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No real justice in Canada

Convicted felons cycle through the revolving door of a catch-and-release system

After the unprovoked, senseless slaying of 53-year-old Surrey mom Julie Paskall, Newton has finally had enough and is determined to take back its community from a long-festering history of crime.

The usual responses to crime and crime prevention, as put forward by former Surrey mayor Dianne Watts – such as more police presence, intensified video surveillance, mental health initiatives, etc. – can be effective measures to be taken by the embattled community of Newton.

However, no progress to combatting an escalating situation of street crime will be made unless we tackle the fundamental judicial problem of the courts routinely handing out soft or no sentences... sending convicted felons back on the street through the revolving door of a catch-and-release justice system.

Instead of feebly portraying violent criminals as victims of societal exclusion, measures to help put an end to street crime must entail, first and foremost, resolute legislation for tougher sentencing that would send a clear message to would-be felons that judicial tolerance for street crimes is over.

What is needed now is political courage to act.

Enough with crime and punishment Canadian style, where the rights of convicted criminals trump the fate of their very real victims; where lenient sentences have made drug trafficking and organized crime the crimes that pay; and where bail is granted, few questions are asked, and criminals are free again to roam the streets.

 

E.W. Bopp

Tsawwassen