Spouses could be compelled to testify under bill that codifies rights of victims
Posted April 3, 2014 1:51 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Conservative government’s long-awaited victims’ rights bill would force people to testify in court against a spouse.
The legislation — tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday — would change the Canada Evidence Act, which allows spouses to refuse to testify except in certain specific cases such as sexual assaults or crimes against youngsters.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the legislation at a noon news conference in Mississauga, shortly after the bill was tabled.
He was joined by Justice Minister Peter MacKay and Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney.
The changes are part of a sweeping government bill that codifies the rights of victims, makes it easier for vulnerable witnesses to testify and requires that victims be given more information about cases.
For instance, victims can request a copy of a bail order, a probation order or the details of a conditional release.
Harper said the justice system has focused on the rights of the accused for too long.
“Victims of crime deserve and should have the right to information, the right to protection, the right to participation, and where possible, the right to restitution,” Harper said at the news conference.
The federal Conservatives have long complained that too much emphasis is placed on the rights of the accused, giving short shrift to the people affected by the crimes.
“Victims of crime and their families deserve to be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect,” says the preamble to Bill C-32, the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
It says victims have a right to be told when a criminal is deported or paroled and what parole restrictions may apply.
“It is important that victim’s rights be considered throughout the criminal justice system,” the preamble said.
Victims will also have the right to have the courts consider making a restitution order in all cases and to have such orders registered as a civil court judgment against the offender if the money isn’t paid.
