N.S. opposes Supreme Court ruling to strike minimum sentences for child porn possession

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s justice minister says he has “grave concerns” about a federal Supreme Court decision to strike down mandatory minimum sentences for accessing or possessing child pornography.

In a 5-4 ruling last week, the Supreme Court found that a one-year minimum sentence was unconstitutional, saying it violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Scott Armstrong has responded to the Oct. 31 court decision in a statement, calling it deeply troubling and saying it raises serious questions around whether the punishments will reflect the severity of the crime.

The Progressive Conservative is a former school principal, and says he has seen first-hand the harm that sexual exploitation of children can cause.

“These crimes cause deep and lasting harm to individuals, families, and communities,” Armstrong said in a statement Saturday. “(They) can destroy lives, and in the most tragic cases, it leads to devastating consequences.”

Armstrong says he will share the province’s concerns with federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser and urge the minority Liberal government to take action.

Other Conservative leaders have strongly opposed the ruling as well, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

At a media event Sunday, federal Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre reiterated his objection and said his party would use the notwithstanding clause to reinstate the minimum sentence, describing child pornography offenders as “monsters.”

If given the chance, Poilievre said he’d use the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to secure mandatory minimums that are “far, far tougher than the ones the court just shut down.”

“Those kids, they have Charter rights,” Poilievre said during a stop in an Ottawa suburb to comment on the federal budget, expected Tuesday.

“And I’m more worried about the Charter rights of our children than I am about these perverts and pedophiles.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 2, 2025