4.88°C Vancouver

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

poilievre-criticizes-carney-economic-record-outlines-conservative-agenda-in-toronto-speech
CanadaApr 16, 2026

Poilievre criticizes Carney economic record, outlines Conservative agenda in Toronto speech

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used a speech to a business audience in Toronto on Friday to criticize Prime Minister Mark Carney’s economic record and promote his party’s approach to taxation and regulation. Speaking at the Canadian Club Toronto, Poilievre said the federal government has not delivered on key economic commitments since Carney took office more than a year ago. He told attendees that his party would focus on reducing taxes and cutting regulations, arguing that government should play a smaller role in the private sector. Poilievre claimed economic conditions have worsene
surrey-traffic-stop-leads-to-seizure-of-fentanyl-cocaine-and-meth-two-arrested
BCApr 16, 2026

Surrey traffic stop leads to seizure of fentanyl, cocaine and meth, two arrested

A proactive traffic stop in Surrey by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team resulted in the seizure of more than 3.5 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs, according to a police release. CFSEU-BC said the stop took place on March 24 as part of ongoing enforcement targeting organized crime. Officers located bulk quantities of drugs packaged in vacuum-sealed bags. The substances were processed and identified as approximately 1.293 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.064 kilograms of cocaine and 1.149 kilograms of methamphetamine. Police said the f
canada-post-begins-transition-from-door-to-door-delivery-to-community-mailboxes
CanadaApr 16, 2026

Canada Post begins transition from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes

Canada Post says it has begun preliminary work to phase out most door-to-door mail delivery, starting consultations with unions and communities as part of a multi-year transition. According to a Canada Post news release, the Crown corporation plans to convert approximately four million addresses to community mailboxes over the next five years. The change will be rolled out in stages, with different regions shifting to centralized mail delivery each year. The corporation says discussions are underway with 13 communities across the country, including Ottawa and Winnipeg. The first phase is expec
CanadaApr 16, 2026

Surge in citizenship-by-descent applications after Canada’s Bill C-3 takes effect

Applications for Canadian citizenship by descent have increased sharply following the implementation of Bill C-3, commonly referred to as the “Lost Canadians” law, according to federal immigration data. The law, which came into force on December 15, expands eligibility to individuals born outside Canada to Canadian parents who were also born abroad. To qualify, at least one parent must have lived in Canada for a minimum of three years before the applicant’s birth. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, more than 12,000 applications were received between December 15 an
BCApr 16, 2026

Vancouver driver clocked at 191 km/h, fails roadside test with children in vehicle, RCMP say

A 37-year-old Vancouver man has been issued a 90-day driving prohibition after police say he was caught travelling 191 km/h in an 80 km/h zone with his children in the vehicle. According to a Maple Ridge RCMP news release, officers with the Road Safety Target Team were conducting speed enforcement on April 12 at حوالي 5:45 p.m. in the 25200 block of Lougheed Highway when a white Tesla was recorded travelling 111 km/h over the posted limit using a laser speed reader. Police said the driver showed signs of impairment after being stopped and was administered a roadside Approved Screening Dev

Related News