Category Archives: Meetings

Get the insider scoop on news reporting in 2016

Ian MacLeod
Ian MacLeod

The Feb. 10 meeting topic and speaker are mysteries no more.

Ian MacLeod, long-time and much-awarded Ottawa Citizen reporter and editor, will be discussing what it takes to uncover and write the news in the age of Twitter and a dying newspaper industry.

MacLeod began at the Ottawa Citizen in 1978 as copy boy. He soon moved to the police desk and later spent more than a decade as the paper’s senior crime reporter stationed at Ottawa police headquarters.

He subsequently served as the paper’s assignment editor and deputy city editor, elections editor, feature writer, senior investigative reporter, national security correspondent and nuclear and aviation affairs writer. He now works at the Postmedia Parliamentary Bureau covering national security and justice issues, the Supreme Court of Canada and the NDP.
Over his 38-year career, MacLeod has covered many major national and international news events. He was one of the few mainstream journalists to report on the 1990 Oka Crisis from behind Mohawk Warrior lines. Months later from aboard the Canadian Navy battleship “HMCS Athabaska” and other locales in the Middle East, he covered the build-up to the 1991 Persian Gulf War. In 1998, he filed the initial breaking coverage from the scene of the downing of Swiss Air Flight 111 off the Nova Scotia coast.

On Sept. 11, 2001, he was one of the first Canadian journalists to reach ground-zero in Lower Manhattan.

From Washington, he provided extensive coverage of the 2002 drive-by snipers terrorizing the capital and, in 2003, on the opening strikes of the Iraq War, with coverage from the White House, Pentagon and State Department.

His investigative reporting led him to the 2005 discovery and repatriation from Belgium of Canada’s long-lost, first official Maple Leaf flag, now enshrined at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

The same year, he covered the transit suicide bombings in London and, later, the high-profile Old Bailey trial of seven jihadi terrorists who plotted to bomb the British capital. He was the leading reporter on the landmark Ottawa case and trial of Momin Khawaja, Canada’s first post-9/11 terrorism conviction.

MacLeod, 55, has won numerous journalism awards, including as the three-time winner of Canada’s top journalism prize for science writing for his stories on genomics, artificial intelligence and neurology. He has been nominated for three National Newspaper Awards, Canada’s highest journalism honour, and for investigative reporting by the Canadian Association of Journalists. Most recently, the association named MacLeod as a 2012 finalist for a national investigative reporting award for his revelations about the enormous stockpiles of radioactive waste hidden around Canada.

He lives in Ottawa with his journalist wife, their two children and the family dog and cat.

Awards and honors

  • Association of Journalists, national investigative reporting finalist, 2004, for “The Quiet Epidemic.”
  • National Newspaper Award finalist, 2002, for an in-depth narrative detailing how Canada’s air-traffic controllers cleared the skies of hundreds of U.S-bound jets on Sept. 11, 2001.
  • Heath Care Public Relations Society of Canada, Hollobon Award for outstanding medical reporting, 2002, for “Bracing for Germ Warfare,” a feature-length look at Canada’s preparations for a global influenza pandemic.
  • Council for Advancement and Support of Education, health and science media fellowship, 2002, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario.
  • Canadian Science Writers’ Association, Society in Science Award, 2001, “Searching for HAL,” about the evolution of artificial intelligence.
  • Canadian Science Writers’ Association, Technology and Innovation Award, 2000, for “Genesis Inc.” about the commercialization of the human genome.
  • Canadian Association of Journalists, national investigative reporting award finalist, 2000, “Genesis Inc.”
  • Health Care Public Relations Society of Canada, Hollobon Award for outstanding medical reporting, 2000, “Genesis Inc.”
  • Ottawa Life Sciences Council, reporting award, 1999, “Genesis Inc.”
  • Gloucester Police Service civilian citation, 1993, for investigative reporting that led to a re-opening and conviction in the unsolved 1981 Janice Schaefler murder case.
  • Southam President’s Prize, 1992, for outstanding coverage of the 1990 Oka Crisis.
    Crime Stoppers (North America) top crime-writing awards, 1987, 1986.

