Alberta to end time limit on civil suits around sexual or domestic violence

EDMONTON –    Alberta is changing the rules to give victims of sexual and domestic violence more time to sue their abusers in civil court.

Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley has introduced legislation (Bill 2)  that will end the current two-year time limitation on filing lawsuits to recover lost wages, other expenses or for pain and suffering.

Instead, there will be no time limit to filing a lawsuit, and the legislation will be retroactive.

Ganley says victims endure profound emotional distress and need time to heal before making such far-reaching decisions such as whether to go to court.