News Releases

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2010

December 10, 2010

• Government of Canada Offers Funding Programs Related to Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women

  OTTAWA, December 10, 2010 – The Government of Canada invites organizations to apply for funding under four programs that address the tragic issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women:

• Backgrounder: Funding Opportunities Related to The Government of Canada’s Initiative on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women

December 2, 2010

• Statement by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson Following the Ontario Court of Appeal Stay Decision on the Bedford Prostitution Challenge

  OTTAWA, December 2, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, made the following statement today following the Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the Ontario Superior Court’s decision on the Bedford Prostitution Challenge until final disposition of the appeal.

November 23, 2010

• Ministers of Justice, Public Safety and Health meet with U.S. Director of National Drug Control Policy

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Vic Toews, M.P. for Provencher and Minister of Public Safety, today met with the Director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, to discuss the continued importance of cooperation between Canada and the United States of America in the fight against illicit drugs, border management and crime prevention. The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, M.P. for Nunavut and Minister of Health, also met with Mr. Kerlikowske yesterday.

November 18, 2010

• Legislation Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime to Receive Royal Assent

  SCARBOROUGH, Ontario, November 18, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today is pleased to announce that legislation to protect Canadians from property crime and auto theft will officially receive Royal Assent later this afternoon. The Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime Act will help crack down on property crime, including auto theft and trafficking in property that is obtained by crime.

• Backgrounder: Backgrounder : Bill S-9 tackling auto theft and property crime act

November 10, 2010

• Government of Canada Provides $3.6 million to Support Official Languages in The Canadian Justice System

  WINNIPEG, November 10, 2010 — Today, Shelly Glover, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced $3.6 million in funding to strengthen and promote the use of both official languages within the justice system.

• Backgrounder: Official Languages Funding

• Canada and the United States meet to discuss cross-border crime and border security at the 11th Cross-Border Crime Forum Ministerial

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable United States Attorney General Eric Holder and the Honourable United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, today met to enhance continued engagement between the two countries during the 11th Canada-United States Cross-Border Crime Forum (CBCF) Ministerial.

November 4, 2010

• Government of Canada Takes Action to Protect Children From Sexual Predators

  The federal government today announced the introduction of the Protecting Children from Sexual Predators Act, which would help make our streets and communities safer by toughening the laws protecting children from adult sexual predators. The legislation was introduced by the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Shelly Glover, M.P. for Saint Boniface and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

• Backgrounder: Protecting Children From Sexual Predators

November 2, 2010

• Government of Canada Takes Action to Make Our Streets and Communities Safer

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, along with Senator Claude Carignan, today announced the introduction of legislation to make our streets and communities safer by reducing the number of long, drawn-out trials, sometimes referred to as mega-trials. The Government is committed to improving criminal procedures to ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and effectively, as stated in the 2010 Speech from the Throne.

• Backgrounder: Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act

November 1, 2010

• Government of Canada Introduces Legislation to Fight Crime in Today’s High-Tech World

  OTTAWA, November 1, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, together with Dave MacKenzie, M.P. for Oxford and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, and Daniel Petit, M.P. for Charlesbourg–Haute-Saint-Charles and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, today re-introduced in the House of Commons two bills that would provide law enforcement and national security agencies with up-to-date tools to fight crimes such as gang- and terrorism-related offences and child sexual exploitation.

• Backgrounder: Investigative Powers for the 21st Century Act

October 29, 2010

• Government of Canada Takes Concrete Action Regarding Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women

  The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today announced concrete steps the Government of Canada is taking to address the disturbingly high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and to make our communities safer.

• Backgrounder: The Government of Canada's Ongoing Support for Aboriginal Peoples

• Backgrounder: Concrete Steps to Address the Issue of Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women

October 20, 2010

• Legislation to Improve the Application of Federal Legislation by Harmonizing it With the Civil Law of Quebec

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada today announced the introduction of legislation in the Senate that will harmonize federal legislation to ensure that it takes into account both civil law and common law. This applies to both English and French versions of legislation.

• Backgrounder: A Third Bill to Harmonize Federal Law with the Civil Law of Quebec

October 15, 2010

• Federal/ Provincial/ Territorial Ministers Committed to Addressing Key Justice and Public Safety Issues Facing Canadians

  Vancouver, BC, October 15, 2010 – Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for justice and public safety concluded their meeting today, after in-depth discussions on key justice and public safety issues currently facing Canadians.

