Jamie Livingston
@jamielivingston.bsky.social
Criminologist; critical work at the mental health, substance use, & criminal legal intersection
Kjipuktuk, Mi'kma'ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
He/Him 🍁 ⚖️ 🥌 💉 😺 💜
www.justmentalhealth.ca
Kjipuktuk, Mi'kma'ki (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
He/Him 🍁 ⚖️ 🥌 💉 😺 💜
www.justmentalhealth.ca
This tragedy is the result of massive systemic failures within our healthcare and policing systems. A comprehensive public inquiry is needed along with meaningful actions that reduce the serious risks faced by people in crisis.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Group calls for fatality inquiry in case of Halifax man who died during arrest | CBC News
The East Coast Prison Justice Society says fatality inquiries should be mandatory in deaths involving police.
www.cbc.ca
October 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This tragedy is the result of massive systemic failures within our healthcare and policing systems. A comprehensive public inquiry is needed along with meaningful actions that reduce the serious risks faced by people in crisis.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
YAY!
Now, that task will be to advocate for an appropriate level of funding to ensure the program can grow, be responsive to people’s needs, reduce reliance on ERs, and divert a significant volume of calls away from police.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Now, that task will be to advocate for an appropriate level of funding to ensure the program can grow, be responsive to people’s needs, reduce reliance on ERs, and divert a significant volume of calls away from police.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Halifax launches new civilian mental health crisis team | CBC News
Halifax has launched a new civilian team to help people in distress in the Dartmouth area as an alternative to calling police. The pilot project called CARE — Crisis Assistance and Response — began Mo...
www.cbc.ca
October 7, 2025 at 10:36 AM
YAY!
Now, that task will be to advocate for an appropriate level of funding to ensure the program can grow, be responsive to people’s needs, reduce reliance on ERs, and divert a significant volume of calls away from police.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Now, that task will be to advocate for an appropriate level of funding to ensure the program can grow, be responsive to people’s needs, reduce reliance on ERs, and divert a significant volume of calls away from police.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Job Postings for Community Crisis Responders (full-time and casual) with the POSSE - CIAO Program ... the first non-police mobile crisis service in Nova Scotia 🙌
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/41508
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/41509
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/41508
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/41509
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre Job Board - Community Crisis Responder
Job vacancy for the role of Community Crisis Responder
mnfc.applytojobs.ca
September 17, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Job Postings for Community Crisis Responders (full-time and casual) with the POSSE - CIAO Program ... the first non-police mobile crisis service in Nova Scotia 🙌
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/41508
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/41509
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/41508
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/41509
The growing number of communities that are creating civilian (non-police) crisis response programs is a direct product of the defund the police movement. Although police budgets are increasing everywhere, this monumental shift in service delivery is still a major win for the community. ✨️
May 6, 2025 at 9:37 PM
The growing number of communities that are creating civilian (non-police) crisis response programs is a direct product of the defund the police movement. Although police budgets are increasing everywhere, this monumental shift in service delivery is still a major win for the community. ✨️
Job postings for community crisis responder positions in Nova Scotia's first civilian crisis response service are up.
Awesome job to the amazing crew at POSSE 👏
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/37466
Awesome job to the amazing crew at POSSE 👏
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/37466
April 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Job postings for community crisis responder positions in Nova Scotia's first civilian crisis response service are up.
Awesome job to the amazing crew at POSSE 👏
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/37466
Awesome job to the amazing crew at POSSE 👏
mnfc.applytojobs.ca/posse/37466
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
An unequivocal, powerful message to N.S. Premier Tim Houston from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, who inform him they remain opposed to fracking and “will not see it happen on our unceded and traditional territory.” Houston, you have a big problem with your plans to frack this province.
March 28, 2025 at 1:10 AM
An unequivocal, powerful message to N.S. Premier Tim Houston from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, who inform him they remain opposed to fracking and “will not see it happen on our unceded and traditional territory.” Houston, you have a big problem with your plans to frack this province.
Civilian mobile crisis services divert calls away from police. When implemented, police will no longer respond to a proportion of calls to which they were previously dispatched. As such, there should be a commensurate transfer of funding from the police to civilian teams. It's really that simple.
March 21, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Civilian mobile crisis services divert calls away from police. When implemented, police will no longer respond to a proportion of calls to which they were previously dispatched. As such, there should be a commensurate transfer of funding from the police to civilian teams. It's really that simple.
