ST ALBERT, ALBERTA – Conservative Deputy Justice Critic Michael Cooper (MP, St. Albert-Edmonton) says that an Alberta Judge’s ruling yesterday denying a teen rape victim to have her victim impact statement read by the Crown is inconsistent with the Canadian Victims’ Bill of Rights, passed by the previous Conservative Government, to respect the dignity of victims.
“The Judge’s ruling is totally inconsistent with the CVBR which provides that victims have a right to be treated with “courtesy, compassion, and respect, including respect for their dignity,” said Cooper.
“Instead of respecting the dignity of the victim, this ruling re-victimizes the victim by requiring her to directly face the two men convicted of brutalizing her in order for the grave and life-lasting consequences of this heinous crime to be heard through her victim impact statement. This ruling goes against the spirit and the text of the CVBR.” Cooper called on the Liberal Government to demonstrate it will put the rights of victims ahead of criminals. “The Liberals have committed to reversing important legislative measures passed by the previous Conservative Government that put the rights of victims ahead of criminals. So low of a priority are victims to this Liberal Government that they aren’t even mentioned in the Minister of Justice’s mandate letter.”
Cooper added: “If the Liberals are really concerned about the rights of victims, then the Minister of Justice should at the very least publicly affirm the Liberal Government’s commitment to the CVBR in the face of this ruling.”
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For more information, please contact:
Saro Khatchadourian
Communications Officer
Office of the Leader of the Opposition
613-314-4238