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An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 2022, c. 15)

Assented to 2022-11-17

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

S.C. 2022, c. 15

Assented to 2022-11-17

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

SUMMARY

This enactment amends the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to, among other things, repeal certain mandatory minimum penalties, allow for a greater use of conditional sentences and establish diversion measures for simple drug possession offences.

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

R.S., c. C-46Criminal Code

Marginal note:2008, c. 6, s. 2

 The portion of subsection 84(5) of the Criminal Code before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

  • Marginal note:Subsequent offences

    (5) In determining, for the purpose of subsection 99(2), 100(2) or 103(2), whether a convicted person has committed a second or subsequent offence, if the person was earlier convicted of any of the following offences, that offence is to be considered as an earlier offence:

Marginal note:1995, c. 39, s. 139; 2008, c. 6, s. 3(2)

 Subsection 85(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • Marginal note:Punishment

    (3) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years.

Marginal note:1995, c. 39, s. 139

 Subsection 92(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • Marginal note:Punishment

    (3) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years.

Marginal note:2008, c. 6, s. 8(2)

 Paragraph 95(2)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years; or

Marginal note:1995, c. 39, s. 139

 Paragraph 96(2)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years; or

Marginal note:2008, c. 6, s. 10

 Subsection 99(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • Marginal note:Punishment — other cases

    (3) In any other case, a person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years.

Marginal note:2008, c. 6, s. 11

 Subsection 100(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • Marginal note:Punishment — other cases

    (3) In any other case, a person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years.

Marginal note:2008, c. 6, s. 12

 Subsection 103(2.1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • Marginal note:Punishment — other cases

    (2.1) In any other case, a person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years.

Marginal note:2014, c. 23, s. 3; 2019, c. 25, s. 34(F)

  •  (1) Paragraph 121.1(4)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

    • (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or

  • Marginal note:2014, c. 23, s. 3

    (2) Subsection 121.1(5) of the Act is repealed.

Marginal note:2008, c. 6, s. 17

 Paragraph 244(2)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years.

Marginal note:2009, c. 22, s. 8

 Paragraph 244.2(3)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b) in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years.

Marginal note:2008, c. 6, s. 32(1)

 Paragraph 344(1)(a.1) of the Act is repealed.

Marginal note:2008, c. 6, s. 33(1)

 Paragraph 346(1.1)(a.1) of the Act is repealed.

Marginal note:2012, c. 1, s. 34

  •  (1) Paragraph 742.1(c) of the Act is replaced by the following:

    • (c) the offence is not an offence under any of the following provisions:

      • (i) section 239, for which a sentence is imposed under paragraph 239(1)(b) (attempt to commit murder),

      • (ii) section 269.1 (torture), or

      • (iii) section 318 (advocating genocide); and

  • Marginal note:2012, c. 1, s. 34

    (2) Paragraphs 742.1(e) and (f) of the Act are repealed.

1996, c. 19Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Marginal note:2012, c. 1, s. 39(1); 2017, c. 7, s. 3(2)(F); 2018, c. 16, s. 196(1)

 Paragraph 5(3)(a) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a) if the subject matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I or II, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life;

Marginal note:2012, c. 1, s. 40

 Paragraphs 6(3)(a) and (a.1) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (a) if the subject matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I or II, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life;

Marginal note:2012, c. 1, s. 41(1); 2018, c. 16, s. 197(1)

  •  (1) Paragraphs 7(2)(a) and (a.1) of the Act are replaced by the following:

    • (a) if the subject matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I or II, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life;

  • Marginal note:2012, c. 1, s. 41(2); 2018, c. 16, s. 197(3)

    (2) Subsection 7(3) of the Act is repealed.

Marginal note:2012, c. 1, s. 42

 Section 8 of the Act and the heading before it are repealed.

Marginal note:2017, c. 7, s. 7(1)(F)

  •  (1) The portion of subsection 10(2) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

    • Marginal note:Factors to take into consideration

      (2) If a person is convicted of a designated substance offence, the court imposing sentence on the person shall consider any relevant aggravating factors including that the person

  • Marginal note:2012, c. 1, s. 43(2)

    (2) Subsection 10(5) of the Act is repealed.