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to sign the ECPJS petition for an immediate moratorium on Police response to Mental health calls. 5/11
Signez la pétition
Call for Immediate Moratorium on Police Deployment to Wellness Checks in Nova Scotia
www.change.org
March 20, 2025 at 9:46 PM
If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to sign the ECPJS petition for an immediate moratorium on Police response to Mental health calls. 5/11
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
-- calling for an end to police-led wellness checks after the tragic loss of two community members during HRP “wellness check” interventions where tasers were deployed.
Here are the results of the vote for the Community Crisis Diversion Pilot.
3/11
Here are the results of the vote for the Community Crisis Diversion Pilot.
3/11
March 20, 2025 at 9:45 PM
-- calling for an end to police-led wellness checks after the tragic loss of two community members during HRP “wellness check” interventions where tasers were deployed.
Here are the results of the vote for the Community Crisis Diversion Pilot.
3/11
Here are the results of the vote for the Community Crisis Diversion Pilot.
3/11
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
Here’s a recap on the Mar. 19 HRM council meeting regarding the Budget Adjustment List (BAL) 🧵
(Council will continue discussions on the BAL Friday, Mar 21)
1/11
(Council will continue discussions on the BAL Friday, Mar 21)
1/11
March 20, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Here’s a recap on the Mar. 19 HRM council meeting regarding the Budget Adjustment List (BAL) 🧵
(Council will continue discussions on the BAL Friday, Mar 21)
1/11
(Council will continue discussions on the BAL Friday, Mar 21)
1/11
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
Just out in #HarmReductionJournal: another article from our realist review of international evidence on overdose prevention centres (AKA drug consumption rooms, supervised injecting facilities), showing how and for whom they work #harmreduction #OPCPrep 1/7 links.springernature.com/f/a/hWOfNJIE...
March 20, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Just out in #HarmReductionJournal: another article from our realist review of international evidence on overdose prevention centres (AKA drug consumption rooms, supervised injecting facilities), showing how and for whom they work #harmreduction #OPCPrep 1/7 links.springernature.com/f/a/hWOfNJIE...
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
Whether you need to talk or are looking for resources to address substance use, we’re here to listen and connect you with resources. No judgement. Just support.
Call or text 2-1-1
Visit ns.211.ca/mental-health
Call or text 2-1-1
Visit ns.211.ca/mental-health
March 20, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Whether you need to talk or are looking for resources to address substance use, we’re here to listen and connect you with resources. No judgement. Just support.
Call or text 2-1-1
Visit ns.211.ca/mental-health
Call or text 2-1-1
Visit ns.211.ca/mental-health
Today, Halifax Regional Council voted to fund a 24/7 Community Crisis Diversion Pilot Service that will divert crisis calls away from police, priorizing the needs & safety of people in crisis.
This is a big step for our community that has taken several years of advocacy at multiple levels. Yay!
This is a big step for our community that has taken several years of advocacy at multiple levels. Yay!
March 20, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Today, Halifax Regional Council voted to fund a 24/7 Community Crisis Diversion Pilot Service that will divert crisis calls away from police, priorizing the needs & safety of people in crisis.
This is a big step for our community that has taken several years of advocacy at multiple levels. Yay!
This is a big step for our community that has taken several years of advocacy at multiple levels. Yay!
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
CALL TO ACTION: FUND COMMUNITIES, NOT TANKS!
On February 12th, both the proposed Armored (Tank) and the $101,255,70 (up $3,244,300 (3.3%)) HRP budget request go to HRM Council.
Please use the linked EMAIL TEMPLATE and tell your Councilor to vote ‘NO’ to tank purchases or police budget increases.
On February 12th, both the proposed Armored (Tank) and the $101,255,70 (up $3,244,300 (3.3%)) HRP budget request go to HRM Council.
Please use the linked EMAIL TEMPLATE and tell your Councilor to vote ‘NO’ to tank purchases or police budget increases.
Stop the Tank Email Template
Email Template for Stopping the Purchase of Another Armoured Vehicle: WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CUSTOMIZE THIS EMAIL TEMPLATE BEYOND INSERTING YOUR NAME AND DISTRICT AND TO PROVIDE YOUR OWN UNIQUE EMAIL S...
docs.google.com
January 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
CALL TO ACTION: FUND COMMUNITIES, NOT TANKS!
On February 12th, both the proposed Armored (Tank) and the $101,255,70 (up $3,244,300 (3.3%)) HRP budget request go to HRM Council.
Please use the linked EMAIL TEMPLATE and tell your Councilor to vote ‘NO’ to tank purchases or police budget increases.
