Minister MacKay Holds Roundtable in Kamloops to Discuss Criminal Justice Legislation Opportunity to discuss

KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Aug. 21, 2014) - Department of Justice Canada

Today, Minister of Justice Peter MacKay met with victims, justice system advocates and members of the legal community to discuss several recent measures taken by the Federal Government to keep Canada's streets and communities safe. Minister MacKay was joined at the roundtable by Cathy McLeod, MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo.

In line with its commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and enhancing the rights of victims, the Federal Government has introduced legislation to protect those who are exploited through prostitution and Canadian communities from the harms that flow from prostitution. The Federal Government has also taken a historic step by introducing legislation to create, at the federal level, clear rights for victims of crime for the first time in Canada.

Minister MacKay outlined the Government's ongoing commitment to strengthening the criminal justice system's response to impaired driving. Building on the tough measures against impaired driving included in the 2008 Tackling Violent Crime Act, the Federal Government continues to discuss with its provincial, territorial, and non-governmental partners other effective measures to protect citizens against the violent and dangerous crime of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Quick Facts

• Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, is a "made-in-Canada" model which would:
  • Criminalize those who purchase sexual services;
  • Continue to criminalize those who financially benefit from the exploitation of others or sell the sexual services of others;
  • Prohibit advertising the sale of sexual services in print or online; and
  • Protect our communities by criminalizing communicating for the purpose of selling sexual services in public places that are near school grounds, playgrounds or daycare centres.
• Bill C-32, the Victims Bill of Rights Act, would create the following statutory rights to ensure victims of crime are heard and considered in our criminal justice system :
  • Right to information;
  • Right to protection;
  • Right to participation; and
  • Right to restitution.
• In 2008, Parliament passed the Tackling Violent Crime Act. This legislation provided the police with better tools to detect and investigate drug- and alcohol-impaired driving and enhanced penalties for impaired driving.
• To better protect our families and our communities, the Government of Canada is engaging in a dialogue across the country to get their views and input on steps going forward.

Quotes

"The actions that our Government has taken to hold serious and violent offenders accountable and to enhance the rights of victims of crime are aimed at ensuring that all Canadians can have confidence in our criminal justice system and that they are better protected. It is vital that we take time to listen to the opinions and concerns of those directly involved to make sure that we are being both inclusive and responsive and that the measures we bring forward, reflect their concerns and meet their needs. Canadians need to feel safe, whether in their homes or in their communities."

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay

"I am proud to welcome Justice Minister Peter MacKay to Kamloops today. Our Government strongly believes that consulting with Canadians and hearing firsthand about their experiences is the most effective way to make progress and transform our criminal justice system for the benefit of all. Along with criminal justice advocates, we had an informative discussion on many important issues, which will serve to better inform government action and further protect our communities."

Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, Cathy McLeod

Related Products

- Backgrounder: Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act : http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/C36%20BCK%20ENG.pdf

- Backgrounder: Overview of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights : http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/OVERVIEW_ROUNDTABLE_BCK_ENG.pdf

- Backgrounder: Right to information : http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Right_to_Information_ENG_BCK.pdf

- Backgrounder: Right to protection : http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Right_to_Protection_ENG_BCK.pdf

- Backgrounder: Right to participation : http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Right_to_Participation_ENG_BCK.pdf

- Backgrounder: Right to restitution : http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Restitution_ENG_BCK.pdf

- Backgrounder: Victim surcharge : http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Victim_Surcharge_ENG_BCK.pdf

Associated Links

- Parliament of Canada LegisInfo

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