As a tax payer I am upset about the Omar Khadr file. This case was mishandled right from the get go. In my opinion the Liberals, Conservatives and the legal system have slapped every law abiding taxpaying Canadian in the face.
When Omar went to a far off land in which he threw a grenade that killed and maimed people, his passport should have been ripped up. He had ceased being a Canadian. He was fighting under a different flag.
Both the Liberals and Conservatives of this era fumbled the ball on this file and they both try to blame each other, but the reality is no one person wanted to be associated with this file.
Now for the insult. Omar Khadr was awarded $10.5 million. I am peeved at this award. If a law-abiding citizen works 45 years at $15 an hour, in 45 years they will only have grossed $1,206,000 in their lifetime of work but also subject to paying taxes and EI premiums. Omar's award was tax free.
A few years ago we had some mill fires in which tax-paying workers lost their lives and were injured. I am sure that their families did not receive any $10.5 million. I am sorry I feel that this award is too high.
Stan New,
Prince George
