Mayor George V. Harvie has penned a letter calling on the Federal Minister of Justice to ensure that mass-murder Robert Pickton is denied parole.
In the letter, signed by eleven other Metro Vancouver mayors, Harvie highlights the magnitude of Pickton’s crimes, and the lasting pain the murderer inflicted on so many British Columbians—particularly members of Indigenous communities. In light of the severity of his crimes and demonstrated lack of remorse, the mayors are imploring Justice Minister Virani to take the necessary steps to guarantee that Pickton is not granted parole under any circumstances.
"Robert Pickton's heinous crimes have left an indelible scar on the fabric of our society, especially within Indigenous communities. The pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims and their families continue to reverberate throughout our province, and we cannot let this murderer back on our streets," stated George V. Harvie, Mayor of Delta. “For the sake of our fundamental principles of justice, accountability, and public safety, the Justice Minister simply cannot allow Pickton to be granted parole.”
The mayors’ letter refers to the “Calls for Justice” outlined in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (Final Report-MMIWG), citing Call for Justice #1.5 which reads: “We call upon all governments to immediately take all necessary measures to prevent, investigate, punish, and compensate for violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people.” Allowing a murderer like Robert Pickton back onto B.C.’s streets certainly would not align with this principle.
In addition to ensuring Pickton is not granted parole, the mayors also called for a critical reassessment of the current parole and sentencing framework for prolific offenders and mass murders.
View the letter from Mayor Harvie to Minister Virani here.
For more information on this news release, please contact media@delta.ca.