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National Defence Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. N-5)

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Act current to 2024-02-20 and last amended on 2022-06-20. Previous Versions

National Defence Act

R.S.C., 1985, c. N-5

An Act respecting national defence

Short Title

Marginal note:Short title

 This Act may be cited as the National Defence Act.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 1

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

  •  (1) In this Act,

    aircraft

    aircraft means flying machines and guided missiles that derive their lift in flight chiefly from aerodynamic forces, and flying devices that are supported chiefly by their buoyancy in air, and includes any aeroplane, balloon, kite balloon, airship, glider or kite; (aéronef)

    aircraft material

    aircraft material means engines, fittings, armament, ammunition, bombs, missiles, gear, instruments and apparatus, used or intended for use in connection with aircraft or the operation thereof, and components and accessories of aircraft and substances used to provide motive power or lubrication for or in connection with aircraft or the operation thereof; (matériel aéronautique)

    civil court

    civil court means a court of ordinary criminal jurisdiction in Canada and includes a court of summary jurisdiction; (tribunal civil)

    civil custody

    civil custody means the holding under arrest or in confinement of a person by the police or other competent civil authority, and includes confinement in a penitentiary or civil prison; (garde civile)

    civil prison

    civil prison means any prison, jail or other place in Canada in which offenders sentenced by a civil court in Canada to imprisonment for less than two years can be confined, and, if sentenced outside Canada, any prison, jail or other place in which a person, sentenced to that term of imprisonment by a civil court having jurisdiction in the place where the sentence was passed, can for the time being be confined; (prison civile)

    Code of Service Discipline

    Code of Service Discipline means the provisions of Part III; (code de discipline militaire)

    court martial

    court martial includes a General Court Martial and a Standing Court Martial; (cour martiale)

    Court Martial Appeal Court

    Court Martial Appeal Court means the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada established by section 234; (Cour d’appel de la cour martiale)

    criminal organization

    criminal organization has the same meaning as in subsection 467.1(1) of the Criminal Code; (organisation criminelle)

    criminal organization offence

    criminal organization offence means

    • (a) an offence under section 467.11, 467.111, 467.12 or 467.13 of the Criminal Code, or a serious offence committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organization, or

    • (b) a conspiracy or an attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence referred to in paragraph (a); (infraction d’organisation criminelle)

    defence establishment

    defence establishment means any area or structure under the control of the Minister, and the materiel and other things situated in or on any such area or structure; (établissement de défense)

    Department

    Department means the Department of National Defence; (ministère)

    Deputy Minister

    Deputy Minister means the Deputy Minister of National Defence; (sous-ministre)

    detention barrack

    detention barrack means a place designated as such under subsection 205(1); (caserne disciplinaire)

    emergency

    emergency means an insurrection, riot, invasion, armed conflict or war, whether real or apprehended; (état d’urgence)

    enemy

    enemy includes armed mutineers, armed rebels, armed rioters and pirates; (ennemi)

    enrol

    enrol means to cause any person to become a member of the Canadian Forces; (Version anglaise seulement)

    finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder

    finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder means a finding made under subsection 202.14(1); (verdict de non-responsabilité pour cause de troubles mentaux)

    Grievance Board

    Grievance Board[Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 2]

    Grievances Committee

    Grievances Committee means the Military Grievances External Review Committee continued by subsection 29.16(1); (Comité des griefs)

    Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship

    Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship means any vessel of the Canadian Forces commissioned as a vessel of war; (navire canadien de Sa Majesté)

    Her Majesty’s Forces

    Her Majesty’s Forces means the armed forces of Her Majesty wherever raised, and includes the Canadian Forces; (forces de Sa Majesté)

    man

    man[Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 42]

    materiel

    materiel means all public property, other than real property, immovables and money, provided for the Canadian Forces or for any other purpose under this Act, and includes any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, animal, missile, arms, ammunition, clothing, stores, provisions or equipment so provided; (matériels)

    mental disorder

    mental disorder means a disease of the mind; (troubles mentaux)

    military

    military shall be construed as relating to all or any part of the Canadian Forces; (militaire)

    military judge

    military judge includes a reserve force military judge; (juge militaire)

    military justice

    military justice means all aspects of the application of the Code of Service Discipline; (justice militaire)

    military justice system participant

    military justice system participant means a person who plays a role in the administration of military justice, including

