February 9, 1993 (34th Parliament, 3rd Session)

Mrs. Gabrielle Bertrand (Brome-Missisquoi):

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Justice. As you know, violence is seen and experienced eveiy day on television, in the streets, in schools and even within our own homes. Recently, one of my constituents was sexually assaulted by an inmate who was out on a day pass. The victim asked for a court order that would oblige her attacker to provide a blood sample, in order to determine whether he was HIV positive or had any other sexually transmitted disease. The judge rejected the application on the grounds that he could not legally accept this kind of application. The judge also indicated that it was up to the legislature to fill this legal vacuum.
I would like to ask the Minister of Justice whether he and the Solicitor General would be willing to make certain changes in the existing legislation in order to give more rights to victims of sexual assault.