Three years after introducing The Justice for Victims of Child Pornography Act, Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen is pleased that his legislation, the first of its kind in Canada, was passed unanimously in the Manitoba Legislature on the last day of the session and likely the last before the fall election.
This historic bill allows the provincial government to sue in civil court individuals who have been involved with creating, possessing, accessing, or distributing child pornography. Monies received will go directly to victims where they are known and where the victims are unknown it will go to assist other victims of child pornography and help combat the crime.
“This legislation is the first of its kind in Canada and will assist in compensating the young victims of this horrible crime as well as combating child pornography,” Goertzen said. “We need to take every legislative step possible to protect children and I am glad this unique legislation has finally passed.”
Previously, individuals who made, distributed, published or possessed child pornography could face criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada but it was often difficult for civil action to occur because victims in the images were unknown. Goertzen’s bill allows the Manitoba government to sue on behalf of both the identified and unidentified child victims.
“This law is one more tool to help children and combat this awful crime. While it took three years to get the Bill passed in the legislature, I am glad it is now law in our province,” Goertzen said.
Since being elected, Goertzen has introduced a number of other initiatives that have been passed in the legislature including ending welfare payments to criminals with serious outstanding warrants, allowing parents to get drug treatment for their children under 18 struggling with addiction, and ending MPI benefits for car thieves.
“Throughout the time that I’ve had the honour of being elected, I’ve tried to bring forward different ideas to increase the safety of Manitobans and children in particular. I’ve grateful that this bill was supported by all three parties and every member of the Legislature,” said Goertzen.
