Pardon Program – Response from the Minister of Justice

The email below is from Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould in response to the email I sent her concerning changes to the pardon program. It is kindly worded and thoughtful and it strikes me as being the polar opposite of what Vic Toews would have written on the same subject.

For the record I hope to work with the government on this issue. But I also think it may not be necessary since this government has a pretty good idea of what needs to be done. Hint: reverse what the Tories did.

Even if my help is not required I think the program will be in good hands. After all it was the Liberal government that introduced pardons. It should be the Liberal government to save them.

So I’d like to thank Ms. Wilson-Raybould for her kind response and wish her and the Liberal government the best luck in the future.

Michael Ashby

514.842.2411 x 227

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From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit – Mailout [mailto:Ministerial.CorrespondenceUnit-Mailout@justice.gc.ca]
Sent: February-24-16 1:44 PM
To: Michael Ashby
Subject: Correspondence from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Dear Mr. Ashby:

Thank you for your kind words on the occasion of my appointment as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

I consider it an honour and a privilege to assume the responsibilities of this position. I can assure you that I will work with great determination and enthusiasm to address the concerns of all Canadians. I am committed to meeting the challenges at hand with the objective of ensuring that Canadians have confidence in our justice system.

As the Pardon Program falls within the purview of my colleague, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, I have taken the liberty of forwarding on a copy of our correspondence. Working through a whole‑of‑government approach, I look forward to discussing this matter and working with Minister Goodale and possibly with yourself in the future. I do wish to thank you for taking the time to write to me and for personally bringing these matters to my attention.

Thank you again for your congratulations.

Respectfully,

The Honourable Jody Wilson‑Raybould, P.C., M.P.

c.c.:      The Honourable Ralph Goodale, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness