Department of Justice

UNDUE EXPLOITATION OF VIOLENCE
CONSULTATION PAPER RELEASED BY MINISTER OF JUSTICE

OTTAWA, April 2, 1996 -- Allan Rock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada released a consultation paper today, entitled Undue Exploitation of Violence, which deals with the issue of gratuitous violence in various media in Canada and on the information highway.

The purpose of the consultation paper is to seek the views of Canadians on a number of questions that are closely related to the undue exploitation of violence in the media, and to gather information on research, programs and activities currently underway to deal with the effects of exposure to media violence.

Undue Exploitation of Violence is comprised of three parts. Part I reviews what we know about research concerning the effects of exposure to media violence, and also looks at voluntary activities now in place to address concerns about violence in entertainment and media. Part II deals with the legal context, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and current prohibitions in the Criminal Code. Part III examines possible changes to the law, including legislative changes now under consideration, and how to manage violent content on the information highway.

Valuable information that is generated by the consultation paper will assist the government in determining whether additional legislative and non legislative steps should be taken to address and diminish the effect of violence in the media, entertainment and advertising industries.

Copies of the consultation paper can be obtained by contacting the Communications and Executive Services Branch of the Department of Justice at (613) 957-4222.

 Ref.:  Jennifer Lang         Elissa Lieff
        Minister's Office     Department of Justice
        (613) 992-4621        (613) 957-4737

See also in Consultations