News release

Minister Calls for Changes

Justice

Justice Minister Michael Baker is calling for several changes to the Criminal Code of Canada. He outlined the need for reform at the annual meeting of Ministers responsible for Justice being held in Calgary.

During the meeting, Mr. Baker raised his concerns regarding conditional sentences.

"While they are a useful tool in some circumstances, they are not appropriate for offences such as sexual assault and vehicular homicide," he said. "We risk eroding public confidence in the justice system if we don't act now to change the legislative framework."

That concern was echoed by several ministers and will be brought forward to the federal parliamentary committee examining the issue.

The minister also called for increased federal funding for legal aid and agreed to the federal minister's request to join in a national review of the legal aid system.

"The status quo won't work," said Mr. Baker. "The federal government needs to be an equal participant in funding the legal aid system. Federal funding must be restored to former levels."

The federal minister indicated he would seek more funding for legal aid as long as the provinces agreed to examine the system.

Mr. Baker also suggested that provinces should be allowed to develop alternatives for intermittent sentences which achieve the same goals of denunciation and flexibility. The current system poses a risk to the safety and security of correctional facilities and is costly to the taxpayer.

He applauded the federal minister for taking action on child pornography. Federal legislation is expected by Christmas which will limit artistic merit as a defence.

"We have a duty to protect our children," said Mr. Baker. "Any action we can take to prevent a child from being harmed is a step in the right direction."