The Chronicle-Herald – October 29, 2010
Jewish leader deeply sorry
Former B’nai Brith head guilty of child porn charges
By Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press

MONTREAL – A former Quebec director of B’nai Brith said Thursday that he’s deeply sorry for downloading child pornography and recognizes the impact his actions have had on his family. Bill Surkis expressed remorse during his sentencing hearing in Montreal. The former Jewish community leader, who pleaded guilty in May to one count each of accessing and possessing child pornography, will be sentenced Dec. 9.

But the Crown wants to send a clear message to the public that downloading and possessing child pornography only serves to fund an industry that profits from exploiting young children. To that end, they want to have Surkis declared a registered sex offender, which is a sticking point in the sentencing.

The Crown and defence have agreed that Surkis should receive the minimum sentence allowed by law – a 45-day jail term, to be served on weekends. Each charge carried a minimum prison sentence of 45 days and a maximum of 10 years in prison. There would also be 240 hours of community service and three years’ probation.

Where they disagree is on certain probation conditions the Crown wants, including a restriction on being in public parks and forbidding Surkis from using a computer. The Crown’s request that Surkis be registered as a sex offender and have his DNA taken has been dismissed by Surkis and his lawyer as unnecessary and punitive. “That would put me in a position where I would not be able to serve my community,” Surkis said. “I downloaded videos, yes, but I am not a sex offender.” Crown prosecutor Cynthia Gyenizse said that remorse has more to do with the fall from grace Surkis has experienced in the community since the charges were laid. “He wants you to let him retake his life, but he doesn’t talk about real remorse or the gravity of his actions. … The material he had was very graphic,” Gyenizse said.

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