Pubdate: Thu, 15 Sep 2005
Source: Outlook, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Outlook
Contact:  http://www.northshoreoutlook.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1433
Author: Wayne Phillips
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1413/a02.html?116012
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Boje (Renee Boje)

CANADIAN AG'S ATTITUDE IS UNCONSCIONABLE

Editor,

Regarding the quote of Irwin Cotler's decision, which appeared in an 
article entitled, 'It's A Serious Sovereignty Issue' (Aug. 25 issue).

That statement cannot go unchallenged. When a situation prevails where a 
wife and mother is torn from a loving family environment to appease 
Canada's international commitments, and that it is a "not uncommon" 
occurrence, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Irwin 
Cotler is clearly mistaken.

The surrender of Renee Boje to the U.S. to stand trial is sufficiently 
shocking to the Canadian conscience to render that surrender unacceptable 
in the extreme. She is neither a serial killer, a violent criminal 
offender, a threat to her immediate community, or a terrorist.

Renee Boje is the wife and mother of a three-year-old Canadian son and 
resident of Deep Cove. She, who has no prior involvement with the police, 
runs the Urban Shaman herbal store in Vancouver and is a taxpaying asset to 
her community. Now, because of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General 
of Canada's pusillanimous sense of legalism, she faces a minimum 10-year 
U.S. prison sentence for allegedly moving and watering marijuana plants 
that did not belong to her, at a Bel Air, California residence eight years ago.

The surrender of Renee Boje to the U.S. to stand trial is beyond 
sufficiently shocking to the Canadian conscience as to render the surrender 
simply unacceptable; it is unconscionable.

The impact that such a surrender would have on her community, her family 
and, in particular, her son's well-being is irrevocable. That too is more 
than sufficiently shocking to the Canadian conscience to render her 
surrender criminal.

Wayne Phillips

Hamilton, Ontario
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