October 7, 2010

• Government of Canada Announces Funding for Child Advocacy Centres Across Canada

  OTTAWA, October 7, 2010 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Shelly Glover, M.P. for Saint Boniface and Parliamentary Secretary for Indian Affairs and Northern Development today announced funding for the creation and enhancement of Child Advocacy Centres across Canada to help better serve young victims and witnesses of crime.

• Backgrounder: Government of Canada Announces Funding for Child Advocacy Centres Across Canada

October 5, 2010

• Government of Canada Introduces Legislation to End Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murderers

  OTTAWA, October 5, 2010 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, accompanied by Mr. Daniel Petit, M.P. for Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, today announced the re-introduction of legislation to end sentence discounts for multiple murders.

• Backgrounder: Ending sentence discounts for multiple murderers

October 4, 2010

• Joint Statement by Ministers Nicholson and Ambrose on the Fifth Annual Sisters in Spirit Vigils

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C., M.P. for Edmonton-Spruce Grove, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women made the following statement today on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the series of vigils honouring the Sisters in Spirit

September 28, 2010

• Statement by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson Following the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Decision on the Bedford Prostitution Challenge

  OTTAWA, September 28, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, made the following statement today following the Ontario Superior Court’s decision on the Bedford Prostitution Challenge.

August 22, 2010

• Minister of Justice Announces Winner of the 2010 National Youth Justice Policing Award

  Edmonton, August 22, 2010 –The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced today this year’s winner of the eleventh annual Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award. The award was presented at the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) in Edmonton, Alberta.

• Backgrounder: Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Awards 2010

August 18, 2010

• Minister of Justice Meets with New Federal Victims Ombudsman

  OTTAWA, August 18, 2010 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today met with Sue O’Sullivan, the new Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, and pledged to work with her on behalf of victims of crime.

• Biography: Biography of Sue O’Sullivan, B.A., O.O.M Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

• Backgrounder: Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

August 13, 2010

• Eleventh Annual Justicia Awards Presented For Legal Reporting

  A team from the Victoria Times Colonist and a team from Radio-Canada's Enquête are the winners of the eleventh annual Justicia Awards for Excellence in Journalism.

August 4, 2010

• Government of Canada Enacts New Regulations to Help Fight Organized Crime

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, accompanied by Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, today announced the enactment of new regulations to strengthen the ability of law enforcement to fight organized crime.

• Backgrounder: New Regulations to Help Fight Organized Crime

July 14, 2010

• Panel of Arbiters Named to Assist the Work of the Ad Hoc Committee of Parliamentarians Reviewing the Afghan Detainee Documents

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced that three eminent jurists, the Honourable Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, C.C., G.O.Q., the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, C.C., Q.C., and the Honourable Donald I. Brenner, Q.C., will serve as the panel of arbiters for the Ad Hoc Committee of Parliamentarians reviewing the Afghan detainee documents.

July 12, 2010

• Statement by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson Regarding the Government of Canada's Appeal of the Federal Court's Khadr Decision

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, made the following statement today regarding the Government of Canada's decision to file an appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal in the Khadr v. Prime Minister of Canada et al. case:

June 21, 2010

• Appointment to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C. Q. C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of Susheel Gupta, B.A., LL.B., Vice-Chair of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT).

• Minister of Justice Names New Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced that Sue O’Sullivan has been appointed to the position of Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.

• Backgrounder: Biography of Sue O’Sullivan, B.A., O.O.M Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

June 17, 2010

• Deadline For 11th Annual Justicia Awards Extended

  The deadline for entries for the eleventh annual Justicia Awards for Excellence in Journalism has been extended until June 25, 2010.

May 31, 2010

• Government of Canada Introduces Legislation to Enforce Court Orders Requiring Offenders to Abstain from Drug and Alcohol Use

  OTTAWA, May 31, 2010 - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today introduced a bill that would help control repeat criminal behaviour by ensuring that individuals comply with court orders prohibiting drug and alcohol use.

• Backgrounder: Drug and Alcohol Prohibition Compliance

May 17, 2010

• Appointment to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

  OTTAWA, May 17, 2010 - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C. Q. C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of Sophie Marchildon, B.A., LL.L., as a full-time member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT).

• Call for Entries for 11th Annual Justicia Awards

  Nominations are being sought for the 11^th annual Justicia Awards for Excellence in Journalism.

May 6, 2010

• Government of Canada Introduces Legislation Protecting Children From Online Sexual Exploitation

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, Senator, today announced the introduction of legislation to help protect children from online sexual exploitation, by requiring suppliers of Internet services to report online child pornography.

