OTTAWA – A Conservative senator is in hot water for saying Wednesday that murderers should be given a rope in their cell in case they want to hang themselves.
Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, who sits on the Senate legal committee, made the controversial comments while talking to reporters before the Conservative caucusmeeting.
“I think of (Clifford) Olson,” he said. “I think of the people who were serial killers who have no chance of rehabilitation. I think, in the end, each murderer should have the right to a rope in his cell. He could decide his fate. But I’m against the death penalty.”
So his remarks were a bit gauche. So he’s apoogized and taken them back. So what? You should see the comments on this story from normal people. As far as I can tell most people agree with the senator.
Me, I’m with Richard Martineau on this one (in French). There is a world of difference between the suicide of a bullied teenager and that of a convicted killer. And be honest: How much would you cry if, say, Paul Bernardo decided to check out?
Personally, I’d be in favour of reinstating the death penalty for first-degree murder. I find the senator’s remarks gauche. But not particularly offensive. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.
I think there is some hypocrisy from our politicians, they keep saying that they represent the interests of their constituants, but what are they doing? They plug their ears and close their eyes to what their constituants are saying.
In the province of Quebec, 69% of the people is for the return of capital punishment for some crimes, I don’t know what is the percentage in the rest of Canada, but the Harper governement wants tougher laws against criminals and I am rather surprised to see that the governement doesn’t want to reconsider the possibilty to reinstate death penalty.
Ms. Pellerin, whether I, or most people, agree with Mr. Martineau is hardly the point. My questions are:
1. What is a senator with his very tragic peronal history doing on the Senate legal committee?
2. Should we not expect a little more objectivity from a senator on the Senate legal committee?
I think deep down everyone knows the answers to these questions. Mr. Martineau should be removed from that board.