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Media Advisory: Supreme Court to hear Charter challenge to mandatory victim surcharges

For immediate release

OTTAWA – Today, April 17, 2018, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear oral arguments in R. v. Boudreault, a case that questions the constitutionality of forcing a poor person convicted of a criminal offense to pay a surcharge that assists victims.

Mr. Boudreault argues that the mandatory victim fine surcharge ordered against him are cruel and unusual punishment, contrary to section 12 of the Charter.

BCCLA is intervening in the case to argue that cruel and unusual punishment should never be justified as a reasonable limit on Canadians’ rights within a free and democratic society.

BCCLA’s full argument in the case can be found here.

BCCLA is represented by Greg Allen of Hunter Litigation Chambers.

WHAT:                Supreme Court of Canada to hear oral arguments in R. v. Boudreault

WHEN:               Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 9:30 AM EST

WHERE:              Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

CONTACT:          Jay Aubrey, BCCLA Counsel, at (604) 652-0666

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