(Canadian) Opposition MPs take up Montana death row case [View All]

Source: CTV

Stephane Dion has taken up the case of a Canadian man sitting on death row in Montana.

The Liberal leader has written the state's governor asking him to commute Ronald Allen Smith's death sentence.

Smith was convicted of murdering two people in 1982.

Dion says he wrote the letter because the Tory government has decided to ignore Canadian policy by refusing to officially appeal Smith's death sentence, which is outlawed in Canada.

"Canada abolished the death penalty 31 years ago," Dion said in question period on Thursday.

Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071122/death_sentence_071122/20071122?hub=TopStories

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It's shameful that our current government, led by rightwing neo-con Stephen Harper, has decided to discontinue the long tradition of seeking clemency for Canadians on death row in foreign countries.

Stephane Dion, the Liberal Opposition leader, made a winning move here.