Jury selection process still needs work, minister says

More changes to the jury selection process will be needed in the future, despite new legislation tabled this week, according to the justice minister.

Jody Wilson-Raybould tabled a major bill on Thursday to modernize Canada's criminal justice system and speed up court proceedings.

The changes included an end to peremptory challenges in jury selection, something which became a flashpoint during the trial of Gerald Stanley, who was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Indigenous man Colten Boushie.

The bill is "a response to the national discussion that ensued as a result of the Stanley discussion, but not just in response to that. It's in response to many reports that have been put forward," Wilson-Raybould told The House.

But it isn't the end of the effort needed to reform the jury selection process, she added.

"We have to continue to work with the provinces and territories."

Configuring jury pools falls to individual provinces and territories, however, the minister pointed out that there are still people, like Indigenous groups, not properly represented in the justice system.

The legislation also included eliminating preliminary inquiries except in the case of crimes that carry a life sentence, takes steps to address the over-representation of Indigenous persons in the criminal justice system and addresses domestic, or "intimate partner" violence.

One element of justice system reform not mentioned in the legislation was mandatory minimum penalties.

Wilson-Raybould said she's not sure when that will be addressed, but it is important that when those changes come, they are "thoughtful, considered and will stand the test of time."