Currently, only the trial judge can make orders enabling witnesses to testify in the presence of a support person. The proposed amendment would enable another judge of the same court to make such an order where the trial judge has not yet been determined. This amendment would also help provide victims greater certainty by enabling such orders to be made early in the trial process. It would also improve the efficiency because it would mean that a trial time is not being used to consider such applications, although the trial judge will continue to have authority to review such orders throughout the proceeding. T
his amendment has the support of a number of the provinces that have raised the issue with senior federal justice officials and urged the government to consider such a reform.
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 14 as amended agreed to)
(On clause 15)