Bernardo Parole Board - You bet that the families of who he tortured and murdered should face him. Give them this because they need it!

Outrage over Paul Bernardo’s transfer to medium-security prison was the last memory and now we have another problem Huston. Parole board barred victims' families from attending Bernardo hearing in person, lawyer says The infamous killer and rapist goes back before parole board next week for a virtual hearing Catharine Tunney · CBC News · Posted: Nov 19, 2024 6:51 PM EST | Last Updated: 37 minutes ago Two teenaged girls in school photos. Kristen French was 15 and Leslie Mahaffy was 14 when Paul Bernardo kidnapped, tortured and killed them. (The Canadian Press) Social Sharing The lawyer representing the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy — tortured and killed in two of the most heinous crimes in modern Canadian history — says the justice system has let them down again by denying the victims' mothers the opportunity to deliver their victim statements in person at Paul Bernardo's upcoming parole hearing. In a letter sent to the head of the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) on Tuesday, lawyer Tim Danson argues his clients have a right to confront their daughters' killer in person. "It was nothing short of gut-wrenching to experience the painful and heartbreaking reaction of Debbie Mahaffy and Donna French when they learned that the PBC was prohibiting them from representing their daughters (and themselves), and denying them the right to confront Paul Bernardo, in person, through the reading of their victim impact statements," Danson wrote in his letter, which was shared with CBC News. "This was truly a shock to their system. It was bone chilling — an insult so deep and hurtful that, (figuratively speaking), it set victims' rights back to the stone age." The letter is addressed to Parole Board chair Joanne Blanchard, Correctional Service of Canada commissioner Anne Kelly and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Paul Bernardo goes back before parole board later this month Supreme Court won't hear families' years-long case over access to Bernardo documents Bernardo, designated a dangerous offender, is serving a life sentence for the violent kidnapping, sexual assault and murders of French and Mahaffy, who were teenagers at the time of their deaths. He is scheduled to have a virtual parole hearing next week. PBC citing safety reasons, lawyer says In his letter, Danson said the families' legal team was told recently their clients won't be able to attend the hearing because the board was "unable to ensure safety and security of all hearing attendees." He said the parole board didn't provide further details. According to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the board can restrict attendance if "the security and good order of the institution in which the hearing is to be held is likely to be adversely affected by the person's presence." In his letter, Danson said he has never seen that threshold invoked in his four decades as a trial and appellate lawyer. "Who is the 'person?' Surely not the victims who have conducted themselves with absolute propriety and decency at Mr. Bernardo's previous two hearings. Are you referring to Mr. Bernardo — is he your concern?" he wrote. "Even the worst offenders are smart enough to behave properly when appearing before the Parole Board claiming that they no longer represent a threat to public safety and therefore ought to be paroled. There has to be an air of reality to this." sketch of paul bernardo Paul Bernardo in a courtroom sketch. (Pam Davies) He argued that delivering victim statements in person brings an "overarching human dimension and quality" to the proceeding. "Relegating victims, against their will, to the impersonal, detached coldness of a computer screen is simply cruel," said Danson. "The fact that the 'system' fails to understand this is profoundly sad." CBC News has reached out to the Parole Board of Canada for comment. A spokesperson for LeBlanc, whose portfolio includes the parole board, said the board is an arms-length body that makes decisions independently. "Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, who continue to live with the trauma caused by this individual's abominable crimes," said Gabriel Brunet in an email. Killer moved to medium-security facility Danson pointed out that safety and security concerns were not cited when Bernardo's first parole hearing was held at Millhaven, a maximum-security facility in 2018. His second attempt at parole in 2021 was held virtually due to the pandemic. "How can there possibly be any such concerns at the La Macaza Institute, a medium security facility? If such concerns have now arisen, why hasn't Mr. Bernardo been transferred back to Millhaven or some other maximum-security institution?" Danson wrote. Corrections chief briefed Mendicino's chief of staff weeks before Bernardo's prison transfer Bernardo's controversial transfer to La Macaza last year sparked outrage and demands for changes to how dangerous offenders are treated. Following a review, Correctional Service Canada concluded all proper procedures were followed but acknowledged that the families of the victims should have been better informed. Danson accused the system of working for "Canada's most notorious sadist, sexual psychopath and murderer, but not his victims." "Lip service to victims' rights is deeply offensive," Danson wrote. The letter concludes by asking that Bernardo's Nov. 26 parole hearing be adjourned to accommodate the families so they can travel to attend in person. "They have a right to answers, as do all Canadians," it reads. "They too are entitled to justice, not just the offender who has murdered their daughters." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Catharine Tunney Reporter Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at catharine.tunney@cbc.ca With files from The Canadian Press My comments: The Bernardo case is one I remember quite well. I also remember what decent students would tell me what they would do to him if they could. There was so much shock and anger. He is in jail, and his wife who is free, remarried with children and hiding last in Quebec under a new name. Recently the law changed that people convicted with such offences or words to that effect can no longer legally change their names. This is a case that people watch closely because it was so terrible. HOlmoka at the time (with husband), also killed her own sister. This was merciless. Our judicial system has been coming into question in how effective it is. People are actually leaving the city of Toronto because they are tired of the crime. Only yesterday I was conversing with someone who felt she was stuck here and told me that since I was born in Italy, I could go there. Me, in Italy? Mama Mia. I don't think so. I turned citizenship to Switzerland down noted in my book. What am I going to do there? Sing to the mountains? I probably cannot get books written in English at the library. It is always one thing going on vacation and quite another going to live there forever. Yesterday they released on the news that one of every immigrant (aside from refugees) leave and they are trying to figure out how to keep them. Do you really need to figure that out? What is it now, every fifth person needs a food bank? Who goes to the food bank? This includes university educated people with full time jobs who did everything right - the local news broadcasts. And what did I hear today? 20 percent of children are living in poverty in Toronto. Maybe if I stopped listening to the news as my 100 year old, old neighbour did, because it was so changed from the early Toronto we both knew, I might be just fine and able to keep my big mouth shut. However, it is all interrelated. I know that terrible devastating crimes are not always reported. Victims want to know why they cannot feel like they did before anything happened to them. Long court waits re-awaken the sorrow that families feel. Justice is something that survivors and victim families hope for and it is not always available. People need to feel safe. Wake up and smell the coffee. This is not brain science. I am staying in Canada. This is my country and home, regardless of where I was manufactured. I am not going to say "Let's make Canada great again" but I can see why people vote for people who may not be the best option. We need politicians who care about people and not money. Or at least care about about people as much as you care about money. Do the right thing. Focus on survivors and victims. Let people make a living wage. Crack down on corporations who will never be satisfied. It should not be our responsibility to feed the people of Toronto. Yes, Miss Mayor, we are generous, but it shouldn't be happening. Did I get pissed off listening to the news today? You better believe it. Can it bite me? You bet!

