CONTRAVENTIONS ACT AMENDMENTS INTRODUCED

OTTAWA, December 11, 1995 -- Allan Rock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today introduced amendments to the Contraventions Act that would allow the federal government to use existing provincial and territorial ticketing schemes to process minor federal offences. Once these changes come into effect, they will decriminalize minor federal regulatory offences, remove uncontested cases from the courts and improve the enforcement of fines. This will enhance compliance with federal legislation.

"Rather than relying solely on expensive and often inappropriate summary conviction procedures under the Criminal Code, these amendments will create a cost-effective means to enhance compliance with federal legislation and help to manage growth in the justice system. In doing so, they hold the potential to increase public safety, for example, on Canada's lakes, rivers and costal areas," said Minister Rock.

The Contraventions Act, which received Royal Assent in October 1992, was not proclaimed in force pending development of a cost-effective ticketing scheme for handling minor federal offences such as speeding on federal roads and boating without the proper safety equipment on board. Using existing provincial and territorial schemes, rather than creating a federal scheme for ticketing federal offences, will help to reduce costs associated with the administration of justice and eliminate overlap and duplication.

Ref.: Cyrus Reporter                Simon Coakeley
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