MINISTER OF JUSTICE REINSTATES BILL TO ADDRESS THE USE
OF DEADLY TRAPS BY CRIMINALS

OTTAWA, February 12, 2004 - The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, today announced the reinstatement of proposed legislation in the House of Commons, which creates a new offence for setting deadly traps in places used to commit crimes. The Bill also includes amendments to clarify and strengthen the Criminal Code.

"Those who set deadly traps to defend their criminal activities will face the full measure of the law as a result of this legislation," said Minister Cotler. "The Government has taken decisive action to protect our vital front-line workers, such as police, firefighters and others who face the risk of injury or death because of these deadly traps, often set in residential homes being used for marijuana grow operations."

Under the proposed legislation, the maximum penalty for setting a deadly trap in a place that is used or kept for criminal purposes is ten years in prison, increasing to 14 years if injury results, and life imprisonment if death occurs.

The proposed legislation also includes Criminal Code amendments that would:

• Clarify the authority to use reasonable force to prevent criminal activity that could endanger people or property onboard an aircraft in flight;
• Adjust the search and seizure warrant provision related to weapons, ammunitions and explosives, to ensure compliance with the Charter and recent case law; and
• Make it easier for people to collect restitution money that was ordered to be paid to them following an offender's conviction.

Additional amendments to the Criminal Code and the Financial Administration Act would permit the use of measures such as intrusion detection systems for the protection of computer systems from potentially harmful electronic communications, including viruses. Other technical amendments to the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act and the Security of Information Act would also be made.

An online version of the proposed legislation is available at www.parl.gc.ca.

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