www.ojen.ca
Who should attend: judges, justice of the peace, defence counsel,
educators, lawyers, other interested in hearing what youth think works, or does
not work, in our legal system.
JFCY is
not involved in this Debate, but is helping spread the word to those who may be
interested.
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