Bill C-26: An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

C-26 Second Session, Thirty-ninth Parliament, 56 Elizabeth II, 2007 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-26 An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts first reading, November 20, 2007 THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE 90413 SUMMARY This enactment amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to provide for minimum penalties for serious drug offences, to increase the maximum penalty for cannabis (marihuana) production, to reschedule certain substances from Schedule III to that Act to Schedule I, and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca .vis1 {position: absolute;display:block;} .vis2 {position: static;} 2nd Session, 39th Parliament, 56 Elizabeth II, 2007 house of commons of canada BILL C-26 An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: 1996, c. 19 CONTROLLED DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES ACT 1. (1) Paragraph 5(3)(a) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is replaced by the following: Explanatory NotesControlled Drugs and Substances Act Clause 1: (1) Relevant portion of subsection 5(3): (3) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) (a) subject to subsection (4), where 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; Notes explicativesLoi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances Article 1 : (1) Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 5(3) : (3) Quiconque contrevient aux paragraphes (1) ou (2) commet : a) dans le cas de substances inscrites aux annexes I ou II, mais sous réserve du paragraphe (4), un acte criminel passible de l’emprisonnement à perpétuité; (a) if the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I, or in Schedule II in an amount that exceeds the amount set out for that substance in Schedule VII, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life and (i) to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of one year if (A) the person committed the offence for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization, as defined in subsection 467.1(1) of the Criminal Code, (B) the person used or threatened to use violence in committing the offence, (C) the person carried, used or threat- ened to use a weapon in committing the offence, or (D) the person was convicted of a designated substance offence, or had served a term of imprisonment for a designated substance offence, within the previous 10 years, or (ii) to a minimum punishment of impris- onment for a term of two years if (A) the person committed the offence in or near a school, on or near school grounds or in or near any other public place usually frequented by persons under the age of 18 years, (B) the person committed the offence in a prison, as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code, or on its grounds, or (C) the person used the services of a person under the age of 18 years, or involved such a person, in committing the offence; (a.1) if the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule II in an amount that does not exceed the amount set out for that substance in Schedule VII, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years less a day; (2) Subsections 5(4) to (6) of the Act are replaced by the following: (2) Existing text of subsections 5(4) to (6): (4) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2), where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule II in an amount that does not exceed the amount set out for that substance in Schedule VII, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years less a day. (5) For the purposes of applying subsection (3) or (4) in respect of an offence under subsection (1), a reference to a substance included in Schedule I, II, III or IV includes a reference to any substance represented or held out to be a substance included in that Schedule. (6) For the purposes of subsection (4) and Schedule VII, the amount of the substance means the entire amount of any mixture or substance, or the whole of any plant, that contains a detectable amount of the substance. (2) Texte des paragraphes 5(4) à (6) : (4) Quiconque contrevient aux paragraphes (1) ou (2) commet, dans le cas de substances inscrites à la fois à l’annexe II et à l’annexe VII, et ce pourvu que la quantité en cause n’excède pas celle mentionnée à cette dernière annexe, un acte criminel passible d’un emprisonnement de cinq ans moins un jour. (5) Dans le cadre de l’application des paragraphes (3) ou (4) à l’égard d’une infraction prévue au paragraphe (1), la mention d’une substance inscrite aux annexes I, II, III ou IV vaut également mention de toute substance présentée ou tenue pour telle. (6) Pour l’application du paragraphe (4) et de l’annexe VII, « quantité » s’entend du poids total de tout mélange, substance ou plante dans lequel on peut déceler la présence de la substance en cause. Interpretation (5) For the purposes of applying subsection (3) in respect of an offence under subsection (1), a reference to a substance included in Schedule I, II, III or IV includes a reference to any substance represented or held out to be a substance included in that Schedule. Interpretation (6) For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(a) and (a.1) and Schedule VII, the amount of the substance means the entire amount of any mixture or substance, or the whole of any plant, that contains a detectable amount of the substance. 