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S-238At consideration in committee in the Senate

Law to Give Crime Victims More Information

Victims' Rights Law

Introduced Feb 23, 2022·Last discussed Nov 3, 2022
Summary

This proposed law wants to change how crime victims get information. Right now, victims have some rights to know about their case. This proposed law would give them even more details. Specifically, it would make sure victims get updates about the person who committed the crime against them. This change would affect anyone who has been a victim of a crime in Canada. It would also affect the people who are in prison for those crimes. Victims would have a better idea of when the person who hurt them might be released. They could also get other important updates about that person's situation. This matters because it could help victims feel safer and more informed. Knowing more about the criminal's status could give them peace of mind. It could also help them prepare for when the criminal is released from prison.

Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

Crime & Public SafetyStronger law enforcement

By increasing the information available to victims, including release dates, the bill leans towards a 'tough on crime' approach by prioritizing the victim's awareness and potentially increasing the perceived consequences for offenders.

This bill
Bill Quality
Solid

This proposed law aims to protect victims by preventing offenders from sharing their information online. It adds important protections for victims, but it relies on courts to actively impose these restrictions.

Things to Watch For

  • It depends on judges and justices to include these restrictions in their orders.
  • It does not define what constitutes 'information concerning the victim'.
  • There may be challenges in enforcing these restrictions across different online platforms.
  • It is unclear how this law will interact with freedom of speech considerations.
  • The law does not address how victims can request these protections proactively.
Progress

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