The conservative government of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan is under scrutiny after a convicted murderer was invited to attend its tough-on-crime speech.
On Wednesday the province’s lieutenant governor, Russell Mirasty, presented the throne speech, outlining the conservative administration’s agenda and arguing the federal government was “too lenient” on violent offenders.
“This session, my government will take significant action to crack down on the illegal and violent use of firearms in the commission of crimes to ensure families feel safe in their communities,” Mirasty told a group of lawmakers, their guests and members of the public gathered in the provincial capital of Regina.
Seated in the audience was Colin Thatcher, a former provincial minister – and convicted murderer.
Thatcher was convicted over the 1983 death of his estranged wife JoAnn Wilson, who was found beaten and shot to death in the garage of her home nearly 40 years ago. The couple had been involved in a bitter divorce and custody dispute over their three children.
Thatcher, who has long proclaimed his innocence, was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He served 22 years before he was granted full parole in 2006.
Lyle Stewart, the provincial lawmaker who invited Thatcher, told the Canadian Press that he was “a fine individual” who had a tough life because of the decades he had spent in prison for the murder of his wife.
“Colin was a longtime MLA [member of the legislative assembly], and he’s a constituent of mine and a friend of mine and that’s why I [invited him] and I’m happy that I did,” said Stewart.
But on Thursday, Stewart issued a statement apologizing for the invitation which he described as an “error in judgement”.
The provincial public safety minister, Christine Tell, also defended Thatcher’s presence in the audience, telling reporters she did not think the optics of a convicted killer attending a speech on crime were problematic.
“He has now paid that debt to society … and he is living his life as a citizen of our province,” said Christine Tell. “He has a right to be here. It doesn’t matter. He has a right to be here like anyone else. He is a free citizen.”
Thatcher declined to answer questions from reporters if he thought the province needed tougher crime measures. After the speech, he attended a social gathering with Stewart.
Premier Scott Moe did not comment.
Saskatchewan’s rate of domestic violence is one of the highest in the country and more than double the national average.
The New Democratic party leader, Carla Beck, who attended the speech, told reporters she was shocked Thatcher had been invited.
“I do think that is remarkable, again on a day when the government is talking about getting tough on crime,” she said. “I would ask the government to hold themselves to the same standards, be a little less hypocritical on [domestic violence] and frankly dig in and actually deal with the issue of domestic violence.”
