Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 21, Family Violence Prevention Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill would establish a simple procedure for an application to a designated justice for an emergency protection order to protect a person from family violence. A variety of provisions could be included in the order to protect the person. If an emergency protection order is granted, the order would, within a short period of time, be reviewed by a judge of the Supreme Court. The judge would confirm the order if he or she is satisfied with the evidence, but if not, a hearing would be held.

There is also a process in the bill for a person to obtain an order from the Supreme Court to protect him or her from family violence in a situation where the danger is less imminent.