Death penalty debate sparked by Tory senator

'Every murderer should have a rope in his cell,' says Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu.

By Meagan Fitzpatrick; February 1, 2012 - CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/02/01/pol-crime-bil...

Conservative Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu said Wednesday he's against the death penalty, but not opposed to convicted murderers having ropes in their cells to kill themselves.

His comments, made to reporters ahead of the Conservative caucus meeting, prompted immediate reaction on Parliament Hill and quickly had Boisvenu backtracking.

"No, I'm not in favour of the death penalty, I think people need to be given a chance. But other cases should be reconsidered," he said.

Boisvenu went on to talk about convicted murderers who are deemed to have no chance at rehabilitation and gave serial killer Clifford Olson as an example.

"Basically I think that every murderer should have a rope in his cell and he can decide on his own life. But I'm against the death penalty," Boisvenu said in French. He then talked about the cost of housing convicted killers in jail and also referred to the Shafia family case, in which a mother, father and their son were convicted on Sunday of murdering four members of their own family.

Boisvenu later told a television network that he had gone too far with his comments and that he shouldn't have made them publicly. He also told a radio station that it was an inappropriate thing to say and that mistakes are made in politics.

He said that he is not lobbying for a debate on the death penalty, but that there are plenty of people who would like to see it talked about.

Boisvenu, who was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2010, sits on the committee that is studying the government's omnibus crime bill. It is holding its first meeting on the bill later Wednesday and senators will hear from Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.

NDP calls it a 'sad day'

The Quebec senator is known as a victims' rights advocate and is the founder of the Murdered or Missing Persons' Families' Association, a group he created after his daughter was murdered in 2002.

While Boisvenu made it clear he is against the death penalty his comments still sparked criticism on Parliament Hill.

Interim NDP Leader Nycole Turmel said it was a "sad day."

"I just hope that it's not the feeling or sentiment of all the Conservative senators we have in the House," she told reporters after her party's caucus meeting.

"I believe Mr. Harper should have a good discussion with the senator," Turmel said. If he maintains his views, he should be asked to withdraw from the Senate committee, "because that doesn't represent the Canadian society at all."

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae said Boisvenu's comments "were obviously completely unacceptable."

"He's also suggesting that the prison system break the Criminal Code, which is equally ludicrous," he said. Rae said Boisvenu's personal experience may have prompted the emotion that led to those remarks but they are still inappropriate.

"I hope Mr. Harper will completely disown them and make it clear that they're not the policies of the government," Rae told reporters.

Boisvenu's fellow senator on the legal and constitutional affairs committee, Conservative Bob Runciman, said Boisvenu's opinion is not one he shares and that the debate on capital punishment should not be reopened.

Runciman said people should understand what Boisvenu has been through because of the loss of his daughter and "extend some appreciation to the trauma and the impact that's had."

He doesn't think Boisvenu needs to withdraw from the Senate committee that studies crime and justice legislation.

"He has huge credibility within Quebec, especially with respect to the tragedy that befell his family and the loss of his daughter. I think he's a valuable member of the committee," said Runciman.

NDP MP Pat Martin, known for not holding back his views, said Boisvenu's comments were "appalling."

"You stuff the Senate full of hacks and flaks and Tory idiots and you're going to get some stupid comments," he said. "Whoever put him there should apologize on his behalf if he's too stupid to apologize himself."