Playing on our fears
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Updated: July 22, 2009 4:16 PM
Editor: The Standard
We must be getting close to a federal election call this is evident in the recent flyer that was sent out by the Conservative Party.
Chuck Strahl’s latest propaganda piece claims that they are protecting us from violent criminals by outlawing the so-called ‘faint-hope’ clause, which presently allows some convicted murderers to apply for early parole. They intend to overturn this law, which is section 745.6 of the Canadian Criminal Code, and which was passed in law in 1976 after capital punishment was abolished.
This bill, for those who were convicted of first or second degree murder, was meant to encourage the prisoners to rehabilitate themselves. With no hope of an early discharge, there is no incentive for the convicts to improve their behaviours.
The Conservative case focuses on the fact that when a prisoner applies for the faint-hope clause, the families of the victims are often asked to attend the hearings and may be asked to testify. This is the central point in the Conservative opposition.
However, Strahl’s literature conveniently ignores several pertinent points. Firstly people convicted of multiple murders are not eligible to apply under this clause.
Secondly, very few prisoners apply as it is. Between 1987 and 2006, of the 1500 eligible prisoners, only 97 were granted parole. This means that 6.4 per cent of all eligible prisoners were released early. There is not a massive threat to the public that the Conservatives would infer.
Thirdly, an application for the faint-hope clause is not automatically successful. First, a jury hears all the evidence. It’s decision must be unanimous. After that, a positive decision only allows a prisoner to apply for early parole. The final decision lies with the National Parole Board.
Fourthly, prison guards across Canada support the faint-hope clause. If the people who must deal with these prisoners on a daily basis support the clause, there must be some merit to it. Prisoner behaviours have apparently improved significantly since the clause was introduced.
I do know that the New Democratic Party has suggested that there should be an amendment to the clause so that victim’s families are not required to testify at the hearings, and thereby rehash all of the terrible memories.
The conclusion to this affair is that the Conservatives are trying to appeal to the public’s fears, as unrealistic as these fears may be. It is the oldest trick in the book – you instill fear in the electorate with the expectation that they will turn to your political party for reassurance. Hitler did this successfully in Germany in his lead-up to the Second World War by instilling the fear that communists were going to take over the country and he, of course, was the only man who could stand up to them.
The Conservatives in Canada are using taxpayers’ monies in an effort to brainwash us into believing that the streets are filled with early paroled murderers and only they are going to stand up for us. I can’t believe that the Conservatives believe that we are that stupid as to believe their propaganda.
However, after looking at this with a crass, political eye, it is perhaps better that Strahl and his Conservatives continue these propaganda ploys. This will ensure that they return to the opposition benches where they belong.
Dick Harrington
Hope B.C.
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