Parliament has passed a new law that allows jurors to disclose information about jury proceedings to health care professionals.
The bill creates a carve-out in Canada’s strict jury secrecy rules by allowing people to seek mental health support related to their trial experience without breaking the law.
The Criminal Code will be amended so that jurors can disclose information about a trial to health care professionals who are providing medical or psychiatric treatment, therapy or counselling.
Get breaking National news
Members of Parliament unanimously passed the bill this afternoon, and it will come into force 90 days after the Governor General signs it into law.
- Osoyoos Band seeks return of sacred sites in discussions with B.C. government
- Record turnout expected for Penticton Peach Classic Triathlon, boosting local economy
- Mom and 1-month-old baby missing in northern B.C., not seen since July 9
- Hoekstra says Trump serious about tariff threat over wildfire smoke
Conservative Sen. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, a longtime victims’ rights advocate, introduced the bill in the Senate last November and senators passed it within two weeks.
Tory MP Michael Cooper, the bill’s sponsor in the House, said earlier this year that the bill would go a long way toward supporting juror mental health.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.