How does a convicted sex offender whose crimes shocked the nation receive a pardon?

The National Parole Board could answer that question, after they gave a pardon to Graham James, the hockey coach who was convicted in 1996 of molesting former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy. James has also had the same accusations from hockey great Theoren Fleury.

Even Prime Minister Stephen Harper has referred to the pardon as deeply troubling and gravely disturbing. When the prime minister is using rhetoric like that– instead of the typical politician doublespeak – to describe the National Parole Board’s decision, it indicates that there was a significant error.

And while the government is considering a new law that will make it more difficult, or even impossible, for sex offenders to secure pardons, it comes too little, too late for James’ victims.

James actually received the pardon three years ago, but it only became public recently. Who can blame the National Parole Board for wanting to keep that pardon a secret?

There shouldn’t be a reason, or an excuse, for James to receive a pardon. How can anybody give a pardon for his actions? Maybe if he spent the last 10 years helping starving children in Africa, it might be understandable, but he didn’t, and frankly, James shouldn’t be allowed near children, whether it be in Canada, Africa or anywhere else.

The pardon doesn’t erase James’ criminal past, but it does mean that his file will be kept separate from others in the justice system. His record won’t show up when a potential employer does a criminal record check, and he can travel, find a job and qualify for housing with greater ease.

It’s unlikely that James will ever be able to find work at a job that involves children. The notoriety of his case has ensured that every Canadian knows about James and his action.

But he could find work in another country. He has already worked as a hockey coach in Spain.

There is just something that seems inherently wrong about using the word “pardon” in reference to a man who violated the most sacred trust in sports – the trust between a coach and his players – and has yet to apologize for it, or show any remorse for it.

The National Parole Board should have had enough common sense to predict the outcry that this would generate from Canadians.

His three-and-a-half year jail sentence was lenient, and now he’s been given an unjustifiable pardon.

Canadians should be hopeful that it becomes impossible for sex offenders like James to receive a pardon. Hopefully there is something that can be learned from this, and that Canada’s justice system can take a step forward. James’ pardon was certainly a step in the wrong direction.