Mr. Speaker, sometimes judges make questionable rulings and sometimes they make inappropriate comments. Occasionally we hear from a judge with a finger on the pulse of the community. This week a B.C. judge imposed a 14-year sentence on a parasite for his part in a home invasion.
Home invasions have become epidemic in British Columbia. Primary targets are the elderly but entire families have also been terrorized. At least one murder has resulted. Charities are suffering because people are afraid to open their doors. Community crime prevention meetings are packed.
This judge has delivered a clear message by using what in his words is “the only remedy the law now provides a trial judge”. He also said “courts can do their part to preserve a citizen's right to live in security by imposing progressively severer sentences on those offenders who commit this type of crime”.
We can only hope that his colleagues at the appeal court level will show the same commitment to their communities.