On February 12th, both the proposed Armored (Tank) and the $101,255,70 (up $3,244,300 (3.3%)) HRP budget request go to HRM Council.
Please use the linked EMAIL TEMPLATE and tell your Councilor to vote ‘NO’ to tank purchases or police budget increases.
In Canada, equality rights are guaranteed under the Charter.
Sending police to mental health emergencies while sending healthcare providers to physical health emergencies violates these rights.
Such a system disproportionately, arbitrarily, & predictably harms people with mental health needs.
Sending police to mental health emergencies while sending healthcare providers to physical health emergencies violates these rights.
Such a system disproportionately, arbitrarily, & predictably harms people with mental health needs.
March 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
In Canada, equality rights are guaranteed under the Charter.
Sending police to mental health emergencies while sending healthcare providers to physical health emergencies violates these rights.
Such a system disproportionately, arbitrarily, & predictably harms people with mental health needs.
Sending police to mental health emergencies while sending healthcare providers to physical health emergencies violates these rights.
Such a system disproportionately, arbitrarily, & predictably harms people with mental health needs.
As I said earlier this week, when we send police to people who are vulnerable & in mental heath crisis, we're making that person more vulnerable to experiencing a range of harms including death.
Tragically, 2 people died in Halifax this week during police interactions.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Tragically, 2 people died in Halifax this week during police interactions.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
March 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
As I said earlier this week, when we send police to people who are vulnerable & in mental heath crisis, we're making that person more vulnerable to experiencing a range of harms including death.
Tragically, 2 people died in Halifax this week during police interactions.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Tragically, 2 people died in Halifax this week during police interactions.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
would there even be an economy without the exploitation of drug users' suffering
February 20, 2025 at 3:52 PM
would there even be an economy without the exploitation of drug users' suffering
The New Brunswick Women's Council calls for the NB government to halt the development of the so-called Compassionate Intervention Act (medicalized incarceration and forced abstinence of drug users).
www.nbwomenscouncil.ca/content/dam/...
www.nbwomenscouncil.ca/content/dam/...
www.nbwomenscouncil.ca
March 20, 2024 at 4:52 PM
The New Brunswick Women's Council calls for the NB government to halt the development of the so-called Compassionate Intervention Act (medicalized incarceration and forced abstinence of drug users).
www.nbwomenscouncil.ca/content/dam/...
www.nbwomenscouncil.ca/content/dam/...
“It’d be great if the conversation was centred on the question of what’s most effective and appropriate for people in crisis, rather than what’s most efficient for the police,” Livingston told the Examiner in an interview.
I sure did and I'd say it again lol
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/health/chang...
I sure did and I'd say it again lol
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/health/chang...
Change might be coming to how police handle mental health calls - Halifax Examiner
Do we need to have a fully uniformed police officer sitting in the emergency department with a person who is not exhibiting any outward violent tendencies?
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
March 12, 2024 at 10:43 PM
“It’d be great if the conversation was centred on the question of what’s most effective and appropriate for people in crisis, rather than what’s most efficient for the police,” Livingston told the Examiner in an interview.
I sure did and I'd say it again lol
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/health/chang...
I sure did and I'd say it again lol
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/health/chang...
"Halifax council is considering fast-tracking plans to have civilians — rather than police
— respond to citizens who are in crisis, a move supported by both residents and local police forces"
I feel like the little engine that could ... I think I can, I think I can!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
— respond to citizens who are in crisis, a move supported by both residents and local police forces"
I feel like the little engine that could ... I think I can, I think I can!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
March 1, 2024 at 2:09 AM
"Halifax council is considering fast-tracking plans to have civilians — rather than police
— respond to citizens who are in crisis, a move supported by both residents and local police forces"
I feel like the little engine that could ... I think I can, I think I can!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
— respond to citizens who are in crisis, a move supported by both residents and local police forces"
I feel like the little engine that could ... I think I can, I think I can!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Jamie Livingston
I had a good conversation yesterday with Todd Battis of CTV News about #BillC63, the #OnlineHarms bill.
atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video/c28750...
atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video/c28750...
Privacy lawyer speaks about online harm bill
Todd Battis speaks with privacy lawyer David Fraser about Canada's Bill C-63, which aims to protect Canadians against online harm.
atlantic.ctvnews.ca
February 28, 2024 at 8:12 PM
I had a good conversation yesterday with Todd Battis of CTV News about #BillC63, the #OnlineHarms bill.
atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video/c28750...
atlantic.ctvnews.ca/video/c28750...