Today in the legislature I introduced a private members bill M204 entitled Profits of Criminal Notoriety Act, 2016. The purpose of this bill, based on a similar bill in Nova Scotia, is to ensure that criminals are unable to profit from recounting their crimes. Below is the text and video of my introduction of the bill. The accompanying media release is also appended below.

Text of my Speech

 A. Weaver: I move introduction of the Profits of Criminal Notoriety Act, 2016.

Motion approved.

A. Weaver: I’m pleased to be introducing a bill intituled Profits of Criminal Notoriety Act. I’m sure many members in this chamber are aware of the recent revelation of Canada’s most prolific serial killer, Robert Pickton, publishing a book called Pickton: In His Own Words.

Madame Speaker, this has outraged many people in this province, and it has brought to light a glaring omission in our legal system. We have nothing in our legal system to prevent convicted criminals from making money through the recounting of their crimes. Other provinces in Canada have laws to prevent this type of activity, and British Columbia must follow suit

This bill I am introducing today draws heavily on the Nova Scotia legislation and would provide a means to prevent criminals from potentially profiting financially from the recounting of their crimes.

I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M204, Profits of Criminal Notoriety Act, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Video of my Speech

Media Release

Media Release: February 25, 2016
Andrew Weaver – Bill to stop criminals from profiting from recounting their crimes
For Immediate Release

Victoria B.C. – Today Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, introduced a Private Member’s bill entitled the Criminal Notoriety Act which would prevent convicted criminals from profiting in recounting their crimes.

“It is immoral that a convicted serial killer can potentially gain from retelling their crime,” says Weaver. “I’m not talking about censorship or limiting freedom of speech, but offenders should not be able to financially benefit from such actions. I greatly sympathize with the continued anguish facing victim’s families in these tragic situations.”

While there is no legislation in British Columbia that prevents criminals from financially benefiting in recounting their crimes, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia all have laws that specifically prevent it.

“It was a relatively simple piece of legislation to bring forward,” says Weaver. “The Criminal Notoriety Act is based off Nova Scotia’s model and is a practicable bill that the government should carry forward. I see no reason why it couldn’t be brought into legislation by the end of this session.”

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Media Contact
Mat Wright
Press Secretary – Andrew Weaver MLA
Cell: 250 216 3382
Mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
Twitter: @MatVic

Parliament Buildings
Room 027C
Victoria BC V8V 1X4