Liberals, PCs trade barbs over sexual assault prosecutors

The leaders of two of Nova Scotia's political parties sparred Sunday, with Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil accusing Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie of "fear-mongering."

Baillie began by accusing the Liberals of breaking a promise. He referred to the creation of two positions in the Public Prosecution Service, dedicated to sexual assault cases. Baillie said the two prosecutors will not be in the courtroom full-time.

"They're going to be training and mentoring," Baillie said Sunday afternoon during a campaign stop in Bridgewater, N.S.

"That's all fine but that's not what the government promised."

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McNeil then took aim at Baillie's characterization of the positions.

"To take that one small piece and suggest that that will be their job is absolutely wrong," McNeil said as he campaigned in Shelburne, N.S.

"And it's wrong for Mr. Baillie to be politicizing victims of sexual assault."

McNeil said while the prosecutors will be doing some training of other prosecutors, they will also be taking cases to court.

"He is trying to divide, he's trying to scare, he's trying to fear-monger his way into the premiership," McNeil said.

Baillie was unapologetic about raising the issue in the midst of an election campaign, saying his party has been discussing this issue for the past year.

"There's a lot we can do to give survivors confidence in our justice system again," Baillie said, pointing to training for judges when hearing sexual assault cases, ensuring victims get legal representation when they need it and making sure campuses are safe and have strong sexual assault policies.