Bill C-27: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (identity theft and related misconduct)

C-27 Second Session, Thirty-ninth Parliament, 56 Elizabeth II, 2007 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-27 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (identity theft and related misconduct) first reading, November 21, 2007 THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE 90423 SUMMARY This enactment amends the Criminal Code to create a new offence of identity theft, of trafficking in identity information and of unlawful possession or trafficking in certain government-issued identity documents, to clarify and expand certain offences related to identity theft and identity fraud, to exempt certain persons from liability for certain forgery offences, and to allow for an order that the offender make restitution to a victim of identity theft or identity fraud for the expenses associated with rehabilitating their identity. 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-27 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (identity theft and related misconduct) Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: R.S., c. C-46 CRIMINAL CODE 1. The heading before section 57 of the Criminal Code is replaced by the following: Explanatory NotesCriminal Code Clause 1: Existing text of the heading: Passports Notes explicativesCode criminel Article 1 : Texte de l’intertitre : Passeports Official Documents Identity documents 56.1 (1) Every person commits an offence who, without lawful excuse, procures to be made, possesses, transfers, sells or offers for sale an identity document that relates or purports to relate, in whole or in part, to another person. Defences (2) No person shall be convicted of an offence under subsection (1) if the act that is alleged to constitute the offence was carried out (a) in good faith in the ordinary course of the person’s business, employment or office; (b) for genealogical purposes; (c) with the consent of the person to whom the identity document relates or of a person authorized to consent on behalf of the person to whom the document relates, or of the entity that issued the identity document; or (d) for a legitimate purpose related to the administration of justice. Definition of “identity document” (3) For the purposes of this section, “identity document” means a Social Insurance Number card, a driver’s licence, a health insurance card, a birth certificate, a passport as defined in subsection 57(5), a document that simplifies the process of entry into Canada, a certificate of citizenship, a document indicating immigration status in Canada or a certificate of Indian status, issued or purported to be issued by a department or agency of the federal or a provincial government, or any similar document issued or purported to be issued by a foreign government. Punishment (4) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. 1995, c. 5, par. 25(1)(g) 2. Subsection 57(5) of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 2: Existing text of subsection 57(5): (5) In this section, “passport” means a document issued by or under the authority of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the purpose of identifying the holder thereof. Article 2 : Texte du paragraphe 57(5) : (5) Au présent article, « passeport » désigne un document émis par le ministre des Affaires étrangères, ou sous son autorité, en vue d’en identifier le titulaire. Definition of “passport” (5) In this section, “passport” means an official Canadian document that shows the identity and nationality of a person for the purpose of facilitating travel by that person outside Canada. 3. Section 130 of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 3: Existing text of section 130: 130. Every one who (a) falsely represents himself to be a peace officer or a public officer, or (b) not being a peace officer or public officer, uses a badge or article of uniform or equipment in a manner that is likely to cause persons to believe that he is a peace officer or a public officer, as the case may be, is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. Article 3 : Texte de l’article 130 : 130. Est coupable d’une infraction punissable sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire quiconque, selon le cas : a) se présente faussement comme agent de la paix ou fonctionnaire public; b) n’étant pas un agent de la paix ni un fonctionnaire public, emploie un insigne ou article d’uniforme ou équipement de façon à faire croire vraisemblablement qu’il est un agent de la paix ou un fonctionnaire public, selon le cas. Personating peace officer 130. (1) Everyone commits an offence who (a) falsely represents themself to be a peace officer or a public officer; or (b) not being a peace officer or public officer, uses a badge or article of uniform or equipment in a manner that is likely to cause persons to believe that they are a peace officer or a public officer, as the case may be. Punishment (2) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection (1) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. 