Facing life and death (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayor's Office)

Just the facts, ma’am.

That’s what fictional Dragnet detective Joe Friday used to ask for on TV decades ago. Today, the phrase is best known as a meme, but it’s still a good approach to decision-making in government. My colleagues and I should always look at the facts because that will point us towards the best course of action.

Rarely is this more apparent than in the discourse around the Grieving Families Act,