Bill C-413: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial discretion)

C-413 First Session, Forty-first Parliament, 60-61 Elizabeth II, 2011-2012 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-413 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial discretion) first reading, April 3, 2012 Mr. Comartin 411348 SUMMARY This enactment amends the Criminal Code to allow the court, in exceptional circumstances, to impose a punishment that is less than the prescribed minimum punishment. Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca 1st Session, 41st Parliament, 60-61 Elizabeth II, 2011-2012 house of commons of canada BILL C-413 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (judicial discretion) R.S., c. C-46 Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: 1. Section 718.3 of the Criminal Code is amended by adding the following after subsection (2): Less than minimum punishment (2.1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, where an enactment prescribes a minimum punishment in respect of an offence, the punishment to be imposed shall be equal to or greater than the minimum punishment, unless the court that sentences the accused is satisfied that exceptional circumstances warrant the imposition of a punishment that is less than the prescribed minimum punishment. Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada