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Svend Robinson was Shopping for an Engagement Ring Two days before Theft

Call for Bill C-250 to be withdrawn because "drafted by an admitted thief"

VANCOUVER, April 19, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Two days before stealing a $50,000 ring from a Richmond, B.C. auction house, NDP MP Svend Robinson was shopping for an engagement ring for his Cuban homosexual partner, Max Riveron.

Shahraz Kassam, president of Shamins Jewellers in Burnaby, B.C., told the Vancouver Province that Robinson was in the store April 7, shopping for a ring for Riveron. He told Kassam that, after 10 years together, and since it was now legal for homosexuals to "marry" in B.C., it was time to propose to him.

Kassam showed Robinson a $10,300 diamond ring. Kassam described Robinson's mental state, "He was casual, not excited. Casual. A typical older man looking for a ring."

"He said he would check his bank account and see if he could splurge for this," Kassam said. "That was it. Then he left."

The auction house from which Svend later stole a ring told the National Post that the theft was noticed "immediately," and that a surveillance videotape was released to the RCMP in Richmond, B.C., by Sunday.

Robinson has retained Toronto lawyer Clayton Ruby, the same lawyer who helped NDP MP Lorne Nystrom get an acquittal for stealing contact lens solution.

Federal Auction Services has already said they are not pressing charges for Robinson's grand theft category criminal act despite their policy of zero tolerance towards theft of any kind.

The Toronto Sun's Peter Worthington editorialized, "Our courts seem more understanding when bigshots do petty crimes for which a poor person would be punished. Bad publicity is deemed sufficient punishment," he said. "Because a shoplifter or thief can afford to pay for what is pilfered, the act is considered a disease or affliction or aberration."

"Svend Robinson's agony of the moment looks a lot like showboating and shame at being caught - not for doing what he did," Worthington continued, "His record of rudeness and callousness to those he disapproves of, is legendary. Odds are he'll be back in Parliament, unless the voters of Burnaby-Douglas say enough is enough already."

Colby Cosh wrote about Robinson's legacy in Monday's National Post, "Mr. Robinson's moment of madness jeopardizes what was to be his latest legislative legacy, and what still may end up being his last: Bill C-250, now awaiting third reading in the Senate, which would amend the Criminal Code to forbid the promotion of hatred on the basis of sexual orientation. Church groups say that such an amendment would criminalize traditionalist religious discourse and even the scriptures of some faiths, including the Old Testament. Proponents of Mr. Robinson's bill deny it, noting that the relevant section of the Code already contains a "good faith" defence for religious speech…This is, of course, tommy-rot. Canadian courts and human rights tribunals have shown small shame about disregarding statutory and common-law defences when it comes to hate law -- even the defence of truth."

The Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC), stated in a press release that "The process of amending the criminal code of Canada must be beyond reproach. It is problematic to have criminal laws written by a legislator who, by his own admission is guilty of socially destructive grand theft. Since Bill C-250 was drafted by an admitted thief, Svend Robinson, the bill itself comes into question. In addition it cannot be properly represented in the process of passing the legislation through the Senate. The integrity of the legislative process of Canada must be upheld.

Regarding Robinson's status as a Member of Parliament, CFAC added "The Elections Act of Canada and Parliamentary procedures prohibit those who are 'convicted of illegal practices' from sitting as members of parliament for five years. The intent of the law is to prohibit those who breach the law from participating in writing the law. Mr. Robinson has admitted that he is guilty therefore the intentions of this regulation should be applied and Bill C-250 not proceed."

Read LifeSiteNews.com's related Special Report, "MP Robinson's Theft "could end up being his best publicity stunt ever" says Columnist," at: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/apr/040416a.html

See the National Post coverage: http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/columnists/story.html?id=6423a88e-e4...

http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=6bb3624f-62ef-49e...

See the Calgary Sun coverage: http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Columnists/Calgary/Ezra_Levant/2004/04/19/427873.h...

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