I think we need to send a very clear message that terrorism in any form is not acceptable in Canada and if it takes a life sentence to get the point across then so be it.
In 2008 a former Ottawa software developer, Momin Khawaja, was found guilty of committing a terrorist act. He was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison but two years later an Ontario Court of Appeal increased the sentence to life, with no chance of parole eligibility for ten years. More recently, the Supreme Court announced it is upholding the sentence and Khawaja's fate has been sealed.
The landmark ruling means that the Islamic terrorist will spend his life behind bars for aiding a violent jihadist group based in England. It apparently also paves the way for the extradition of two other Ontario men wanted in the U.S for helping acquire arms to be used by Sri Lankan terrorists.
Khawaja was sentenced in connection with a British plot to commit jihadist violence abroad. He maintains that his sentence is too harsh and that it doesn't take into account his lack of awareness of violent acts the British plotters intended to carry out.
His lack of awareness? Maybe he should be keeping better company and he wouldn't find himself in this position in the first place. Seriously, he could, and likely IS saying anything he can at this point to keep himself out of prison. Too bad so sad.
As to be expected there are those coming out of the woodwork who say this is nothing more than stereotyping and pinning the blame on someone strictly because of their ethnicity, I say the proof is in the pudding and if you're found guilty, regardless of your race, color, nationality or religious beliefs, you need to pay the price.
The Chief Justice referred to Khawaja as "an apparently remorseless man" who deserved a very tough sentence in order to deter both he and other potential terrorists. The appellant was a willing participant in a terrorist group... He was committed to bringing death on all those opposed to his extremist ideology and took many steps to provide support to the group."
We don't need another Twin Towers episode on our hands and Canada has had enough accusations about being too lax when it comes to situations like this. It's time to take a firm stand and to state loudly and clearly we're not a haven for people like this.
