The Green Party is pleased the government and other opposition parties have agreed to a compromise, allowing expedited hearings on the so-called “mega trials” legislation.
“Legislation like this, which has the potential to profoundly affect vital aspects of our system of justice, should not be rubber-stamped,” said Ms. May. “I am pleased that the bill is moving to expedited hearings. This was the result I was seeking. Credit to all sides of the House for agreeing hearings are the right thing to do. This is an example of our Parliament working the way it should.”
Earlier this week Green MP Elizabeth May denied unanimous consent to the legislation, citing concerns with some provisions of the bill. In particular, the Green Party was concerned about how the legislation would affect the right of defendants to request bail in preferred indictments, and the move to more anonymity for jurors. The Green Party felt Parliament needed to hear from legal experts before proceeding on the legislation.
With the compromise, the legislation will get a day of hearings by a Parliamentary committee, while still allowing time for the bill to go to a vote in Parliament before the Parliamentary session is over.