Volume 80 Issue No. 50

Tanner's leiter:
Constituents angry and ashamed

It is painfully obvious that public opinion is against Clive
Tanner’s recent actions. An overwhelming majority of people
across the province are infuriated that the Liberal MLA for
Saanich North and The Islands would write a letter to a judge
about the successful business owned by convicted sexual
assault offender Theologus Joseph Gardener.

Many people haye called into a radio show to answer the
question: “Is suspension from the Liberal caucus fair
punishment for Clive Tanner?” Almost all callers said Tanner
should be fired, or disallowed from sitting as an MLA.

However, Tanner says the majority of the callers based their
opinions on partial information about the incident.

Tanner has been scrambling since the issue was jumped on
by the media last week. First he ducked reporters in the
legislature. Then, he tried to explain his actions in a press
conference last Tuesday, but only succeeded in making things
worse, according to Liberal leader Gordon Wilson. After a
unanimous vote among caucus members present at an
evening meeting, Tanner was suspended from caucus.

Tanner then retumed to Sidney, vowing not to sit in the
house until the next session.

Since then, Tanner has reconsidered his earlier statement
and says he wants to represent his constituents by taking part
in debate on the labor bill in the legislature. But Tanner
doesn’t seem to be “changing his attitude through a period of
reflection,” as suggested by Wilson.

The Liberal leader and people night across this province
are looking at the larger issue — precisely the entire question
of assault against women and children.

Tanner can be faulted on a number of points. This week he
admits that he should have spoken to the media earlier,
responded to their questions in a forthright manner and put
forward his point of view without offending victims further.

The biggest issue here is not that Tanner wrote a letter,
giving his limited knowledge about Gardener's business
acumen, But, as stated by the father of a 14-year-old victim,
if Tanner had not written the letter on legislature letterhead,
none of the controversy would have happened. So why did
Tanner write on MLA stationary?

His answers varied last week, depending on which media
outlet he talked to, and when. Monday, Tanner said all three
answers he gave hold true. We believe they are contradictory.

First, Tanner told The Review that legislative letterhead was
used because it was readily available in his office and he
believed he was writing as a former businessman.

A few hours later, Tanner told reporters at a legislature
press conference that he used the letterhead because
Gardener is a constituent and he had a duty to the court to
give another side of Gardener’s character.

Now, he says the letterhead was used because “it could
have appeared to be misleading if I had not fully identified
myself in this way.”

We see a perception that the letter came from the
representative of all residents in the Saanich North and The
Islands constituency. And, as in conflict of interest legisla-
tion, perception is as important as the truth.

Residents have been left feeling angry, ashamed and
embarrassed by Tanner’s actions. Whether 16 other people
also wrote to the court for consideration at the time of
sentencing doesn’t matter. None other spoke for so many.

Tanner must recognize the damage that has been done —
to the victims, the victims’ families and the residents of
Saanich North and The Islands.

T™*© Review

Serving the Saanich Peninsula
Since 1912
9726 - First St. P.O. Box 2070
Sidney, B.C. V8L3C9 Sidney, B.C. V8L3S5
656-1151
Publisher: Rory McGrath
; Editor: Glenn Werkman
Reporters: Valorie Lennox Advertising: Corrie Morozoff
Paul Wyke John Gelder
Production Manager: Tamie Bowker
Office Manager: Lori Fitzpatrick
Circulation Manager: Wendy Denison
AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER

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Slow learner

Editor:

It is difficult to believe the most
recent action of Clive Tanner, our
elected representative in the pro-
vincial legislature.

According to a news report, he
has written a letter of support for
an admitted sexual offender, on
government stationery. By so
doing, he indicates that his actions
were undertaken on behalf of his
constituents.

I am sure that many people will
wish to disassociate themselves
with what must be considered an
outrageous abuse of his office. It
would behoove Mr. Tanner to con-
sult more with his constituents on
sensitive matters.

When one recalls the recent
referendum, in which 62 per cent
of this riding’s electorate voted no
while Mr. Tanner supported the
yes side, it would seem he is a
slow learner!

Betty Douglas

Sidney

Appalling abuse
heaped on MLA

Editor:

I have been appalled by the
abuse heaped upon the member
for Saanich North and the Islands.

Here we have a leading citizen
of character, a man dedicated to
the well being of his community.
The sane members of this: riding
know that Clive Tanner does not in
any way seek to influence the
sentencing of an offender.

The television media portray Mr.
Tanner as defending a sexual devi-
ate. In essence, his statements
simply stated that the proprietor of
a local cafe had built a business
and engaged employees. Certainly
we need more new business and
more employers.

Mr. Tanner is a valued citizen, a
family man, a father himself. He
has contributed to the economy of
Sidney. He works hard to represent
this riding. He has my respect, and
support.

Don Robb

North Saanich

The victims were
also consiiiuents

Editor:

I am appalled that my MLA
used his office to give a character
reference for a serial sex offender. I
am further shocked by the arro-
gance of the rationale in defending
his actions.

Doesn’t Mr. Tanner realize that
the victims of the offenses are also
his constituents.

Please resign, Mr. Tanner!

Russell Flower

Sidney

Outraged with
Tanner's actions

Editor:

As a concerned parent in the
constituency of Clive Tanner, I am
shocked and appalled by his use of
his position as an MLA to write
directly to a judge attempting to
influence that judge’s decision.

Mr. Tanner’s apparent total lack
of comprehension as to the effects
and consequences of his actions is
mindboggling, and extremely
offensive.

Mr. Tanner has demonstrated a
total lack of understanding of the
issues which are important to the
women, children, and I hope the
majority of men, not only in this
constituency but in all of Canadian
society.

I am ashamed that I am repre-
sented in the B.C. goverment by
Mr. Tanner, and I am outraged that
he has not resigned.

Mr. Tanner would benefit
hope) from an indepth course on
the effects on the victims of sexual
abuse/assault.

I am Certain that a visit from
someone at Transition House to
Mr. Tanner could also be arranged.
He definitely needs to be educated
on this issue.

I feel compelled to try to
enlighten Mr. Tanner by informing
him that the young girl involved in
the sexual assault does not have a
“problem,” but rather the con-
victed repeat sexual offender is the
person with the problem.

This event has been a step

backwards into the dark ages.

I urge all concerned members of
this constituency and of B.C. to

- write to the leader of the B.C.

Liberal Party, as well as to the
Attorney General, and demand
Tanner’s actions be grounds for
demanding his resignation.

People who support either
directly or indirectly repeat sexual
offenders and, in so doing, use the
powers of their official standing in
the government, are not the people
that I want representing me and
my family.

E.W. Hull

Saanichton

Compassion and
courage by MLA

Editor:

To help the victim of a child
molestation one must have com-
passion and opportunity. Clive
Tanner would have given that help
directly if the opportunity had
been there. He has given that help
to youth indirectly over the years
through his community and politi-
cal activities. —

It is well know that the perpe-
trators of these reprehensible
offenses have usually been past
victims themselves.

Nevertheless to try to give help
to these people requires not only
compassion and opportunity but
also courage.

As an MLA and as an active -

person in the community, Clive

Tanner was asked to set out for the ©

judge’s assistance what he knew of
this person.

He was not asked to judge the
person or to set an appropriate
sentence.

To ask people to set out their
personal knowledge of a convicted
person for the assistance of a judge
in sentencing is a normal and
important part of our legal system.
To assist in this process is not to
indicate approval of the crime nor
lack of compassion for the victim.

The publicity given to the letter
makes it seem that support has

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