CANADA
Montreal Gazette
BY KEVIN DOUGHERTY, GAZETTE QUEBEC BUREAU CHIEF
QUEBEC — Justice Minister Bertrand St-Arnaud says he is sensitive to the arguments of victims of sexual abuse at the hands of priests and others in a position of authority that call for an end to time limits on civil lawsuits.
But St-Arnaud said Bill 22, set for adoption by the Quebec National Assembly this week, is nevertheless a “giant step forward” because it would extend Quebec’s statute of limitations on civil suits against criminals to 30 years in cases of sexual abuse and 10 years for other crimes.
At present, a crime victim must file suit within three years after a crime is committed or from the time the victim becomes aware of the impact of the crime. Arsenault said it may take years for victims to realize there is a link between their destructive behaviour and past abuse.
Bill 22’s changes mean cases dating back 27 years, that could not go to court, now may be heard.
Bill 22 is about increasing compensation under Quebec’s Crime Victims Compensation Act.
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