Support for Robert Latimer

Many Canadians continue to express sympathy and support for Robert Latimer, who murdered his daughter, Tracy -- a happy 12-year-old with disabilities who never asked to die.

In April, the Globe and Mail commissioned a poll that indicated that 71% of Canadians believe Latimer’s sentence of life in prison should be reduced. Polling official John Wright even gave the chilling suggestion that pardoning Latimer offers the federal cabinet "wide opportunity to be in line with public sentiment."

And vigils for Robert Latimer are being held across the country, in which Canadians light candles to show support. (Vigils have been held in the past to remember and honour Tracy.)

People in the disability community are appalled that even after a Supreme Court ruling the public continues to deny that Latimer did wrong. "It is horrifying, the extent to which others consider our lives not worth living," says disability advocate Catherine Frazee. "Such extreme measures as murder are sanctioned as not only acceptable, but noble." The Robert Latimer website has collected over 150 names of people who are willing to serve a month in prison on Latimer’s behalf. But "no one has offered to spend a month in the grave for Tracy," Frazee points out.

On May 31, a walk in memory of Tracy Latimer will take place on Parliament Hill. Those who cannot be in Ottawa are encouraged to try to meet with their local MPs on that date, to provide the other side of the issue. For more information, contact the Canadian Association for Community Living, (416) 661-9611.