JUSTICE MINISTERS MAKE PROGRESS

Justice Minister Don Morgan met with his federal, provincial and territorial counterparts in Quebec City over the past two days to discuss important issues such as Internet child pornography, missing persons, legal aid and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Minister Morgan joined with other ministers in calling for new federal legislation that requires mandatory reporting of suspected Internet child pornography.

"We have urged the Federal Minister of Justice to help protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, which is happening through distribution of Internet child pornography," Morgan said.

In addition, Minister Morgan drew attention to the issue of missing persons.

"I am very concerned about the continuing plight of missing people and their families," Morgan said. "I am particularly concerned with the number of Aboriginal women who have been reported missing in Saskatchewan and elsewhere in Canada."

As a result, ministers discussed the development of a national investigative database and a public information-sharing website to assist in the search for missing people and to better respond when people go missing.

A variety of other issues of importance were also discussed, including: the need to ensure adequate federal funding for legal aid; strengthening the Youth Criminal Justice Act to respond better to serious and repeat young offenders; and amending the Criminal Code to limit the ability to give credit for time served when determining the sentence of an offender.

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For more information, contact:

Judy Orthner
Justice and Attorney General
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5883
Email: judy.orthner@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-2233