A man who was banished from his home province of Newfoundland has become a point of debate in Fort McMurray’s civic election.
A Newfoundland court exiled Gordie Bishop, 33, from the province after he was found guilty of dragging a police officer with the car he was driving.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer was injured while trying to stop Bishop from escaping after a break and enter at the Peter Easton Pub more than two years ago.
Bishop was sentenced on July 11 to 825 days in prison, but was given credit for the two years and three months he had already spent in custody. Bishop also received a one-year probation and an order to leave the province while serving it.
Bishop’s father said his son would likely move to Fort McMurray, where his mother lives.
‘Slap in the face to Fort McMurray’
Mayoral candidate Allan Vinni said he is disappointed that a Newfoundland court is offloading Bishop on to another community.
“It’s just a slap in the face to the people of Fort McMurray,” Vinni said.
Vinni, a lawyer, said sentences are supposed to balance deterrence with rehabilitation and he doesn’t see how that’s happening in this case.
“I also don’t see how rehabilitation is assisted by having this person move from what sounds like a place they were born and raised and grew up and have them come out to Fort McMurray,” Vinni said.
“Presumably most of their supports is back in Newfoundland.”
Wood Buffalo’s mayoral candidates Allan Vinni and Don Scott (L to R) both weighed into news that Gordie Bishop, who has been charged with assaulting a police officer, might be coming to Fort McMurray. (David Thurton/ CBC)
Candidate Don Scott, who is also a Fort McMurray lawyer, said the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.
If someone is convicted of harming a police officer, Scott said, they deserve to be sent to jail and not to Fort McMurray.
“In Fort McMurray, there’s no tolerance for criminal activity,” Scott said. “And we have strong support for law enforcement.
In January 2015, RNC officer Cathy Snelgrove intervened while Bishop was breaking into a St. John’s, N.L., bar.
As Bishop was trying to escape, Snelgrove was injured after trying to stop him from driving away. Snelgrove was dragged down a hill and sustained injuries for which she was hospitalized.
Bishop was charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer, assaulting a police officer with a weapon, break and enter and other charges.
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