Canada: ruling party seeks to protect teens from sexual abuse

Canada: ruling party seeks to protect teens from sexual abuse

The bill introduced Thursday by Justice Minister Vic Toews would mark the first time the age has been changed since it was set at 14 more than a century ago.

The legislation includes a so-called near-age exemption of five years so that, for example, a 14-year-old could still have a sexual partner aged up to 19, and a 15-year-old could have a partner aged up to 20, according to the AP.

Supporters say the measure would help police deal with pimps, Internet predators and international sex tourists.