Our Crime Panel delves into whether Judge Kristine Eidsvik should be removed from the bench for comments 'insensitive to racial minorities,' plus with cannabis set to be legal this summer, what happens to Canadians with criminal records related to pot.

Alberta judge apologizes for inappropriate comments, but should she be removed from the bench?

University of Calgary law students received an apology from Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Kristine Eidsvik earlier this month for what some have described as racist comments.

Justice Eidsvik, judge in residency at the university, visited a second year law class and offered a speech some called shocking.

Students say Eidsvik described feeling uncomfortable when she walked into a room “full of big dark people.” Students say the judge described living in an “ivory tower” “removed from the riff raff”.

Justice Eidsvik has since apologized saying, "I am sorry for offending or causing hurt to anyone in this room from the bottom of my heart"

Are pardons for pot convictions on the horizon?

With cannabis set to be legal by July 2018, Canadians with criminal records relating to pot are wondering what will come of their convictions.

Canada’s Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said government will be looking at the “all legal implications” of marijuana’s legalization but no specifics on how to handle those convicted of cannabis related crimes has been released.

Prime Minister Trudeau has said those purchasing pot illegally before the July 1 date will be charged up to and until the law is changed.

Should Canada introduce online anti-hate speech law?

This month Germany made international headlines with that country’s introduction of sweeping online hate speech laws that would require social media giants like Facebook and Twitter to remove hateful, defamatory or fake information within 24 hours of it being reported.

Last week a spokesperson of Canada’s Justice Minster’s office confirmed that Canada would not be considering similar legislation.

Our Crime Panel is: Irfan Chaudhry, crimonolgy instructor at MacEwan University;Steven Penney, professor in the faculty of law at the University of Alberta and Erin Gibbs Van Brunschot, professor in the department of sociology at the University of Calgary