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Ministers Jason Nixon, Rick Wilson and Doug Schweitzer announced further steps to combat rural crime Wednesday – Govt of Alberta

Province says criminals will no longer be able to sue homeowners

Nov 6, 2019 | 10:46 PM

WETASKIWIN – As Provincial Ministers announced plans to tackle rural crime, there was also information about changes to prevent homeowners from being sued if they injure people committing crimes on their property.

Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer says the government will be introducing the amendments to existing legislation and making them retroactive to the start of 2018.

“We are sending a strong signal to rural Albertans who have been victimized for far too long. We have listened to you. We have heard you. And we are standing with you. We want to ensure you know that we are going to do everything we can as a provincial government to help you feel safe in your communities,” said the Justice Minister in a release from the province.

Schweitzer doesn’t say if the changes are being made because of the case of Edouard Maurice, but he says it’s a story he keeps hearing from rural Albertans talking about crime.

Maurice was charged after he shot and wounded an intruder who had been ransacking a truck on his property near Okotoks in February 2018.

The charges were eventually stayed but the intruder, Ryan Watson, is now suing Maurice for pain and suffering and lost wages.

Premier Jason Kenney has said the lawsuit against a law-abiding citizen trying to defend his property is an outrage.