New Tools Added to Fight Crime
New legislation introduced today, Nov. 23, will help police investigate and prevent crime. The bills help address violent crimes, while fighting organized crimes like auto theft and the illegal drug trade.
The Gunshot and Stab Wounds Mandatory Reporting Act requires hospitals and other health-care facilities to report gun shots and stab wounds to police. Police have expressed concerns that the critical first hours of an investigation are lost if these wounds are not reported when someone seeks medical treatment.
The act allows hospitals to report anonymously, and provides protection against legal action to a facility making a report. Consultations on proposed legislation were held earlier this year with health-care professionals and police.
"Violent crimes like gun and knife attacks must be responded to swiftly and aggressively to get perpetrators off the streets," said Justice Minister Cecil Clarke. "This legislation will ensure that police receive the critical information they need to begin an investigation as quickly as possible."
The province has also introduced the Civil Forfeiture Act and the Assets Management and Disposition Act to hit criminals where it hurts -- their profits.
The province will create a Proceeds of Crime Unit that will work to seize assets resulting from illegal activity. The legislation also supports a civil court process to order forfeiture of properties used to commit crimes or gained from unlawful activity. Ontario and British Columbia have similar legislation.
"Taking the profit out of these crimes will send a strong message that crime doesn't pay in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Clarke. "At the same time, these initiatives will create a new source of funding that we will be put directly into crime-prevention activities to help stop crime from happening in the first place."
These bills are the latest in a series of new laws and initiatives introduced to fight crime, and protect the safety and security of Nova Scotians.
The province has also put in place the Safer Neighbourhoods and Communities Act, which has shut down more than 20 illegal drug houses; created new youth programming and supervision; introduced electronic monitoring of offenders; and is adding 250 new police officers over four years.
The federal government also recently responded to Nova Scotia's call to strengthen the Youth Criminal Justice Act by introducing amendments that give the court more flexibility to hold a young person until trial if their behaviour is dangerous.
In the coming days, the province will introduce a comprehensive crime strategy focusing on enforcement, intervention and prevention.
Amendments to several other pieces of legislation were also introduced. Amendments to the Evidence Act will support the province's efforts to explore the use of electronic court documents, a recommendation from the Nunn Commission. The amendments would ensure that electronic court documents are admissible in court.
Claims for general damages in small claims court are being increased from $100 to $2,500 under amendments to the Small Claims Court Act. The amendments also give small claims adjudicators the discretion to consider expert reports even if the experts are not available for cross examination.
The Probate Act is being amended to allow for handwritten wills. This supports a previous amendment to the Wills Act.
"The important pieces of legislation support the effective operation of our court system, and court users," said Mr. Clarke.