The history of hanging in Canada is jam-packed with fascinating stories and colourful personalities including Thomas D’Arcy McGee, the only federal politician ever assassinated in Canada; Louis Riel, hanged for treason; Florence Lassandro, a Prohibition-era bootlegger; and Arthur Ellis, Canada’s most famous hangman
Some crimes are so horrifying that a life sentence doesn’t seem adequate, such as with serial killers Paul Bernardo and Russell Williams, so capital punishment is an issue that is always cycling back into public awareness
Meticulously researched with particular reference to primary sources
Written in a journalistic and informal style
Covers the 109 years between the birth of Canada and the abolition of the death penalty
Author is a writer and editor based in Toronto, with extensive experience as a researcher and fact checker