Government Moves to Modernize Criminal Law Procedure in Canada

May 15, 2009 -- Ottawa, Ontario -- MP Rob Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, today welcomed new legislation which will modernize criminal procedure laws and make Canada’s justice system more efficient and effective. The proposed reforms respond to changes in criminal activity and the constant evolution of technology.

"This legislation is an integral part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and security of Canadians," said Mr. Moore. "By updating our laws and improving Canada’s justice system, we will give our police and prosecutors the tools they need to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively."

Proposed amendments in the legislation include:
  • Creating a new offence to help prevent individuals from fleeing a province or territory in order to avoid prosecution;
  • Streamlining the identification process in police stations by allowing the fingerprinting and photographing of persons in lawful custody who have not yet been charged or convicted of specific offences;
  • Improving the application procedure for search and seizure warrants by providing both peace and public officers with greater access to telewarrants;
  • Enhancing the expert witness process to allow parties more time to prepare their response to expert evidence in criminal matters;
  • Updating rules related to the use of "agents" (non-lawyers) in criminal proceedings, to provide the provinces with greater flexibility on this issue and ensuring better representation of accused individuals by agents; and
  • Expanding the list of permitted sports covered under the current prize fighting provisions, and updating Canada’s pari-mutuel betting system.
"Many of these proposed changes came as a result of an extensive consultation process with our provincial and territorial partners," said Mr. Moore. "Together we identified and reviewed a number of evolving issues in criminal law. This bill will improve the warrant process, the use of expert witness testimony, and will address the issue of those who evade justice by travelling to other jurisdictions."

For More Information: Backgrounder


Rob Moore is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and the MP for Fundy Royal.

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William van Geest
Special Assistant - Communications
Office of Rob Moore, M.P. Fundy Royal
(613) 996-2316