Plea to Stephen Harper
Here's a letter I just fired off via email urging Harper to delay tonight's vote. Anyone reading should go ahead and send something similar. Holding off an election is critical now more than ever!
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May 10, 2005
The Honourable Stephen Harper
Leader of the Official Opposition
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Dear Mr. Harper:
I am a concerned Canadian. As the sister of Sheryl Gardner who was murdered by Ralph Power in 1981, I have been working very passionately to see Bill C-13 become a reality. Today, the Commons Justice Committee unanimously endorsed several key amendments to Bill C-13, including an amendment to expand the retroactive application of the law to include offenders serving a sentence for one murder, one sexual assault or one manslaughter. The committee also agreed the entire bill should be passed into law as quickly as possible to ensure authorities can take the DNA of violent offenders awaiting release into the community, including the man who murdered my sister…not to mention Karla Homolka. This is such a step in the right direction!
Together with the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, we are currently in contact with the Government House Leader’s office to urge him to place the bill on the order paper immediately. However, even if the government does agree to move quickly, the Government is at risk of falling this evening if your party’s motion passes.
If the government falls before the bill passes, there are serious implications. The most pressing concern relates to the release of Karla Homolka who will be out of prison in July. Unless this bill is passed, Homolka’s DNA will not be in the national DNA Databank. I believe Canadians will question the motives of anyone who does not do whatever they can to prevent that from happening – especially when we are so very close. I know I question it.
We simply cannot afford to wait for an election and a new government to introduce a new bill. Anyone concerned with the public safety of Canadians must recognize that.
It is not in the best interests of Canadians to see known offenders – people convicted of murder, sexual assault and manslaughter - walk out of prison without being in Canada’s national DNA databank. As a victim, I cannot stress strongly enough how important this bill is for me, my family and all victims of crime. Many crime victims have no voice so I hope my voice is one you hear on everyone's behalf.
As the leader of the Official Opposition, it is your responsibility to act in the best interests of Canadians. Therefore, on behalf of all Canadians, I am asking that you delay your non-confidence motion until Bill C-13 passes.
The bottom line is simple. If you let the Liberals do what all agree needs to be done re the fast-tracking of Bill C-13, it's my understanding that we could see revised legislation within a few days. Like the saying goes, if there's a will, there's a way.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Gardner
CC Mr. Peter MacKay, Mr. Gord Brown, Mr. Gordon O'Connor, Mr. Steve Sullivan
------------------------------
May 10, 2005
The Honourable Stephen Harper
Leader of the Official Opposition
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Dear Mr. Harper:
I am a concerned Canadian. As the sister of Sheryl Gardner who was murdered by Ralph Power in 1981, I have been working very passionately to see Bill C-13 become a reality. Today, the Commons Justice Committee unanimously endorsed several key amendments to Bill C-13, including an amendment to expand the retroactive application of the law to include offenders serving a sentence for one murder, one sexual assault or one manslaughter. The committee also agreed the entire bill should be passed into law as quickly as possible to ensure authorities can take the DNA of violent offenders awaiting release into the community, including the man who murdered my sister…not to mention Karla Homolka. This is such a step in the right direction!
Together with the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, we are currently in contact with the Government House Leader’s office to urge him to place the bill on the order paper immediately. However, even if the government does agree to move quickly, the Government is at risk of falling this evening if your party’s motion passes.
If the government falls before the bill passes, there are serious implications. The most pressing concern relates to the release of Karla Homolka who will be out of prison in July. Unless this bill is passed, Homolka’s DNA will not be in the national DNA Databank. I believe Canadians will question the motives of anyone who does not do whatever they can to prevent that from happening – especially when we are so very close. I know I question it.
We simply cannot afford to wait for an election and a new government to introduce a new bill. Anyone concerned with the public safety of Canadians must recognize that.
It is not in the best interests of Canadians to see known offenders – people convicted of murder, sexual assault and manslaughter - walk out of prison without being in Canada’s national DNA databank. As a victim, I cannot stress strongly enough how important this bill is for me, my family and all victims of crime. Many crime victims have no voice so I hope my voice is one you hear on everyone's behalf.
As the leader of the Official Opposition, it is your responsibility to act in the best interests of Canadians. Therefore, on behalf of all Canadians, I am asking that you delay your non-confidence motion until Bill C-13 passes.
The bottom line is simple. If you let the Liberals do what all agree needs to be done re the fast-tracking of Bill C-13, it's my understanding that we could see revised legislation within a few days. Like the saying goes, if there's a will, there's a way.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Gardner
CC Mr. Peter MacKay, Mr. Gord Brown, Mr. Gordon O'Connor, Mr. Steve Sullivan
posted by Carolyn Gardner at 3:17 p.m. 
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