B.C. Liberal throne speech pushes for TV camera access to Stanley Cup riot court proceedings
The first throne speech by B.C. Premier Christy Clark’s government included a proposal to allow television and radio access to the court proceedings of alleged Stanley Cup rioters.
The throne speech, read in the B.C. Legislature by Lt.-Gov Steven Point, called the Stanley Cup riot a "dark stain" on the province.
“The actions of rioters were disgraceful, particularly in contrast to the community spirit exhibited by thousands of citizens who helped the city recover in the days and weeks that followed," the speech read.
The B.C. government has requested that Crown Counsel advocate for T.V. and radio access to the court proceedings for those charged in relation to the June 15 riot, the throne speech indicated.
So far, no one has been charged in direct relation to the violence that broke out in downtown Vancouver following the Stanley Cup final.
The throne speech opened the fall legislative sitting today (October 3) in Victoria. The speech also included confirmation that a Family Day statutory holiday will be put in place in 2013.
Comments
6 Comments
Monty O'Toole
Oct 3, 2011 at 4:30pm
It would probably be more interesting than what's currently on. They should be exposed as the thugs and hooligans they are...publicly.
Rick in Richmond
Oct 3, 2011 at 6:52pm
Makes sense to me.
These thugs and morons disgraced Vancouver around the world. They shamed us.
Time to shame them. Publicly. Around the world.
Do it. No excuses. Do it.
Taseko
Oct 3, 2011 at 10:18pm
Shame, shame, shame. Fuck! Get over it and get a life. Why wasn't the Basi Virk trial televised then ... I mean, if we're talking about thugs???
RonS
Oct 3, 2011 at 11:20pm
That's all? Who wants to watch that? Why don't we watch Crusty open the files on the sale of BC Rail, the piecing off of BC Hydro and selling it, why not watch an environmental review of a Run of River project to see if the people of BC are truly protected from environmental damage, why not watch the police investigate Crustys brothers involvement in the sale of BC Rail, why not watch Crusty actually implement families first legislation, we could watch Crusty actually do something other than pose for photo's.
Or we could watch Crusty actually create jobs in BC rather than Asia. I would like to see Crusty increase taxes on corporations and banks. How about watching Crusty have another Toga party at her house and see who shows up? Perhaps Kinsella will be there showing Crusty how he lobbied for BC Rail and CN. That would be interesting. There's lots more interesting things going on in Crusty's world to watch rather than some pathetic rioters in court!
Matt T
Oct 4, 2011 at 8:35am
Stupidity.
Our court system is busting at the seams, primarily due to BC Liberal cuts in the mid 2000's. Cuts to sheriffs, bailiffs, Crown prosecutors, even physical court buildings were closed, and all with the blessing, or at the very least compliant silence, of then Deputy Premier Clark.
Spending scarce resources to put cameras into courtrooms wont do anything for the actual process of justice, it will just pander to those that dont know any better and distract from the true issue at hand - our court system cant process the charges already laid (this doesnt even take into account the the downstream pressures imposed on provincial legal systems that will be incurred with the federal Tories "lock up the pot growers longer than child molesters" idiocy).
We have indictable felons being released from BC jails because they cant get a trial in time, and Premier Christy "Palin" Clark would rather make a promise she cant keep (um, judges decide media coverage, not batty premiers) to spend money she doesnt have on a court system that was gutted while she was in Cabinet.
Brilliant.
If anyone actually thinks having these proceedings televised with somehow result in more or quicker convictions, charges, or longer sentences, they probably hold a BC Liberal membership card.
glen p robbins
Oct 4, 2011 at 3:54pm
No point in polling this - where people are interested - Basi Virk is the first thing out of their mouths - the second is Christy's link to it.
Did no one game out this possibility before the announcement was made. Go to the BC Supreme Court and there are people everywhere - go to the Provincial Court (criminal) and it looks like the number of millionaires in Albania - real thin on people.
Politics has already taken over the court - this may turn out to be a very expensive political distraction.