Here is a great letter that I came across. I don't know if it ever got printed (I highly doubt it).
To: Toronto Sun ; the barrie examiner ; Letter to Editor-Barrie Advance
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 6:11 PM
Subject: Letter to Editor - Money for Victims
On page 17 of the Sunday Sun, on July 16, 2006, I read a large court notice about the settlement money that's been set aside by the government regarding former Aboriginal students of residential schools and their families. Hearings will be held across Canada, and "at least 1.9 BILLION dollars" has been earmarked for these payouts.
Money for healing programs, research, documentation and community projects is in the range of over 200 MILLION dollars. "You don't have to show you were abused to get a common experience payment". You can appeal decisions if you don't agree with the settlement amount, and your legal representation will be paid for.
On page 28 of the same paper on the same date, there was an article that said the victims of abuse at a New Brunswick reform school would not be receiving any financial aid in their prosecution of a guard who was found guilty of sexually abusing children of the centre between the mid 1960's and the 1980's. He has admitted to abusing over 200 children that were sent to live at the school.
Two situations where kids were placed in government-run residences. Two situations where there was abuse and damage done to kids. If tax payers are forking over billions of dollars to one set of people for transgressions of the past (that most people today had no control over or involvement in), what's a few more million for the Fredericton victims? If the government thinks that heaping a never-ending pile of money onto victims is a way to correct the past (which it isn't - that is an individual journey), then why are some victims more worthy than others? What kind of precedent and message is going on here??? Yes, one is federal and one is provincial - something should be worked out nevertheless. Can someone say with a straight face that there couldn't be transfer payments made to help provinces with a victim fund? This kind of blatant inconsistency towards Canadians is outrageous and unacceptable. Help no one, or help everyone.
What was the Animal Farm quote? "Some animals are more equal than others".
Here is another tidbit I came across. Who wants to bet that it ends up being an area that was "stolen" 200 years ago. Haven't heard anything to that effect, but it wouldn't surprise me.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/17072006/3/calgary-mining-company-finds-gold-minerals-near-bathurst.html