English

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:

Court File No. 23476

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA

(On Appeal from the Court of Appeal for British Columbia)

BETWEEN:

SUE RODRIGUEZ

Appellant

AND:

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA and

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA

Respondents