Skip to Main content

11.62°^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

Fire Causes Heavy Damage to Two-Storey Home in Surrey’s Bridgeview Area

A fire broke out at a two-storey home in Surrey’s Bridgeview area on Thursday night. According to the Surrey Fire Service, crews were called to a home in the 10900-block of Olsen Road, near Old Yale Road, at around 11 p.m. Upon arrival, emergency responders encountered intense flames and thick smoke. The fire and smoke were reportedly visible from New Westminster. Several firefighters and fire trucks worked to bring the blaze under control. The fire caused significant damage to the home, but no injuries were reported. The Surrey Fire Service said no one was inside the house at the time of th

Advance Voting in B.C. Snap Election Down 11% From 2024

Advance voting in British Columbia’s snap election has declined by 11 per cent compared with the 2024 election. According to Elections BC, a total of 891,348 voters cast their ballots during the six-day advance voting period, compared with 1.02 million in 2024. The decline marks a significant reversal from the previous election, when advance voting increased by 49 per cent compared with 2021. This time, only about 23.8 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots in advance. Experts and candidates believe the timing of the snap election, called by David Eby, may have caused confusion amo

david-eby-again-urges-green-party-voters-to-vote-for-the-ndp

David Eby Again Urges Green Party Voters to Vote for the NDP

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has once again urged Green Party supporters to vote for the NDP ahead of Saturday’s provincial election. In a social media statement, Eby said both parties share similar priorities, including strengthening public health care, protecting the environment and taxing the wealthiest residents to support British Columbia. Eby warned that a B.C. Conservative government could cut public services and disrupt essential systems. He said Green Party supporters should back the NDP to prevent the Conservatives from taking power, adding that both parties could work together to bui

trump-says-u-s-and-canada-are-close-to-trade-deal-claims-washington-holds-all-the-cards

WorldOct 23, 2026

Trump Says U.S. and Canada Are Close to Trade Deal, Claims Washington Holds All the Cards

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington and Ottawa are close to reaching a trade deal, while asserting that the United States holds all the cards in the negotiations. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said Canada was working very hard to secure an agreement with the U.S., adding that the final decision rests with Washington. Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said at a press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, that Canada remained in regular contact with the United States and was ready to negotiate in good faith to reach a trade agreement that serves the intere

woman-arrested-after-alleged-assault-and-racist-remarks-against-driving-instructor-in-langley

Woman Arrested After Alleged Assault and Racist Remarks Against Driving Instructor in Langley

A woman has been arrested by the RCMP after allegedly assaulting a driving instructor and making racist remarks in a parking lot in Langley, British Columbia. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Wednesday in the parking lot of a church in the 4800 block of 207 Street, which was empty at the time. According to Corporal Mansoor Sahak, the incident followed a dispute over parking, during which the woman allegedly grabbed the instructor by the collar of his shirt and assaulted him. A video that has gone viral on social media appears to show the woman attacking the instructor while making racist

Related News

Alberta Reports Sharp Rise in Flu Cases, 5 Deaths and 26 ICU Admissions

Alberta Reports Sharp Rise in Flu Cases, 5 Deaths and 26 ICU Admissions

Alberta is seeing a significant rise in influenza cases well before the official flu season begins. As of October 11, the province had recorded 366 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, compared with just 42 during the same period last year. Hospitalizations have also increased, with nearly 300 Albertans hospitalized due to influenza since August. Among them, 26 patients, including two young children, have required intensive care. Five people have died from influenza since August, including four in the Calgary zone. Flu vaccines became available to the general public on October 19. So far, approxima

Two Alberta Ridings Vote in Favour of Separating from Canada

Two Alberta Ridings Vote in Favour of Separating from Canada

A majority of voters across Alberta supported remaining in Canada in the recent referendum. However, two provincial ridings showed majority support for moving forward with the process toward a second referendum on separation. According to unofficial results from Elections Alberta, only two of the province’s 87 electoral districts recorded majority support for advancing the process. In Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, located north of Calgary, 51.1 per cent of voters supported the move, while 50.5 per cent in Central Peace-Notley in northwestern Alberta backed further steps toward another

Edmonton Allocates $23 Million to Boost Industrial Development

Edmonton Allocates $23 Million to Boost Industrial Development

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack says the city has allocated $23 million to prepare industrial land for development, making it easier for builders to establish infrastructure and get projects up and running faster. The initiative is expected to attract new investment, create jobs and increase tax revenue. Under the program, the city will spend $9 million in 2029 and $14 million in 2030. The funding will support 10 of the 33 industrial projects, with an additional $6.7 million in tax revenue expected beginning in 2030. Knack said economic development is one of the four key priorities of the city's e

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital