Anna Dalton

One of Canada’s most trusted and respected scientists, Dr. David Suzuki, stands accused of seditious libel on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. A public trial is to take place at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The reason for this charge? On Wednesday, October 9, on the steps of the Toronto Courthouse, Suzuki announced his Carbon Manifesto – a bold, uncompromising plan that spells out the end of oil and sets a new course for Canada’s sustainable energy future. The Manifesto calls for the end of fossil fuels as a primary energy source; to protect Canada’s Boreal forest and oceans; a move ensuring 70% of the energy we consume is renewable within one generation; a carbon tax of $150 per tonne effective immediately; and that Canadian climate scientists must be able to share their findings uncensored and unimpeded by political or corporate interests.

Will Suzuki’s Carbon Manifesto save Canada or destroy it? Is he talking reason or treason? Is Suzuki undermining the financial security of the country? Or does the economy and country matter when our planet is turning toxic?

This unique theatrical event, The Trial of David Suzuki, created and produced Laurie Brown, in partnership with David Donnelly of Donnelly Law, will take place in the ROM’s Currelly Gallery.  The mock public trial features real lawyers, expert witnesses, judge and a jury of 12 people who, along with the audience, will vote on the fate of Suzuki. The Defense lawyer is Linda Rothstein, Partner at Paliare Roland Barristers; the prosecution lawyer is Will McDowell, partner at Lenczer Slaght;  David Suzuki is there as himself; and the Bailiff is Laurie Brown. The role of Judge is to be announced. Expert witnesses are business professor, Michael Hlinka and Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Gord Miller. This innovative and dramatic trial will challenge science, law, art—and the audience.  Along with the jury, the audience will listen to the expert testimony and decide if David Suzuki is innocent or guilty, right or wrong.

“Many of us are confused about climate change, and often the conversation on this important subject stalls,” says creator, Laurie Brown. “I wanted to create an art piece that catapults the conversation into a new place:  what would happen if Canada did something big to counter global warming?  Like leave oil in the ground?  I want The Trial of David Suzuki to imagine that future for Canadians.”

“This trial is about more than David Suzuki, more than environmentalism in Canada – it is about placing all Canadians in that awkward, difficult position that our policy makers find themselves everyday,” says Dave Ireland, Managing Director, Centre of Discovery in Biodiversity.  “The Trial of David Suzuki, in my mind, is about making clear and public choices towards a sustainable future for humans on the planet.”

As part of The Trial of David Suzuki, a series of six Pattison posters titled You Be The Judge will be displayed in subway stations across Toronto. Between October and December, these posters will engage the public in conversations about climate change and the views of Dr. David Suzuki. Opposing Views, a shot video mapping conflict perspectives onto the face of Suzuki will also be featured every minute on Pattison’s 60 foot wide video display at Yonge and Edward streets, bringing millions of passers by into this public conversation.

If there’s one person you want to trust, it’s the person fixing the roof over your head, and for years, Canadian HGTV star Mike Holmes was the best man for the job. The renovation king of Canada began his career when he went from handyman to television host after his big personality caught the eye of a television studio he was consulting for. Holmes would launch a fleet of HGTV shows, starting with “Holmes on Homes” in 2001, and become a beloved face on the network for the next 20 years. While he has weathered his fair share of tragedy, he has also been celebrated. In 2006, the Canadian House of Commons recognized Holmes for supporting skilled trades and helping improve building standards. And if that wasn’t enough to make you trust him, in 2010, Reader’s Digest named him one of the most trusted Canadians.

But with great trust comes great responsibility, and Holmes hasn’t always lived up to his name. As his star has risen, he has been caught up in a number of scandals and scams that have rocked his otherwise sturdy reputation. While some of them border on the humorous or mundane, others are far more serious, with every instance ending with the sad story of people who looked up to Holmes being milked out of their hard-earned money. Holmes spoke out about the scams on his podcast, “Holmes on Homes,” saying, “I’m not into doing these things. I’m into helping people. I’m into educating people. I’m sick and tired of seeing things like [these scams].” Still, some of the scandals make us wonder whether Holmes’ motto of “Make It Right” is really a motto he lives by.

Mike Holmes has a big social media presence, with thousands of followers across his Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages. While it has allowed fans to feel close to him, it has also become a fertile ground for casting call scams. In one instance that Holmes and his daughter, Sherry Holmes, discussed on their podcast, Holmes talked about a fake Facebook account that went by the name “Carl Wallace,” which claimed to be a campaign manager for HGTV and a casting associate producer for fellow HGTV celebrities like the Property Brothers. The fake account then put out what appeared to be a call for applicants for one of Holmes’ shows, asking for $50,000 upfront to do a $150,000 job to redo kitchens. The scammers would then try to get the money from Facebook applicants but never come through with any renovation.

Holmes was upset by the fake account pretending to use his fame and knowledge against him and made it known that he wasn’t the only HGTV star affected. He said on his podcast, “They’re doing it to the Property Brothers, they’re doing it to Bryan Baeumler. These people are all of a sudden using my image and trying to get to you as a casting call, to get money out of you, that I’m gonna come and save your life.” While Holmes has every right to be upset, his daughter Sherry admitted, “It is believable. You do put out casting calls online.” This makes Holmes’ use of social media a double-edged sword. On one hand, it helps fans feel connected to him; on the other, it puts the burden on them to double-check if it’s actually him or not.

In a landmark victory speech that signals a dramatic shift in Canada’s foreign policy, Liberal Party leader Mark Carney—who is poised to return as prime minister for a second time—announced the end of what he called a ‘historic’ and ‘prosperous’ relationship with the United States.

His statement came after he scored a stunning third consecutive victory in parliamentary elections, shocking and surprising many with his statements, bringing his party out of the rear and confirming its dominance in Canadian politics.