Government Eliminates Limitation Periods On "Sexual Violence"

On May 4 new legislation came into force to amend the Limitations Act, RSA 2000, c L-12 ("Limitations Act"). Bill 2, An Act to Remove Barriers for Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence ("Bill 2"), removed the two-year limitation period on the following types of claims:

• Sexual assault
• Sexual misconduct involving a minor, intimate relationship or dependent
• Non-sexual assault involving a minor, intimate relationship or dependent

Alberta is not alone in passing legislation that ends limitation periods on sexual violence. Ontario, for example, recently passed Bill 132, Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act, which means that there are no more time limits for suing for sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse in Ontario.