The provincial government announced further steps today to protect victims of violence with the introduction of the Interpersonal Violence Act that replaces the Domestic Violence Act.
The new law prohibits the contact of victims at their school or work place; adds harassment and deprivation of necessities as forms on interpersonal violence; electronic communication is not permitted; and covers caregiving relationships regardless of cohabitations.
Justice Minister Gord Wyant says he’s not sure if these changes would have made a difference during an abduction and murder earlier this year in La Ronge.
In February, it’s alleged Jonas Budd broke a court order abducting his estranged common-law wife’s daughter and killing the girl’s boyfriend.
“Whether or not these changes would have made any difference, I’m not sure,” says Wyant. “But I think extending the definition to relationships that aren’t domestic in the classic sense could possibly have an effect on similar kinds of cases.”
Budd is due in court on Monday charged with first degree murder, kidnapping and weapons offences.