Details
- Full Title
- An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, to enact the High Risk Child Sex Offender Database Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
- First Reading
- February 26, 2014, Parliament 41, Session 2
- Type
- House Government Bill
- Full Content
- https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/41-2/c-26
Summary
Bill C-26, also known as the Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act, was passed in 2015. It makes changes to the Criminal Code, the Canada Evidence Act, and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. It also creates the High Risk Child Sex Offender Database Act.
Changes to the Criminal Code include increasing minimum and maximum punishments for certain sexual crimes against children. It also increases maximum punishments for breaking orders like probation or peace bonds. The bill explains how sentences should be served, making sure that in some cases, sentences for sexual offenses against children are served one after the other.
The Canada Evidence Act was updated to make sure that spouses of people accused of child pornography can be called as witnesses in court.
The Sex Offender Information Registration Act was changed to make sex offenders report more often when they travel outside of Canada. The High Risk Child Sex Offender Database Act creates a public database with information about people who have been found guilty of sexual offenses against children and are likely to commit these crimes again. This information must have been previously available to the public.
Issues
Security and Defense
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Crime
Bill C-26 makes several changes related to crime and public safety. It increases the minimum and maximum prison sentences for certain sexual offenses against children. It also increases the maximum penalties for violating prohibition orders, probation orders, and peace bonds. The bill clarifies how sentences should be served, sometimes requiring that sentences be served one after the other. It also makes sure courts consider if an offense was committed while the offender was already under a conditional sentence or released on parole.