Minister Pressing for Better Community Protections
Justice Minister Michael Baker has again pressed the federal government for criminal law reform to better protect communities against crime - particularly children, seniors and other vulnerable groups.
At the federal/provincial/territorial meeting of justice ministers in Iqaluit, Nunavut, the minister continued to press for a new Criminal Code offence for home invasions.
"Home invasions are qualitatively different from break and enters and robberies, as offenders often appear to enjoy intimidating their victims and exerting control over them. The result is profound terror and often serious injuries."
His proposal received support from his provincial/territorial colleagues. As a result, the federal minister directed officials to prepare recommendations for reform of the Criminal Code.
Calling video violence another form of home invasion, Mr. Baker joined his federal/provincial/territorial colleagues in calling for the development of a comprehensive strategy to protect children from the graphic violence and explicit sexual images in electronic products targeted at the youth market.
Mr. Baker also pressed the federal government to commit sufficient resources to complete unification of the family division of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. The court helps families going through the stressful experience of separation and divorce by giving them options for resolving their differences in a non-adversarial manner.
The Nova Scotia experience has shown this approach is respectful of all parties and in the best interests of the children. Federal Justice Minister Anne McLellan agreed that family court unification is an important component of a comprehensive family law strategy.
On the issue of legal aid, Mr. Baker noted the federal government has cut its funding significantly over the past ten years. Between 1989 and 1999, the cost of legal aid from criminal and young offender cases increased by 40 per cent, while the federal contribution dropped by nine per cent.
"The federal government must pay its fair share of legal aid costs so that the criminal justice process is not jeopardized," said Mr. Baker.