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Did the Grinch deserve a second chance after breaking into every home in Whoville on Christmas Eve to steal every present, ornament and even the roast beast?
This rather unserious question has crept into Newfoundland and Labrador’s political forum following a Christmas parade in the Trinity region.
Local Conservative MP Jonathan Rowe had a float in the parade featuring the famous children’s character behind bars beneath the slogan “jail not bail.”
Port Rexton business owner John Fisher called it “good politics, I guess,” but said the float felt out of place in a parade geared toward children.
“I know democracy is all about different points of view, but it demands facts and fairness and kindness, and surely exaggeration and fear have no place in a Santa Claus parade,” Fisher told CBC Radio’s On The Go.
Rowe, for his part, is keeping his tongue firmly planted in cheek, sending a photo of the float to CBC News and issuing the following statement:
“The Grinch committed multiple acts of thefts, vandalism and assault while out on bail. As a non-citizen of Whoville, the Grinch should have been deported and at the very least, locked up for his repeated crimes,” the statement reads.
“Only Conservatives can bring safe streets to the people of Whoville and restore ho-ho-hope to all the children deserving of Christmas cheer who have been terrorized for generations.”
Fisher, for his part, was less than amused by Rowe’s response.
“With all due respect to Jonathan Rowe, I think he’s a new, young, keen MP and these are his views, but I think this is frankly an error in judgement, and I don’t think we should judge him perhaps too harshly, and perhaps he will learn from this,” he said.
The float comes as the federal Liberals and Conservatives duke it out over bail reform.
The Conservatives have been pushing for bail reform for years, arguing the current system is little more than a revolving door that allows those with lengthy criminal records to be free while awaiting trial.
The Liberals introduced new reforms in October aimed at making bail laws stricter and increasing sentences for repeat violent offenders.
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