1997, c. 18, s. 16(2) 4. The portion of subsection 342(3) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following: Clause 4: Relevant portion of subsection 342(3): (3) Every person who, fraudulently and without colour of right, possesses, uses, traffics in or permits another person to use credit card data, whether or not authentic, that would enable a person to use a credit card or to obtain the services that are provided by the issuer of a credit card to credit card holders is guilty of Article 4 : Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 342(3) : (3) Quiconque, frauduleusement et sans apparence de droit, a en sa possession ou utilise des données — authentiques ou non — qui permettraient l’utilisation d’une carte de crédit ou l’obtention de services liés à son utilisation, fait le trafic de ces données ou permet à une autre personne de les utiliser est coupable : Unauthorized use of credit card data (3) Every person who, fraudulently and without colour of right, possesses, uses, traffics in or permits another person to use credit card data, including a personal identification number, whether or not the data is authentic, that would enable a person to use a credit card or to obtain the services that are provided by the issuer of a credit card to credit card holders is guilty of 1997, c. 18, s. 17 5. Subsection 342.01(1) of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 5: Existing text of subsection 342.01(1): 342.01 (1) Every person who, without lawful justification or excuse, (a) makes or repairs, (b) buys or sells, (c) exports from or imports into Canada, or (d) possesses any instrument, device, apparatus, material or thing that the person knows has been used or knows is adapted or intended for use in forging or falsifying credit cards is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years, or is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. Article 5 : Texte du paragraphe 342.01(1) : 342.01 (1) Quiconque, sans justification ou excuse légitime, selon le cas: a) fabrique ou répare, b) achète ou vend, c) exporte du Canada ou importe au Canada, d) a en sa possession, un instrument, un appareil, une matière ou une chose qu’il sait utilisé pour falsifier des cartes de crédit ou en fabriquer des fausses, ou qu’il sait modifié ou destiné à cette fin est coupable soit d’un acte criminel et passible d’un emprisonnement maximal de dix ans, soit d’une infraction punissable sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire. Instruments for copying credit card data or forging or falsifying credit cards 342.01 (1) Every person is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction, who, without lawful justification or excuse, makes, repairs, buys, sells, exports from Canada, imports into Canada or possesses any instrument, device, apparatus, material or thing that they know has been used or know is adapted or intended for use (a) in the copying of credit card data for use in the commission of an offence under subsection 342(3); or (b) in the forging or falsifying of credit cards. 6. (1) Subsection 356(1) of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 6: (1) Existing text of subsection 356(1): 356. (1) Every one who (a) steals (i) any thing sent by post, after it is deposited at a post office and before it is delivered, (ii) a bag, sack or other container or covering in which mail is conveyed, whether or not it contains mail, or (iii) a key suited to a lock adopted for use in the Canada Post Corporation, or (b) has in his possession anything in respect of which he knows that an offence has been committed under paragraph (a), is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years. Article 6 : (1) Texte du paragraphe 356(1) : 356. (1) Est coupable d’un acte criminel et passible d’un emprisonnement maximal de dix ans quiconque, selon le cas : a) vole : (i) soit une chose envoyée par la poste, après son dépôt à un bureau de poste et avant sa livraison, (ii) soit un sac ou autre contenant ou couverture dans lequel le courrier est transporté, qu’ils contiennent ou non du courrier, (iii) soit une clef correspondant à un cadenas ou à une serrure adoptée pour l’usage de la Société canadienne des postes; b) a en sa possession une chose au sujet de laquelle il sait qu’une infraction a été commise aux termes de l’alinéa a). Theft from mail 356. (1) Everyone commits an offence who (a) steals (i) any thing sent by post, after it is deposited at a post office and before it is delivered, or after it is delivered but before it is in the possession of the addressee or of a person who may reasonably be considered to be authorized by the addressee to receive mail, (ii) a bag, sack or other container or covering in which mail is conveyed, whether or not it contains mail, or (iii) a key suited to a lock adopted for use by the Canada Post Corporation; (b) with intent to commit an offence under paragraph (a), makes, possesses or uses a copy of a key suited to a lock adopted for use by the Canada Post Corporation, or a key suited to obtain access to a receptacle or device provided for the receipt of mail; (c) has in their possession anything that they know has been used to commit an offence under paragraph (a) or (b); or (d) fraudulently redirects, or causes the redirection of, any thing sent by post. (2) Section 356 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (2): (2) New. (2) Nouveau. Punishment (3) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection (1) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years; or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. 7. Section 366 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (4): Clause 7: New. Article 7 : Nouveau. Exception (5) No person commits forgery by reason only that the person, in good faith, makes a false document at the request of a police force, the Canadian Forces or a department or agency of the federal or a provincial government. 