OTTAWA, June 13, 2011 – 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, P.C., M.P. for Lévis-Bellechasse, Minister of Veteran 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.
Due to the magnitude and complexity of the evidence, the numerous charges against multiple accused and the need to call many witnesses, mega-trials can take up a lot of court time and tend to progress very slowly. Longer court proceedings increase the risk of mistrials.
"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to continue making our streets and communities safer. We are committed to taking action to ensure the justice system has the tools needed when faced with mega-trials," stated Minister Nicholson. "Criminals involved in drug trafficking, white-collar crime, terrorism or organized crime must be dealt with swiftly and effectively so that our streets and communities can be safe places to live, work and raise our families."
The Fair and Efficient Criminal Trials Act would help improve Canada's justice system through:
- stronger case management;
- reduced duplication of processes; and,
- improved criminal procedure.
For example, this proposed bill would allow for a Case Management Judge to be appointed who could impose deadlines on parties and encourage them to simplify proceedings. The Case Management Judge could also decide preliminary issues such as Charter and disclosure motions. These reforms would also permit a joint hearing of motions to take place when similar evidence, arising in related but separate cases is involved. This would help reduce duplication of process.
"Canadians lose confidence in the justice system when large, complex trials go on for months, even years, costing a great deal and possibly failing to resolve the question of guilt or innocence," said Minister Blaney. "With this legislation, our national Government is providing a number of important tools that will help reduce the length of mega-trials."
The amendments proposed in this bill would also contribute to implementing the December 7, 2010, Air India Inquiry Action Plan, the Government's response to the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182.
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