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Meet one of Canada’s newest senators — Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu.
The Sherbrooke, Que., native who went on from the tragic murder of his daughter to become one of Canada’s best known advocates for the rights of victims and their families says he plans to use his new job to fight for victims rights and to crack down on the criminals who prey on them.
Boisvenu said he has specific things he wants to achieve in terms of justice and victims rights. At the end of four years he plans to assess his progress and if he has achieved what he came to Ottawa to do, he’ll quit.
Many Senators have their area of interest, an issue they push for relentlessly. Dallaire fights for human rights, especially the rights of people affected by war; Oliver fights for visible minorities (although I’ve noticed he can be quite silent when his views are not in agreement with those of the conservative government); Ringuette fights for the right of all Canadians to apply for government jobs regardless of where they live in Canada...
But those Senators never claim to be there solely for those issues.
Any Senator will likely bring certain goals to the Senate and will have a point of view already in place. But by saying he’ll quit once he achieves his preconceived goals on crime and justice, Boisvenu is saying two things - even without debate in the Senate, he has made up his mind what he wants to push for, and that is his sole purpose for serving as a Senator.
The Senate should not be anyone’s personal soapbox, paid for by taxpayers. Senators must address each issue with a willingness to debate and consider other information and arguments, and they must be as committed to all issues presented for debate and vote.
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That's why parents of victims should never be directly involved in such matters - too much (understandable) emotion and subjectivity. Too much desire for vengeance. No rationality. No temperance. No balance.
As much compassion as I have for this fellow Sherbrookois of mine, I still hope that he comes to understand that vengeance solves nothing whatsoever - and it certainly won't bring back his missed, beloved daughter.
We need to remain aware to what extent pain and fear, and hate, will drive us - just look at our ever shrinking "rights" in favor of our new Deity, "Security".
Too much injustice being perpetrated in the name of "law and order", of "victim's rights" ... we *must* strike a balance here.
What's next - cuffing teenagers for doodling on their desk at school and then being sentenced to community service for it?
(oops - too late)
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