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Department of Justice
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES COME INTO FORCE
OTTAWA, June 16, 1998 — Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced that changes to the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canada Evidence
Act and the Criminal Code have been adopted by Parliament and will come into force on June 30, 1998.
"I am confident that these amendments will improve access to the justice system for persons with disabilities and enhance their ability to participate in all aspects of Canadian society.", said Minister McLellan.
Key legislative changes include :
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The Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) now features a "duty of accommodation" that requires employers to address the needs of people who are protected under the CHRA, including persons with disabilities.
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The Act creates a smaller, permanent human rights tribunal. This will improve the tribunal’s ability to hear and make decisions about cases effectively and efficiently.
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The Canada Evidence Act now provides for communication assistance for persons who have special communication needs and are testifying before criminal courts, as well as for the use of alternative methods of identifying the accused in court,
such as auditory and tactile recognition.
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The Criminal Code has been modified to make jury service possible for persons with disabilities who are capable of serving; to allow persons with physical or mental disabilities to provide testimony through videotape; and to establish the
offence of sexual exploitation against persons with disabilities.
These changes strengthen Canadian human rights legislation. They also follow up on the recommendations of the Federal Task Force on Disability Issues, which called for improved access to the justice system for persons with disabilities and the
amendment of the CHRA to expressly incorporate the duty of accommodation.
Ref. :
Pierre Gratton
Minister's office
(613) 957-4940
Stephen Sharzer
Human Rights Law
Department of Justice
(613) 992-4621
Carole Théberge
Criminal Law Policy
Department of Justice
(613) 957-9606
(Also available in large type, braille, diskette and audio cassette formats.)
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