Nova Scotia’s Attorney General and Justice Minister released a statement on Saturday expressing disapproval of the recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling that struck down mandatory minimum jail terms for accessing or possessing child pornography. The Supreme Court’s decision, in a 5-4 vote on Friday, deemed the one-year mandatory minimum sentence as a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, rendering it unconstitutional.
Justice Minister Scott Armstrong stated his intention to address the province’s concerns with Sean Fraser, the federal justice minister. Armstrong, a former school principal, emphasized the detrimental impact of child sexual exploitation based on his firsthand experience. He raised concerns about whether the punishments would adequately reflect the seriousness of these crimes and the harm caused.
Armstrong highlighted that mandatory minimum sentences play a crucial role in conveying the gravity of exploiting children as one of the most severe crimes. His stance aligns with other political figures, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who also opposed the court’s decision and called for a reconsideration. Additionally, Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre proposed using the notwithstanding clause, if elected, to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences for such offenses.