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The legislation creates a special procedure that will set out rules for when private records (such as personal journals or medical records) of a complainant that are already in the possession of a defendant can be introduced as evidence. This would go along with the rules already in place around how those records can be obtained from a third party.

I’m hopeful that these proposed changes will go a long way towards ensuring that victims of sexual assault are treated with compassion

Meanwhile, A large part of the legislation targets so-called “zombie laws.” Some are outdated relics (such as laws against challenging someone to a duel or publishing blasphemy), but others have been previously found as incompatible with the Charter.

For example, the legislation removes a number of “reverse onus” provisions, where an accused is required to prove their innocence of a charge. It also amends the definition of publishing when it comes to criminal defamatory libel, as the current one was struck down by a court in 1998.

Wilson-Raybould, who already has responsibility for eight bills moving through the Parliament, including two related to legalizing marijuana, still has a lot of work on the horizon. In particular, the government has promised action to address court delays and overcrowding, possibly involving changes to preliminary inquiries and mandatory minimum sentences.

And given the sexual assault law reforms in this bill mostly involved codifying current practices, she said the job isn’t finished.

“There is still work to be done, and I’m committed to ensuring that do our part as a federal government,” she said. “I’m also working with advocates and the provinces and territories across the country to see what further we can do and what more appropriate measures we can do to protect victims of sexual assault.”

• Email: bplatt@postmedia.com | Twitter: btaplatt