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Letters To The Editor News

Letters To The Editor | February 22-28, 2018


Caution required in Colten Boushie fallout

While I understand the pain that the Colten Boushie family must be going through (NOW, February 15-21), it is important not to rush legal reforms based on an emotional reaction to a particular case. This approach usually makes for bad law.

We must also remember that any changes that make it easier to convict also make it easier to end up with wrongful convictions, and Indigenous persons make up a disproportionate number of defendants in Canada. By all means, let’s re-examine the legal system for improvements, but let’s tread carefully and with deliberation.

Raymond Li, Toronto

Are white people being naive?

How refreshing to read Deb O’Rourke’s article on the Colton Boushie tragedy. His shooting death has never made sense to me. And those who say this response is naive should reflect on the fact that had this young man been convicted of simple trespassing (his only “crime” at the time of his death), he would have likely not even received a fine.

Gerald Stanley, the farmer found not guilty of second-degree murder in Boushie’s death, is certainly guilty of manslaughter – or at the very least, negligent use of a firearm causing death.

Those who believe Stanley was within his rights to protect his property might want to give some thought as to how they would want to be treated if they ran into trouble in an isolated area.

Elaine Anderson, Victoria

Shooting holes in Gerald Stanley defence

Gerald Stanley, the defendant in the Colten Boushie case, testified that he got his handgun and ammo from an unlocked shed, loaded the handgun, handled the loaded handgun, discharged two warning shots from the handgun and then, while reaching for the keys of the SUV that Boushie and his friends were in, accidentally shot Boushie in the head. He testified he used the handgun for predator control.

Stanley’s lawyer told the jury that Stanley’s actions leading up to the shooting were the actions of a “reasonable person.”

Every one of the actions Stanley described amounts to illegal use and handling and storage of a restricted firearm in Canada.

Geoff Currie, Toronto

Meanwhile gun deaths pile up in Florida

From the latest school slaughter in Florida have come the usual platitudes: the heroism and speed of the first responders, the coming together of the community, the gush of words from officials sympathizing with the distraught families. Law enforcement will scramble to explain why the shooter did what he did, but what they should really do is explain why legislators refuse to curb the incessant gun deaths. 

Legislators say they are just protecting the second amendment rights of Americans. Their real motivation is that they have a craven interest in hanging on to their jobs. They also have a stupefying fear of the NRA. As the bodies pile up, the rest of the world continues to look on in horror and disgust.

Geoff Rytell, Toronto

Diner tales on the road with Rush

Regarding Tales From Toronto’s Diners (NOW, February 15-21). Apparently in their early days as a bar band playing the gritty, northern Ontario club circuit, the members of Rush had a diner tradition. After a gig was finished, as soon as their load-out was done, they’d race their two roadies back down to Toronto. The destination was often Fran’s. One imagines them arriving in the wee hours to a mostly empty diner. Whichever vehicle lost the race had to buy the others apple pie à la mode. Thanks to original roadie “cousin” Glenn McLaren for that story. I am done. The end.

Gregg LaMarsh, Toronto

Are Pickering nuclear fears overblown?

Michelle Adelman’s article on the dangers posed by an accident at Ontario’s nuclear power plants to our water supply (NOW, February 8-14) was misleading and disappointing. Ontario’s CANDU nuclear power plants are engineering marvels. We should be proudly promoting this clean technology around the world. Had the writer actually visited one of the plants, she would have immediately been struck by the power of the technology and the dedication and skill of the professionals who run them. More research would have revealed that our plants are completely different from that in Fukushima on virtually every level of technology and safety design. In a province that has bungled almost every aspect of its energy supply, our nuclear reactors should be lauded for their excellence, not to mention the reality that they provide Ontarians with up to 60 percent of our daily electricity.

David Baker, Toronto

Following the evidence in Bryant case

Some online commenters challenge my claim (NOW, January 18-24) that my son’s fatal encounter with Michael Bryant in 2009 began when my son “touched” Bryant’s Saab. They insist my son jumped onto or into the car in attack mode.

But the Toronto police collision reconstruction report says, “There was no physical evidence or independent witness statements suggesting [my son] affected the steering of the Saab, or anything to suggest he physically attacked Mr. Bryant.”

The notion that my son jumped onto or into the car is based on one unidentified witness statement.

Allan Sheppard, Edmonton 

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