GOVERNMENT OF CANADA LAUNCHES CONSULTATIONS ON DNA DATA BANK LEGISLATION

OTTAWA, July 30, 2002 -- The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Martin Cauchon, today announced that the Department of Justice Canada will hold consultations concerning Canada's DNA Data Bank legislation.

"These consultations are part of our ongoing commitment to review and refine existing laws," said Minister Cauchon.  "This is an opportunity for interested Canadians to let us know whether and how this legislation can be improved. The National DNA Data Bank provides important information and is a significant element in the Government of Canada's prosecution of serious, violent crimes."  The consultation paper is available through the Department of Justice Canada website.  Submissions are requested by November 1, 2002.

"In just two years, the Data Bank has already played a key role in helping to resolve hundreds of cases across the country," said Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay, the minister responsible for the DNA Data Bank.  "And as the Data Bank continues to grow, we want to ensure that it remains the best possible investigative tool."

Initial public consultations regarding the establishment of a National DNA Data Bank were held in 1996.  Canada's DNA Data Bank was subsequently launched June 2000. The law that authorized the establishment of the DNA Data Bank includes comprehensive privacy safeguards and ensures that individual rights and freedoms are respected in the collection and use of DNA information.  The DNA Data Bank legislation is scheduled for review by Parliament in June, 2005.  These consultations will support, not pre-empt, the scheduled Parliamentary review.

The DNA Data Bank is maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and contains two indices of DNA profiles:  a crime scene index, containing DNA profiles derived from bodily substances found at a crime scene; and a convicted offenders index, containing DNA profiles derived from bodily substances taken from offenders against whom post-conviction DNA Data Bank orders have been made.  For more information about the National DNA Data Bank, please visit the RCMP's internet site at:  http://nddb-bndg.org/main_e.htm.

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Ref.:

Suzanne Thébarge
Minister Cauchon's Office
Director of Communications
(613) 992-4621

Media Relations Office
Department of Justice Canada
(613) 957-4207