Nova Scotia\u2019s attorney general and justice minister issued a statement Saturday opposing the Supreme Court of Canada\u2019s recent decision to strike down mandatory minimum jail sentences for accessing or possessing child pornography.<\/p>\n
In a 5-4 ruling Friday, the Supreme Court found that the one-year mandatory minimum sentence violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, making it unconstitutional.<\/p>\n
Justice Minister Scott Armstrong said he plans to raise the province\u2019s concerns with Sean Fraser, his federal counterpart.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a former school principal, I have seen first-hand the devastating harm that sexual exploitation of children can cause,\u201d Armstrong said in the statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis ruling raises serious questions about whether punishments will truly reflect the severity of these offences and the pain they inflict.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that mandatory minimum sentences send a message \u201cthat exploiting children is among the most serious crimes, and will be treated that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Armstrong joins a number of political figures who are speaking out against the ruling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also opposed the decision<\/a>, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider.\u00a0<\/p>\n