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2011

December 8, 2011

• Legislation Protecting Children From On-line Sexual Exploitation Comes Into Force

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, accompanied by Robert Goguen, M.P. for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, announced today that Bill C-22, An Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service, came into force. The legislation helps protect children from on-line sexual exploitation.

• Backgrounder: Protecting Children From On-line Sexual Exploitation

December 5, 2011

• House of Commons to Vote on the Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10)

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, accompanied by Robert Goguen, M.P. for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, expressed support for Bill C-10, the Safe Streets and Communities Act, in anticipation of the third reading of the Bill in the House of Commons.

December 2, 2011

• Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission Appointments

  OTTAWA, December 2, 2011 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointments of Paul M. Tellier, P.C., C.C., Q.C., Mark L. Siegel and Brian M. Levitt to the Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission. These appointments are effective until August 31, 2015.

December 1, 2011

• Legislation Providing Tougher Sentences for Murderers Comes Into Force

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Robert Goguen, M.P. for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, announced that as of December 2nd, two Acts which provide tougher sentences for murderers will have come into force. The Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act ensures that multiple murderers serve their parole ineligibility periods one after another. An Act to amend the Criminal Code and another Act (originally called the Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act effectively repeals the "faint-hope clause" that allowed murderers to obtain early parole.

• Backgrounder: Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murderers

• Backgrounder: Legislation to Repeal the "Faint Hope" Clause

November 30, 2011

• Government of Canada Provides Funding to Support Use of Both Official Languages in the Justice System

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced $128,500 in funding to the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law to strengthen and promote the use of both official languages in Canada’s justice system.

• Backgrounder: Government of Canada Support for Linguistic Duality

November 22, 2011

• Re-Introduction Of Reforms To Citizen’s Arrest Power And Self-Defence And Defence Of Property Laws

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the re-introduction of legislation that proposes to expand and simplify the laws with respect to self-defence and defence of property, and expand the circumstances in which a law-abiding Canadian can make a citizen’s arrest.

• Backgrounder: Reforming Citizen’s Power of Arrest and Self-Defence and Defence of Property Provisions

November 10, 2011

• Government Invites Comments on Proposals to Improve the Caseload Management of the Tax Court of Canada

  The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today invited stakeholders to comment on proposals to improve the caseload management of the Tax Court of Canada.

• Government Announces Support for Enhancement of Saskatoon's Children's Justice Centre

  Today, Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin 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 federal government funding for the Saskatoon Centre for Children’s Justice. This project brings together police, the crown prosecutors office, health authorities, and child welfare agencies to serve young victims of crime.

• Government Announces Support for Enhancement of Regina's Children's Justice Centre

  Today, Ray Boughen, Member of Parliament for Palliser, 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 federal government funding for the Regina Children’s Justice Centre. This project brings together police, the Crown prosecutor’s office, health authorities, and child welfare agencies to serve young victims of crime.

• Backgrounder: Child Advocacy Centres

November 1, 2011

• Legislation to stand up for victims of white-collar crime comes into force

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, welcomed the coming into force of Bill C-21, the Standing Up For Victims of White Collar Crime Act. The Minister made the announcement alongside the Honourable Maxime Bernier, P.C., M.P. for Beauce and Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism). The legislation provides tougher sentences for fraud which will help combat white-collar crime.

• Backgrounder: White Collar Crime

October 11, 2011

• Government announces support for development of a new Child Advocacy Centre

  VANCOUVER, October 11, 2011 – Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Q.C., Member of Parliament for Delta–Richmond East, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced government support for a project to engage the community in the development of Vancouver’s first Child Advocacy Centre. This project will bring together key stakeholders to determine how Vancouver’s children and youth victims or witnesses of crime can be better served.

• Backgrounder: Child Advocacy Centres

September 29, 2011

• 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

September 28, 2011

• Statement by the Honourable Rob Nicholson and the Honourable Vic Toews on the Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10)

  OTTAWA, September 28, 2011 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., 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, made the following comments on the second reading passage of the Safe Streets and Communities Act (Bill C-10).

September 20, 2011

• Government of Canada Introduces the Safe Streets and Communities Act

  Today, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced the Safe Streets and Communities Act, comprehensive legislation that will target crime and terrorism and provide support and protection to victims of crime.

• Government of Canada Introduces the Safe Streets and Communities Act

  Today, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced the Safe Streets and Communities Act, comprehensive legislation that will target crime and terrorism and provide support and protection to victims of crime.

