Michael Spratt
@mspratt.bsky.social
Partner at AGP Law; Criminal Lawyer; Podcast host; Writer; Baseball Fanatic; Jays; Political Junkie; Nerd; Will Spoil; Worldhopper
Pinned
Ezra Levant’s smears of a Crown counsel are unacceptable
I often disagree with Moiz Karimjee, but I am obligated to defend him against unwarranted attacks
www.canadianlawyermag.com
New from me: Ezra Levant’s attacks on an honourable Crown prosecutor go far beyond legitimate criticism. We should scrutinize the justice system. But smears and dog whistles undermine the good-faith debates we badly need: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
I criticized attacks on a Crown prosecutor. Somehow, it became a story about my mother-in-law, a political conspiracy, and harassing phone calls. Good-faith debate requires facts, context, and a little intellectual honesty.
www.michaelspratt.com/opinion/my-m...
www.michaelspratt.com/opinion/my-m...
My mother-in-law is the Governor General - Michael Spratt
After I criticized Ezra Levant, Blacklock’s and Rebel News made my mother-in-law, Governor General Louise Arbour, the story. Here’s what happened.
www.michaelspratt.com
October 13, 2026 at 6:09 PM
I criticized attacks on a Crown prosecutor. Somehow, it became a story about my mother-in-law, a political conspiracy, and harassing phone calls. Good-faith debate requires facts, context, and a little intellectual honesty.
www.michaelspratt.com/opinion/my-m...
www.michaelspratt.com/opinion/my-m...
I criticized attacks on a Crown prosecutor. Somehow, it became a story about my mother-in-law, a political conspiracy, and harassing phone calls. Good-faith debate requires facts, context, and a little intellectual honesty.
www.michaelspratt.com/opinion/my-m...
www.michaelspratt.com/opinion/my-m...
My mother-in-law is the Governor General - Michael Spratt
After I criticized Ezra Levant, Blacklock’s and Rebel News made my mother-in-law, Governor General Louise Arbour, the story. Here’s what happened.
www.michaelspratt.com
October 13, 2026 at 6:09 PM
I criticized attacks on a Crown prosecutor. Somehow, it became a story about my mother-in-law, a political conspiracy, and harassing phone calls. Good-faith debate requires facts, context, and a little intellectual honesty.
www.michaelspratt.com/opinion/my-m...
www.michaelspratt.com/opinion/my-m...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
New from me: Ezra Levant’s attacks on an honourable Crown prosecutor go far beyond legitimate criticism. We should scrutinize the justice system. But smears and dog whistles undermine the good-faith debates we badly need: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Ezra Levant’s smears of a Crown counsel are unacceptable
I often disagree with Moiz Karimjee, but I am obligated to defend him against unwarranted attacks
www.canadianlawyermag.com
October 2, 2026 at 8:55 PM
New from me: Ezra Levant’s attacks on an honourable Crown prosecutor go far beyond legitimate criticism. We should scrutinize the justice system. But smears and dog whistles undermine the good-faith debates we badly need: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
New from me: Ezra Levant’s attacks on an honourable Crown prosecutor go far beyond legitimate criticism. We should scrutinize the justice system. But smears and dog whistles undermine the good-faith debates we badly need: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Ezra Levant’s smears of a Crown counsel are unacceptable
I often disagree with Moiz Karimjee, but I am obligated to defend him against unwarranted attacks
www.canadianlawyermag.com
October 2, 2026 at 8:55 PM
New from me: Ezra Levant’s attacks on an honourable Crown prosecutor go far beyond legitimate criticism. We should scrutinize the justice system. But smears and dog whistles undermine the good-faith debates we badly need: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
New From Me: Ontario’s cash bail law will be found unconstitutional: but that won’t mean that Doug Ford and Doug Downey's plan failed. It will mean it worked exactly as intended
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Ontario's cash bail law is unconstitutional – and Ford knows it
The Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act uses real human suffering to manufacture a political grievance
www.canadianlawyermag.com
September 1, 2026 at 7:14 PM
New From Me: Ontario’s cash bail law will be found unconstitutional: but that won’t mean that Doug Ford and Doug Downey's plan failed. It will mean it worked exactly as intended
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
New From Me: Ontario’s cash bail law will be found unconstitutional: but that won’t mean that Doug Ford and Doug Downey's plan failed. It will mean it worked exactly as intended
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Ontario's cash bail law is unconstitutional – and Ford knows it
The Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act uses real human suffering to manufacture a political grievance
www.canadianlawyermag.com
September 1, 2026 at 7:14 PM
New From Me: Ontario’s cash bail law will be found unconstitutional: but that won’t mean that Doug Ford and Doug Downey's plan failed. It will mean it worked exactly as intended
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
From me: Some advice for Pierre Poilievre, If someone tells you Mexico is safer than Vancouver, it doesn’t mean it is. And if you want to be a leader, you better start acting like one. www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Poilievre, your doomsday depiction of Canadian crime is wearing thin
If someone tells you Mexico is safer than Vancouver, it doesn’t mean it is
www.canadianlawyermag.com
June 26, 2026 at 8:39 PM
From me: Some advice for Pierre Poilievre, If someone tells you Mexico is safer than Vancouver, it doesn’t mean it is. And if you want to be a leader, you better start acting like one. www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
