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