• Backgrounder: Safe Streets & Communities Act

• Backgrounder: Safe Streets & Communities Act: Increased Penalties for Serious Drug Crime

• Backgrounder: Safe Streets & Communities Act: Ending House Arrest for Property and Other Serious Crimes

• Backgrounder: Safe Streets and Communities Act: Better Protecting Children and Youth from Sexual Predators

• Backgrounder: Safe Streets &Communities Act: Protecting Society from Violent and Repeat Young Offenders

August 21, 2011

• Minister of Justice Announces Winner of the 2011 National Youth Justice Policing Award

  The Vancouver Police Department's Diversity and Aboriginal Policing Section is the winner of the 2011 Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award for a program that provides youth with resources and alternatives to gang involvement.

• Backgrounder: Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award 2011

August 15, 2011

• “Mega-Trials” Legislation Comes Into Force

  OTTAWA, August 15, 2011 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announced today that most provisions of Bill C-2 the Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act have come into force. This new legislation will help ensure that so-called “mega-trials,” large and complex cases involving illegal activities such as drug trafficking, white-collar crime, terrorism, organized crime or gang–related activity, can be heard more swiftly and effectively.

• Backgrounder: Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act

August 12, 2011

• 12th Annual Justicia Awards Presented for Legal Reporting

  Freelance journalist Dominique Forget and a Canadian-led team from the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) World Service are the winners of the 12th annual Justicia Awards for Excellence in Journalism.

June 29, 2011

• Government Announces Support For New Child Advocacy Centre

  WINNIPEG, June 29, 2011 – Shelly Glover, Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance today represented the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and joined the Honourable Gord Mackintosh, Minister of Family Services and Consumer Affairs of the Manitoba Government, to announce the opening of Manitoba’s first Child Advocacy Centre, which will help better serve children and youth that have been victims or witnesses of crime.

• Backgrounder: Child Advocacy Centres

June 27, 2011

• “Mega-Trials” Legislation Receives Royal Assent

  OTTAWA, June 27, 2011 – 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, are pleased to announce that the Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act received Royal Assent yesterday, June 26. This new legislation will help ensure that so-called “mega-trials,” large and complex cases involving illegal activities such as drug trafficking, white-collar crime, terrorism, organized crime or gang–related activity, can be heard more swiftly and effectively.

• Backgrounder: Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act

June 13, 2011

• Government of Canada Re-introduces “Mega-Trial” Legislation to Help Make 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 the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today announced the re-introduction of legislation to reduce the delays that are common when court proceedings are complex and drawn-out. These proceedings are often referred to as mega-trials.

• Backgrounder: Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act

June 1, 2011

• Call for Entries for 12th Annual Justicia Awards

  OTTAWA, June 1, 2011 – Nominations are being sought for the 12th annual Justicia Awards for Excellence in Journalism.

March 24, 2011

• Legislation Enforcing Court Orders Requiring Offenders to Abstain From Drug and Alcohol Use Receives Royal Assent

  The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, welcomes yesterday's Royal Assent of Bill C-30, the Response to the Supreme Court of Canada Decision in R. v. Shoker Act. This bill helps control repeat criminal behaviour by ensuring that individuals comply with court orders prohibiting drug and alcohol use.

• Backgrounder: Drug and Alcohol Prohibition Compliance

March 23, 2011

• Legislation Standing up for Victims of Crime Receives Royal Assent

  OTTAWA, March 23, 2011 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada is pleased to announce that legislation aimed at ensuring more truth in sentencing and protecting children from on-line sexual exploitation received Royal Assent today.

• Backgrounder: Legislation Standing up for Victims of Crime Receives Royal Assent

March 10, 2011

• Parliament Passes Legislation to Stand up for Victims of White-Collar Crime

  OTTAWA, March 10, 2011 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, welcomed the passing in Parliament of Bill C-21, the Standing Up For Victims of White Collar Crime Act. The legislation provides tougher sentences for fraud which will help combat white-collar crime.

• Backgrounder: White Collar Crime

March 9, 2011

• Parliament Passes Legislation Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murderers

  OTTAWA, March 09, 2011 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, is pleased to announce the passing in Parliament of Bill C-48, the Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act.

• Backgrounder: Ending Sentence Discounts For Multiple Murderers

March 3, 2011

• Parliament Passes Legislation to Protect Children from Online Sexual Exploitation

  OTTAWA, March 03, 2011 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today welcomed the passage by Parliament of Bill C-22, An Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service. The legislation will help protect children from online sexual exploitation.

• Backgrounder: Protecting children from online sexual exploitation

February 15, 2011

• Parliament Passes Legislation Ending Early Parole for Murderers

  OTTAWA, February 15, 2011 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, today welcomed the passage by Parliament of Bill S-6, the Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act. This legislation repeals the “faint-hope clause” that allows murderers to obtain early parole.

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