Skip to Main content

19.99°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 31, 2022 12:16 AM - The Canadian Press

Alberta government proposing education for judges on sexual assault law

Share On

The Alberta government has introduced a bill that would require new provincial court judges to be trained in sexual assault law and to recognize stereotypes that lead to prejudice and social bias against victims.

All applicants would have to fulfil the educational requirement before they could become eligible to be appointed to the bench.

The training would not apply to existing judges. Premier Jason Kenney says the law, if passed, would build public confidence in the justice system, better support victims and could encourage more reports of sexual assault.

Similar legislation was introduced by Rona Ambrose, former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, as a private member's bill in 2017.

The bill received royal assent in Parliament last year and requires federal judges to learn about sexual assault myths, stereotypes and biases about race, gender and other aspects of identity.

Similar legislation is before Manitoba's legislature and has been passed in Prince Edward Island.

Latest news

police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft

AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre

maninder-sidhu-to-lead-trade-talks-in-india-philippines

Maninder Sidhu to Lead Trade Talks in India, Philippines

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, is travelling to India and the Philippines this week to advance new trade agreements and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses. During his visit to India, Sidhu will lead high-level trade discussions focused on opening new opportunities for Canadian aerospace, artificial intelligence, clean energy and critical minerals sectors. He is also expected to meet with leading Indian business leaders and investors and encourage them to invest in Canada. Sidhu said another key objective of the trip is to advance free trade agreement

60-year-old-man-arrested-after-fleeing-scene-following-multiple-vehicle-collisions-in-vancouver

60-Year-Old Man Arrested After Fleeing Scene Following Multiple Vehicle Collisions in Vancouver

A 60-year-old man has been arrested by Vancouver police for allegedly crashing into multiple vehicles and fleeing the scene. According to police, the incidents occurred around 9 a.m. Tuesday in southeast Vancouver, near East 49th Avenue and Elliott Street. Officers said people were inside the vehicles when they were struck. Police said several vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported. After the collisions, the suspect allegedly abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Police later arrested the suspect, identified as Wayne Tran. He is facing charges related to dangerous dri

calls-for-kerry-lynne-findlays-resignation-as-internal-tensions-rise-in-b-c-conservatives

Calls for Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s Resignation as Internal Tensions Rise in B.C. Conservatives

B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has reportedly faced calls to resign amid growing internal turmoil within the party. An emergency caucus meeting was held in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday night, where at least two sitting MLAs reportedly questioned Findlay’s leadership and asked her to step down immediately. According to reports, the meeting was tense and ended at around 11:30 p.m. Findlay did not agree to step down and remains leader of the party. The latest development comes after nine MLAs left the B.C. Conservative caucus since Findlay took over as leader in May. The party

Related News

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre

Alberta Separation Could Cost Up to $170B in First Five Years

Alberta Separation Could Cost Up to $170B in First Five Years

A new report commissioned by the Alberta government estimates that the cost of separating Alberta from Canada could reach $170 billion during the first five years. The report, prepared by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, estimates the transition could cost at least $50 billion, with the upper-end estimate reaching $170 billion. The costs would include building new infrastructure, hiring and transitioning staff, and covering Alberta’s share of the federal debt. The report examines two possible scenarios for separation. One assumes a relatively smooth and cooperative tra

Alberta Safeway Workers Issue Strike Notice to Sobeys

Alberta Safeway Workers Issue Strike Notice to Sobeys

Thousands of Safeway workers in Alberta could go on strike after UFCW Local 401 issued a strike notice to parent company Sobeys. The union says workers could walk off the job at midnight on October 7 if no agreement is reached through negotiations. The proposed strike date falls just before the Thanksgiving weekend. The move comes after nearly a year of negotiations between the union and the company. Workers are seeking better wages, improved benefits, job security and safer stores. UFCW Local 401 president Thomas Hesse said workers do not want a strike but want a fair agreement. He warned tha

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital