Peter Soniker

The Toronto Star Saturday edition article on "Call to crack down on crooks" is misleading and unfair to the legal community. Peter Shoniker does not accurately reflect or represent Ontario lawyers. First he stopped practicing law and became an investment banker. Secondly, most of his close friends are cops. Julian Fatino is one of them. Thirdly, he is a former crown and often worked with the police. Fourth, he comes from one of the most powerful, influential and rich Catholic families in Canada. The Shoniker clan has been the power behind the throne for decades. Lawyers generally do not enjoy such power or influence. His statements on tape are taken out of context and are being used to attack "solicitor and client privilege" that has been a cornerstone of the common law and essential to liberal and democratic societies subject to the Rule of Law. How about the former head of the RCMP Montreal office who shot himself in the head while internal affairs officers were outside his office waiting to interview him?

How about the RCMP officer who fled to Portugal and the allegations he raised concerning his superiors in the Montreal office. The gentleman who committed suicide was allegedly on the payroll of Columbian drug lords. Who is watching the RCMP? The RCMP are a great police force and we are all proud of them. They are a true Canadian symbol of excellence.

However, the legal community also has a great reputation and our courts are respected all around the world. To take the example of one former lawyer, who was drinking heavily, not sleeping and who was abused as a young boy, and then use him as an example and pretext to take away our democratic and legal freedoms is stupid and absurd.

 Police states are often the most corrupt and they do not survive very long. Look at the Nazi regime or Soviet Union under Stalin. Look at the treatment of Falun Gong by the Communists in China. Look at history. Republics and democracies are the best systems and they survive the longest. Police should do their jobs and that is what they get paid for. We do not want to lose our liberties just to make their job easier so they do not have to work as hard.