Canada to compel spouses to testify against each other

A Canadian law that prevents husbands and wives from being compelled to testify against each other should be scrapped, the country’s justice minister has said.
“We do not feel that spousal immunity should present an obstacle to bringing important evidence before a court of competent jurisdiction,” Peter MacKay told journalists.
“We feel that in cases of murder, in cases of terrorism, serious fraud, if a spouse has important evidence that the court needs to consider, that evidence should be there.”
MacKay’s comments came after he unveiled last week a proposed amendment to the Canada Evidence Act that would compel spousal testimony.
Currently, spouses have the right to refuse to speak in Canadian courts against their significant other except in cases involving children or rape.
The legal concept, which is also called spousal immunity, is rooted in efforts to encourage spousal harmony.