Why is Mayor Matt Brown dipping London’s paddle into the legal matters of an American citizen? Is it the city’s mandate to pressure or influence private contracts? For some reason there seems to be a lull of reality and the city or more specifically our mayor thinks he needs to officially speak to unproven circumstances. I am referring to the comedian Bill Cosby and the series of serious allegations against him.
There are cases where court proceedings seem pointless but as a civilized society we afford each and every accused the benefit of a fair hearing with rules for testimony. I don’t know what testimony has entered the public sphere but none of it has been examined using the American principles of fundamental justice. Nothing has been proven on a balance of probabilities civilly or beyond a reasonable doubt criminally.
Our governments and its institutions recognize Bill Cosby as innocent until proven guilty.
When we support a cause for justice it is counterproductive to ignore principles of law. To take action against Bill Cosby prior to a finding of guilt undermines our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter is not a menu from which we choose or ignore. It nears hypocrisy to call for equality rights while ignoring legal rights and it becomes difficult to bring about fairness and legitimacy to a cause if portions of our legal foundation are removed. Innocent until proven guilty is a cornerstone of justice and it is a clear premise of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Why would we not apply the flavour of our Charter to an individual from another nation who is presently without legal charge?
When I was in high school they did not teach us that municipal mayors become involved with the legal affairs of American citizens. As a mayor Matt Brown has a legal position and one would hope that someone who makes bylaws respects the process of law in general. It would also be to his benefit to familiarize himself with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If our mayor starts his term and the New Year with words and positions which do not reflect the Charter I think he should step aside. One would think a mayor would recognize people as the law and Charter recognize and it is dangerous to make public statements regarding an American citizen whose affairs are nearing and entering the justice system. Does London need a lawsuit?
Mayor Matt Brown is a public official and it is his duty to act and speak according to the law not according to popular opinion. Maybe Mayor Matt Brown could do something productive and closer to his office like put a layer of ice on the rink at Victoria Park.
Brett Batten 
Mayor: zip your lips. Wow this is exactly how I feel. Awesome commentary and so true….you put my thoughts into words perfectly. I don’t want to live in a world where people are guilty until proven innocent nor a government where they decide what I should see!!!!!! Get out of our personal lives, we can make our own choices. This government style leads to a non democratic society.
As a victim of sexual abuse almost 70 years ago, I have had to live with that all these years. My abuser got away with it. I understand why women do not come forward for a very long time, if at all, and now it is too late for them to be heard in the Court of Law. It is not too late for them to come forward in the hopes that they will put a stop to the likes of Jian & Cosby of abusing women. Until you are actually a victim yourself, it is unlikely you will ever understand!
Unfortunately your experiences don’t qualify you to determine the guilt of people. If there is no rule of law and mob justice in media, community action etc. or protest prevails then what of those more vulnerable than Bill Cosby? Don’t make assumptions about my experiences or understanding.