Opposition calls intensify for justice minister to resign over comments about sexual assault survivors
CBC
Calls are mounting from opposition parties for Justice Minister John Hogan to resign over comments he made in March, saying he doesn't have what it takes for the job.
His comments stem from an incident during a March 6 session of the legislature, when NDP MHA and justice critic Lela Evans presented a petition requesting a directive be considered by Newfoundland and Labrador's chief judge to prevent lawyers from approaching witnesses or yelling at them.
In response, Hogan said it was "impossible" for lawyers to retraumatize survivors of sexual assault in the province's justice system.
His comments drew widespread condemnation, including from women's advocacy groups.
Hogan apologized earlier this month, and when the House of Assembly reopened on Monday he apologized a second time.
Helen Conway-Ottenheimer, MHA for Harbour Main and PC justice critic, said she wasn't impressed.
"Based on what I've heard, I am not satisfied that he is qualified or has the experience and understanding to hold this very powerful position as minister of justice and attorney general and as the top lawyer in the province," she told reporters outside the legislature.
"He should reflect on this, and the premier should look at this as well and see if it's in the best interests of the people that he remain. I believe it is not."
NDP Leader Jim Dinn also questioned whether Hogan is suited for the job of justice minister.
"Maybe there needs to be someone else in that role who's got a bit more experience and an appreciation, or at least an understanding, of what actually happens in the court system."
Hogan said he hasn't considered resigning.
He told reporters he did "a lot of soul searching" about his comments and why he made them, adding he wanted to make it clear his comments were wrong.
Hogan said he's also taken the situation as an opportunity to be more thoughtful in what he says and not speak "off the cuff."
He attributed his March 6 comments to a "heated moment" in the House and said he was defending the lawyers of his department.
The Saskatchewan government has changed the provincial Correctional Services Act to reflect a ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the burden of proof for inmate disciplinary hearings.
Tyler Hellard and his debut novel, Searching for Terry Punchout, are featured on the longlist for this year's Canada Reads contest.
The NDP leadership race could be turning into a nail-biter with no clear winner in sight. But it's unclear if Canadians are tuning in.
As the prime minister gears up to visit China, his parliamentary secretary, MP Kody Blois, says Mark Carney would like to "recalibrate" Canada's once-frosty relationship with the Chinese government and look at economic opportunities for the two nations.
Ontario appears set to push ahead with a ban on declawing cats and debarking and ear cropping dogs, a move animal welfare advocates say is years overdue and doesn’t go far enough.
If you’ve ever wanted to groove to music while drinking coffee, the Kitchener Downtown BIA has you covered this winter.
Iranian Montrealers rallied in the downtown core Saturday afternoon in a show of support for the people of Iran.
A Manitoba judge says Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie must reconsider granting permits to a company that's no longer allowed to take tourists to see polar bears in large tundra vehicles east of Churchill.
Some people from a northern Saskatchewan reserve were left without phone landline and internet services for weeks, and wonder why it took so long for SaskTel to address the issue.
Alberta’s rate cap is deepening financial losses in the province's auto insurance market, industry experts say, as a new report found auto insurers lost more than $1.2 billion in 2024.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says an atmospheric river will take aim at British Columbia's south coast this weekend as heavy rain continues to batter the north coast.
Islanders packed into the temporary location for the Charlottetown Farmers' Market Saturday, marking the first day operating on North River Road in the former Sporting Intentions space.
More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Richmond Hill, Ont., Saturday to show solidarity to protesters in Iran, fighting against the country’s financial collapse and the regime that led to it.