2. Paragraph 6(3)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 2: Relevant portion of subsection 6(3): (3) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) (a) where 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; Article 2 : Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 6(3) : (3) Quiconque contrevient aux paragraphes (1) ou (2) commet : a) dans le cas de substances inscrites aux annexes I ou II, un acte criminel passible de l’emprisonnement à perpétuité; (a) if the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I in an amount that does not exceed one kilogram, or in Schedule II, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life, and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of one year if the offence is committed for the purpose of trafficking; (a.1) if the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I in an amount that exceeds one kilogram, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life, and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of two years; 3. (1) Paragraphs 7(2)(a) and (b) of the Act are replaced by the following: Clause 3: (1) Relevant portion of subsection 7(2): (2) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) (a) where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I or II, other than cannabis (marihuana), is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life; (b) where the subject-matter of the offence is cannabis (marihuana), is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years; Article 3 : (1) Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 7(2) : (2) Quiconque contrevient au paragraphe (1) commet : a) dans le cas de substances inscrites aux annexes I ou II, à l’exception du cannabis (marihuana), un acte criminel passible de l’emprisonnement à perpétuité; b) dans le cas du cannabis (marihuana), un acte criminel passible d’un emprisonnement de sept ans; (a) if the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life, and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of three years if any of the factors listed in subsection (3) apply and for a term of two years in any other case; (a.1) if the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule II, other than cannabis (marihuana), is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life, and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment (i) for a term of one year if the production is for the purpose of trafficking, or (ii) for a term of 18 months if the production is for the purpose of trafficking and any of the factors listed in subsection (3) apply; (b) if the subject-matter of the offence is cannabis (marihuana), is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years, and to a minimum punishment of (i) imprisonment for a term of six months if the number of plants produced is less than 201 and the production is for the purpose of trafficking, (ii) imprisonment for a term of nine months if the number of plants produced is less than 201, the production is for the purpose of trafficking and any of the factors listed in subsection (3) apply, (iii) imprisonment for a term of one year if the number of plants produced is more than 200 and less than 501, (iv) imprisonment for a term of 18 months if the number of plants produced is more than 200 and less than 501 and any of the factors listed in subsection (3) apply, (v) imprisonment for a term of two years if the number of plants produced is more than 500, and (vi) imprisonment for a term of three years if the number of plants produced is more than 500 and any of the factors listed in subsection (3) apply; (2) Section 7 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (2): (2) New. (2) Nouveau. Factors (3) The following factors must be taken into account in applying paragraphs (2)(a) to (b): (a) the person used real property that belongs to a third party in committing the offence; (b) the production constituted a potential security, health or safety hazard to persons under the age of 18 years who were in the location where the offence was committed or in the immediate area; (c) the production constituted a potential public safety hazard in a residential area; or (d) the person set or placed a trap, device or other thing that is likely to cause death or bodily harm to another person in the location where the offence was committed or in the immediate area, or permitted such a trap, device or other thing to remain or be placed in that location or area. 4. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 7: Clause 4: New. Article 4 : Nouveau. Notice Notice 8. The court is not required to impose a minimum punishment unless it is satisfied that the offender, before entering a plea, was notified of the possible imposition of a minimum punishment for the offence in question and of the Attorney General’s intention to prove any factors in relation to the offence that lead to the imposition of a minimum punishment. 