English

[November 1996]

To: Supporters of Disability Rights in Canada

The Latimer case signals grave danger for all people with disabilities. We must never lose sight of the responsibility which this danger invokes. If we are not all vigilant, too many more will be murdered like Tracy Latimer. Too many more will have to fight for their lives. Too many more voices will never be heard.

30 October 1996—More than any other event, Tracy Latimer's murder prompted Canadians with disabilities to advocate the protection of our most fundamental human right—the right to live. In 1995, the community began to hold vigils for Tracy. While remembering Tracy, it became painfully obvious that Tracy's murder was not the exception. Too many people with disabilities have been killed needlessly.

In Flin Flon, Manitoba in 1992 John Nazar, 68, shot and killed his son James, a quadriplegic. The father, James' primary care giver, had been diagnosed as terminally ill.

23 October 1996—Tracy Latimer's murder outraged and alarmed people with disabilities. While people with disabilities have a definite perspective on Robert Latimer's crime, the media largely ignored our viewpoint during the trial and the first appeal. As our analysis did not help inform public discourse, the conclusions reached often were skewed by an ablest bias. During the lead up to the Latimer's Supreme Court appeal, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities' (CCD) Human Rights Committee is endeavoring to ensure that the voice of people with disabilities is heard by Canadians.

16 October 1996—In November, 1994 a Saskatchewan Court convicted Robert Latimer of murdering his daughter Tracy Latimer. The Supreme Court of Canada will hear his appeal on 27 November 1996.

Once again, the onus will be on the community of people with disabilities to fight for justice for Tracy Latimer.

As CCD will not have standing in the courtroom, our organizations will need to position themselves with the media to be key commentators on the Latimer case.

Court File No. 24668

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

(ON APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO)

IN THE MATTER of an Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada from the Court of Appeal for Ontario dated February 15, 1995, pursuant to leave to intervene granted by this Honourable Court on June 8, 1996.

BETWEEN:

THE BRANT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Appellant

- and -

CAROL EATON AND CLAYTON EATON

Respondents

- and -

CANADIAN FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THE LAW,

C.A. No. 6515

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL FOR SASKATCHEWAN

IN THE MATTER OF A CONVICTION AND SENTENCE APPEAL BY ROBERT WILLIAM LATIMER, CONVICTED ON NOVEMBER 16, 1994, BY THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE C. R. WIMMER, SITTING WITH A JURY, IN THE COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, BATTLEFORD, SASKATCHEWAN, FOR THE OFFENCE THAT HE "ON OR ABOUT THE 24TH DAY OF OCTOBER A.D. 1993 AT WILKIE DISTRICT IN THE PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN DID COMMIT SECOND DEGREE MURDER ON THE PERSONS OF TRACY LYNN LATIMER, CONTRARY TO SECTION 235(1) OF THE CRIMINAL CODE".

BETWEEN: