AILING LEGAL SYSTEM CAN'T AFFORD TOUGH-ON-CRIME LEGISLATION

Re: Court complains of justice delayed, Column, Jan 23.

If it seems that "the protectors of the public interest have failed to
live up to the standard expected of them," and the situation is
worsening, what will it be like after the enactment of Bill-C10, the
Safe Streets and Communities Act?

What is the point of enacting tougher laws when neither the standard
expected, nor the court system itself, can support the strain due to
the lack of government-funded resources for the Provincial Court?

The outcome effectively necessitates a reduced standard of due process
to expedite process so as to unburden the courts.

Why? To preserve the appearance that the rule of law and justice has
been served. Point in fact, that has already begun.

Let's face it, neither the legal sys-tem nor the government can afford
to continue talking tough on (drug) crime while the courts continue
dismissing a large volume of drug charges without an eventual societal
backlash.

Like it or not, though, the sovereignty/independence of the courts, as
we know it, is being compromised.

Wayne Phillips Hamilton, Ont.