• Backgrounder: Backgrounder: Protecting children from online sexual exploitation

May 5, 2010

• Government Re-Introduces Legislation to Crack Down on Organized Drug Crime

  OTTAWA, May 5, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Mr. Daniel Petit, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Charlesbourg–Haute-Saint-Charles announced that legislation was re-introduced in the Senate today proposing tougher penalties for drug crimes. The bill specifically targets gangs and other organized criminal groups who participate in the illegal drug trade.

• Backgrounder: Penalties for organized drug crime act

May 4, 2010

• Government Introduces Legislation to Tackle Auto Theft and Property Crime

  OTTAWA, May 4, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Steven Blaney, M.P. for Lévis-Bellechasse, today announced the introduction of legislation in the Senate tackling property crime, including the serious crimes of auto theft and trafficking in property that is obtained by crime.

• Backgrounder: Tackling auto theft and property crime act

May 3, 2010

• Government of Canada Introduces Legislation to Stand Up for Victims Of White-Collar Crime

  MONTREAL, May 3, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the Government re-introduced legislation to provide tougher sentences for fraud, to help combat white-collar crime.

• Backgrounder: White Collar Crime

April 23, 2010

• Government of Canada Introduces Combating Terrorism Act

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, and Mr. Daniel Petit, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles today introduced the Combating Terrorism Act.

• Backgrounder: The Combating Terrorism Act – Investigative Hearings and Recognizance with Conditions Provisions

April 22, 2010

• Government Introduces Bill to End House Arrest for Property and Other Serious Crimes by Serious and Violent Offenders

  OTTAWA, April 22, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, Senator, today announced the re-introduction of legislation to end the use of house arrest for property and other serious crimes by serious and violent offenders.

• Backgrounder: Conditional Sentencing Reform

April 20, 2010

• Government of Canada Introduces Bill to Ensure Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime

  OTTAWA, April 20, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Mr. Daniel Petit, M.P. for Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice today announced legislation to ensure serious time for the most serious crime: a bill to repeal the “faint-hope clause” that allows murderers to obtain early parole.

• Backgrounder: Legislation to repeal the “faint hope” clause

March 16, 2010

• Government Introduces Amendments to Strengthen Young Offenders Legislation

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the introduction of amendments to the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) to strengthen its handling of violent and repeat young offenders. He was joined in the announcement by the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, and Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu.

• Backgrounder: Sébastien’s Law

March 13, 2010

• Minister of Justice Releases Terms of Reference for Independent Adviser to Review National Security Information

  OTTAWA, March 13, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today released the Terms of Reference for the appointment of the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, Q.C., LL.D., as an Independent Adviser. Mr. Iacobucci will conduct an independent review of documents related to the transfer of detainees by the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan

• Backgrounder: Biography

• Backgrounder: Terms of Reference

February 23, 2010

• Legislation Restricting Credit For Time Served Comes Into Force

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today welcomed the coming into force of Bill C-25, legislation that strictly limits the amount of credit granted for time served in custody prior to conviction and sentencing.

• Backgrounder: Credit for Time Served in Pre-sentencing Custody

February 16, 2010

• Statement by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson Regarding the Supreme Court of Canada Decision on Omar Khadr

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, made the following statement today regarding the Government of Canada’s response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Prime Minister of Canada, et al. v. Omar Ahmed Khadr:

February 9, 2010

• Statement by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson Regarding the Government of Canada's Decision to File an Application for Leave to Appeal the Insite Decision

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, made the following statement today regarding the Government of Canada’s decision to file an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in the Attorney General of Canada v. PHS et al (Insite) case:

January 29, 2010

• Statement by Justice Minister Rob Nicholson Following the Supreme Court of Canada Decision on Omar Khadr

  OTTAWA, January 29, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, made the following statement today following the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision on Omar Khadr.

• Ministers Welcome New Senators to Help Support Law-And-Order Bills

  OTTAWA, January 29, 2010 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, today celebrated the appointment of five new members of the Senate of Canada. They were joined by two of the five: Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu and Senator Bob Runciman.

January 28, 2010

• Minister Nicholson Announces Proposals to Strengthen the Young Offenders System

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced proposals to strengthen the way the young offenders system deals with violent and repeat young offenders.

January 8, 2010

• Tougher Laws Targetting Identity Theft Come Into Force

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today welcomed the coming into force of Bill S-4. This legislation will provide police and justice officials with important new tools in the fight against identity theft, a fast-growing crime throughout North America.

• Backgrounder: Identity Theft