Justice Minister Sizanne Anton, this is regarding the decision and sentence of Lori Vance on impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm.
Is it any wonder we the people have lost faith in the system?
We no longer have a justice system, we have a legal system.
The decisions by the Justice and Crown counsel have rendered the life of Erin Smith, a promising young nurse, value at three years.
The actions of Lori Vance forever changed the life of Lindsay Hauck and this is the sentence they prescribed?
I am beyond words.
Their decision sends a clear message to the police who investigated this case of, “why bother” because the courts will not respect their efforts.
Their decision sends a clear message to the community that you can kill someone and only get a slap on the wrist.
The punishment will not fit the crime.
Their decision is a further example of how the courts are out of touch with society.
I once believed it was better that in Canada, judges and Crown counsel are appointed and not elected.
Their decisions have changed my mind.
My hope is they will learn what we the people want.
We want to trust the system. We want to trust their judgements. They have failed us.
The decisions have failed to offer society any form of protection, or deterrent to crime.
They have failed the police who work hard to bring those to justice.
They have failed the families of Smith and Hauck.
Erin Smith and Lindsay Hauck deserved better.
They failed them too.
Bruce Eckhoff
Vernon