OTTAWA—Opposition critics denounced Public Safety Minister Vic Toews as cold-hearted and contemptible Tuesday after he appeared to suggest that Ashley Smith — a troubled 19-year-old who choked to death in prison as guards stood watch — was not a victim.
Toews raised the ire of opposition parties when he deflected questions about Smith’s death by accusing the NDP of caring more about prisoners than their victims.
“I would note that the NDP, while consistently speaking on behalf of prisoners, never speaks on behalf of the victims of these prisoners,” he said, urging New Democrats to take “a more balanced view about what it means to have a safe society.”
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair sprang to his feet with a short riposte: “Is that minister capable of understanding that she (Smith) was the victim here?”
Undeterred, Toews doubled down on his attack.
“I would like to ask that member (Mulcair), who has never once stood and spoken for victims, why is it that he is always silent when it comes to victims outside of our prisons?”
Original Article
Source: the star
Author: CP
Toews raised the ire of opposition parties when he deflected questions about Smith’s death by accusing the NDP of caring more about prisoners than their victims.
“I would note that the NDP, while consistently speaking on behalf of prisoners, never speaks on behalf of the victims of these prisoners,” he said, urging New Democrats to take “a more balanced view about what it means to have a safe society.”
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair sprang to his feet with a short riposte: “Is that minister capable of understanding that she (Smith) was the victim here?”
Undeterred, Toews doubled down on his attack.
“I would like to ask that member (Mulcair), who has never once stood and spoken for victims, why is it that he is always silent when it comes to victims outside of our prisons?”
Original Article
Source: the star
Author: CP
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