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Case of jailed Canadian in Mexico to be resolved in 'next weeks'

The Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 12:24 AM EST 09/04/08

Mexican foreign secretary says government encouraging judges to resolve Brenda Martin's case as quickly as possible ...Read the full article

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  1. L. W. from Greener Pastures, Canada writes: Hard to understand judicial system that keeps people locked up for that length of time, without ever laying any charges. I could better understand it if the police had laid charges. That way there could be a trial. If she was found guilty, then by all means, throw away the key.
  2. itsmy opinion from Dryden, Canada writes: Definitely not a country I'd care to visit or live in. Something is wrong with a "democracy" where you are guity until proven innocent. I type this while eating my imported raspberries from Mexico bought at Safeway. Mexico-Canada trade agreements doesn't mean that that country is safe for Canadians. Just say No to Mexico.
  3. Kathleen Degelder from WashingtonUSA, Canada writes: itsmy opinion: Good post! We should boycott tourism in Mexico. There are currently 12 other Canadians in prison as well.
  4. Zando Lee from Vancouver, Canada writes: ...how does one encourage a judge?.....just askin'....
  5. Paul, Bytown, from Canada writes: Oh please Mr Mexican judge, please release our Saint Brenda Martin who as never lied or grandstanded to our media and the bleeding hearts.

    If you do, I promise to keep taking my vacations on the Mayan Riviera every year. And if you don't...don't worry I still will. Ariba!
  6. AU GT from Long Beach, United States writes: Mexico is a frolfed up place. Canada should have declared war on Mexico about 2 months after her arrest. Mexicans have never heard of the word "trial act" following the word "speedy". Speedy gonzales is all that they know, and even that is a mythical cartoon character created in hollywood-- nothing in Mexico has ever been fast.
  7. Brenda Thomas from Canada writes: I lived in Mexico 4 years ago. One of the first things I was told was which police force expects a bribe (the estate police and the provincial police) and which police force will jail you immidately if you offer a bribe (the federals) and how to tell the difference. I was also warned that in Mexico you are considered guilty until proven innocent no matter which country you come from. One day I was outside of a Scotiabank branch in Toluca and there was a Wanted Poster for two men whom had robbed a Scotiabank in Acapulco. It said "If you see these men, shoot them dead." Sheesh!! Mexican justice!!
  8. William Ross from Victoria BC, Canada writes: Frankly after looking into this lady's situation .. I have come to the conclusion that trying to help her is like trying to beat water = a waste of effort!
  9. donald traverse from n.l, Canada writes: Paul from BYtown you are one horses rear end.If this was your head on the block I don't think you woulld be so quick to condemn.She has stated her innocence as has her former Boss.GROW UP and stop with the crap.
  10. Ned Chiwalski from Oilberta, Canada writes: Thank God this non-issue is almost over. I was getting tired of hearing her cry on the local talk radio programs about how she was at the end of her rope, and she couldn't take much more......
    If her "friends" and family really cared, they should have been all over this 2 years ago.
  11. Ron Russell from Mexico writes: The Canadian news media have not done a good job in reporting this story. Sensationalism sells.

    Not only was she working illegally in Mexico, and not paying taxes, it would be interesting to know how much she made on her investment.

    Did she inform CCRA that she was a nonresident Canadian? If so it is her responsibility to report world income. Is there a Canadian tax liability here as well?
  12. Michael Crowell from Halifax, Canada writes: Wait until she gets back and we have to listen to her all over again on every channel. No doubt we will end up paying her 10 Million Dollars like the other guy.
  13. Jim Rock from Toronto, Canada writes: If she gets out in the foreseeable future she'll be back in time to run as a "star candidate" for the Liberals in the next federal election. She's been doing a good job of laying the groundwork.
  14. Heather Scherloski from Canada writes: I've travelled to Mexico on numerous occasions. Of particular note is an encounter with police when a non-Mexican friend of mine was accused of a minor traffic violation, which he did not commit. Given the very frightening interaction we experienced with the Mexican police, I cannot begin to imagine what Brenda Martin has gone through for over two years.

    For those who lack compassion for Brenda Martin, remember, you too can find yourself in trouble in a foreign country. And, you to, would want your government to do anything and everything to resolve your situation and bring you home.
  15. Paul, Bytown, from Canada writes: donald traverse from n.l, From story in Edmonton Journal Feb.15 2003 by Charles Rusnell about Brenda Martin http://www.thewantednovel.com/edjournal.html "It looked like a friggin parking lot outside that house most days," said Sandy Smith, who asked that her real name not be used. She still lives in Vallarta and fears the Mexican federal police. The Toronto native worked as Waage's chef and lived in Castillo Cristina for 10 months beginning in July 2000. So in spite of her proclaimed fear of the Mexican Federal police as stated in 2003 she continued to live in Mexico until her arrest on Feb.17 2006 by these same Mexican police - can you help people who can't help themselves. What doesn't ring true here? Why would Brenda Martin be afraid of the Mexican police if she had nothing to do with the scam? If she was concerned, then why didn't she leave Mexico? Or, was it that she could make more, without a work visa (no taxes) and cheap living costs and easy lifestyle in Mexico (and the weather)? So, he handed 26,000 to her as settlement for firing her. There are several stories to what happened next. One, that she re-invested 10,000 of it into his scam company unknown to him. Why? Or Two, that he told her to 'take her commission' and forward the rest to a different account. Laundering. Why, when she was arrested, didn't she just claim that she was a hired worker in his staff and didn't participate in his scam - Instead, she focused on the arrest process itself; that she didn't have a translator. Small point, but, she's been living there ten years; does she have no knowledge of Spanish? It is indeed possible that she wasn't part of the scam. It still seems strange that she invested 10,000 of that 26,000 in his company.
  16. Rajith Nanayakkara from Toronto, Canada writes: The timidity of the Government's response speaks volumes of their
    ineptitidue in trying to help this individual. In questionable cases like this involving a 3rd world country where the rule of law is suspect one would hope for unflinching support from ones own government. After all this is a country still trying to exorcise the ghosts of Maher Arar and William Sampson.
  17. Jeff S from Canada writes: I hope they bring her back and charge her and try her for the crime her.

