At the top of Friday's House Meeting, several bills were brought for second reading, including the Criminal Code Amendment. This will provide public accessibility to the National Sex Offenders Database as well as in-camera proceedings for certain offenses. The bill was supported by both sides, but the Leader of the Opposition did have a few concerns:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"The query is looking at the support mechanisms to have to the bill operationalized if you will, things like sufficient trained investigators, forensic capacity, adequate victim support services, counselors, shelters, DNA testing, specialized prosecutors, other forms of victims support."
"I know a lot of work has gone in because I've worked in many of these committees in trying to modernize these pieces of legislation for victim support but there needs to be some kind of resources to help make it make sense and so that would be our only concern."
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"I know that a number of ministries have been engaged in this work and in putting this bill together, a great number of stakeholders, and I think everybody has recognized that point and everybody has pledged their support to making sure that we don't only have the legislation in place, that in fact we are able to provide the supporting infrastructure and resources to effectively implement that legislation, so your point is well taken, we fully
appreciate that and everybody on this side, Ministry of Human Development in particular, we are all committed to making sure that we do everything possible to provide the resources and infrastructure to give meaningful effect to this legislation."
