Hill Presents New Identities Bill
to Justice Committee
June 8, 2000
OTTAWA-On June 7th,
Jay Hill, MP for Prince George-Peace River, appeared before
the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and
Human Rights to introduce Bill C-223, the New Identities
Act, for consideration.
The New Identities program is
an ad hoc program within the departments of Human Resources
Development Canada and Revenue Canada. It provides a new
social insurance number for those people in abusive relationships
in fear for their lives. However, the program is not mandated
by Parliament and is without formal funding. Bill C-223
proposes to bring the new identities program under the
protective jurisdiction of the Witness Protection Act
as administered by the RCMP.
"I was pleased with the outcome
of the meeting. We met for an hour and a half, the Members
of the Committee were supportive of the direction of the
bill, and asked many thought-provoking questions. I am
looking forward to hearing the testimony of witnesses
from a wide group of interested parties. The committee
agreed to call such witnesses as police officers, women
shelter workers, lawyers, counselors, bureaucrats, and
victims themselves," stated Hill.
Hill asked the Justice Committee
to take advantage of this opportunity to widen the scope
of the study beyond just critiquing his bill and take
an in depth look at the problems of domestic violence,
spousal abuse and family homicide. It is uncertain to
ascertain at this time the exact scope the Committee will
decide upon.
"There is much that needs
to be done to help protect these vulnerable people. As
parliamentarians we have an obligation to create laws
that protect Canadians, especially those most vulnerable..
The Committee has my word that if, as a result of careful
deliberation a better plan is arrived at, I will amend
my bill to incorporate the Committee and witness recommendations,"
concluded Hill.
The House of Commons is due to
rise for the summer recess within the next few weeks.
The Committee’s consideration of Bill C-223 is not
expected to commence before the House reconvenes in the
fall.
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