From me: Some advice for Pierre Poilievre, If someone tells you Mexico is safer than Vancouver, it doesn’t mean it is. And if you want to be a leader, you better start acting like one. www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Poilievre, your doomsday depiction of Canadian crime is wearing thin
If someone tells you Mexico is safer than Vancouver, it doesn’t mean it is
www.canadianlawyermag.com
June 26, 2026 at 8:39 PM
From me: Some advice for Pierre Poilievre, If someone tells you Mexico is safer than Vancouver, it doesn’t mean it is. And if you want to be a leader, you better start acting like one. www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
New from me: It is time for structural justice reform. Shuffling the deck chairs in remand court ain’t gonna stop the boat from sinking: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reforming remand court requires structural, not superficial, changes
Ottawa’s attempt at fixing the intake process for criminal cases misses the mark
www.canadianlawyermag.com
June 1, 2026 at 10:25 AM
New from me: It is time for structural justice reform. Shuffling the deck chairs in remand court ain’t gonna stop the boat from sinking: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
New from me: It is time for structural justice reform. Shuffling the deck chairs in remand court ain’t gonna stop the boat from sinking: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reforming remand court requires structural, not superficial, changes
Ottawa’s attempt at fixing the intake process for criminal cases misses the mark
www.canadianlawyermag.com
June 1, 2026 at 10:25 AM
New from me: It is time for structural justice reform. Shuffling the deck chairs in remand court ain’t gonna stop the boat from sinking: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
From me: Courts must consider immigration consequences in sentencing. The CPC's performative outrage has serious implications for judicial discretion & fairness. It is too much to ask politicians for some grown-up honesty when it comes to Justice policy?
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Prohibiting judges from considering immigration consequences at sentencing ignores reality
Rempel Garner’s manufactured outrage could have serious implications for judicial discretion
www.canadianlawyermag.com
May 1, 2026 at 8:01 PM
From me: Courts must consider immigration consequences in sentencing. The CPC's performative outrage has serious implications for judicial discretion & fairness. It is too much to ask politicians for some grown-up honesty when it comes to Justice policy?
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
From me: Courts must consider immigration consequences in sentencing. The CPC's performative outrage has serious implications for judicial discretion & fairness. It is too much to ask politicians for some grown-up honesty when it comes to Justice policy?
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Prohibiting judges from considering immigration consequences at sentencing ignores reality
Rempel Garner’s manufactured outrage could have serious implications for judicial discretion
www.canadianlawyermag.com
May 1, 2026 at 8:01 PM
From me: Courts must consider immigration consequences in sentencing. The CPC's performative outrage has serious implications for judicial discretion & fairness. It is too much to ask politicians for some grown-up honesty when it comes to Justice policy?
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
New from me: When Doug Ford refuses to disclose records, loses in court, and then moves to change the law to avoid disclosure, it raises a simple question. What is Ford trying so hard to hide?
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Hey Ford: When you use your phone for government business, it is no longer personal
The premier isn’t protecting his privacy; he’s avoiding accountability
www.canadianlawyermag.com
April 2, 2026 at 10:08 PM
New from me: When Doug Ford refuses to disclose records, loses in court, and then moves to change the law to avoid disclosure, it raises a simple question. What is Ford trying so hard to hide?
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
New from me: When Doug Ford refuses to disclose records, loses in court, and then moves to change the law to avoid disclosure, it raises a simple question. What is Ford trying so hard to hide?
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Hey Ford: When you use your phone for government business, it is no longer personal
The premier isn’t protecting his privacy; he’s avoiding accountability
www.canadianlawyermag.com
April 2, 2026 at 10:08 PM
New from me: When Doug Ford refuses to disclose records, loses in court, and then moves to change the law to avoid disclosure, it raises a simple question. What is Ford trying so hard to hide?
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
Danielle Smith’s referendum on judges isn’t about democracy. It’s about power. And it’s part of a troubling trend in conservative politics: misrepresenting the facts and undermining public confidence in the justice system.
My latest column: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
My latest column: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Danielle Smith drags the judiciary deeper into her partisan mud slinging
The Alberta Premier’s referendum is a direct threat to the proper functioning of our justice system
www.canadianlawyermag.com
March 6, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Danielle Smith’s referendum on judges isn’t about democracy. It’s about power. And it’s part of a troubling trend in conservative politics: misrepresenting the facts and undermining public confidence in the justice system.
My latest column: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
My latest column: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Danielle Smith’s referendum on judges isn’t about democracy. It’s about power. And it’s part of a troubling trend in conservative politics: misrepresenting the facts and undermining public confidence in the justice system.
