Beloved readers of The Line,
Autumn is upon us and as promised so many months ago, we have finalized our plans to host an actual, in-person event! Your Line editors are looking forward to a fun night out/fundraiser in which we will discuss the latest news and politics, enjoy a few drinks, and, of course, meet some of our amazing readers, supporters and subscribers.
This is our first live event, and we’re going to see how it goes: if well, we do hope to host similar events in other cities soon. So if you are not in Toronto, hang tight, we will probably be coming to see you in the near future.
If you are in Toronto, however, please do consider joining us. For this event, we will be asking: “Has Toronto Gone Nuts?” In the wake of a spate of weird and seemingly random violent crime across the city, your Line editors want to know what is going on. We will kick off the night by hosting a panel discussion featuring:
Chris Lewis, who served in the Ontario Provincial Police for 36 years, retiring as commissioner in 2014. He continues to write and speak on policing issues and regularly provides commentary and on Bell Media’s TV and radio stations across Canada, and will share his thoughts on what law enforcement can, and cannot, do.
In 1978, when Derek Finkle was 10, his step-father changed careers and completed police college with fellow panelist Chris Lewis, which likely has something to do with the fact that Derek went on to devote much of his journalism career to writing about crime and policing. Derek is producing a documentary series based on his book, No Claim to Mercy, to examine the cold-case mystery surrounding the 1990 disappearance of Elizabeth Bain.
Michael Paris is a seasoned corporate lawyer with broad experience in civil litigation, cultural policy and government relations. Michael is on the board of directors at Crow’s Theatre and is a resident of Leslieville, site of one of Toronto’s recent high-profile tragedies.
In company with these three guests, we’ll talk about the problem from multiple angles: what the police can and cannot do, how local communities are coping, and what may come next. We’ll enjoy a lively, wide-ranging conversation that will probably stray wildly off topic by night’s end.
Afterward, exchange your drink tickets, grab a snack, and join your favourite journalism nerd friends, Gurney and Gerson. Honestly, we’ll all have a blast.
Special thanks to spark*advocacy and Meredith Boessenkool Policy Advisors for helping us to host this event.
What: Meet The Line!
Where: Royal Canadian Military Institute, 426 University Ave., Toronto, Ont.
When: Oct. 18, doors open at 5.
How much: $125 (Proceeds to cover the cost of the event, and to help build The Line!) To attend, RSVP at eventcoRSVP@gmail.com. We have a limited number of tickets available, so don’t wait.
See you next month!
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The Line is Canada’s last, best hope for irreverent commentary. We reject bullshit. We love lively writing. Please consider supporting us by subscribing. Follow us on Twitter @the_lineca. Fight with us on Facebook. Pitch us something: lineeditor@protonmail.com.
I like that it's at RCMI. surely the Gurneyest venue in town, unless there's a starbase available.
Come to Calgary next!