While Russell Williams, the convicted murderer, rapist and former Canadian Forces colonel sits in jail for the next 25 years, he will collect a $60,000 annual military pension. However, according to several media outlets, he has apparently not yet paid the $8,000 in victim surcharge fines that he owes.
CTV reports that a collection agency is trying to get the money from Williams who is serving two life sentences in Kingston Penitentiary.
Steve Sullivan, executive director of Ottawa Victims Services says that normally, judges waive the victim surcharge in these cases because the convicted person doesn’t have the money to pay it the fine. In this case, a lack of money certainly shouldn’t be an issue.
“He would certainly be aware of this surcharge,’’ said Sullivan. “It was part of his sentence, he owes the money. If he has the ability to pay it and it’s a conscious choice not to pay, it certainly raises questions whether there’s any remorse.”
Working in victim services, Sullivan says he finds it a “little tough to swallow’’ that Williams is getting a $60,000 military pension.
Since the conviction the military has stripped Williams of his rank, however, the military acknowledged it cannot do anything about Williams’s pension. He is legally entitled to it unless the government takes steps to strip him of it.
Standard retirement for military personnel is 65. According to the Canadian Forces website, “in order to maintain stable retirement incomes for its members, the Canadian Forces pension is made up of two parts: a lifelong pension which remains the same before and after age 65, and a “bridge” benefit which is paid from the day of retirement until age 65, at which point members are eligible for a retirement pension from the CPP.” The 48-year-old Williams is presumed to be receiving the bridge payment. At the time of publication, the Canadian Forces couldn’t be reached.
Legal matters aside, should a convicted criminal still be able to receive a pension that is essentially funded by the public? What are your thoughts?