    The media have covered up more of this story than they reported.
  18. Paul, Bytown, from Canada writes: Rajith Nanayakkara from Toronto, Canada writes: The timidity of the Government's response speaks volumes of their
    ineptitidue in trying to help this individual.
    --------------------------------
    People have to be responsible for their own lives. Governments are not in the business of breaking irresponsible, foolish, shady citizens out of foreign jails. If the Librano$ were in power, they wouldn't be able to do any more than the CPC have already done and this wouldn't even be a news item.

    Whether or not one feels sorry for her is not the point here. The point is, it's clear that she made her own bed in Mexico--she could have left before 2006 and it sounds as if she should have, seeing as she feared the Mexican police since 2003--and now she's ended up sleeping in it.

    How would you propose that PMSH and the CPC get Martin out of jail? Do you think it was helpful for Brenda Martin to accuse the CPC of "a dog and pony show" when they sent Jason Kenney down to Mexico to talk to her?
  19. Kathleen Degelder from WashingtonUSA, Canada writes: Rajith Nanayakkara: The Conservative Government of Canada's ministers have gone there 100 times.--Mexico is a sovereign state. What do you suggest "invasion?"
  20. Paul, Bytown, from Canada writes: L. W. from Greener Pastures, Canada writes: Hard to understand judicial system that keeps people locked up for that length of time, without ever laying any charges.

    ---------------------

    In a way I agree. But our Canadian system isn't much better.

    Former NHL player Rob Ramage's widely publicized drunk driving case took four (4) years to get to court, that's just one recent national event off the top of my head that I can name that took longer than 2 years.

    The SNL guy that went crazy spent two years in jail recently, he wasn't even charged, that was national news too.

    Pickton was in jail for two years without any conviction, there's yet another case.

    The guy who shot two RCMP officers in Saskatchewan has been in jail for nearly two years now with no court date in sight. Four cases I can name off the top of my head.

    Over 50% of people in jail in Canada haven't been convicted of a crime, lengthy delays are very much a feature of Canadian courts.
  21. Kathleen Degelder from WashingtonUSA, Canada writes: Paul Bytown: Good post!
  22. Kathleen Degelder from WashingtonUSA, Canada writes: Paul Bytown: There is a also the case of little Zachary Smith who was abducted by a parolee after the parolee had raped a 24 year old girl in British Columbia. The Canadian courts are lax when it comes to victims's rights.
  23. Northern Dancer from outside of toronto, Canada writes: Why did the Mexico official use a Washington venue to discuss a Canadian situation.

    Did a reported throw her a beaver tail?
  24. Wasn't Born Yesterday from Canada writes: Why would Waage hire a Canadian worker and pay "Canadian $tyle" wages when he could get a cook for next to nothing in Mexico? He's fried, trying to save her?

    Another thing that doesn't add up in this story full of holes...

    On the other hand, Mexico's got it's own problems including corruption. Terrible food and music, also come to mind. Never been, never will go.

    Can't compare this Maher Arar who was plucked out of a line in an airport, he didn't go to Syria of his own free will.

    Good luck Ms. Martin.
  25. Comments Deleted from Tirana, Albania writes:
    Viva las Estados Unidos Mexicanos siempre!
  26. Carolyn Munro from Halifax, Canada writes: I've been to Mexico twice and never will I go back

    We were walking along the street one night and locals had the crafts etc laid out on the street to sell.

    Suddenly they began to run and all we heard was run, run.

    Several truck loads of soldiers drove buy, rifles in hand, ready to shoot all those on the street, children and all.

    We ran so fast, then looked back, soldiers were loading old people, children , women on the backs of the trucks

    WE were told later, it is crime to sell their crafts on the streets on a Sunday nite and punishment was jail or shot by firing squad

    Not a country I want to be in again.

    You put your life in the mexican hands when you go there. Most of the police are criminals released from their jails to begin with, so shooting someone for nothing means nothing to them

    Ms Martin at least derserves to come home and if she is guilty then tried here
  27. harry carnie from Northern,B.C, Canada writes: Paul, Bytown....Right....The fact she had an expired visa, and NO work permit for working in Mexico.That was why she was arrested in the first place.

    Some one(Canadian) put in a three year stint (in jail)for having an expired visa in an Asian country.
    They were released just last month.

    Most would rather stupidly rant on this.(Martin case).rather than viewing the situation with any perspective on reality.

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