Witness Protection Act Also For Reserve Residents

Witness Protection Act Also For Reserve Residents

Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 13:37

The minister of Corrections says a new law designed to protect witnesses in the province also applies to residents on-reserve.

The Saskatchewan Witness Protection Act came into effect this week.

It gives witnesses the ability to have police protection if they’re giving evidence or testimony at a trial.

Minister Yogi Huyghebaert says he knows some people might be leery of testifying if a gang is involved.

He hopes the new law changes all that.

“It’s deemed what the police feel and the witness feel they need for protection, even including relocation for a period of time,” Huyghebaert says.

Huyghebaert says he hopes the new legislation helps give people a sense of safety when it comes to giving evidence.