May 13, 2011
Seven provinces have signed an agreement to share information in cases where the civil forfeiture of the proceeds of crime is being pursued, Attorney General Andrew Swan announced today.
“Provinces need to work across borders to stop criminals from their misdeeds,” said Swan. “Manitoba is proud to lead this initiative to share information with other jurisdictions and, in turn, we will benefit from having access to what other provinces may know about the cases we pursue.”
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have provincial civil forfeiture legislation and all are signatories to this agreement.
The detailed agreement sets out the process for jurisdictions to share records as well as personal and other information that could assist in civil forfeiture cases. The agreement recognizes the need to respect each province’s privacy obligations, said Swan.
Details of civil property forfeiture laws vary from province to province but, essentially, such legislation allows for civil court orders that can require proceeds from unlawful acts, property bought with those proceeds and property used as instruments of unlawful activity to be forfeited to the government.
In Manitoba, a total of $1.4 million in assets has been successfully forfeited to the province. More actions are in process, with 48 statements of claim involving cash, 10 vehicles and approximately 32 houses currently before the courts.
“Information is a powerful tool, especially when it comes to combating organized crime,” Swan added. “This agreement strengthens and builds on the provinces’ joint efforts to make our communities safer through better collaboration and information sharing.”
BORDERS NOT A BARRIER TO PURSUING CRIMINAL PROPERTY FORFEITURE: SWAN
“Provinces need to work across borders to stop criminals from their misdeeds,” said Swan. “Manitoba is proud to lead this initiative to share information with other jurisdictions and, in turn, we will benefit from having access to what other provinces may know about the cases we pursue.”
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have provincial civil forfeiture legislation and all are signatories to this agreement.
The detailed agreement sets out the process for jurisdictions to share records as well as personal and other information that could assist in civil forfeiture cases. The agreement recognizes the need to respect each province’s privacy obligations, said Swan.
Details of civil property forfeiture laws vary from province to province but, essentially, such legislation allows for civil court orders that can require proceeds from unlawful acts, property bought with those proceeds and property used as instruments of unlawful activity to be forfeited to the government.
In Manitoba, a total of $1.4 million in assets has been successfully forfeited to the province. More actions are in process, with 48 statements of claim involving cash, 10 vehicles and approximately 32 houses currently before the courts.
“Information is a powerful tool, especially when it comes to combating organized crime,” Swan added. “This agreement strengthens and builds on the provinces’ joint efforts to make our communities safer through better collaboration and information sharing.”
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