Fact Sheet: National Sex Offender Registry

Background

In partnership with the provinces and territories, the Government of Canada created a National Sex Offender Registry to provide rapid access by police to current vital information about convicted sex offenders.

The Sex Offender Information Registration Act [SOIRA]) was proclaimed as law and came into force on December 15, 2004.

Ensuring Public Safety

Accredited police agencies in every province and territory can access the database. This new tool enhances public safety by assisting in the investigation of crimes of a sexual nature and identifying possible suspects known to reside near to the offence site. An officer is able to search for registered sex offenders living in the area.

The RCMP is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the database. Police in the various jurisdictions across Canada are responsible for inputting the data and enforcing the registration provisions.

Key Facts

The backbone of the National Sex Offender Registry is a national sex offender database, which is maintained by the RCMP.

Persons convicted of a designated sex offence as defined by the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA) may be ordered by the court to register within 15 days of conviction and/or release from prison.

A person convicted of a designated sex offence who is under court order is required to report to the appropriate registration centre to re-register annually and every time they change address or legal name.

Persons under order after having been convicted of a sex offence are required to remain registered for 10 years, 20 years or life – depending on the maximum length of the sentence for the crime.

The public does not have access to the National Sex Offender Registry. It is a database that provides Canadian police services with important information that will improve their ability to investigate crimes of a sexual nature.

sexual interference;

invitation to sexual touching;

sexual exploitation;

incest;

bestiality;

child pornography (making, possession, distribution);

parent or guardian procuring sexual activity;

exposure;

sexual assault;

sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm; and

aggravated sexual assault;

as well as select offences where it can be proven that the offence was committed with the intent to commit an offence of a sexual nature; and

an attempt or conspiracy to commit the above offences.

First Offence: a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

Subsequent Offence(s): a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment for a term of not more than six months (summary conviction) or two years less a day (indictable), or both.