‘Impartial justice’

Dear Editor:

An open letter to Ontario judge Antonio Skarica, who recently sentenced a Nigerian university student who extorted a Canadian woman to 28 months in prison.

I wish to thank you for returning, in part at least, my trust in the Ontario Judicial system.  

I read a National Post article on April 15 entitled “Judge takes justice system to task for failing Canadians.” I admit that I was amazed that a member of the Ontario Superior Court could agree with this mere mortal as regards to:

– the ongoing propagation of lenient sentences or absolute discharges for non Canadians convicted of crimes, because it put them at risk of deportation. This also seems to apply to those who are here illegally in the first place;

– the perception by many of the Canadian public, including me, that the Canadian justice system is soft on crime and prioritizes the rights of criminals over the rights of victims. How many examples do we need to read about every day before we confess to this truth?; and

– the justice system is a two-tier system that favours criminals with specified or apparent or possibly “disadvantaged backgrounds of themselves or their communities.” We see this all the time with the “discounted” sentences validated in section 718.2(e) of the Canadian Criminal Code. How many more of these examples do we need to read about every day before we confess to the truth?

 Perhaps if enough senior members of the Canadian justice system step forward, as you have done, we might see some changes and get back to impartial justice.

 Thank you once again,

 Michael Lee,
Salem