moved for leave to introduce Bill C-217, entitled: "An act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of witnesses)".
Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of tabling today this bill to amend the Criminal Code so that every person who testifies in proceedings relating to a sexual offence or assault, or in which the offender allegedly used, attempted to use or threatened to use violence, is afforded the same protection as witnesses under 14 years of age are currently afforded under the Criminal Code.
During this kind of proceedings, the accused will not be able to question the victim. In such cases, the judge will appoint counsel to conduct the cross-examination.
(Motion deemed agreed to, bill read the first time and ordered to be printed.)