Should Canada have the death penalty?

[tommg6]

For criminals/people who commit homicide? Like in the United States?

Discuss.

[tommg6]

I know this will be a hot topic considering the recent events in Newtown, Conneticutt, USA. So lets discuss this.

[-TSS-]

I'm convinced that within 10 years it will be banned all across the USA as well.

[The_Squid]

I don't think it will be much of a hot topic. It's pretty much a settled issue...

[jacee]

For criminals/people who commit homicide? Like in the United States?

Discuss.

No.

[Moonbox]

Nope. I don't seriously believe it acts any more as a deterrent than life in prison does. I also think they get it wrong enough that the scales of justice just don't balance out to make it valid.

[bush_cheney2004]

OK, but there really is no such thing as "life in prison" for perps convicted in Canada.

[Guest]

I am not in favour of the death penalty.

Too many people are found guilty at trial then cleared at a later date when technology improves for any country to have the death penalty as an available option.

There's nothing wrong with the state killing the right person. It doesn't make us "as bad as they are". But killing the wrong person goes some way towards that.

Edited December 20, 2012 by bcsapper

[cybercoma]

Absolutely not.

[eyeball]

Discuss.

For f^*ks sake...

NO!

[BC_chick]

Negative.

[Smallc]

What purpose would it serve, really? Where is the justice in retribution?

[Sleipnir]

For criminals/people who commit homicide? Like in the United States?

Absolutely not.

[The_Squid]

OK, but there really is no such thing as "life in prison" for perps convicted in Canada.

Lies.

[bush_cheney2004]

MYTH: a life sentence means you are in prison for the rest of your life

During the partial ban on capital punishment throughout the 1960s, an average life sentence meant 7-10 years in prison. Now in Canada, a life sentence is 10-25 years in prison. Convictions that can result in a life sentence include first and second degree murder, manslaughter, treason, bank robbery and multiple escapes.

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Life must be very short in Canada !

[The_Squid]

People here sometimes never get out regardless. Nice try though....

[bush_cheney2004]

People here sometimes never get out regardless. Nice try though....

But most of them do...despite victim family requests otherwise. "Rehabilitating" murderers is a Canadian favorite just to save money.

[The_Squid]

But most of them do...despite victim family requests otherwise. "Rehabilitating" murderers is a Canadian favorite just to save money.

For someone who lights his hair on fire whenever a Canadian has an opinion about America, you sure blab a lot of opinions about Canada..... Hypocrite.

[bush_cheney2004]

For someone who lights his hair on fire whenever a Canadian has an opinion about America, you sure blab a lot of opinions about Canada..... Hypocrite.

Just returning the favor....hypocrite.

[Merlin]

Yes we should reserved for special circumstances. Bernardo and Picton come to mind.

[Moonbox]

For someone who lights his hair on fire whenever a Canadian has an opinion about America, you sure blab a lot of opinions about Canada..... Hypocrite.

Hahaha well said.

[Canuckistani]

OK, but there really is no such thing as "life in prison" for perps convicted in Canada.

Tell that to Clifford Olson or Paul Bernardo, I'm sure they'll be very happy to hear it.

[Canuckistani]

This shooter was severely mentally ill. Presumably even in the Bloodthirsty States of America he would have been found not guilty.

And, for those who don't care about the state being a killer of the guilty, at least care about the people the state kills in error.

[Bonam]

Nope. The justice system is not competent enough to avoid making mistakes in such cases, and death is irreversible. We should, however, have real life sentences: prison until death, no chance of parole or release (unless the original conviction is found to be erroneous), nor money wasted on useless attempts at rehabilitation. Life in solitary confinement should also be an option for the worst offenders...

[Keepitsimple]

The question should give a few options because there is strong support for Capital Punishment for heinous crimes and repeat murderers but much less for first time murderers.

But no, we should not have capital punishment.....but for heinous crimes or repeat murderers, Life in prison should mean just that - Life. For all other crimes, the term "Life" should not be used...it should be replaced with the actual sentence range - "....sentenced to 10-25 years" or "25 to life". Don't try and fool Canadians into thinking someone is doing a "Life Sentence" when clearly, they are not. For first degree murder, the "faint hope" clause should be gone. The reason there is still strong support for Capital Punishment is that there is no "truth" in sentencing. These changes will fix that.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Keepitsimple