National Human Rights Consultation Submission 

AGWW-7NTV8R 

Name: Andrew Stone 

Submission Text: 

Canada - where I'm originally from - has a Charter of Rights
 
and Freedoms, as I'm sure your commission is aware. It's net affect, in my
 
view, has been to further politicise the federal courts - courts ruled by
 
appointees of past politicians whose views often fail to reflect those of
 
the current electorate.
 
While your commission is exploring a statutory charter, politicians are
 
consistently reluctant to engage in morally divisive questions for fear of
 
alienating voters, unless of course there is extreme pressure from (often
 
extreme) lobby groups; therefore, the notion that politicians will overrule
 
court decisions does not bare out at a practical level.
 
Another affect of a Charter is to alter the balance between punishment and
 
rehabilitation, namely it has left countless victims feeling as though the
 
court has put the interests of criminals ahead of the righteous indignation
 
of the wronged.
 
I strongly urge against a Charter, mostly because it will inevitably be
 
exploited by activists and lawyers at the expense of those seeking firm,
 
commonsense justice.
 
Respectfully.