    • (a) the Minister,

    • (b) the Judge Advocate General,

    • (c) an officer and non-commissioned member who acts under the supervision of the Judge Advocate General,

    • (d) a prosecutor and counsel for an accused person,

    • (e) a military judge,

    • (f) a superior commander, a commanding officer and a delegated officer, as defined in section 162.3,

    • (g) a custody review officer, as defined in section 153,

    • (h) a member of a panel of a General Court Martial and an officer and non-commissioned member who has been appointed to be a member of a such a panel,

    • (i) an officer and non-commissioned member who is appointed by a commanding officer for the purpose of supporting a court martial,

    • (j) an officer and non-commissioned member who is authorized to lay or refer a charge,

    • (k) a prospective witness, a witness who has been summoned to appear and a witness who has testified,

    • (l) an officer and non-commissioned member referred to in paragraph (g) of the definition peace officer in section 2 of the Criminal Code,

    • (m) a commanding officer of a service prison or detention barrack and a person who acts under the supervision of such a commanding officer, and

    • (n) a person who acts under the supervision of the Chief Military Judge or the Court Martial Administrator; (personne associée au système de justice militaire)

    military police

    military police means the officers and non-commissioned members appointed under regulations made for the purposes of section 156; (police militaire)

    Minister

    Minister means the Minister of National Defence; (ministre)

    mutiny

    mutiny means collective insubordination or a combination of two or more persons in the resistance of lawful authority in any of Her Majesty’s Forces or in any forces cooperating therewith; (mutinerie)

    non-commissioned member

    non-commissioned member means any person, other than an officer, who is enrolled in, or who pursuant to law is attached or seconded otherwise than as an officer to, the Canadian Forces; (militaire du rang)

    non-public property

    non-public property means

    • (a) all money and property, other than issues of materiel, received for or administered by or through messes, institutes or canteens of the Canadian Forces,

    • (b) all money and property contributed to or by officers, non-commissioned members, units or other elements of the Canadian Forces for the collective benefit and welfare of those officers, non-commissioned members, units or other elements,

    • (c) by-products and refuse and the proceeds of the sale thereof to the extent prescribed under subsection 39(2), and

    • (d) all money and property derived from, purchased out of the proceeds of the sale of, or received in exchange for, money and property described in paragraphs (a) to (c); (biens non publics)

    officer

    officer means

    • (a) a person who holds Her Majesty’s commission in the Canadian Forces,

    • (b) a person who holds the rank of officer cadet in the Canadian Forces, and

    • (c) any person who pursuant to law is attached or seconded as an officer to the Canadian Forces; (officier)

    penitentiary

    penitentiary

    • (a) means a penitentiary established under Part I of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act,

    • (b) includes, in respect of any punishment of imprisonment for life or for two years or more imposed outside Canada pursuant to the Code of Service Discipline, any prison or place in which a person sentenced to imprisonment for life or for two years or more by a civil court having jurisdiction in the place where the sentence is imposed can for the time being be confined, and

    • (c) means, in any place outside Canada where there is no prison or place for the confinement of persons sentenced to imprisonment for life or for two years or more, a civil prison; (pénitencier)

    personal equipment

    personal equipment means all materiel issued to an officer or non-commissioned member for the personal wear or other personal use of that officer or non-commissioned member; (équipement personnel)

    possession

    possession[Repealed, 1995, c. 39, s. 175]

    Provost Marshal

    Provost Marshal[Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 2]

    public property

    public property means all money and property of Her Majesty in right of Canada; (biens publics)

    regular force

    regular force means the component of the Canadian Forces that is referred to in subsection 15(1); (force régulière)

    release

    release means the termination of the service of an officer or non-commissioned member in any manner; (libération)

    reserve force

    reserve force means the component of the Canadian Forces that is referred to in subsection 15(3); (force de réserve)

    scale of punishments

    scale of punishments means the scale of punishments as set out in subsection 139(1); (échelle des peines)

    serious offence

    serious offence means an offence under this Act or an indictable offence under any other Act of Parliament, for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more, or an offence that is prescribed by regulation under subsection 467.1(4) of the Criminal Code; (infraction grave)

    serious personal injury offence

    serious personal injury offence means

    • (a) a serious offence, or an offence referred to in section 77, 86, 87, 92, 95, 113, 120, 124 or 127, involving

