I cannot understand the criminal justice sentencing system
Published Friday November 6th, 2009
Letters to the editor
Re: Criminal justice system
I think the Canadian justice system is as good as any anywhere.
What I cannot understand is the sentencing system.
For example, a British Columbia man has abducted, at last count (they are still finding bodies), 32 women, killed them, and buried them on his farm.
They have convicted him of second degree murder on six of the first 26. I thought that second degree murder was for unpremeditated murder.
Hello! You killed one, but didn't mean to, maybe! But somewhere in the next few, isn't it obvious that you intended to murder that one, and the others?
I thought that deliberate and premeditated murder was first degree. I feel that at least one of those should count.
Then we have concurrent sentences - one burglary on one occasion, another on another night, for as many as it takes to get caught. Then one sentence for them all? Ridiculous.
Where is the deterrence to multiple crimes? Why should multiple homicide be no worse than a single, unforgettable, unforgivable crime?
Yes, I can see something like 10 years for one crime and only five for each subsequent, similar crime, but not a free ticket for all repeats.
Is it really so valuable for society that a large number of outstanding unsolved cases are "solved" by a questionable confession from a man with nothing to lose?
Crime without appropriate punishment gets repeated. Crimes cleared from the books for convenience sake never get solved.
That said, I am still glad to be a Canadian in Canada.
Stuart Mills
Fredericton
Who wants a locked-in rate for five years? I do!
Re: Sale of NB Power
The recent NB Power - Hydro-Quebec deal is an excellent start to a comprehensive greening of our energy sector.
Never will New Brunswick be in a position to produce 100 per cent of its power needs from green sources. At some point we would have to make a choice between power and environment.
We no longer have to make that choice. As consumers, we are getting a frozen rate for five years. In this day of global energy markets, that is almost mantra from heaven.
Who wants a locked-in rate for five years? I do!
Better yet, New Brunswick business will get a rate that makes it competitive than any other part of Atlantic Canada and that is a selling point for economic growth.
I know there has been a lot of whining about the Irvings - the evil Irvings, those stealers of everything dear to New Brunswick. Yeah, right.
The Irvings - those providers of 10,000 jobs, who will be able to expand their businesses and provide a thousand more.
New Brunswick still retains authority over its infrastructure, and any other province can apply through a fair process to use that infrastructure.
If other provinces are worried, should they not bring a better offer to the table? New Brunswickers will decide this debate, Premier Williams, so none of your free and fair election manipulation here.
The fact is the argument against this deal is more xenophobic than logical. The well-tuned inferiority complex developed by many New Brunswickers toward Quebec is much on display.
Whether it the supposed destruction of anglo society here or accusations of selling new Brunswickers' heritage or the creation of New Brunswick as a political dependant of some republican Quebec at some future point, the opposition's shrill complaining is just plain silly.
The Northeastern USA gets much of its power from Quebec, yet they have surrendered neither their nation nor their English language.
Does anyone think that retiring 40 per cent of our debt is such a bad thing?
We need to do something about NB Power; we can either up rates 40 per cent and make NB Power viable in five years, or sell it.
One way or the other, the electricity will still flow, we will still have lights and heat; the difference will be whether we can afford to turn them on or not!
Dan Fraser
Oromocto, N.B.
Do not allow this farce to be carried out
Re: Sale of NB Power
I am completely confused and upset to understand why Premier Shawn Graham thinks he has the authority to sell NB Power to Quebec.
This is a resource of New Brunswick and that belongs, as far as I am concerned, to the citizens of New Brunswick.
If it was not for the working class people of New Brunswick, there would be no NB Power.
How much have we paid for heat and electricity through the years, costs have continually gone up?
There are people that find it difficult now to pay their bills in the winter.
Does Premier Graham really think that Hydro-Quebec will do us any favours concerning rates?
They are going to ship most of the power to the U.S., so who do you think is going to be the fall guy to pay for their extra costs?
If this is about paying off the debt, he is only doing it to make himself the "big man" when he leaves office.
He will be leaving sooner than later if this deal is not scrapped. I did not vote for him and I feel sorry for those people who did.
Premier Graham has shut out the people of New Brunswick on every major decision he has made since taking office.
I will give you a hint, Premier Graham, New Brunswick is not owned by you, but by the people of New Brunswick. You were put in office to represent the people, not to make a big name for yourself.
I also have something to say to the Opposition: you must stand up and disrupt the legislature on this issue and if it comes to dissolving the house, so be it.
Please do not allow this farce to be carried out. Listen to our neighbours and friends from Newfoundland and Labrador. Premier Danny Williams has something to say, so sit up and listen.
Finally, remember all those people pushing for this deal, wait and see how many start whining once the deal is done. Hopefully this can be nipped in the bud before Premier Graham starts selling off New Brunswick's other assets in the near future.
Grace Ayles
Tracy, N.B.
Dangerous intersection needs lights
Re: Traffic
The intersection on Cliffe Street at the entrance to Leo Hayes High School has become more dangerous this year.
The speed limit there is 60 km/hour, and more students are walking to school due to cutbacks in school busing.
Compounding the problem is the fact that Irvine Street has now been connected to Cliffe Street via Sunny Brae.
Screeching tires are often heard at this intersection during the pick-up and drop-off of students. It is only a matter of time before a student or driver gets hurt.
Although two crosswalks have been painted on the street within the past month, I feel there is a desperate need for traffic lights here before the winter weather arrives.
I've noticed that drivers don't always stop for a crosswalk, but will generally stop for a light.
Margaret MacDonald
Fredericton
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"The Northeastern USA gets much of its power from Quebec, yet they have surrendered neither their nation nor their English language."
They didn't sell their provincially owned energy system to Quebec either!! If NBPower execs actually tried, we could be selling our power to New England. NBPower could be making money from selling excess power, transmission fees etc. Reorganize NBPower, trim where it needs to be trimmed, it can be a profitable company capable of paying down the debt.
Mr. Fraser, this deal is a one shot deal with a life of 5 years. Read the fine print of the MOU...the deal is not all that it seems. There is no going back once things turn out differently than Shawn Graham are telling New Brunswickers. If New Brunswick wants to have any control of it's future, the sale of NBPower must be scrapped!
We just hope it works out, thats what.
This deal is wrong, and this government has no mandate to push it on us. Call an election and let the voters decide.
My opposition to the deal has nothing to do with language or quebec. First of all, yes the northeastern states buy significant power from quebec, but they retain their distribution network, so if quebec gets greedy, they can buy from another source, or produce there own. Secondly, the rates do not need to go up by 40% over 5 years, NB Power is viable now, and I admit appears they will need approximately CPI increases in the near future, just like the quebec deal after 5 years. I myself think your severly underestimating the intelligence to the arguement against this sale, if you think it ties back to xenophobe.
There is almost no deterrence to any crime, multiple or not.
One thing I have noticed is if you want promp service at any Canadian hospital show up with a police escort and you get bumped to the front of the line no matter why you're there.
I was at the IWK and there was a murder there who was let out of prison to see his newborn baby. He had arm and leg shackles on and 2 escorts following him around at all times. He got his own room to sleep in and got access to the room we couldn't get into even though my 11 year old nephew was in there on a ventilator.
Would you prefer that he be sat down beside you while he waits for service as well?