ALBERTA VOTES 2008

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Election Blog Squad

Crime and punishment

February 14, 2008 | 10:45 AM
Cyril CookCyril Cook

A few things I noticed on the party’s websites concerning crime…

  • All opposition parties agree that Alberta should have an independent investigative agency to review complaints against the police. I think most people would agree that having the police investigate itself is absurd. Why the Progressive Conservatives so far seem offside on this is a mystery. Also absurd are the Conservatives’ statements for the past year’s achievements including only one on crime and five on environmental stewardship.

  • Like many people in Canada I was horrified watching Robert Dziekanski being hit with a Taser in a Vancouver airport. That and many other cases give me the impression that Tasers are being used when they are not justified. An RCMP complaints commission recommended that that they were only to be used if there is a threat of death or serious injury instead of simply threatening to resist arrest. So, bravo to the Liberals who promised to adopt the tougher Taser guidelines recommended by the commission.

  • But…the top prize for absurd has to go the Liberals for their plan to legislate the minimum price bars can charge for alcohol. Do we really need more government interference in private businesses’ affairs?

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