Recap:

  • Speaker: Ian MacLeod
  • Topic: News reporting in 2016: What it takes to uncover and write the news in the age of Twitter and a dying newspaper industry
  • Wednesday, Feb 10, 2016
  • 7 p.m.
  • Honeywell Room (second floor) at Ottawa City Hall
  • 110 Laurier Avenue West

Mystery speaker for Feb. 10 meeting

There is no January 2016 meeting of CCW.  The next meeting is on Wednesday. February 10, 2016 at 7 p.m.  Arrangements for the speaker are being finalized. Stay tuned for updates.

When and where

  • Wednesday, Feb 10, 2016
  • 7 p.m.
  • Honeywell Room (second floor) at Ottawa City Hall
  • 110 Laurier Avenue West

Crime beat: CCW meeting and festive dinner details

Homegrown terrorism

The focus of this November’s Capital Crime Writers meeting is homegrown terrorism. Homegrown terrorism has been an issue for years.  It includes criminal actions by white supremacists, radical Islamists, skinheads and perpetrators of hate crimes.  The speaker has studied the issues and possesses a broad knowledge of the topic.

When and where

When: Wednesday, November 11, 2015, 7 p.m.
Where: Ottawa City Hall, Honeywell Room (2nd floor)

Festive dinner

The CCW festive get together features Barbara Fradkin, CCW member and author of the Inspector Green mysteries. Books will be available for sale.

Seating is limited (about 35). To reserve your seats, email pastpresident@capitalcrimewriters.com. Include your name, the number of guests in your party and a phone number

When: Wednesday, December 9, 2015, 6 p.m.
Where: Capones Italian Grill, 2369 Carling Avenue, Ottawa

Meeting: Author of Inspector Ramirez series kicks off CCW season

Ottawa author Peggy Blair
Ottawa author Peggy Blair

Peggy Blair, author of the Inspector Ramirez series, kicks off the 2015/16 season of the Capital Crime Writers on Wednesday Sept. 9, 2015.

The worlds of Havana and a northern First Nation reserve converge in Peggy’s third book in the series, Hungry Ghosts. Inspector Ramirez and First Nations Detective Charlie Pike join forces to stop an international serial killer.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Honeywell Room (second floor) at Ottawa City Hall at 110 Laurier Avenue West.

The dues for 2015-2016 are $40.00.  Elizabeth (our Treasurer) will be accepting cash or cheques at the meeting and will issue receipts.

CCW April 2015 Meeting: Elections & PIZZA!

Got a taste for blood (and pizza)? Feeling bloody-minded? Then why not join us!

Our next meeting is on Wednesday April 8, 2015 in the Honeywell Room at Ottawa City Hall.  It begins at 6:45.  Pizza will be served.  The 2015-2016 election for the CCW Executive will then take place.  PLEASE COME TO THIS MEETING IF YOU ARE FREE.  If you are interested in putting your name forward for any of the executive positions, please email Michael Murphy president@capitalcrimewriters.com.   The CCW executive needs new blood.  We welcome fresh blood to the executive.

Our yearly book exchange also takes place.  Bring a couple of mysteries you have read to the meeting, leave them on the table and go home with something new to read.

Time permitting, we will have a round the table discussion of what we are currently reading.  Go home with suggestions from CCW members of what to read next, from Ottawa’s most discerning mystery readers

IF YOU ARE COMING TO THIS MEETING, PLEASE REPLY TO Michael Murphy
president@capitalcrimewriters.com  so he knows how much pizza to bring.

FINAL REMINDER: Entries for the “Audrey” short story contest close on April 1st. No fooling.

Book swap and a peek at the Capital Mayhem lineup

Give some mystery; get some mystery, and learn about our Capital Mayhem conference!
Bring some books; get some books, and learn about our Capital Mayhem conference!

Does your mystery collection need a refresh? Are there old favourites lying around collecting dust and in need of a good home?

