To: Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada Hon. Vic Toews, Minister for Public Safety. Sirs, Three years ago, convicted paedophile Graham James was given a pardon by the Parole Board of Canada. In 1997, James pled guilty to sexually assaulting two boys while acting as their hockey coach and mentor. He admitted to committing 350 separate acts of assault on the two young hockey players and spent 3 1/2 years in prison. Not once has James apologized or shown remorse for his actions. While it is understood that everyone is entitled to apply for a pardon after five years without re-offence, surely not all crimes are equal in the eyes of this board, with respect to public safety. Is this in the best interest of our community? Why are such hearings held in secret, and why are the victims not allowed an option to challenge this application? Thanks to this pardon, James can travel abroad and actively seek employment, making his criminal record, while not wiped out, effectively invisible to prospective employers and community leaders. Mr. Toews, we will take you at your word that you will "look at rewriting the law so that sex offenders, pedophiles and others who have a troubled history of rehabilitation do not receive rubber-stamped pardons, as is currently the case." Mr. Harper, we will likewise assume the rhetoric coming from your office will translate into concrete action to remedy this situation. If not, we will take you and your government to task come election time, rest assured. The children of this country deserve better than this. They, and we, their parents and families, deserve the feeling of comfort that comes from knowing our elected officials, and the laws they create, are working to create a safe and productive environment for all Canadians. Thank you, Timothy Wilcox

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