When the RCMP raided the Hells Angels clubhouse and arrested, detained and paraded nine members of the bike club in front of the media the following day, they ignored basic human rights: rights that are intended to protect us, all of us.
Everyone has the right to a fair trial and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. That right was taken away from these individuals. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects and guarantees those rights. Those rights include the freedom of thought, belief, expression, of peaceful assembly and freedom of association. This is not about criminal activity: if a motorcycle club, a biker or any member of the public should commit a criminal act, then he or she must be prosecuted to the fullest extent that the laws allow. This is about human rights and the protection of those rights under the charter.
Isn’t it ironic that nine men are facing 14 years imprisonment for an in-house game of chance, while a political party that spent over $1.5 million chasing an illegal e-gaming scheme and that is now facing a $50 million lawsuit, escapes without a criminal charge laid. Instead through simple resignations, both the premier and finance minister ride off into the sunset, pension in hand, scot-free.
Mike Redmond
Leader, P.E.I. NDP