Family of Terry Blanchette, Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette ‘disappointed’ in parole eligibility change
A woman related to two Alberta murder victims is speaking out in the wake of a decision that transformed the parole eligibility for Canada’s multiple killers.
Derek Saretzky was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder in the 2015 deaths of Terry Blanchette and his two-year-old daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette in Blairmore, Alta., as well as Hanne Meketech in Coleman, Alta.
He was given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 75 years, but a decision from Alberta’s Court of Appeal decided that he would be eligible for parole in 25 years.
Before the change, Saretzky would have been 97 before he could apply for parole. Now he will be 47.
In a statement to CTV News, Terry’s sister and Hailey’s aunt said she is “very disappointed” in the decision.
“What was done to my two-year-old niece and my brother and Hanne was cruel and unusual,” said Amanda Blanchette DeSteur. “Why should people who do horrendous things like this be allowed to have hope for a life again? Bring back capital punishment and forget their hope.”
The Supreme Court’s decision centred Alexandre Bissonnette, the gunman who killed six worshippers at a mosque in Quebec City in 2017 and was initially sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 40 years.
Bissonette's sentence has been changed to allow him to be eligible for parole in 25 years.
However, a Supreme Court of Canada decision determined life sentences with no real chance of parole are "cruel and unusual” punishment.
Similar decisions were made in two other multiple murder cases in Alberta – Edward Downey, who killed Calgary mother Sarah Baillie and her daughter Taliyah Marsman, and Jason Klaus and Joshua Frank, who murdered three members of Klaus’ family in 2013.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.