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My temporary store for my books is silvaredigonda.myshopify.com

As you know by now, I am always dealing with some nuisance or other. While shopify deals with the domain of my store, they have provided me with this temporary domain, so you can order an ebook or soft cover book. Of course there is also a mail strike going on. What are the chances? Oh boy. So, why not order an ebook. If you have any and I mean any problems please let me know. Ominous is my favourite book and the last one I released this year. You can still order the book, which is in soft cover only, for $24.95. I don't say 25.00 because it sounds more expensive. I will mail it out to you as soon as the strike is over. I will be selling my books at the legion 7 Dec 24, for their Christmas Fair. The legion is at 1050 Weston Road, M6N 2S2. Please come and visit me and buy a book as a Christmas gift to someone you love or hate. I can help you choose. The legion is on Western Road, West side, South of EGlinton. Oh boy...........

Oh Boy, Thoughts of the week (my web site www.silvaredigonda.ca is down) Taylor Swift is in Town and the Good, bad and Ugly are hard at work.

Well, I did attend a webinar last Saturday held by Susan Chuang, a professor at Guelph University. As always it was interesting. I wrote notes and will start providing that for you next week if everything returns to normal sooner rather than later. Of course it is about family. Next: I noticed yesterday that my site where I sell my books is down. Apparently my domain disappeared and now they are working on getting that back on line. It should take about 24 hours. I'll give them til Monday. I try to keep my weekends free from any kind of work or media. Note: Try. Work balance is very important and I am prone to having fun. Next: I was alerted yesterday that I am going to have a seven hour exam at the end of April. I have seven hours to complete it in one setting but I should be able to do it in four hours. Yeepeee, can't wait!!!!! Of course, they don't call it an exam. They call it a CBA. I will be provided with 30 situations, judgement cases and I believe the pass is 85%. They are trying to make it as stress free as possible. How nice. I hope all the colleges do that. They will be providing me with more information - how nice. This is all to protect you, the public. I was asked three questions. Would I be able to write the exam? Would I still be working? Or, three is there any reason I couldn't do it. Let me think? Don't want to? I don't think that is a good response. Retirement? Can anyone retire nowadays? OK, I'll do. There you go, now that is a sound judgement response. On a lighter note we have Taylor Swift in town. Our city counsellors who seem to be mostly Swifties, made a Swifty road sign which cost thousands to welcome her. My city counsellor objected. I have to make sure to vote for him. Counsellors called those opposed - haters. So, is this the solution statement now at city hall - Don't agree with a Swiftie fan therefore you are hater? I think Taylor Swift is a smart business woman and you have to be, to be a billionaire. She is always welcomed in my town. The news this morning reported that she is expected to generate 282 million dollars in our city. Hotels have marked up their prices 10 times (greedy. I don't think they should be able to do that. Niagara falls did the same thing and upset a lot of people during the summer eclipse). The Anti Fraud Centre reports that 184 Swiftie tickets were reported as being fraudulent (as of Wednesday). Not nice Fraudsters. These are kids you are ripping off. As far as I am concerned if Taylor Swift is in town and is making so many people happy, perhaps she should live here sometimes. Of course, we need to keep her safe because there are some actual haters out there. My town needs excitement with all the shootings going on. Fortunately, most don't know how to shoot and I am not going to be their instructor. Three Police Associations are protesting the Bail System and are asking the government for help. What would our city look like if the police went on strike? I would take a sabatical out of town. Yesterday there were some 23 people I believe arrested for shooting about a hundred rounds, including hitting an unmarked police vehicle. Our police heros were on the scene and arrests were made quickly. How do they accomplish that? Let's support our Police who do their best to keep us safe with so little. Oh, they are going to hire more police, naw, not to match the crime...silly. They are trying to replace the ones retiring. Now, I have two busy days ahead, so I think, I'll go shake it off.

