In light of the horrific case in Quebec, Conservatives intend to expand the bill to ensure parole officers and parole board members are covered under this legislation ~~ Kamloops Thompson Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod

Tuesday, came news that the Liberal government of Justin Trudeau had introduced legislation (Bill C-5) to help ensure judges are trained in sexual assault law.

This new legislation revives a private member’s bill, which was originally put forward by Rona Ambrose when she was interim Conservative leader.

According Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo Conservative MP Cathy McLeod, the federal government did indeed reintroduce the Honourable Rona Ambrose’s bill (the JUST Act), as Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code. 

When I asked her about the bill going before parliament she stated, “The new legislation reflects the amendments passed by the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs before the last election. If passed, the legislation will require judges to participate in continuing legal education with regards to sexual assault law”.

Continuing she reflected that the Conservatives had been ‘proud’ to support the JUST Act in the last Parliament because they recognized that ... far too often the justice system fails to respect the experiences of victims of sexual assault.

"It's a great message to send to victims across the country that members of the House of Commons, who are here elected by people across Canada, are doing work to support victims of sexual assault, but also working hard to ensure we have more confidence in our system" ~~ former MP and Conservative Party Interim Leader Rona Ambrose (February 4^th, 2019)

“However, it is not just the Canadian judiciary that routinely fails innocent Canadians”, McLeod continued. “A recent decision by the Parole Board of Canada to allow a convicted murderer, with a history of domestic violence, out on day parole so that he could address his sexual needs resulted in the senseless death of a young woman in Quebec”.

Kamloops- Thompson - Cariboo
Conservative MP Cathy McLeod

I asked Ms. McLeod if she had any specific thoughts nor comments, with regards to the new proposed legislation, and she indicated:

“In light of the horrific case in Quebec, Conservatives intend to expand the bill to ensure parole officers and parole board members are covered under this legislation”.

While the proposed legislation of Rona Ambrose passed rather quickly (4 months) in the House of Commons, it was never passed in the Senate.

Hopefully this time, it will pass even quicker in Parliament, and just as fast in the Senate.

To read the full text of the Just Act, introduced by former MP, and Conservative Party Interim Leader Rona Ambrose, on February 23^rd, 2017, CLICK HERE