I’m appreciating your features with questions for all the candidates in our provincial election.
I’d like to suggest a topic for questioning all the candidates. First of all, I want to disclose that I have a strong belief in and passion for restorative justice. I assisted the Nelson Police Department in developing the restorative justice program we have in Nelson today.
The question I would ask all candidates is, “What changes need to be made in our criminal justice system for victims to be more satisfied and offenders brought to justice?”
Recently the Supreme Court of Canada has thrown out some very significant high profile cases because they have been stalled in the bureaucracy of the criminal justice system for months on end. Our highest court is saying this isn’t acceptable for victims and offenders to have to wait years before justice is served. The criminal justice system has become a quagmire of red tape and legalese with lawyers countering one another on technicalities.
The system needs an overhaul so cases that need to go to court are dealt with efficiently with justice being served. Our judicial system needs to look at alternate ways that bring victims and offenders together so they mutually address the effects caused by crime and how to bring reparation and restoration for those personally involved and our community.
Gerry Sobie
Nelson