HEATHER STEWARTS PETITION FOR BAIL REFORM
URGENT MESSAGE TO OUR READERS
Dear web-site followers and new viewers:
In November of 2010, Heather Stewart accompanied by her daughter Amanda and members of both Sisters in Solidarity and Remember our Sisters Everywhere attended in Ottawa and met with MP Joe Comartin who was at the time the NDP Justice Critic.
Mr. Comartin was very committed on the need for Bail Reform to go forward and save women’s lives. He was sincere and compassionate upon learning that Heather Stewarts mother, Helen Slichta was senselessly murdered by Horace Weekes while attempting to save her from his savage attack. Ms. Stewart lost an eye and needed several reconstructive facial surgeries.
Since Mr. Comartin’s reassignment in the House of Commons, the Private Members Bill for Bail Reform has been in limbo.
A letter written on May 06, 2013 to the Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of Canada (see attached) has not even had a reply.
It is our understanding that NDP, MP Niki Ashton and/or her staff have also been unable to get a response from the Minister indicating if his Conservative party is prepared to take the initiative to save women’s live and address the high rate of recidivism in bails specific to domestic violence.
We feel sufficient time has elapsed and that we need to put more pressure on the Federal government and it representatives to take a more pro-active approach where women and children have died at the hands of an abusive spouse or ex-partner.
If you agree, we are asking that you forward us your comments and support. We urge victims to tell us of their experiences. Their identity will be protected by providing pseudonyms or initials. We need our / your voices heard and we will take your voice to Ottawa with a clear and loud message that our bail system has serious flaws and women are being permanently mailed and killed because of a lenient court system.
Barbara Mills