Convicted, Confined and Covered

How are we to respond to the news surrounding former Canadian Armed Forces, Colonel Russell Williams?

The former commander of CFB Trenton, plead guilty to two counts of first degree murder, two counts of rape and an additional 82 counts of house break-ins.  In all Russell Williams received two life sentences, plus concurrent sentences for the rapes and house break-ins.

Williams will go down in history as one of Canada's most notorious sexual predators and emerging serial killers.

The details of his offenses have been gleefully shared by the daily press and television media. Every aspect of this man has been laid out before the public.  He is described as a good husband to his wife of nineteen years Mary Elizabeth Harriman.  But more notably we have been informed that as a career soldier Williams was regarded as a model soldier over the course of his 23-year career with the Canadian Armed Forces.  Some have gone as far as describing Williams as an elite pilot and "shining bright star" of the military. His career has provided him prime service opportunities including being the pilot for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, the Governor General of Canada, the Prime Minister of Canada, and many other dignitaries across Canada and overseas in Canadian Forces VIP aircraft.

In contrast, Williams is described as a man with a dual life.  His crimes expose him as a man who was on the rise to becoming a serial killer.  His sexual perversions of cross dressing in stolen ladies underpants, breaking into a home nude while his intended victim was bathing in the house. Photographing himself modeling lingerie in victims homes, ultimately elevated into rape, forcible confinement and murder.

The details have angered many Canadians, and it must be said that in no way does this one man represent the Canadian Armed Forces or anyone serving our military.  However, one concern that has been expressed to our Federal Government is, 'In light of his conviction, should Williams receive his Canadian Armed Forces Pension?'

One of the changes the federal government has brought forth was the bill to strip old-age income benefits from hundreds of federal prisoners .  Although many convicted criminals in the federal prison system do not get Old Age Pension, this bill does not affect Williams.  In fact, Williams is eligible and will receive a $60,000 per year Canada Forces pension while serving his two life sentences.

What are we to make of Canada honouring a pension of an admitted and convicted murderer and sexual stalker?

It would be easy to take the position that the Canadian government should strip Williams of his pension.  However, any pension derived from public service is in fact a contractual retirement benefit and as a result, Williams paid into a plan, and any income accrued is rightfully payable to him.  There is no precedent for Canada to withhold these funds.

Therefore, sitting in a gaol cell is a convicted rapist and murderer, who will receive a yearly income that rivals the average income of a Canadian family.

As unpopular as this may be, honouring the pension is the right thing to do.  The pension payments should not be interfered with.

During Williams service to Canada as a soldier, he served in many areas of the military, and like most military personnel, he could not serve this country without an understanding support system.  This support was in the form of his devoted wife, Mary Harriman.  Ask any person in military service and you will learn that the spouse, whether that be a wife or husband, is a key component to sustaining military service for Canada.

Harriman is also a victim in Russell Williams' crimes.  When he was locked up for life, she lost not only a husband but also part of a family income.  Harriman is also in the spot light and as a result will be affected by her husbands criminal activity as a result of social pressures and humiliation.

As a military spouse, Harriman was a key component to Col. Williams military service and any pension earnings accrued during that service, as his wife, is rightfully hers.

Even though former Col. Russell Williams is convicted and confined for life, when it comes to his pension, his wife should be covered.