Released on February 14, 2002
Provincial Justice Ministers were successful in convincing Canada's
Solicitor General to bring forward legislation to make registration with
the new National Sex Offender Registry mandatory.
"Saskatchewan wants the best system possible to protect our communities
from high-risk offenders and enhance public protection, particularly for
children," Justice Minister Chris Axworthy said. "I am extremely pleased
with yesterday's commitment to establishing a national registry."
Ministers were provided with a preview of the improvements to the Canadian
Police Information Centre system that will support the data-base for the
new national registry.
The new system will be available to law-enforcement agencies throughout the
country in November 2002.
In September 2000 Saskatchewan brought forward a resolution to Justice
Ministers across Canada to identify ways to manage the risk of repeat sex
offenders, including re-considering a national sex offender registry.
Axworthy said the Solicitor General asked for the assistance of all
jurisdictions to meet the target of November 2002 for new legislation.
"Saskatchewan officials are ready now to assist in this important work,"
Axworthy said.
Axworthy is attending a federal, provincial, territorial justice ministers'
meeting in Moncton.
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For more information, contact:
Debi McEwen
Justice
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-6043