1999, c. 5, s. 49(1) 5. (1) The portion of subsection 10(2) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following: Clause 5: (1) Relevant portion of subsection 10(2): (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 Article 5 : (1) Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 10(2) : (2) Le tribunal qui détermine la peine à infliger à une personne reconnue coupable d’une infraction désignée est tenu de considérer toute circonstance aggravante pertinente, notamment le fait que cette personne, selon le cas : Circumstances to take into consideration (2) If a person is convicted of a designated substance offence for which the court is not required to impose a minimum punishment, the court imposing sentence on the person shall consider any relevant aggravating factors including that the person (2) Section 10 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (3): (2) New. (2) : Nouveau. Drug treatment court program (4) With the consent of the prosecutor, a court sentencing a person found guilty of an offence under this Part may delay sentencing to enable the offender to participate in a drug treatment court program approved by the Attorney General if none of the factors described in clauses 5(3)(a)(i)(A) to (C) or in subparagraph 5(3)(a)(ii) have been proven in relation to the offence. Exception (5) If the offender successfully completes the drug treatment court program, the court is not required to impose the minimum punishment for the offence for which the person was convicted. 6. Schedule I to the Act is amended by adding the following after item 18: 19.       Amphetamines, their salts, derivatives, isomers and analogues and salts of derivatives, isomers and analogues including: (1)       amphetamine (a–methylbenzene- ethanamine) (2)       N–ethylamphetamine (N–ethyl–a–methylbenzene- ethanamine) (3)       4–methyl–2,5–dimethoxyamphetamine (STP) (2,5–dimethoxy–4,a–dimethyl-benzeneethanamine) (4)       3,4–methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) (a–methyl–1,3–benzodioxole–5– ethanamine) (5)       2,5–dimethoxyamphetamine (2,5–dimethoxy–a–methylbenzene- ethanamine) (6)       4–methoxyamphetamine (4–methoxy–a–methylbenzene- ethanamine) (7)       2,4,5–trimethoxyamphetamine (2,4,5–trimethoxy–a–methylbenzene- ethanamine) (8)       N–methyl–3,4–methylenedioxyamphetamine (N,a–dimethyl–1,3–benzodioxole–5– ethanamine) (9)       4–ethoxy–2,5–dimethoxyamphetamine (4–ethoxy–2,5–dimethoxy–a–methyl-benzeneethanamine) (10)       5–methoxy–3,4–methylenedioxyamphetamine (7–methoxy–a–methyl–1,3–benzodi- oxole–5–ethanamine) (11)       N,N–dimethyl–3,4–methylene- dioxyamphetamine (N,N, a–trimethyl–1,3–benzodioxole–5– ethanamine) (12)       N–ethyl–3,4–methylenedioxyam- phetamine (N–ethyl–a–methyl–1,3–benzodi- oxole–5–ethanamine) (13)       4–ethyl–2,5–dimethoxyamphetamine (DOET) (4–ethyl–2,5–dimethoxy–a–methyl-benzeneethanamine) (14)       4–bromo–2,5–dimethoxyamphetamine (4–bromo–2,5–dimethoxy–a–methylbenzeneethanamine) (15)       4–chloro–2,5–dimethoxyamphetamine (4–chloro–2,5–dimethoxy–a–methyl-benzeneethanamine) (16)       4–ethoxyamphetamine (4–ethoxy–a–methylbenzene- ethanamine) (17)       Benzphetamine (N–benzyl–N,a–dimethylbenzene- ethanamine) (18)       N–Propyl–3,4–methylenedioxyamphetamine(a–methyl–N–propyl–1,3–benzodi- oxole–5–ethanamine) (19)       N–(2–Hydroxyethyl)–a–methylben- zeneethanamine (20)       N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (N-[a-methyl-3,4- (methylenedioxy)phenethyl]hydro- xylamine) (21)       3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine (3,4,5-trimethoxy-a-methylbenzene- ethanamine) 20.       Flunitrazepam (5-(o-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-7-nitro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one) and any salts or derivatives thereof 21.       4-hydroxybutanoic acid (GHB) and any salt thereof SOR/2005-235 7. Item 1 of Schedule III to the Act is repealed. SOR/98-173; SOR/2000-220 8. Items 25 and 26 of Schedule III to the Act are repealed. CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS R.S., c. C-46 Criminal Code 2001, c. 41, s. 133(15) 9. Paragraph 515(4.1)(c) of the Criminal Code is replaced by the following: Criminal Code Clause 9: Relevant portion of subsection 515(4.1): (4.1) When making an order under subsection (2), in the case of an accused who is charged with ... (c) an offence relating to the contravention of subsection 5(3) or (4), 6(3) or 7(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, ... the justice shall add to the order a condition prohibiting the accused from possessing a firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, or all those things, until the accused is dealt with according to law unless the justice considers that such a condition is not required in the interests of the safety of the accused or the safety and security of a victim of the offence or of any other person. Code criminel Article 9 : Texte du paragraphe 515(4.1) : (4.1) Lorsqu’il rend une ordonnance en vertu du paragraphe (2) dans le cas d’une infraction perpétrée avec usage, tentative ou menace de violence contre autrui, d’une infraction de terrorisme, de l’infraction visée à l’article 264 (harcèlement criminel) ou 423.1 (intimidation d’une personne associée au système judiciaire), d’une infraction aux paragraphes 5(3) ou (4), 6(3) ou 7(2) de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances, d’une infraction relative à une arme à feu, une arbalète, une arme prohibée, une arme à autorisation restreinte, un dispositif