A new law called David and Joyce Milgaard’s Law has received Royal Assent. The law establishes a new, independent commission to review potential wrongful convictions rather than the current ministerial review process. David Milgaard was convicted for the 1969 rape and murder of Saskatoon nursing student Gail Miller. He was sentenced to life in prison in January of 1970 and released in the spring of 1992, imprisoned for 23 years. Through it all, he maintained his innocence and his mother Joyce advocated for him. His name was cleared by DNA evidence.

A news release from the federal government says an independent commission will help to address systemic barriers and provide supports, making it easier and faster for potentially wrongly convicted people to have their case reviewed. David Milgaard died at the age of 69 of complications from pneumonia.