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 Americas & Beyond | April 2008 
Brenda Martin May Have to Serve Time in Canada: MP
 Charles Rusnell - The Edmonton Journal
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| | Mr. Kenney confirmed yesterday that Ms. Martin's fine has been paid by the Canadian government, but Ms. Martin must repay the loan. (Global) | | |
Secretary of State for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney warned Brenda Martin yesterday she may still have to serve jail time in Canada after she is transferred from prison in Mexico where she has been held for more than two years.
Ms. Martin said Mr. Kenney told her he couldn't rule out a prison stint.
"I told him in no uncertain terms I could not believe my government had allowed this to happen to me," she said. "(Mr. Kenney) said, 'It's not us; Mexico did this to you.' "
Ms. Martin said Mr. Kenney also warned her she may be handcuffed on the flight home.
"Isn't that great?" she said sarcastically.
Mr. Kenney flew overnight from Paris to meet with Ms. Martin and to hold meetings with officials from the Canadian consulate and the Mexican government to ensure Ms. Martin's prison transfer to Canada happens as soon as possible. He confirmed to reporters outside the prison that Ms. Martin may spend time behind bars in Canada after her return.
"It would be inappropriate for me ... to interfere with or second-guess the judgment (of the Correctional Service of Canada)," Mr. Kenney said.
"Anyone who comes to Canada as part of a transfer treaty remains in the custody of the Correctional Service of Canada. It's up to Corrections to determine the best way to deal with (a transferred prisoner) ... and they will be concerned with the health and safety of that person."
However, Mr. Kenney suggested immediate parole was a strong possibility for Ms. Martin, and that Canada doesn't expect Mexico to oppose it.
"I think this case is moving very quickly," he added. "The government is doing everything it can to get Brenda back to Canada, and we hope to see that happen really soon."
He declined to speculate on when Ms. Martin may be returned home.
Yesterday, the prison warden turned away Ms. Martin's friend and advocate Deb Tieleman, despite requests from Canadian officials that she be allowed to join their meeting with Ms. Martin.
Mexican justice officials appear to have cleared the way for Ms. Martin to leave their country, but Canada must abide by an international prisoner-transfer treaty that could delay her return by up to two weeks, Ms. Tieleman said Thursday in Guadalajara.
A Mexican judge this week sentenced Ms. Martin to five years in prison for knowingly accepting illicit funds and fined her the equivalent of about $3,500. Ms. Martin, a chef, had worked for former Alberta resident Alyn Waage, who operated a $60-million Internet-based fraud scheme.
Mr. Kenney confirmed yesterday that Ms. Martin's fine has been paid by the Canadian government, but Ms. Martin must repay the loan. |
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