Tom Mulcair and NDP MPs meet with NS Justice Minister regarding Parsons case

OTTAWA – In the wake of the Rehtaeh Parsons tragedy, Official Opposition Leader Tom Mulcair met with Nova Scotia Justice Minister, Ross Landry and the Parsons family to discuss a proposal for new legislation to criminalise the non-consensual transmission of intimate images.

“We were all deeply saddened by Rehtaeh’s death,” said NDP MP Robert Chisholm (Dartmouth – Cole Harbour). “Cases like this are simply tragic and as legislators it is our responsibility to pull together and figure out the best way to move forward and address the issue.”

NDP MPs from Nova Scotia and NDP Justice Critic, Françoise Boivin, also attended the meeting with Minister Landry and the Parsons family to discuss ways of supporting Canadians who are dealing with cyberbullying, bullying and harassment. Rehtaeh Parsons, who was a resident of Chisholm’s riding, committed suicide after explicit images of an alleged sexual attack were circulated around her high school.

“We met with the family and the minister and had a productive discussion,” said Boivin. “We’re very interested in the proposal and we are committed to working with the Nova Scotia government to make it happen.”