In death, Krista Carlé deserves respect
Re: “She got her gun back, then she killed herself,” Feb. 16.
RCMP Constable Krista Carlé never became a survivor of sexual abuse. She took her own life in despair on July 6, 2018.
Her story doesn’t end there. A class-action settlement on behalf of women abused in the RCMP resulted in a $100-million compensation fund being established. An independent assessor was assigned to adjudicate claims.
Carlé is an acknowledged champion of women in the RCMP who, like her, suffered systematic abuse. The independent assessor, in a letter sent to her family on July 13, 2018, just a week after her death, states: “The multiple contacts we have had from class members over the past number of days are a testament to her place within the movement that led to this settlement.”
The same letter contained shocking news. Krista filed her claim in January 2018, but six months later, at the time of her suicide, she had not received a response.
A week after her death the independent assessor revealed that: “Due the the volume of claims that have been received, Ms. Carlé’s claim had not yet been assigned for preliminary review at the time of her death. This letter is to inform you of my decision to close Ms. Carlé’s file.”
It is never too late to do the right thing. Surely Carlé’s estate and thereby her young son and daughter should receive the compensation she was due.
This will require the intervention of a person with empathy and authority. Who will that person be?
Angus Matthews
Victoria
Compensation should be given
Re: “She got her gun back, then she killed herself,” Feb. 16.
It is with a heavy heart that I read this article. I would like to commend my former colleague Brent Robertson for having the bravery, courage and integrity to ask the difficult questions that require answers in relation to the events that led up to Krista Carlé’s death.
To Krista's family, I am so sorry for your loss. Although I did not know her well, and only learned of the momentous struggles she endured after her death, it was clear at her funeral that her passing impacted so many, such as myself.
To the RCMP, talk is cheap while actions speak louder than words. Do the right thing and compensate Krista’s children for the sexual-misconduct that their mother endured while she served to protect us all.
Derek Tolmie
Victoria
When mob rule reigns, chaos will follow
Re: “Remarkable organizing prowess fuels protests,” Feb. 15.
Like many, I am appalled that there is a minority who feel that their agenda outweighs the wishes of the majority and the rule of law.
The actions of these mobs of “pipeline protesters” are intended to illegally intimidate us and inflict inconvenience, discomfort and even pain to achieve their highly dubious ends.
Les Leyne’s opinion piece no doubt summarizes the feelings of most, but I feel that he pulled up short on really calling this entire debacle for what it really is.
It is, unquestionably, an internationally driven and very well-funded conspiracy and even abetted by some of our own politicians at all levels of government — that was certainly implied but not clearly stated in Leyne’s column.
I find striking parallels between the conduct of pipeline protesters and the tactics of those who brought Adolf Hitler to power, for example, in that they too, were willing to break the law and intimidate society to achieve their ends and, rest assured, I am old enough to remember the Second World War and its aftermath.
When mob rule reigns unfettered, chaos ensues and we are dangerously close to it right now.
James P. Crowley
North Saanich
Clearing the way at the legislature
Premier John Horgan has praised the police (acting without the backing of any court injunction) for helping the MLAs and legislature staff get into their place of work by clearing a way through the protesters.
If those same protesters are blocking a street or bridge preventing ordinary people from going about their business, Horgan said that someone (who?) needs to get a court injunction to authorize any action by the police against the protesters.
Horgan should explain the difference between these two situations — they seem identical to me.
Mike Day
Saanich
Appeasement is a bad strategy
Protest issue: The issue is no longer the issue.
The issue has become the actions of the protesters. Lawful protest is allowed in our society but the right of protest to swing its fist ends at the chin of society.
Our society needs to take appropriate actions to terminate these illegal activities. Failure to do so is to enable the persistence of ongoing unlawful actions and amounts to appeasement.
Appeasement has never produced any good result.
George Wildman
Saanich
To stand with Wet’suwet’en
The protesters who have been disrupting the lives of other Canadians (including First Nation Canadians) like to claim that they are “standing with the Wet’suwet’en.”
Who exactly are they standing with and why?
Do they stand with the five democratically elected band chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en who support the pipeline? I think not.
Do they stand with the Wet’suwet’en people, many (likely a majority) of whom support the pipeline? I think not.
Do they stand with the three hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en, all women, who support the pipeline and were overthrown somehow?
I think not.
Would they stand with the four or five hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en who eventually fill the positions which are vacant? Who can say?
They do stand with the eight or nine hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en who oppose the pipeline. Would they still stand with them if they decide to support the pipeline? I think not.
I believe the driving force for the majority of the protesters is opposition to pipelines; it is not the well-being of First Nations.
They support the current Wet’suwet’en heritage chiefs because it fits their anti-pipeline agenda.
Ian F. Macdonald
Victoria
Seeing an extreme left-wing agenda
The name says a lot. We’re told the group blocking the West Coast Express commuter train at the Pitt River Bridge called itself Red Braid Alliance for Decolonial Socialism.
These are people with an extreme left-wing agenda out to disrupt and destroy the economy and law of this very civilized country of Canada.
A significant number of them are not First Nations people, the majority of whom do not share their extreme ideology. The issue of the gas pipeline running across the lands of the Wet’suwet’en people is the excuse for this blatant anarchy.
The important and ongoing issues involving history and the conflicting priorities and forms of government within the Indigenous communities need to be resolved through dialogue.
In the meantime, law enforcement must enforce the law as it does for the rest of us.
David Laundy
Cobble Hill
Lawlessness needs to be stopped
We are a democratic country where the majority view must always prevail. It would seem that these “protesters” are able to flout and break all our laws with total impunity.
This lawlessness must stop immediately. Our politicians must have the police and even the military (if necessary) enforce all the laws of this land.
Daryl Hayward
Victoria
Not-the-former-MP is embarrassed too
Re: “Former MP says Canada looks good,” letter, Feb. 15.
Not only do I share my name with former MP David Anderson but when I grow my beard, I also bear some resemblance to his devilish, good looks.
This, on occasion, has led people to believe that I am a former MP. I apologize to the other Mr. Anderson; I am equally embarrassed and have shaved off my beard.
David Anderson
Victoria
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