Head on over to this month’s Capital Crime Writers’ meeting where members can pass along books and get some new ones to hibernate with during this interminable winter.

Bring your appetite too because free pizza is on the roster.

The meeting is Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 6:45 p.m. in the Honeywell Room at Ottawa City Hall. Chat to fellow members about beloved authors, compelling characters, crime, new authors to watch, or even share information about mysteries you’re writing. Elections will also be held for the 2014-15 CCW executive. Non-members are welcome.

Our president Michael Murphy will also share information about Capital Mayhem, our upcoming mystery conference on Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ottawa Public Library Main Branch.

This free event features Peter Robinson, author of the Inspector Banks mystery series. Attend panel discussions starring well-known Ottawa mystery authors, and chow down on a free lunch. Stay tuned.

Purloined intellectual property

Patent and intellectual property lawyer, Jaimie Bordman will present at the March 12, CCW meeting.

The next meeting takes place at 7:00 on Wednesday, March 12 in the Honeywell Room at City Hall. The speaker will be Jaimie Bordman.

Intellectual property (copyright, trade-marks, patents) is a subject authors must consider. As a writer, you may not unfairly use others’ work (be it a copyright or trade-mark issue) and you do not want others to unfairly use yours.

If infringements occur, legal ramifications could result. Protect your intellectual property and protect yourself. Jaimie Bordman will guide us through this legal world.

Jaimie Bordman is an associate of Ridout & Maybee LLP in the firm’s Ottawa office. His practice includes the preparation of patent applications primarily for electrical, mechanical and computer related technologies, as well as the prosecution of patent and trade-mark applications and intellectual property litigation.

He graduated in engineering physics at Carleton before studying law at the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. Jaimie is a member of the Canadian, Ontario, American and New York State bar associations plus the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. He is also a registered trade-mark agent.

Learn about Canada’s border security

CBSA
The February meeting wiil take place at 7:00 on Wednesday, February 12 in the Honeywell Room at City Hall. The speaker will be Peter Rickard of  the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Peter is currently the manager of Compliance for the Advance Passenger Information Program at CBSA. He is responsible for monitoring and analyzing passenger data to determine compliance with Canadian law for arriving international commercial aircraft. His current interests encompass aviation security, regulatory compliance, and fraud investigation.

The CBSA provides border services that support national security and public safety while enabling the free flow of legitimate persons and goods. Headquartered in Ottawa, CBSA monitors, investigates, detains and removes people or goods in violation of the laws. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, measures have become increasingly important to protect the safety of Canadians. Using advance information and international partnerships, CBSA identifies and intercepts threats before they arrive at Canada’s borders.

Peter’s talk will include the history and purpose of CBSA, aviation and trade security. he will discuss the challenges faced by the agency, including terrorism smuggling, human trafficking and money laundering.

Jan. 8 – Elizabeth Fry director to discuss women who commit crime

CCW January meeting topic: Women who commit crime.
CCW January meeting topic: Women who commit crime.

Bryonie Baxter, the executive director of Elizabeth Fry Ottawa, will speak to Capital Crime Writer members on the subject of women who commit crime.

A veteran educator with the Peel District School Board,  including positions as Vice-Principal, Secondary for two schools and I.B. Coordinator in one high school, Byronie co-authored The Future We Want: Building Inclusive Schools. Bryonie moved to Ottawa in March 2008 and began working for The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa in July of that year. As well as being Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, she is also a Federal Advocate for the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies and President of the Council of Elizabeth Fry Societies of Ontario.

In April 2010 Bryonie was the proud recipient of a Province of Ontario Leading Women, Building Communities Award recognizing her “exceptional community leadership to improve the lives of women and girls in Ontario”. Bryonie also sits on the East Region Director’s Resource Committee of the Office of the Independent Police Review Directorate.

When and Where:
Jan. 8, 2014 at 7 p.m.
Ottawa City Hall – Honeywell Room 2nd floor.

Follow Byronie on Twitter: @ByronieBaxter