Veterans Day - Poppy - No frills disappoints

Well, I did go. It was the first time I attended since I retired, with lots of drama. First as I drove to the cemetary I spotted a woman, I had seen chasing a Coyote a few days earlier. She was trying to film the poor beast, while he was trying to get away from her. I was concerned because the woman showed no respect for the animal as she was filming him and I was concerned that she was going to corner him. This time the woman was searching for him without success. It is no wonder that they are starting to attack. They have less land to feel safe in. A man saw my plates and asked me where I wanted to go and began removing the safety pods so I could drive through. What a guy! There was no way I would have been able to walk the distance that was cordoned off. I drove to the steps and parked where film crew and others were given priority. I managed the steps with one of my crutches and I was so glad I carried it with me. I found a beautiful tree and made it my resting place. I was asked a lot of questions and I wasn't expecting so much. One of the cemetery staff asked me if I wanted a chair and I accepted, thus losing my spot at the grand tree. During the service, an elderly woman fell onto the ground. Initially, I thought she had died, her eyes were wide open and still. She was with someone who was helping her and calling 911. For some reason, I called out that we needed a medic. For some reason two medics reacted but their equipment was in their vehicle. It is comical really because we all reacted as if we were still in the military. Why would I call for a medic? Fortunately, EMS were at the parade as well, so they responded immediately. Paramedics arrived and they all brought her back to life and of course I gave her my chair. What a woman! I would have gone to the hospital if I were her, just to be safe. However, she wanted to remain for the entire parade. I couldn't understand why there were not chairs for more people, especially the elderly who need to be there for reasons they alone have. I saw the VIP civilians come in their glory as well as the politicians, perhaps one and the same. One woman was insisting I have another chair and I insisted that she stop. OMG. After the service, I hobbled over to the coffee which I was really looking forward to. There I was approached by an MP who spoke of his ambitions. I marvelled at this new generation of hopefuls. I did tell him to be careful what he wished for (because I have seen so many lively and wonderful people going to war zones and returning different. I wanted more for this young striking man who has his entire life ahead of him.) After some discussion with him, I went to the cenotaph to compliment the young cadet who was so perfect in her role; and so much better than myself when I had to do that, which I shared with her. She informed me she wasn't a cadet, she was regular force. Boy, how long has it been? Then I was approached once again by a civilian woman wanting to know where I had been. I told her Europe, the Middle East and Canada, as I continued to go to the safety of my car. I hobbled down the steps and helped my leg into the car. I decided this would be my last parade. I went off to have breakfast with legion members and while they were going off to another parade, I decided to go home and then return. I did and spent most of the day at the legion where I heard the stories about the poppies. I had to admit I was so much in awe of these volunteers who give so much of their time for the causes of veterans. They have welcomed me so warmly and earnestly. Then the stories came. I shall call her Alaine, not her real name (I hope. I am bad with names). Her parents were both World War vets from England. They immigrated here and at the time, citizenship was automatic with Canada. I didn't know that had changed and wondered why so many things have to change and not always for the best. Look at us now. It appears with no surprise that her parents had suffered, due to the war. She later told me that "No Frills" at Black Creek and Eglinton had refused her to have poppies on the premises. She said she was so upset that she had to take a break before going to the next place and had to have a coffee to calm down. I felt really bad for her because I saw her pain. I don't go shopping there and Fortino's my grocery store has a poppy box at customer service. I always make a mental note of where they are because I keep losing mine. Then I heard from another member who had served, whom spoke of one man who gave him one hundred dollars and wanted only one poppy at the Eaton Centre two years ago. It was evident that he had appreciated the gesture. Then he talked about how wonderful the children are and that of course, gives me hope. I was given a Military Service Recognition book, Volume X1, and he wanted me to look at the pictures at the back of the book that children had drawn. The work is stunning. These children are so deep and their drawings are so amazing. What gifted children. He gave me a pen of a palace guard, hat and quilt - so cute. I have tried to go to England three times while I served and never did make it. Was it time? My hairdresser also went and I have been suppied with cookies and tea bags from the West Minister Palace since his return. I was also provided with an Afghanistan,

Lest We Forget pin (2001-2014). It rests against the following words, " Once again Canada was called upon to send our Canadian Armed Forces into battle. More than 40,000 soldiers served in Afghanistan. 2,179 soldiers were wounded. 158 soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice and thousands more will need assistance for years to come."