Elect Bob Rae in Toronto Centre!

Over forty years ago a group of dedicated MP's from all parties began the campaign to abolish the death penalty in Canada. The Don Jail was the scene of the last hanging, and the defence lawyer Arthur Maloney, a Member of Parliament in the Diefenbaker era (and an ardent "abolitionist") carried the memory with him for the rest of his life. The debate in Canada matched similar arguments in Europe, and we proudly joined the ranks of those abolishing the death penalty in the 1960's. It was a free vote, and it was followed twenty years later by a second vote when Brian Mulroney was Prime Minister. Interestingly enough all party leaders at that time voted against the death penalty.

The core of the bring back the noose movement was in the old Reform and Alliance parties, and in their reverse takeover of the Conservatives have been pushing it once again. But the buzz word in Con ranks these days is "incrementalism" - this is the Flanagan strategy - make headway a step at a time. So instead of bringing it to another vote - which they would soundly lose - they just do everything they can to bury the values that were behind Parliament's decision. For years Canada has co-sponsored a UN resolution on the death penalty. No longer - we vote in favour but we don't sponsor. Then Stephen Harper refuses to make a call asking for clemency for a Canadian on death row in Montana. It has been traditional practice for Canadian governments to intervene, but this has now changed we won't intervene where the death penalty has been brought in by a "democratically elected government".

There are really two things going on here. The first is the Flanagan stealth tactic. The second is appeasing the Republican right wing in the U.S. Both are reprehensible, and take us away from our country's best traditions. I feel as if the voice of the Canada I have known is being stifled, replaced by a cynicism and callousness that bring shame, and no glory, to the country we love.