Posted on 02/08/2012 1:13:39 AM PST by Olog-hai
A half-century has passed since the last person in Canada was executed, but a recent public opinion poll suggests Canadians are warming to the idea of a return to capital punishment.
The survey conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion in partnership with the Toronto Star found that 63 percent of the 1,002 Canadians surveyed across the country believe the death penalty is sometimes appropriate. Sixty-one percent said capital punishment, which was abolished in Canada in 1976, is warranted for murder.
“I think people might be warming to the idea of having it as an option on the table, if anything just as a deterrent,” said Jaideep Mukerji of Angus Reid.
But Mukerji said the poll also reveals that it is “not a black and white” issue for many Canadians. Given the choice of supporting the death penalty or life imprisonment, 50 percent chose the latter, the survey found. …
The debate over restoring the death penalty took on new life last week when Conservative Senator Pierre Hugues-Boisvenu suggested serial murderers should be given a rope to hang themselves in prison. In June 2002, the senator’s daughter Julie was kidnapped, raped and murdered. Boisvenu later withdraw his remark.
The Angus Reid online survey found that Canadians’ views on the death penalty differ greatly according to political allegiance and region. The poll was conducted Feb. 2 and 3 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent, 19 times out of 20.
In British Columbia and Alberta, about seven in ten support the return of the death penalty; six in ten Ontarians, or 62 percent, agree.
The most opposition was in Quebec, with about 45 percent against the return of capital punishment. Some 32 percent in Ontario and 24 percent in British Columbia were also opposed. …
(Excerpt) Read more at thestar.com ...
The death penalty in Canada would have been a fitting end for countless killers like Paul Bernardo.
In Canada, criminal law is a federal matter. Parliament would have to take it up and that’s very unlikely.
I suspected the topic would surface shortly after the case just went through the courts for the “honour” killings.
The death penalty is necessary is you have any respect for human life.
Seems to me I remember a poll with similar results 20 years ago.
I was in Canada around 1998, when Texas was about to execute a Canadian subject. While the CBC and Globe and Mail were having the vapors, I recall the Toronto Star, Radio call in shows, and the vast majority of Canadians I met had no problem with it.
Why wouldn’t Parliament do that? You saying the Conservatives are scared of the subject?
So, 63% said it is sometimes appropriate, and 61% said it is warranted for murder.
It makes me wonder what 2% were thinking—what crime do they think capital punishment is appropriate for, if not murder?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.