Capital Punishment in Canada Essay - 2901 Words

Capital punishment is crimes most dreaded consequence, death. Hanging was Canadas form of capital punishment up until 1976 when it was abolished. Websters Dictionary defines capital punishments as: The penalty of death for the commission of a crime. (Websters, 1994, 43). The chance of capital punishment being reinstated in Canada has been very slim up until now. Recently the Canadian Alliance Party has put forth efforts to reinstate it, which has put the controversial topic back up for debate. This has divided many Canadians concerning their beliefs. Capital punishment should never be reinstated in Canada as it is a barbaric practice that is unjust. This essay will clearly demonstrate that reinstating capital punishment†¦show more content†¦In addition, capital punishment vetos section 12 of the Charter which protects everyone from cruel and unusual punishment. Capital punishment is unusual because it isnt exercised for many crimes in the criminal code, as it was on ly used for murders of police and prison guards. Capital punishment is also cruel. The United Nations believes Capital Punishment is a form of cruelty and inhumanity unworthy of a civilization which claims to be humane; doctors report that even the most efficient methods do not result in instantaneous and painless death. (UN-Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 1962, 61). Capital punishment is both cruel and unusual and thus violates section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which states: Everyone has the right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. (Gibson and Murphy, 1990, 55). By taking the life of a criminal, the Bill of Rights would be unlawfully vetoed as well, and therefore the Bill would be useless if it has no validity. The Bill guarantees everyone the right to life from the moment they are born and at no circumstances can this right be taken away. If Canada were to reinstate capital punishment it would result in theShow MoreRelated Capital Punishment in Canada Essay854 Words   |  4 Pages Capital Punishment in Canada nbsp; As violence becomes an increasing concern among Canadians, people are calling for the reinstatement of capital punishment. This controversial issue has been ailing politicians and public morality since its abolition in 1976. As one examines the arguments for and against the reinstatement of capital punishment; examples of modern day cases dealing with capital punishment; and statistics on such cases, one can better appreciate the reasons why this barbaricRead MoreA Look on the Impact of Capital Punishment in Canada1240 Words   |  5 PagesCapital punishment was the most severe punishment within the Canadian Justice system before it was abolished in the 1970’s. 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