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Repsheet Canada

S-12

Details

Full Title
An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act
First Reading
April 25, 2023, Parliament 44, Session 1
Type
Senate Government Bill
Full Content
https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/s-12

Summary

Bill S-12 makes changes to the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, and the International Transfer of Offenders Act. It was assented to on October 26, 2023.

This bill aims to strengthen the rules around sex offender registration. It broadens the range of people who must register as sex offenders. People convicted of sexual offenses against children, or who have been convicted of two or more sexual offenses, will now be required to register. In some cases, people may avoid registering if a court decides there is no link between registration and preventing sexual crimes, or if registration would be too harsh for the person compared to the public interest.

The bill also makes it easier for police to arrest people who don't follow the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. It allows police to get a warrant to arrest someone who has broken the rules and take them to a registration center.

Also, the bill provides more clarity around publication bans. It outlines the process for changing or canceling these bans. It also requires courts to ask victims if they want to know about the offender's sentence and how it is being carried out. If the victim wants this information, the court must provide the Correctional Service of Canada with the victim's contact information.

Issues

Security and Defense

  • Crime

    This bill changes rules around sex offenders. It makes more people register as sex offenders. People convicted of sexual offenses against children, or who have multiple convictions for sexual offenses, will have to register. In some cases, a person might not have to register if a court decides it's not needed or would be too harsh.

    The bill also makes it easier for police to arrest people who don't follow the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. Police can get a warrant to arrest them and take them to a registration center.

    The bill clarifies rules around publication bans, outlining how to change or cancel them.