ATTORNEY GENERAL’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON HOMOLKA
RESTRICTIONS MAY BE SMOKE AND MIRRORS - RUNCIMAN
TORONTO – This week’s announcement
by Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant that
he will send Ontario officials into Quebec to
seek restrictions on convicted killer Karla
Homolka following her July 5th release from
prison, is a game of political one-up manship
that is an insult to victims and could jeopardize
the possibility of having effective restraints
placed on Homolka, according to former Solicitor
General Bob Runciman (MPP, Leeds-Grenville).
“I suspect this week’s rushed announcement
by Mr. Bryant was driven by the fact that we
(PC’s) had a resolution scheduled for
debate, that would have robbed him (Bryant)
of some limelight and his come hell or high
water efforts to bill himself as a crime fighter”,
charged Runciman.
“Placing politics ahead of public safety
is always a dangerous game and Mr. Bryant clearly
didn’t have his ducks in a row on this
one”, said Runciman.
Runciman, who served for six years as a justice
minister in the previous PC government, pointed
out that a call yesterday to the Quebec Justice
Minister indicated that he hasn’t even
been contacted by the Ontario Attorney General,
two days after Bryant’s Toronto press
conference!
“An application under Section 810(2)
requires the consent of the Attorney General
and the Quebec Attorney General is not even
aware of Ontario’s intent. What does that
say about Mr. Bryant’s hurried announcement?”
asked Runciman.
The veteran MPP also pointed out that an Ontario
effort to persuade a Quebec court to impose
constraints on Homolka while resident in Quebec
is a tricky jurisdictional issue and could jeopardize
the possibility of meaningful restraints being
granted by the court.
“Quebec is traditionally very protective
of its jurisdictional authority and the idea
of Ontario telling Quebec what should apply
in its own province may do more harm than good”,
suggested the MPP.
“Ontario’s approach should have
been to work closely in a supportive and helpful
role with Quebec officials, not trying to steal
the show”, said Runciman.
“If Mr. Bryant wants to do something
productive in his own province he should consider
pursuing charges against Ms. Homolka, including
perjury and the “Jane Doe” sexual
assault that were not protected by her plea
bargain”, asserted Runciman.
Media Contact:
Bob Runciman
(416) 325-1522
