Minister Calls for Justice Improvements

Better service for legal aid clients, greater public safety with a national sex offender registry and less use of conditional sentencing for violent offenders are the priorities Justice Minister Michael Baker will take to Charlevoix, Que. the week of Sept. 28. Mr. Baker will be in Quebec for the annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice.

"We have an opportunity to make practical and reasonable changes that matter to people throughout our province," said Mr. Baker. "We're calling on the federal government to match our government's increased support for legal aid, and to include previously convicted sex offenders in a national registry. The people of Nova Scotia deserve this added level of protection. And police need the most accurate information to ensure that protection."

Mr. Baker says an efficient, effective justice system provides direct benefits to Nova Scotians of all ages, and contributes to a healthier, stronger province.

"Nova Scotia continues to be one of the safest provinces in Canada to raise a family and work, and we believe further changes in areas of federal responsibility can help keep us in this enviable position," said the minister.

Ministers at the Quebec meeting will address other issues, including cannabis reform, drug-impaired driving, the use of DNA in finding missing persons, the federal strategy on child pornography and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.