1992, c. 1, s. 60 (Sch. I, s. 26(F)); 1997, c. 18, s. 25 8. Subsection 368(1) of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 8: Existing text of subsection 368(1): 368. (1) Every one who, knowing that a document is forged, (a) uses, deals with or acts on it, or (b) causes or attempts to cause any person to use, deal with or act on it, as if the document were genuine, (c) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or (d) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. Article 8 : Texte du paragraphe 368(1) : 368. (1) Quiconque, sachant qu’un document est contrefait, selon le cas : a) s’en sert, le traite, ou agit à son égard; b) fait, ou tente de faire, accomplir l’un des actes visés à l’alinéa a), comme si le document était authentique, est coupable : c) soit d’un acte criminel et passible d’un emprisonnement maximal de dix ans; d) soit d’une infraction punissable sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire. Uttering, trafficking or possessing with intent forged document 368. (1) Everyone commits an offence who, knowing or believing that a document is forged, (a) uses, deals with or acts on it as if the document were genuine; (b) causes or attempts to cause any person to use, deal with or act on it as if the document were genuine; (c) transfers, sells or offers to sell it or makes it available, to any person, knowing or being reckless as to whether an offence will be committed under paragraph (a) or (b); or (d) possesses it with intent to commit an offence under any of paragraphs (a) to (c). Punishment (1.1) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection (1) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years; or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. 9. Section 369 of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 9: Existing text of section 369: 369. Every one who, without lawful authority or excuse, the proof of which lies on him, (a) makes, uses or knowingly has in his possession (i) any exchequer bill paper, revenue paper or paper that is used to make bank-notes, or (ii) any paper that is intended to resemble paper mentioned in subparagraph (i), (b) makes, offers or disposes of or knowingly has in his possession any plate, die, machinery, instrument or other writing or material that is adapted and intended to be used to commit forgery, or (c) makes, reproduces or uses a public seal of Canada or of a province, or the seal of a public body or authority in Canada, or of a court of law, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years. Article 9 : Texte de l’article 369 : 369. Quiconque, sans autorisation ni excuse légitime, dont la preuve lui incombe, selon le cas : a) fait, utilise ou sciemment a en sa possession : (i) soit du papier de bons du Trésor, papier du revenu ou papier employé pour billets de banque, (ii) soit tout papier destiné à ressembler à celui mentionné au sous-alinéa (i); b) fait, offre ou aliène ou sciemment a en sa possession quelque plaque, matrice, appareil, instrument ou autre écrit ou matière adaptés et destinés à servir pour commettre un faux; c) fait, reproduit ou utilise un sceau public du Canada ou d’une province, ou le sceau d’un organisme public ou d’une autorité publique au Canada, ou d’un tribunal judiciaire, est coupable d’un acte criminel et passible d’un emprisonnement maximal de quatorze ans. Forgery instruments 368.1 Everyone is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years, or is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction, who, without lawful authority or excuse, makes, repairs, buys, sells, exports from Canada, imports into Canada or possesses any instrument, device, apparatus, material or thing that they know has been used or know is adapted or intended for use by any person to commit forgery. Public officers acting in the course of their duties or employment 368.2 No public officer as defined in subsection 25.1(1) is guilty of an offence under any of sections 366 to 368.1 if the acts alleged to constitute the offence were committed by the public officer for the sole purpose of establishing or maintaining a covert identity for use in the course of the public officer’s duties or employment. Exchequer bill paper, public seals, etc. 369. Everyone is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years who, without lawful authority or excuse, (a) makes, uses or possesses (i) any exchequer bill paper, revenue paper or paper that is used to make bank-notes, or (ii) any paper that is intended to resemble paper mentioned in subparagraph (i); or (b) makes, reproduces or uses a public seal of Canada or of a province, or the seal of a public body or authority in Canada, or of a court of law. 1994, c. 44, s. 27 10. Section 403 of the Act and the heading before it are replaced by the following: Clause 10: Existing text of the heading and section 403: Personation 403. Every one who fraudulently personates any person, living or dead, (a) with intent to gain advantage for himself or another person, (b) with intent to obtain any property or an interest in any property, or (c) with intent to cause disadvantage to the person whom he personates or another person, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or an offence punishable on summary conviction. Article 10 : Texte de l’intertitre et de l’article 403 : Supposition de personne 403. Est coupable soit d’un acte criminel et passible d’un emprisonnement maximal de dix ans, soit d’une infraction punissable sur déclaration de culpabilité par procédure sommaire quiconque, frauduleusement, se fait passer pour une personne, vivante ou morte : a) soit avec l’intention d’obtenir un avantage pour lui-même ou pour une autre personne; b) soit avec l’intention d’obtenir un bien ou un intérêt dans un bien; c) soit avec l’intention de causer un désavantage à la personne pour laquelle il se fait passer, ou à une autre personne. Identity Theft and Identity Fraud Definition of “identity information” 402.1 For the purposes of sections 402.2 and 403, “identity information” means any information — including biological or physiological information — of a type that is commonly used alone or in combination with other information to identify or purport to identify an individual, such as a fingerprint, voice print, retina image, iris image, DNA profile, name, address, date of birth, written signature, electronic signature, digital signature, user name, credit card number, debit card number, financial institution account number, passport number, Social Insurance Number, health insurance number, driver’s licence number or password. Identity theft 402.2 (1) Everyone commits an offence who knowingly obtains or possesses another person’s identity information in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that the information is intended to be used to commit an indictable offence that includes fraud, deceit or falsehood as an element of the offence. Trafficking in identity information (2) Everyone commits an offence who transmits, makes available, distributes, sells or offers for sale another person’s identity information, or has it in their possession for any of those purposes, knowing or believing that or being reckless as to whether the information will be used to commit an indictable offence that includes fraud, deceit or falsehood as an element of the offence. Clarification (3) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), an indictable offence referred to in either of those subsections includes an offence under any of the following sections: (a) section 57 (forgery of or uttering forged passport); (b) section 58 (fraudulent use of certificate of citizenship); (c) section 130 (personating peace officer); (d) section 131 (perjury); (e) section 342 (theft, forgery, etc., of credit card); (f) section 362 (false pretence or false statement); (g) section 366 (forgery); (h) section 368 (uttering, trafficking or possessing with intent forged document); (i) section 380 (fraud); and (j) section 403 (identity fraud). Jurisdiction (4) An accused who is charged with an offence under subsection (1) or (2) may be tried and punished by any court having jurisdiction to try that offence in the place where the offence is alleged to have been committed or in the place where the accused is found, is arrested or is in custody, but if the place where the accused is found, is arrested or is in custody is outside the province in which the offence is alleged to have been committed, no proceedings in respect of that offence shall be commenced in that place without the consent of the Attorney General of that province. Punishment (5) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. Identity fraud 403. (1) Everyone commits an offence who fraudulently personates any person, living or dead, (a) with intent to gain advantage for themself or another person; (b) with intent to obtain any property or an interest in any property; (c) with intent to cause disadvantage to the person being personated or another person; or (d) with intent to avoid arrest or prosecution, or to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice. Clarification (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), personating a person includes pretending to be the person or using the person’s identity information — whether by itself or in combination with identity information pertaining to any person — as if it pertains to the person using it. Punishment (3) Everyone who commits an offence under subsection (1) (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years; or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. 11. Subsection 738(1) of the Act is amended by striking out the word “and” at the end of paragraph (b), by adding the word “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by adding the following after paragraph (c): Clause 11: Relevant portion of subsection 738(1): 738. (1) Where an offender is convicted or discharged under section 730 of an offence, the court imposing sentence on or discharging the offender may, on application of the Attorney General or on its own motion, in addition to any other measure imposed on the offender, order that the offender make restitution to another person as follows: Article 11 : Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 738(1) : 738. (1) Lorsque le délinquant est condamné ou absous sous le régime de l’article 730, le tribunal qui inflige la peine ou prononce l’absolution peut, en plus de toute autre mesure, à la demande du procureur général ou d’office, lui ordonner : (d) in the case of an offence under section 402.2 or 403, by paying to any person who, as a result of the offence, incurs expenses to re-establish their identity, including expenses to replace their identity documents and to correct their credit history and credit rating, an amount not exceeding the amount of those expenses, to the extent that they are reasonable, if the amount is readily ascertainable. COORDINATING AMENDMENT Bill C-299 12. If Bill C-299, introduced in the 1st session of the 39th Parliament and entitled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (identification information obtained by fraud or false pretence), receives royal assent, then, on the first day on which both section 1 of that Act and section 10 of this Act are in force, (a) subsection 362(1) of the Criminal Code is amended by adding the word “or” at the end of paragraph (c) and by repealing paragraphs (e) and (f); (b) subsection 362(1.1) of that Act is repealed; and (c) subsection 362(3.1) of that Act is repealed. COMING INTO FORCE Order in council 13. The provisions of this Act, other than section 12, 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