Department of Justice

OMNIBUS BILL MAKES IMPORTANT CRIMINAL CODE IMPROVEMENTS

OTTAWA, June 12, 1998 — Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, tabled in the House of Commons today amendments to the Criminal Code and other statutes that strengthen Canada’s justice system and respond to a number of justice priorities in the provinces and territories. The proposals include changes to the laws on homicide, child prostitution, conditional sentencing and parole.

"An effective justice system that meets the needs of all Canadians relies on effective cooperation between the provinces, territories and the federal government, who share jurisdiction in this area," Minister McLellan said. "This Bill follows extensive federal-provincial-territorial consultations on a number of issues of concern to Canadians in various parts of the country, and reflects the federal government’s ongoing commitment to work with its provincial and territorial partners in establishing an efficient and more equitable justice system that Canadians can have confidence in."

Proposals in the Bill will:

• abolish provisions that prevent prosecuting individuals for homicide or criminal negligence when more than a year and a day has passed before the death of the victim;
  
  
• make it easier to prosecute people who obtain services from underage prostitutes;
  
  
• help judges and police deal more effectively and quickly with offenders who breach a condition of a conditional sentence order;
  
  
• make people convicted of organized crime offences ineligible for accelerated parole review; and
  
  
• allow international cruise ships to operate casinos while sailing in Canadian waters.; and
  
  
• give new powers to justices to order an accused who is detained pending a bail hearing not to communicate with any witness or other person.

Federal-provincial-territorial consultations in recent months have highlighted the need to address a number of legal or criminal justice issues in several provinces.

In particular, Manitoba asked that the "year and a day" rule be eliminated following a case in that province where a murder prosecution was blocked because of the current Criminal Code time limit.

British Columbia and Alberta have highlighted the need for changes that would make it easier to gather evidence against those who try to purchaseobtain sexual services from children.

Quebec also requested an amendment to legalize casinos aboard international cruise ships when they are sailing in Canadian waters, allowingso that Canadian cruise ship destinations could to attract more tourism. Ports of call in British Columbia and the Maritimes will also benefit from this provision.

Law enforcement agencies in a number of provinces have requested further measures to build on the federal government’s recent legislation dealing with organized crime. Criminal gang activity has been raised as a concern by several provinces, including Quebec and Manitoba.

The Bill would also update and correct a number of legislative oversights, mostly technical in nature, in the Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

Ref.: 
	Pierre Gratton
	Minister’s Office
	(613) 992-4621

	Chris Ram
	Counsel, Criminal Policy
	(613) 957-4713

	Yvan Roy
	Senior General Counsel, Criminal Policy
	(613) 957-4729