Parents in Ontario can take some solace that school shutdowns here aren’t related to widespread fears among students. Thousands of students in the Detroit area are out of school because at least two Michigan counties decided to cancel classes because of talk surrounding the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut and rumors connected to the Mayan calendar predicting the end of the world. Five districts in Lapeer County and 20 districts in Genesee County posted announcements Wednesday evening cancelling classes Thursday and Friday. “Given the recent events in Connecticut, there have been numerous rumors circulating in our district, and in neighboring districts, about potential threats of violence against students. Additionally, rumors connected to the Mayan calendar predicted end of the world on Friday have also surfaced,” a letter from Matt Wandrie, Superintendent of Lapeer Community Schools said.
The Supreme Court of Canada has delivered an unusual split decision — coming down all over the place as to whether a woman should be able to conceal her face in court with the Muslim draping known as the niqab. The court did render a majority decision, but many may call it not very useful. The four justice majority, including Chief Justice Madam Beverley McLachlin, said the matter must be decided on each occasion by the court facing the issue. Others in this majority were Madam Justice Marie Deschamps, Mr. Justice Morris Fish and Mr. Justice Thomas Cromwell. Two judges, Mr Justice Marshall Rothstein and Mr. Justice Louiis Lebel concluded that such covering should never be permitted on a witness in court. Madam Justice Rosalie Abella, on the other hand, said the niqab might be worn by any woman witness so long as her identity was not in doubt. The issue of establishing identity to an absolute certainty however was an open question. Barbara Kay excellent analysis
