The Legislatures reconvened Tuesday for the Fall session and there is a lot on the to-do list.

Between the budget, which comes out on October 24th, and wanting to table 14 to 17 different bills, it will be a full session.

One of the considerations the government is making is in regards to Clare’s Law. The United Conservative Party government wants to expedite the introduction of the law, which would enable the disclosure of criminal records of potentially abusive partners.

It’s a move Airdrie P.O.W.E.R. board member Tim Callaway says the group supports.

“We have no problem at all backing any effort that would seek to make safety a priority in intimate relationships,” he said.

Saskatchewan became the first Canadian province to introduce such legislation. Their rules allow police to warn partners of someone's violent or abusive past. The purpose of the law is to inform people, who may not know they are in an intimate relationship with someone who has a history of violence, about potential dangers.

"Clare's Law" originated in the United Kingdom, and is named for Clare Wood. In 2009, Wood was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in the Greater Manchester area. Wood's family found out after her death that her killer and former partner had spent six years in prison for holding a woman at knife-point for 12 hours.

Since the introduction of the law fours years ago in Scotland, requests for such disclosure have continuously increased. Between October 1, 2018, and September 30th, 2019, a total of 924 disclosures were made.

Data from Statistics Canada shows Alberta ranks third highest out of all Canadian provinces when it comes to rates of intimate partner violence.

Saskatchewan, at 680 cases per 100,000 people, had the highest reported rate of intimate partner violence. It’s followed by Manitoba at 616. Alberta takes the third spot with 403.

“That’s something that definitely needs to be addressed,” said Callaway. “We’re supportive of anything that takes a step in that direction.”

 

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