B.C. INTRODUCES LEGISLATION GIVING IT POWER TO SEIZE ASSETS OF CRIMINALS

The B.C. government on Monday introduced legislation to give the province
the power to seize the assets of criminals.

The initiative was first announced by the province in January as part of a
$122 million investment in policing, corrections and courts over the next
three years.

Solicitor-General Rich Coleman said the Civil Forfeiture Act will put the
onus on people to prove their house, car or other property was purchased
with untainted money.

Under the bill, the government could apply to the court to seize assets
gained through crime, the province said in a press release.

The recovered assets could then be sold to fund crime prevention programs,
law enforcement initiatives or to compensate victims.

The government suggests that the people behind marijuana growing
operations, credit card fraud, identity theft and telemarketing scams could
be targeted by the new law.

Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta have civil forfeiture laws.