N.S. opposes court ruling striking down minimum sentences for child pornography
CBC
Nova Scotia’s attorney general and justice minister issued a statement Saturday opposing the Supreme Court of Canada’s recent decision to strike down mandatory minimum jail sentences for accessing or possessing child pornography.
In a 5-4 ruling Friday, the Supreme Court found that the one-year mandatory minimum sentence violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, making it unconstitutional.
Justice Minister Scott Armstrong said he plans to raise the province’s concerns with Sean Fraser, his federal counterpart.
“As a former school principal, I have seen first-hand the devastating harm that sexual exploitation of children can cause,” Armstrong said in the statement.
“This ruling raises serious questions about whether punishments will truly reflect the severity of these offences and the pain they inflict.”
He added that mandatory minimum sentences send a message “that exploiting children is among the most serious crimes, and will be treated that way.”
Armstrong joins a number of political figures who are speaking out against the ruling.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also opposed the decision, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider.
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre went further, saying that, if elected, he would use the notwithstanding clause to restore mandatory minimum sentences for such offences.
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