The Bluewater Association for Lifelong Learning (BALL) has a number of lecture series coming up in Owen Sound which can also be accessed virtually.
From September 7th to October 12th, they’re offering a series called Justice Through A Canadian Lens. On their website, BALL asks, “How does our justice system measure up to these lofty ideals? What are some of the roles that lawyers, reporters, police officers, scientists and CSIS agents have in our justice system? Where does it go wrong and how do we improve it? ”
The series features lectures from the Toronto Star’s Chief Investigative Reporter Kevin Donovan on how reporting can hold the justice system to account. Former Canadian spy Andrew Kirsch will talk about his career with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and will talk about his bestselling memoir, I Was Never Here.
Defence lawyer Maya Borooah will talk about the important role defence lawyers play in the justice system. BALL says her practice focuses on criminal and regulatory litigation, as well as internal investigations. Another lecture will feature retired Toronto Police Detective Constable Wade Knapp who will talk about crime scene investigation.
James Lockyer, founder of Innocence Canada will talk about his efforts to overturn wrongful convictions. He’s worked on the high-profile cases of David Milgaard, Steven Truscott and Guy Paul Morin among many others.
The last lecture in the series will be from University of Ottawa Emeritus Professor Irvin Waller, who will share his knowledge on violent crime with a lecture called, Reducing Violence by 50% before 2030: Using Evidence to Prevent Crime.
BALL says the lectures can be attended in-person at the Bayshore Community Centre. The lectures are held Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. There are question and answer opportunities at the end as well.
There is also a Vimeo live-stream option for those who prefer to watch from home, with replays available on Vimeo in the week following the lecture for a month after the last lecture in a series. Series are $60 each, which includes in person or online access and can be purchased online here: https://bluewaterlearns.com/pages/purchase-tickets
There are other upcoming series include:
Religion: The Big Questions from Oct 26 – Dec 7, 2023
Hope and Inspiration in Grey Bruce Jan 4 – Feb 8, 2024
Ethnomusicology: Music Traditions From Around the World Feb 22 – Mar 28, 2024