Ex-soldier Sentenced

GUELPH, Ont. — An 83-year-old native of Germany who was a German soldier in World War II has been sentenced to six months in jail for scrawling anti-Semitic graffiti in various locations around Guelph, Ont. Judge Norman Douglas sentenced Max Mahr May 10 on charges of wilful promotion of hatred against an identifiable group. He was arrested and charged last September for hateful remarks against Jews found in private and public locations around Guelph. Court heard about 19 instances of graffiti that urged the killing of Jews. Mahr pleaded guilty in March. He was also sentenced to two years’ probation and 40 hours of community service. The judge rejected Crown and defence suggestions that, as a former Hitler Youth member, he was a product of his time and should serve his sentence in the community. Canadian Jewish Congress strongly supported the sentence.

Wilma Kwinter, 74

TORONTO — Wilma Kwinter, wife of longtime York Centre MPP and former Liberal cabinet minister Monte Kwinter, died May 11 of cancer at age 74. She was described by her family as the “driving force” behind the political career of her husband, an MPP since 1985.