Sunday, June 7, 2026
ADVT 
National

Robert Latimer appeals parole board decision restricting international travel

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Jan, 2015 03:55 PM

    The lawyer for Robert Latimer says his client is appealing a parole board decision that prevents him from travelling freely outside Canada.

    A Federal Court judge ruled in September that there was nothing to indicate the 60-year-old Saskatchewan farmer is a danger and should be prevented from travelling internationally.

    The judge ordered the Parole Board of Canada's appeal division to reconsider the case.

    But in November, the board said it wouldn't lift the restriction, ruling Latimer has yet to show that he is capable of reporting to authorities with complete transparency.

    Lawyer Jason Gratl said Monday his client is being deprived of reasonable parole conditions.

    "I'm deeply troubled by the pattern that's emerging of the Parole Board of Canada ignoring what judges have had to say about Mr. Latimer and the fact that he doesn't pose a risk to society," Gratl said.

    Latimer was given a life sentence for the 1993 second-degree murder of his 12-year-old daughter, Tracy, who had severe cerebral palsy. He put her in the cab of his truck on his family's farm near Wilkie, Sask., and piped exhaust inside.

    Latimer has always said he wanted to end his child's chronic, excruciating pain.

    He was released on full parole, with some conditions, in 2010.

    The board denied Latimer's request in 2013 to leave Canada without first applying for a limited-time passport. He appealed that ruling and it was upheld by the board's appeal division. He then took his case to the Federal Court in Vancouver.

    "(Judge Michael Manson) found there was no evidence sufficient to deprive Mr. Latimer of the right to travel internationally," Gratl said. "What has occurred, though, is on reconsideration, perhaps failing to take into account Mr. Justice Manson's reasons for judgment, the Parole Board of Canada has again refused to lift the international travel restriction for Mr. Latimer's terms of release."

    In its decision, the board said that although Latimer is a low risk to society, "a level of risk continues to be present."

    "It is concerning to the board ... that we read on file that there has been no change in your thinking and level of rationalization which led to the offence," the board wrote in November.

    "You continue to deny this was a murder and believe what you did was the right thing to do. This represents a level of risk."

    Gratl said the appeal was submitted Dec. 29 and it could take several weeks for a decision. He added that his client will continue to appeal the travel restriction if the latest attempt is unsuccessful.

    "I think we're approaching the point where it might be fair for a reasonable observer to conclude that the Parole Board of Canada has something of a vendetta against Mr. Latimer," Gratl said. "They continue to deprive him of reasonable conditions of parole on the basis of no evidence, or flimsy evidence."

    Gratl has said that if the travel restriction were lifted, Latimer would still inform his parole officer of travel plans and maintain contact by phone while abroad.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Sex offenders convicted abroad may be missing from national registry: auditor

    Sex offenders convicted abroad may be missing from national registry: auditor
    OTTAWA — The national sex offender registry may not include some Canadians convicted of crimes abroad because the RCMP doesn't have access to Foreign Affairs information on convicts released from prisons in other countries.

    Sex offenders convicted abroad may be missing from national registry: auditor

    Auditor questions whether soldiers get all of their entitled moving benefits

    Auditor questions whether soldiers get all of their entitled moving benefits
    OTTAWA — The RCMP gets a passing grade from the auditor general for the way it handles its multimillion-dollar relocation program, but National Defence is once again facing tough questions about how it moves members around the country.

    Auditor questions whether soldiers get all of their entitled moving benefits

    Auditor cites problems in Syria projects, military water purification

    Auditor cites problems in Syria projects, military water purification
    OTTAWA — Funding delays of more than a year plagued two major Canada humanitarian assistance projects in Syria, while the military's water purification system didn't measure up during last year's typhoon in the Philippines.

    Auditor cites problems in Syria projects, military water purification

    Government not doing enough to keep tabs on northern food-subsidy program: audit

    Government not doing enough to keep tabs on northern food-subsidy program: audit
    OTTAWA — The auditor general says the federal government can't tell if northerners are reaping the full benefit of a program aimed at helping to offset the high cost of food in the North.

    Government not doing enough to keep tabs on northern food-subsidy program: audit

    No one-stop shop for data on government auto bailouts, auditor finds

    No one-stop shop for data on government auto bailouts, auditor finds
    OTTAWA — Canadians would have to sift through a stack of different reports if they wanted to piece together how their tax dollars were spent on big auto bailouts, says a new report by the federal auditor general.

    No one-stop shop for data on government auto bailouts, auditor finds

    Canada's collective memory at risk due to shortcomings at Archives: auditor

    Canada's collective memory at risk due to shortcomings at Archives: auditor
    OTTAWA — Future generations may not be able to enjoy Canada's recorded heritage — including photos, maps and important documents — because Library and Archives Canada is not collecting all of the material it should from federal agencies, the auditor general says.

    Canada's collective memory at risk due to shortcomings at Archives: auditor