prohibé, des munitions, des munitions prohibées ou des substances explosives, d’une infraction visée au paragraphe 20(1) de la Loi sur la protection de l’information, ou d’une infraction visée aux paragraphes 21(1) ou 22(1) ou à l’article 23 de cette loi commise à l’égard d’une infraction visée au paragraphe 20(1) de cette loi, le juge de paix doit, s’il en arrive à la conclusion qu’il est souhaitable de le faire pour la sécurité du prévenu, de la victime ou de toute autre personne, assortir l’ordonnance d’une condition lui interdisant, jusqu’à ce qu’il soit jugé conformément à la loi, d’avoir en sa possession de tels objets ou l’un ou plusieurs de ceux-ci. (c) an offence relating to the contravention of any of sections 5 to 7 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, 1996, c. 19, s. 72 10. Subparagraph 553(c)(xi) of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 10: Relevant portion of section 553: 553. The jurisdiction of a provincial court judge, or in Nunavut, of a judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice, to try an accused is absolute and does not depend on the consent of the accused where the accused is charged in an information ... (c) with an offence under ... (xi) subsection 5(4) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Article 10 : Texte du passage visé de l’article 553 : 553. La compétence d’un juge de la cour provinciale et, au Nunavut, de la Cour de justice, pour juger un prévenu est absolue et ne dépend pas du consentement du prévenu, lorsque celui-ci est inculpé, dans une dénonciation : [...] c) soit d’une infraction prévue par : [...] (xi) le paragraphe 5(4) de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances. (xi) paragraph 5(3)(a.1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. R.S., c. N-5 National Defence Act 1996, c.19, s. 83.1 11. Paragraph 147.1(1)(c) of the National Defence Act is replaced by the following: National Defence Act Clause 11: Relevant portion of subsection 147.1(1): 147.1 (1) Where a person is convicted by a court martial of an offence ... (c) relating to the contravention of subsection 5(3) or (4), 6(3) or 7(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, or ... the court martial shall, in addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for that offence, consider whether it is desirable, in the interests of the safety of the person or of any other person, to make an order prohibiting the person from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, or all such things, and where the court martial decides that it is so desirable, the court martial shall so order. Loi sur la défense nationale Article 11 : Texte du passage visé de l’article 147.1 : 147.1 (1) La cour martiale doit, si elle en arrive à la conclusion qu’il est souhaitable pour la sécurité du contrevenant ou pour celle d’autrui de le faire, en plus de toute autre peine qu’elle lui inflige, rendre une ordonnance interdisant au contrevenant d’avoir en sa possession des armes à feu, arbalètes, armes prohibées, armes à autorisation restreinte, dispositifs prohibés, munitions, munitions prohibées et substances explosives, ou l’un ou plusieurs de ces objets, lorsqu’elle le déclare coupable, selon le cas : [...] c) d’une infraction aux paragraphes 5(3) ou (4), 6(3) ou 7(2) de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances; (c) relating to the contravention of any of sections 5 to 7 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, or COORDINATING AMENDMENTS 2003, c. 8 12. (1) In this section, “other Act” means An Act to amend the Criminal Code (firearms) and the Firearms Act, chapter 8 of the Statutes of Canada, 2003. (2) If section 9 of this Act comes into force before section 8 of the other Act, then that section 8 is repealed. (3) If section 8 of the other Act comes into force on the same day as section 9 of this Act, then that section 9 is deemed to have come into force before that section 8 and subsection (2) applies. Bill C-13 13. If Bill C-13, introduced in the 2nd session of the 39th Parliament and entitled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal procedure, language of the accused, sentenc- ing and other amendments) (the “other Act”), receives royal assent, then, on the first day on which both section 35 of the other Act and subsection 5(2) of this Act are in force, subsections 10(4) and (5) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act are replaced by the following: Drug treatment court program (4) A court sentencing a person found guilty of an offence under this Part may delay sentencing to enable the offender (a) to participate in a drug treatment court program approved by the Attorney General if the prosecutor consents and none of the factors described in clauses 5(3)(a)(i)(A) to (C) or in subparagraph 5(3)(a)(ii) have been proven in relation to the offence; or (b) to attend a treatment program under subsection 720(2) of the Criminal Code. Sentencing (5) If the offender successfully completes the drug treatment court program under paragraph (4)(a), the court is not required to impose the minimum punishment for the offence for which the person was convicted. COMING INTO FORCE Order in council 14. The provisions of this Act, other than sections 9 and 11 to 13, come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada