Pubdate: Sun, 10 Feb 2008
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Connor Whelan

JUDGE SENDS BAD SIGNALS ON CRIME BILL

Last year, the B.C. judiciary broke the usual "silence of the bench" 
to defend itself against criticism from the federal justice minister 
for being too soft on criminals.

Statistical comparisons to other provinces' records of imprisonment 
for various crimes were cited. However, the judiciary wasn't so 
adamant about drug crimes.

Insinuating the downtrodden, sick-addict excuse and suggesting that 
most drug offences were committed by individuals that, in the view of 
the judiciary, prison wasn't the answer for is exemplified by the 
decision of B.C. Supreme Court Justice Catherine Bruce. Her ruling is 
just a harbinger of how the B.C. judiciary will attempt to subvert 
the federal government's proposed new anti-crime bill, particularly 
as it applies to traffickers and marijuana grow operators.

Nothing could be a clearer bellwether warning than Bruce's own 
rationale. She felt that, in spite of the current climate of 
drug-related gang violence in the Lower Mainland, the police should 
have "given more warning" to announce their presence before taking 
down the door of the accused grow operator's house.

Ironically, the film Mayerthorpe, about the murder of four RCMP 
officers in Alberta four years ago, will be shown on television this 
week. It should be required viewing for Madame Justice Bruce, who 
also revealed her anti-RCMP bias, by saying "this kind of violent and 
forceful entry with guns drawn appears to be standard practice for 
the Surrey RCMP."

Connor Whelan

Ladysmith
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