C-CAT: “The JVTA’s passage opens a new Canadian legal front in the battle against terrorism”

In January 2004, C-CAT initiated its campaign to pass legislation allowing Canadian terror victims to launch civil suits against states, organizations and individuals that have sponsored terrorism. Over the next eight years, amidst multiple elections, prorogations and other political obstacles, 11 bills of this sort were introduced. 

On March 12, 2012, the eleventh and final version of this bill was passed by the Canadian Parliament. The Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (JVTA), as part of Bill C-10 (the Safe Streets and Communities Act), was passed into law with several key amendments requested by C-CAT.

The legislation received Royal Assent on March 13, 2012. (Under Canadian law, the approval of the Crown signified by Royal Assent, is required for any bill to become law after passage by both the Senate and the House of Commons.)