Legislation

Criminal Code

• Quick Reference Guide To Child Sexual Exploitation Offences
• In 2002, the Criminal Code was strengthened to include provisions such as accessing child pornography on the Internet. The issue of child pornography is addressed specifically under s.163.1. For more information on PART V -- Sections 150-182 SEXUAL OFFENCES, PUBLIC MORALS AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT, please visit: http://www.efc.ca/pages/law/cc/cc.part-v.html.

Canada

• Government Response to the fourth report of the standing committee on access to information privacy and ethics
  In May 2007, the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics concluded its review of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. In its report, the committee presented 25 recommendations to the government. The government has taken full account of the committee’s report and its recommendations in considering what actions might be taken in relation to the Act and its implementation.
• Bill C-2, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act, realizes the commitment made by the Government of Canada in the October 2004 Speech from the Throne commitment to “crackdown on child pornography.” It also supports the Government’s ongoing commitment to better protect children and other vulnerable persons against exploitation and abuse. For more information, please visit
  www.parl.gc.ca/common/Bills_ls.asp?Parl=38&Ses=1&ls=C2
• As of February 2004 Bill C-12 was before Parliament. The Bill reached third reading debate and has since died on the order paper. The Bill recommended amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act. It dealt with a wide variety of issues, from creating new voyeurism offences, to child pornography, to further amplification on the issue of age of consent. For more information and access to the legislative summary, visit: http://www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo/.

International

To set up a base document regarding legislation of the member countries of the International Criminal Police Organization-Interpol on child sex abuse, Interpol asked member countries to provide a summary of the applicable legal texts regarding these offences.

The replies Interpol received are posted on its website, country by country, in one of the official Interpol languages (Arabic, English, French or Spanish).

To view the Legislation of Interpol member states on sexual offences against children, please visit: http://www.interpol.int/Public/Children/SexualAbuse/NationalLaws/Default.asp

Brief Overview of Key Cases in Canada
Canada has established responsive legislation to address the issue of child pornography. The following touches on two key cases.