My latest column: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
My latest column: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Danielle Smith drags the judiciary deeper into her partisan mud slinging
The Alberta Premier’s referendum is a direct threat to the proper functioning of our justice system
www.canadianlawyermag.com
March 6, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Danielle Smith’s referendum on judges isn’t about democracy. It’s about power. And it’s part of a troubling trend in conservative politics: misrepresenting the facts and undermining public confidence in the justice system.
My latest column: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
My latest column: www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
"I accept responsibility for my actions,” Luloff told reporters outside the courthouse." Except he only did that after he was convicted. We should expect better from our elected officials.
Ottawa city councillor found guilty of impaired driving ottawacitizen.com/news/luloff-...
March 5, 2026 at 11:08 PM
"I accept responsibility for my actions,” Luloff told reporters outside the courthouse." Except he only did that after he was convicted. We should expect better from our elected officials.
Reposted by Michael Spratt
Lying about court decisions to fuel outrage isn’t “holding the system to account.” It’s poisoning it.
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Poilievre's lies about my client illustrate a wider problem with grievance politics
Conservatives have no qualms about undermining our courts or public institutions
www.canadianlawyermag.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Lying about court decisions to fuel outrage isn’t “holding the system to account.” It’s poisoning it.
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Lying about court decisions to fuel outrage isn’t “holding the system to account.” It’s poisoning it.
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Poilievre's lies about my client illustrate a wider problem with grievance politics
Conservatives have no qualms about undermining our courts or public institutions
www.canadianlawyermag.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Lying about court decisions to fuel outrage isn’t “holding the system to account.” It’s poisoning it.
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Why Poilievre’s false claims about my client reveal a much bigger problem with grievance politics:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
Ford and Downey are at it again. Another “tough on crime” bail bill that won’t reduce crime, won’t improve safety, and will violate the Constitution while punishing poverty.
Their Cash bail grift is bad law and worse policy.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Their Cash bail grift is bad law and worse policy.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Ford and Downey’s bail proposal gives freedom to the rich and cages the poor
Their soundbite-driven policy is a mask to hide their failures to ensure community safety
www.canadianlawyermag.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Ford and Downey are at it again. Another “tough on crime” bail bill that won’t reduce crime, won’t improve safety, and will violate the Constitution while punishing poverty.
Their Cash bail grift is bad law and worse policy.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Their Cash bail grift is bad law and worse policy.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Ford and Downey are at it again. Another “tough on crime” bail bill that won’t reduce crime, won’t improve safety, and will violate the Constitution while punishing poverty.
Their Cash bail grift is bad law and worse policy.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Their Cash bail grift is bad law and worse policy.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Ford and Downey’s bail proposal gives freedom to the rich and cages the poor
Their soundbite-driven policy is a mask to hide their failures to ensure community safety
www.canadianlawyermag.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Ford and Downey are at it again. Another “tough on crime” bail bill that won’t reduce crime, won’t improve safety, and will violate the Constitution while punishing poverty.
Their Cash bail grift is bad law and worse policy.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Their Cash bail grift is bad law and worse policy.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Reposted by Michael Spratt
The Supreme Court applied the Charter. Politicians answered with fear mongering, Charter-bashing, and even calls for vigilante murders. These politicians care more about scoring political points and undermining the rule of law than protecting kids:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
The Supreme Court's Senneville decision rejected moral panic, so should politicians
Kinew, Poilievre and Smith distort the reality of mandatory minimums for political gain
www.canadianlawyermag.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The Supreme Court applied the Charter. Politicians answered with fear mongering, Charter-bashing, and even calls for vigilante murders. These politicians care more about scoring political points and undermining the rule of law than protecting kids:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
The Supreme Court applied the Charter. Politicians answered with fear mongering, Charter-bashing, and even calls for vigilante murders. These politicians care more about scoring political points and undermining the rule of law than protecting kids:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
The Supreme Court's Senneville decision rejected moral panic, so should politicians
Kinew, Poilievre and Smith distort the reality of mandatory minimums for political gain
www.canadianlawyermag.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The Supreme Court applied the Charter. Politicians answered with fear mongering, Charter-bashing, and even calls for vigilante murders. These politicians care more about scoring political points and undermining the rule of law than protecting kids:
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/opinion...
Getting ready to listen to the @bluejays.com by candle light in the middle of the Canadian wilderness. A perfect time to close the cottage!
October 25, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Getting ready to listen to the @bluejays.com by candle light in the middle of the Canadian wilderness. A perfect time to close the cottage!
Bail is a hot topic with politicians, for both the liars and the cowards. There is a problem with bail, just not no the one the politicians are talking about. But I guess it is easier to fundraise on outrage and misinformation than real solutions. youtu.be/cbBPU9XOgVE?...
Reverse-onus will not solve 'real problems' with the bail system: defence lawyer | Power & Politics
YouTube video by CBC News
youtu.be
October 18, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Bail is a hot topic with politicians, for both the liars and the cowards. There is a problem with bail, just not no the one the politicians are talking about. But I guess it is easier to fundraise on outrage and misinformation than real solutions. youtu.be/cbBPU9XOgVE?...