 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 10:

PART I.1Evidence-based Diversion Measures

Principles

Marginal note:Declaration of principles

10.1 The following principles apply in this Part:

  • (a) problematic substance use should be addressed primarily as a health and social issue;

  • (b) interventions should be founded on evidence-based best practices and should aim to protect the health, dignity and human rights of individuals who use drugs and to reduce harm to those individuals, their families and their communities;

  • (c) criminal sanctions imposed in respect of the possession of drugs for personal use can increase the stigma associated with drug use and are not consistent with established public health evidence;

  • (d) interventions should address the root causes of problematic substance use, including by encouraging measures such as education, treatment, aftercare, rehabilitation and social reintegration; and

  • (e) judicial resources are more appropriately used in relation to offences that pose a risk to public safety.

Warnings and Referrals

Marginal note:Warnings and referrals

  • 10.2 (1) A peace officer shall, instead of laying an information against an individual alleged to have committed an offence under subsection 4(1), consider whether it would be preferable, having regard to the principles set out in section 10.1, to take no further action, to warn the individual or, with the consent of the individual, to refer the individual to a program or to an agency or other service provider in the community that may assist the individual.

  • Marginal note:Subsequent charges not invalidated

    (2) The failure of a peace officer to consider the options set out in subsection (1) does not invalidate any subsequent charges laid against the individual for the offence.

Marginal note:Prosecution — limits

10.3 A prosecution may be commenced or continued against an individual alleged to have committed an offence under subsection 4(1) only if, having regard to the principles set out in section 10.1, the prosecutor is of the opinion that the use of a warning or referral under section 10.2, or of alternative measures as defined in section 716 of the Criminal Code, is not appropriate, and a prosecution is appropriate in the circumstances.

Marginal note:Record of warning or referral

  • 10.4 (1) The police force to which a peace officer referred to in section 10.2 belongs shall keep a record of any warning given or referral made under subsection 10.2(1), including the identity of the individual warned or referred.

  • Marginal note:Access to information

    (2) Any information contained in the record kept pursuant to subsection (1) may be made available to:

    • (a) any judge or court for any purpose relating to proceedings with respect to the offence to which the record relates;

    • (b) any peace officer for any purpose related to the administration of the case to which the record relates; or

    • (c) any member of a department or agency of a government in Canada, or any agent of that department or agency, that is

      • (i) engaged in the administration of alternative measures, within the meaning of section 716 of the Criminal Code, in respect of that person, or

      • (ii) preparing a report for the purpose of informing proceedings with respect to the offence to which the record relates.

  • Marginal note:Access to information — alternative measures

    (3) Information contained in the record, other than the identity of the person, may be made available to any member of a department or agency of a government in Canada, or any agent of the department or agency, that is engaged in assessing and monitoring the use of alternative measures and assessing their effectiveness, including for research or statistical purposes.

Marginal note:Evidence of warning or referral not admissible

10.5 Evidence that an individual has received a warning or referral mentioned in subsection 10.2(1), evidence that a peace officer has taken no further action in respect of an offence under subsection 4(1) and evidence of the offence are inadmissible for the purpose of proving prior offending behaviour in any proceedings before a court in respect of the individual.

Marginal note:Conservation of record — conviction

  • 10.6 (1) Any record of a conviction that occurs before the day on which this section comes into force in respect of an offence under subsection 4(1) must be kept separate and apart from other records of convictions within two years after that day.

  • Marginal note:Conservation of record — deeming

    (2) A conviction that occurs after this section comes into force in respect of an offence under subsection 4(1) is kept separate and apart from other records of convictions two years after the conviction or two years after the expiry of any sentence imposed for the offence, whichever is later, and the person convicted of the offence is deemed never to have been convicted of that offence.

  • Marginal note:Regulations

    (3) The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the use, removal or destruction of records kept separate and apart referred to in subsections (1) and (2).

Exception for Service Providers

Marginal note:Exception

10.7 No social worker, medical professional or other service provider in the community commits an offence under subsection 4(1) if, in the course of their duties, they come into possession of a substance included in Schedule I, II or III and they intend to, within a reasonable period, lawfully dispose of it.

Review

Marginal note:Review by committee

 On the fourth anniversary of the day on which this Act comes into force, a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Act is to be undertaken by the standing committee of each House that normally considers matters relating to justice.


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