Revamp pardons

Re: “Anonymous donors help Halifax woman fighting for pardon” (Jan. 15 story).

The first Trudeau government began with a promise to review the Harper amendments to the pardon system. Then-minister of Public Safety, Ralph Goodale, publicly acknowledged, more than once, how unfair the system was. Public Safety sponsored two public online surveys about the need for dramatic change — which demonstrated significant public support for a return to the previous system — to no avail.

Catherine Latimer of the John Howard Society of Canada advocated for change, as did other groups, but “clunk” — nothing. Like Tina Reilly, many, many others have learned, after their application has been submitted, that they had an outstanding fine, or victim fine surcharge that was not resolved, leading to the “wait time” (to begin the process) starting all over again.

How unfair. Why is there not a safety valve for this? And why aren’t we reviewing other pardon systems, like the U.K., with the automatic purging for some type of offences?

Changes to the criminal justice system are rarely in the political forefront — the budgets are not adequate, and our understanding of how to assist in facilitating public safety by addressing core issues is gradually being understood.

Improvements do occur. Nova Scotia has done a tremendous job improving institutional and community corrections by bringing social workers and teachers into its four adult jails, facilitating NSCC’S Limitless educational program, improving its case management system, helping with effective bail supervision and reducing incarceration for remand persons last March (without adverse consequences) as COVID arrived at corrections facilities.

My suggestion? Write to the minister of public safety, Bill Blair, and your MP, and follow up until something is done. Education and constructive political pressure are wise choices.