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Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46)

Full Document:  

Act current to 2024-02-20 and last amended on 2024-01-14. Previous Versions

PART XVSpecial Procedure and Powers (continued)

General Powers of Certain Officials (continued)

Marginal note:Destruction of preserved computer data and documents — preservation demand

  •  (1) A person to whom a preservation demand is made under section 487.012 shall destroy the computer data that would not be retained in the ordinary course of business and any document that is prepared for the purpose of preserving computer data under that section as soon as feasible after the demand expires or is revoked, unless they are subject to an order made under any of sections 487.013 to 487.017 with respect to the computer data.

  • Marginal note:Destruction of preserved computer data and documents — preservation order

    (2) A person who is subject to a preservation order made under section 487.013 shall destroy the computer data that would not be retained in the ordinary course of business and any document that is prepared for the purpose of preserving computer data under that section as soon as feasible after the order expires or is revoked, unless they are subject to a new preservation order or to a production order made under any of sections 487.014 to 487.017 with respect to the computer data.

  • Marginal note:Destruction of preserved computer data and documents — production order

    (3) A person who is subject to a production order made under any of sections 487.014 to 487.017 with respect to computer data that they preserved under a preservation demand or order made under section 487.012 or 487.013 shall destroy the computer data that would not be retained in the ordinary course of business and any document that is prepared for the purpose of preserving computer data under that section as soon as feasible after the earlier of

    • (a) the day on which the production order is revoked, and

    • (b) the day on which a document that contains the computer data is produced under the production order.

  • Marginal note:Destruction of preserved computer data and documents — warrant

    (4) Despite subsections (1) to (3), a person who preserved computer data under a preservation demand or order made under section 487.012 or 487.013 shall destroy the computer data that would not be retained in the ordinary course of business and any document that is prepared for the purpose of preserving computer data under that section when a document that contains the computer data is obtained under a warrant.

  • 2014, c. 31, s. 20

Marginal note:For greater certainty

  •  (1) For greater certainty, no preservation demand, preservation order or production order is necessary for a peace officer or public officer to ask a person to voluntarily preserve data that the person is not prohibited by law from preserving or to voluntarily provide a document to the officer that the person is not prohibited by law from disclosing.

  • Marginal note:No civil or criminal liability

    (2) A person who preserves data or provides a document in those circumstances does not incur any criminal or civil liability for doing so.

  • 2014, c. 31, s. 20

Marginal note:Self-incrimination

 No one is excused from complying with an order made under any of sections 487.014 to 487.018 on the ground that the document that they are required to produce may tend to incriminate them or subject them to a proceeding or penalty. However, no document that an individual is required to prepare may be used or received in evidence against them in a criminal proceeding that is subsequently instituted against them, other than a prosecution for an offence under section 132, 136 or 137.

  • 2014, c. 31, s. 20

Marginal note:Offence — preservation demand

 A person who contravenes a preservation demand made under section 487.012 without lawful excuse is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to a fine of not more than $5,000.

  • 2014, c. 31, s. 20

Marginal note:Offence — preservation or production order

 A person, financial institution or entity that contravenes an order made under any of sections 487.013 to 487.018 without lawful excuse is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine of not more than $250,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years less a day, or to both.

Marginal note:Offence — destruction of preserved data

 A person who contravenes section 487.0194 without lawful excuse is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • 2014, c. 31, s. 20

Marginal note:Assistance order

  •  (1) If an authorization is given under section 184.2, 186 or 188 or a warrant is issued under this Act, the judge or justice who gives the authorization or issues the warrant may order a person to provide assistance, if the person’s assistance may reasonably be considered to be required to give effect to the authorization or warrant. The order has effect throughout Canada.

  • Marginal note:Telecommunication

    (2) If the authorization is given or the warrant is issued by a means of telecommunication under section 184.3 or 487.1, the order to provide assistance may be issued by a means of telecommunication and, in that case, section 184.3 or 487.1, as the case may be, applies with respect to the order.

