44th Parliament · Session 1
Bill C-5: An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Introduced
December 7, 2021
Current Stage
RoyalAssentGiven
Last Updated
November 17, 2022
Sponsor
David Lametti
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63% Support
329 MPs
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Bill C-5
Thu Nov 17 2022
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
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Votes on this bill
Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (recommittal to a committee)
Wed Jun 15 2022
Yeas: 117
Nays: 209
Total: 332
3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Wed Jun 15 2022
Yeas: 206
Nays: 117
Total: 329
Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Mon Jun 13 2022
Yeas: 210
Nays: 116
Total: 330
Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (report stage amendment)
Mon Jun 13 2022
Yeas: 114
Nays: 212
Total: 330
Time allocation for Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Thu Jun 09 2022
Yeas: 170
Nays: 140
Total: 322
2nd reading of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Thu Mar 31 2022
Yeas: 212
Nays: 118
Total: 330
Time allocation for Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Wed Mar 30 2022
Yeas: 183
Nays: 150
Total: 333
Sponsor
Member of Parliament
House of Commons
First reading
Completed on December 7, 2021
Second reading
Completed on March 31, 2022
Consideration in committee
Completed on May 30, 2022
Report stage
Completed on June 13, 2022
Third reading
Completed on June 15, 2022
Senate
First reading
Completed on June 16, 2022
Second reading
Completed on June 22, 2022
Consideration in committee
Completed on November 1, 2022
Third reading
Completed on November 17, 2022
Royal Assent
Royal assent
Completed on November 17, 2022
Bill Text Versions
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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.
Full Text
R.S., c. C- 46 Criminal Code 2008, c. 6, s. 2 1 The portion of subsection 84(5) of the Criminal Code before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following: 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: 1995, c. 39, s. 139; 2008, c. 6, s. 3(2) 2 Subsection 85(3) of the Act is replaced by the following: 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. 1995, c. 39, s. 139 3 Subsection 92(3) of the Act is replaced by the following: 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. 2008, c. 6, s. 8(2) 4 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 1995, c. 39, s. 139 5 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 2008, c. 6, s. 10 6 Subsection 99(3) of the Act is replaced by the following: 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. 2008, c. 6, s. 11 7 Subsection 100(3) of the Act is replaced by the following: 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. 2008, c. 6, s. 12 8 Subsection 103(2.1) of the Act is replaced by the following: 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. 2014, c. 23, s. 3; 2019, c. 25, s. 34(F) 9 (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 2014, c. 23, s. 3 (2) Subsection 121.1(5) of the Act is repealed. 2008, c. 6, s. 17 10 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. 2009, c. 22, s. 8 11 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. 2008, c. 6, s. 32(1) 12 Paragraph 344(1)(a.1) of the Act is repealed. 2008, c. 6, s. 33(1) 13 Paragraph 346(1.1)(a.1) of the Act is repealed. 2012, c. 1, s. 34 14 (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 2012, c. 1, s. 34 (2) Paragraphs 742.1(e) and (f) of the Act are repealed. 1996, c. 19 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act 2012, c. 1, s. 39(1); 2017, c. 7, s. 3(2)(F); 2018, c. 16, s. 196(1) 15 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; 2012, c. 1, s. 40 16 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; 2012, c. 1, s. 41(1); 2018, c. 16, s. 197(1) 17 (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; 2012, c. 1, s. 41(2); 2018, c. 16, s. 197(3) (2) Subsection 7(3) of the Act is repealed. 2012, c. 1, s. 42 18 Section 8 of the Act and the heading before it are repealed. 2017, c. 7, s. 7(1)(F) 19 (1) The portion of subsection 10(2) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following: 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 2012, c. 1, s. 43(2) (2) Subsection 10(5) of the Act is repealed. 20 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 10: PART I. 1 Evidence-based Diversion Measures Principles 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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 Review by committee 21 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.
Version History
December 4, 2022 at 04:12 AM
Doc ID: 12072269
Votes on this bill
Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (recommittal to a committee)
Wed Jun 15 2022
Yeas: 117
Nays: 209
Total: 332
3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Wed Jun 15 2022
Yeas: 206
Nays: 117
Total: 329
Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Mon Jun 13 2022
Yeas: 210
Nays: 116
Total: 330
Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (report stage amendment)
Mon Jun 13 2022
Yeas: 114
Nays: 212
Total: 330
Time allocation for Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Thu Jun 09 2022
Yeas: 170
Nays: 140
Total: 322
2nd reading of Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Thu Mar 31 2022
Yeas: 212
Nays: 118
Total: 330
Time allocation for Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Wed Mar 30 2022
Yeas: 183
Nays: 150
Total: 333
First reading
Dec 7, 2021
Second reading
Mar 31, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
(JUST)
Consideration in committee
May 30, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights
(JUST)
Report stage
Jun 13, 2022
Third reading
Jun 15, 2022
First reading
Jun 16, 2022
Second reading
Jun 22, 2022
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
(LCJC)
Consideration in committee
Nov 1, 2022
Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
(LCJC)
Third reading
Nov 17, 2022
Royal Assent
Royal assent
Nov 17, 2022, 8:00 PM
Royal Assent Details
Royal assent
Nov 17, 2022, 8:00 PM
The bill has received Royal Assent and has become law. It will come into force according to the provisions specified in the Act.
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