Marginal note:Review

  •  (1) Within seven years after the coming into force of this section, a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of sections 487.011 to 487.02 shall be undertaken by such committee of the House of Commons as may be designated or established by the House for that purpose.

  • Marginal note:Report

    (2) The committee referred to in subsection (1) shall, within a year after a review is undertaken pursuant to that subsection or within such further time as the House may authorize, submit a report on the review to the Speaker of the House, including a statement of any changes the committee recommends.

  • 2014, c. 31, s. 20

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 25, s. 196]

Forensic DNA Analysis

Marginal note:Definitions

 In this section and in sections 487.05 to 487.0911,

adult

adult has the meaning assigned by subsection 2(1) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act; (adulte)

designated offence

designated offence means a primary designated offence or a secondary designated offence; (infraction désignée)

DNA

DNA means deoxyribonucleic acid; (ADN)

forensic DNA analysis

forensic DNA analysis

  • (a) in relation to a bodily substance that is taken from a person in execution of a warrant under section 487.05, means forensic DNA analysis of the bodily substance and the comparison of the results of that analysis with the results of the analysis of the DNA in the bodily substance referred to in paragraph 487.05(1)(b), and includes any incidental tests associated with that analysis, and

  • (b) in relation to a bodily substance that is provided voluntarily in the course of an investigation of a designated offence or is taken from a person under an order made under section 487.051 or an authorization granted under section 487.055 or 487.091, or to a bodily substance referred to in paragraph 487.05(1)(b), means forensic DNA analysis of the bodily substance; (analyse génétique)

primary designated offence

primary designated offence means

  • (a) an offence under any of the following provisions, namely,

    • (i) subsection 7(4.1) (offence in relation to sexual offences against children),

    • (i.1) section 151 (sexual interference),

    • (i.2) section 152 (invitation to sexual touching),

    • (i.3) section 153 (sexual exploitation),

    • (i.4) section 153.1 (sexual exploitation of person with disability),

    • (i.5) section 155 (incest),

    • (i.6) subsection 160(2) (compelling the commission of bestiality),

    • (i.7) subsection 160(3) (bestiality in presence of or by a child),

    • (i.8) section 163.1 (child pornography),

    • (i.9) section 170 (parent or guardian procuring sexual activity),

    • (i.901) section 171.1 (making sexually explicit material available to child),

    • (i.91) section 172.1 (luring a child),

    • (i.911) section 172.2 (agreement or arrangement — sexual offence against child),

    • (i.92) subsection 173(2) (exposure),

    • (i.93) to (i.96) [Repealed, 2014, c. 25, s. 23]

    • (ii) section 235 (murder),

    • (iii) section 236 (manslaughter),

    • (iv) section 239 (attempt to commit murder),

    • (v) section 244 (discharging firearm with intent),

    • (vi) section 244.1 (causing bodily harm with intent — air gun or pistol),

    • (vi.1) section 244.2 (discharging firearm — recklessness),

    • (vii) paragraph 245(a) (administering noxious thing with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm),

    • (viii) section 246 (overcoming resistance to commission of offence),

    • (ix) section 267 (assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm),

    • (x) section 268 (aggravated assault),

    • (xi) section 269 (unlawfully causing bodily harm),

    • (xi.1) section 270.01 (assaulting peace officer with weapon or causing bodily harm),

    • (xi.2) section 270.02 (aggravated assault of peace officer),

    • (xi.3) section 271 (sexual assault),

    • (xii) section 272 (sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm),

    • (xiii) section 273 (aggravated sexual assault),

    • (xiii.1) subsection 273.3(2) (removal of a child from Canada),

    • (xiv) section 279 (kidnapping),

    • (xiv.1) section 279.011 (trafficking — person under 18 years),

    • (xiv.2) subsection 279.02(2) (material benefit — trafficking of person under 18 years),

    • (xiv.3) subsection 279.03(2) (withholding or destroying documents — trafficking of person under 18 years),

    • (xiv.4) subsection 286.1(2) (obtaining sexual services for consideration from person under 18 years),

    • (xiv.5) subsection 286.2(2) (material benefit from sexual services provided by person under 18 years),

    • (xiv.6) subsection 286.3(2) (procuring — person under 18 years),

    • (xv) section 344 (robbery), and

    • (xvi) section 346 (extortion),

  • (a.1) an offence under any of the following provisions, namely,

    • (i) section 75 (piratical acts),

    • (i.01) section 76 (hijacking),

    • (i.02) section 77 (endangering safety of aircraft or airport),

    • (i.03) section 78.1 (seizing control of ship or fixed platform),

    • (i.04) subsection 81(1) (using explosives),

    • (i.041) section 82.3 (possession, etc., of nuclear material, radioactive material or device),

    • (i.042) section 82.4 (use or alteration of nuclear material, radioactive material or device),

    • (i.043) section 82.5 (commission of indictable offence to obtain nuclear material, etc.),

    • (i.044) section 82.6 (threats),

    • (i.05) section 83.18 (participation in activity of terrorist group),

    • (i.051) section 83.181 (leaving Canada to participate in activity of terrorist group),

    • (i.06) section 83.19 (facilitating terrorist activity),

    • (i.061) section 83.191 (leaving Canada to facilitate terrorist activity),

    • (i.07) section 83.2 (commission of offence for terrorist group),

    • (i.071) section 83.201 (leaving Canada to commit offence for terrorist group,

    • (i.072) section 83.202 (leaving Canada to commit offence that is terrorist activity),

    • (i.08) section 83.21 (instructing to carry out activity for terrorist group),

    • (i.09) section 83.22 (instructing to carry out terrorist activity),

    • (i.091) section 83.221 (counselling commission of terrorism offence),

    • (i.1) section 83.23 (harbouring or concealing),

    • (i.11) to (iii.1) [Repealed, 2010, c. 17, s. 3]

    • (iv) [Repealed, 2014, c. 25, s. 23]

    • (iv.1) to (iv.5) [Repealed, 2010, c. 17, s. 3]

    • (v) [Repealed, 2014, c. 25, s. 23]

    • (v.1) and (v.2) [Repealed, 2010, c. 17, s. 3]

    • (vi) section 233 (infanticide),

    • (vii) [Repealed, 2010, c. 17, s. 3]

    • (vii.1) section 279.01 (trafficking in persons),

    • (vii.11) subsection 279.02(1) (material benefit — trafficking),

    • (vii.12) subsection 279.03(1) (withholding or destroying documents — trafficking),

    • (viii) section 279.1 (hostage taking),

    • (viii.1) subsection 286.2(1) (material benefit from sexual services),

    • (viii.2) subsection 286.3(1) (procuring),

    • (ix) paragraph 348(1)(d) (breaking and entering a dwelling-house),

    • (x) section 423.1 (intimidation of a justice system participant or journalist),

    • (xi) section 431 (attack on premises, residence or transport of internationally protected person),

    • (xii) section 431.1 (attack on premises, accommodation or transport of United Nations or associated personnel),

    • (xiii) subsection 431.2(2) (explosive or other lethal device),

    • (xiv) section 467.11 (participation in activities of criminal organization),

    • (xiv.1) section 467.111 (recruitment of members — criminal organization),

    • (xv) section 467.12 (commission of offence for criminal organization), and

    • (xvi) section 467.13 (instructing commission of offence for criminal organization),

    • (xvi.1) to (xx) [Repealed, 2005, c. 25, s. 1]

  • (b) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code, chapter C-34 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1970, as they read from time to time before January 4, 1983, namely,

    • (i) section 144 (rape),

    • (i.1) section 145 (attempt to commit rape),

    • (ii) section 146 (sexual intercourse with female under fourteen and between fourteen and sixteen),

    • (iii) section 148 (sexual intercourse with feeble-minded, etc.),

    • (iv) section 149 (indecent assault on female),

    • (v) section 156 (indecent assault on male),

    • (vi) section 157 (acts of gross indecency), and

    • (vii) subsection 246(1) (assault with intent) if the intent is to commit an offence referred to in subparagraphs (i) to (vi),

  • (c) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code, chapter C-34 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1970, as they read from time to time before January 1, 1988:

    • (i) subsection 146(1) (sexual intercourse with a female under age of 14),

    • (ii) subsection 146(2) (sexual intercourse with a female between ages of 14 and 16),

    • (iii) section 153 (sexual intercourse with step-daughter),

    • (iv) section 157 (gross indecency),

    • (v) section 166 (parent or guardian procuring defilement), and

    • (vi) section 167 (householder permitting defilement),

  • (c.01) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code, chapter C-34 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1970, as enacted by section 19 of An Act to amend the Criminal Code in relation to sexual offences and other offences against the person and to amend certain other Acts in relation thereto or in consequence thereof, chapter 125 of the Statutes of Canada, 1980-81-82-83:

    • (i) section 246.1 (sexual assault),

    • (ii) section 246.2 (sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm), and

    • (iii) section 246.3 (aggravated sexual assault),

  • (c.02) an offence under any of the following provisions of this Act, as they read from time to time before the day on which this paragraph comes into force:

    • (i) paragraph 212(1)(i) (stupefying or overpowering for the purpose of sexual intercourse),

    • (ii) subsection 212(2) (living on the avails of prostitution of person under 18 years),

    • (iii) subsection 212(2.1) (aggravated offence in relation to living on the avails of prostitution of person under 18 years), and

    • (iv) subsection 212(4) (prostitution of person under 18 years),

  • (c.03) an offence under any of paragraphs 212(1)(a) to (h) (procuring) of this Act, as they read from time to time before the day on which this paragraph comes into force,

  • (c.1) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Security of Information Act, namely,

    • (i) section 6 (approaching, entering, etc., a prohibited place),

    • (ii) subsection 20(1) (threats or violence), and

    • (iii) subsection 21(1) (harbouring or concealing), and

  • (d) an attempt to commit or, other than for the purposes of subsection 487.05(1), a conspiracy to commit an offence referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (c.03); (infraction primaire)

provincial court judge

provincial court judge, in relation to a young person, includes a youth justice court judge within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act; (juge de la cour provinciale)

secondary designated offence

secondary designated offence means an offence, other than a primary designated offence, that is

  • (a) an offence under this Act that may be prosecuted by indictment — or, for section 487.051 to apply, is prosecuted by indictment — for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more,

  • (a.1) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Cannabis Act that may be prosecuted by indictment — or, for section 487.051 to apply, is prosecuted by indictment — for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more:

    • (i) section 9 (distribution and possession for purpose of distributing),

    • (ii) section 10 (selling and possession for purpose of selling),

    • (iii) section 11 (importing and exporting and possession for purpose of exporting),

    • (iv) section 12 (production),

    • (v) section 13 (possession, etc., for use in production or distribution of illicit cannabis), and

    • (vi) section 14 (use of young person),

  • (b) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that may be prosecuted by indictment — or, for section 487.051 to apply, is prosecuted by indictment — for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more:

    • (i) section 5 (trafficking in substance and possession for purpose of trafficking),

    • (ii) section 6 (importing and exporting), and

    • (iii) section 7 (production of substance),

  • (c) an offence under any of the following provisions of this Act:

    • (i) subsection 52(1) (sabotage),

    • (i.001) subsection 57(3) (possession of a forged passport),

    • (i.002) section 62 (offences in relation to military forces),

    • (i.003) subsection 65(2) (riot — concealing identity),

    • (i.004) subsection 70(3) (contravening order made by governor in council),

    • (i.005) subsection 82(1) (explosives, possession without lawful excuse),

    • (i.006) subsection 121(1) (frauds on the government),

    • (i.007) subsection 121(2) (contractor subscribing to election fund),

    • (i.008) section 122 (breach of trust by public officer),

    • (i.009) subsection 123(1) (municipal corruption),

    • (i.01) subsection 123(2) (influencing municipal official),

    • (i.011) section 124 (selling or purchasing office),

    • (i.012) section 125 (influencing or negotiating appointments or dealings in offices),

    • (i.013) subsection 139(2) (obstructing justice),

    • (i.014) section 142 (corruptly taking reward for recovery of goods),

    • (i.015) section 144 (prison breach),

    • (i.016) section 145 (escape and being at large without excuse),

    • (i.1) section 146 (permitting or assisting escape),

    • (i.2) section 147 (rescue or permitting escape),

    • (i.3) section 148 (assisting prisoner of war to escape),

    • (i.4) and (ii) [Repealed, 2010, c. 17, s. 3]

    • (iii) subsection 173(1) (indecent acts),

    • (iv) section 182 (dead body — neglect to perform duty, improper or indecent interference with),

    • (iv.1) section 184 (interception of private communication),

    • (iv.2) section 184.5 (interception of radio-based telephone communications),

    • (iv.3) section 221 (cause bodily harm by criminal negligence),

    • (iv.4) [Repealed, 2022, c. 17, s. 19]

    • (iv.5) section 242 (neglect to obtain assistance in child-birth),

    • (iv.6) subsection 247(1) (traps likely to cause bodily harm),

    • (iv.7) subsection 247(2) (traps — causing bodily harm),

    • (iv.8) subsection 247(3) (traps — in a place kept or used for committing other indictable offence),

    • (iv.9) section 262 (impeding attempt to save life),

    • (v) section 264 (criminal harassment),

    • (vi) section 264.1 (uttering threats),

    • (vii) section 266 (assault),

    • (viii) section 270 (assaulting a peace officer),

    • (viii.01) section 280 (abduction of person under 16),

    • (viii.02) section 281 (abduction of person under 14),

    • (viii.1) subsection 286.1(1) (obtaining sexual services for consideration),

    • (viii.11) section 291 (bigamy),

    • (viii.12) section 292 (procuring feigned marriage),

    • (viii.13) section 293 (polygamy),

    • (viii.14) section 293.1 (forced marriage),

    • (viii.15) section 293.2 (marriage under age of 16 years),

    • (viii.16) section 300 (publishing defamatory libel known to be false),

    • (viii.17) section 302 (extortion by libel),

    • (viii.2) subsection 320.16(1) (failure to stop after accident),

    • (viii.21) paragraph 334(a) (theft over $5,000 or testamentary instrument),

    • (viii.22) section 338 (fraudulently taking cattle or defacing brand),

    • (viii.23) subsection 339(1) (take possession of drift timber, etc.),

    • (viii.24) section 340 (destroying documents of title),

    • (ix) paragraph 348(1)(e) (breaking and entering a place other than a dwelling-house),

    • (x) section 349 (being unlawfully in dwelling-house),

    • (x.1) subsection 351(2) (disguise with intent),

    • (x.11) paragraph 355(a) (possession of property over $5,000 or testamentary instrument),

    • (x.12) section 357 (bring into Canada property obtained by crime),

    • (x.13) paragraph 362(2)(a) (false pretence, property over $5,000 or testamentary instrument),

    • (x.14) subsection 362(3) (obtain credit, etc. by false pretence),

    • (x.15) section 363 (obtain execution of valuable security by fraud),

    • (x.16) subsection 377(1) (damaging documents),

    • (x.17) section 378 (offences in relation to registers),

    • (x.18) section 382 (manipulation of stock exchange),

    • (x.19) subsection 382.1(1) (prohibited insider trading),

    • (x.2) section 383 (gaming in stocks or merchandise),

    • (x.21) section 384 (broker reducing stock by selling his own account),

    • (x.22) section 386 (fraudulent registration of title),

    • (x.23) section 394 (fraud in relation to minerals),

    • (x.24) section 394.1 (possession of stolen minerals),

    • (x.25) section 396 (offences in relation to mines),

    • (x.26) section 397 (falsification of books and documents),

    • (x.27) section 399 (false return by public officer),

    • (x.28) section 400 (false prospectus),

    • (x.29) section 405 (acknowledging instrument in false name),

    • (xi) section 423 (intimidation),

    • (xi.01) subsection 423.2(1) (intimidation — health services),

    • (xi.1) section 424 (threat against an internationally protected person),

    • (xi.11) section 424.1 (threat against United Nations or associated personnel),

    • (xi.12) section 426 (secret commissions),

    • (xi.13) section 435 (arson for fraudulent purpose),

    • (xi.14) section 436 (arson by negligence),

    • (xi.15) section 436.1 (possession incendiary material),

    • (xi.16) subsection 438(1) (interfering with saving of a wrecked vessel),

    • (xi.17) subsection 439(2) (interfering with a marine signal),

    • (xi.18) section 441 (occupant injuring building),

    • (xi.19) section 443 (interfering with international boundary marks, etc.),

    • (xi.2) section 451 (having clippings, etc.),

    • (xi.21) section 460 (advertising and dealing in counterfeit money),

    • (xi.22) subparagraphs 465(1)(b)(i) and (ii) (conspiracy to prosecute),

    • (xi.23) section 753.3 (breach of long-term supervision),

  • (d) an offence under any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code, as they read from time to time before July 1, 1990:

    • (i) section 433 (arson), and

    • (ii) section 434 (setting fire to other substance),

  • (d.1) an offence under section 252, as it read from time to time before the day on which section 14 of An Act to amend the Criminal Code (offences relating to conveyances) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts comes into force,

  • (d.2) an offence under any of sections 249, 249.1, 249.2, 249.3, 249.4, 253, 254 and 255, as they read from time to time before the day on which section 14 of An Act to amend the Criminal Code (offences relating to conveyances) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts comes into force, that may be prosecuted by indictment or, for section 487.051 to apply, is prosecuted by indictment, and

  • (e) an attempt to commit or, other than for the purposes of subsection 487.05(1), a conspiracy to commit

    • (i) an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) — which, for section 487.051 to apply, is prosecuted by indictment, or

    • (ii) an offence referred to in any of paragraphs (c) to (d.2); (infraction secondaire)

Young Offenders Act

Young Offenders Act means chapter Y-1 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985; (Loi sur les jeunes contrevenants)

young person

young person has the meaning assigned by subsection 2(1) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act or subsection 2(1) of the Young Offenders Act, as the case may be. (adolescent)

  • 1995, c. 27, s. 1
  • 1998, c. 37, s. 15
  • 2001, c. 41, s. 17
  • 2002, c. 1, s. 175
  • 2005, c. 25, s. 1, c. 43, ss. 5, 9
  • 2007, c. 22, ss. 2, 8, 47
  • 2008, c. 6, ss. 35, 63
  • 2009, c. 22, s. 16
  • 2010, c. 3, s. 6, c. 17, s. 3
  • 2012, c. 1, s. 30
  • 2013, c. 9, s. 16, c. 13, s. 8
  • 2014, c. 17, s. 13, c. 25, s. 23
  • 2015, c. 20, s. 23
  • 2018, c. 16, s. 216, c. 21, s. 18
  • 2019, c. 13, s. 152
  • 2019, c. 25, s. 196.1
  • 2021, c. 27, s. 3
  • 2022, c. 17, s. 19
 

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