      • (i) the use or attempted use of violence against another person, or

      • (ii) conduct endangering or likely to endanger the life or safety of another person or inflicting or likely to inflict severe psychological damage upon another person, or

    • (b) an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under section 151, 152, 153, 153.1, 155, 160, 170, 171, 172, 271, 272 or 273 of the Criminal Code, or an attempt to commit such an offence; (infraction grave contre la personne)

    service convict

    service convict means a person who is under a sentence that includes a punishment of imprisonment for life or for two years or more imposed on that person pursuant to the Code of Service Discipline; (condamné militaire)

    service custody

    service custody means the holding under arrest or in confinement of a person by the Canadian Forces, and includes confinement in a service prison or detention barrack; (garde militaire)

    service detainee

    service detainee means a person who is under a sentence that includes a punishment of detention imposed on that person pursuant to the Code of Service Discipline; (détenu militaire)

    service infraction

    service infraction means a service infraction created by regulations made by the Governor in Council; (manquement d’ordre militaire)

    service offence

    service offence means an offence under this Act, the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament, committed by a person while subject to the Code of Service Discipline; (infraction d’ordre militaire)

    service prison

    service prison means a place designated as such under subsection 205(1); (prison militaire)

    service prisoner

    service prisoner means a person who is under a sentence that includes a punishment of imprisonment for less than two years imposed on that person pursuant to the Code of Service Discipline; (prisonnier militaire)

    service tribunal

    service tribunal[Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 2]

    special force

    special force means such component of the Canadian Forces as may be established pursuant to subsection 16(1); (force spéciale)

    summary hearing

    summary hearing means a hearing conducted under section 163; (audience sommaire)

    summary trial

    summary trial[Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 2]

    superior officer

    superior officer means any officer or non-commissioned member who, in relation to any other officer or non-commissioned member, is by this Act, or by regulations or custom of the service, authorized to give a lawful command to that other officer or non-commissioned member; (supérieur)

    terrorism offence

    terrorism offence means

    • (a) an offence under any of sections 83.02 to 83.04 or 83.18 to 83.23 of the Criminal Code,

    • (b) an offence under this Act for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more, or an offence punishable under section 130 that is an indictable offence under the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament, that is committed for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a terrorist group,

    • (c) an offence under this Act for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more, or an offence punishable under section 130 that is an indictable offence under the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament, where the act or omission constituting the offence also constitutes a terrorist activity, or

    • (d) a conspiracy or an attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c); (infraction de terrorisme)

    terrorist activity

    terrorist activity has the same meaning as in subsection 83.01(1) of the Criminal Code; (activité terroriste)

    terrorist group

    terrorist group has the same meaning as in subsection 83.01(1) of the Criminal Code; (groupe terroriste)

    unfit to stand trial

    unfit to stand trial means unable on account of mental disorder to conduct a defence at any stage of a trial by court martial before a finding is made or to instruct counsel to do so, and in particular, unable on account of mental disorder to

    • (a) understand the nature or object of the proceedings,

    • (b) understand the possible consequences of the proceedings, or

    • (c) communicate with counsel; (inaptitude à subir son procès)

    unit

    unit means an individual body of the Canadian Forces that is organized as such pursuant to section 17, with the personnel and materiel thereof; (unité)

    victim

    victim means a person against whom a service offence has been committed, or is alleged to have been committed, who has suffered, or is alleged to have suffered, physical or emotional harm, property damage or economic loss as a result of the commission or alleged commission of the offence and includes, for the purposes of Division 1.1 of Part III and sections 202.201, 203.6 and 203.7, a person who has suffered physical or emotional harm, property damage or economic loss as a result of the commission of a service offence against any other person. (victime)

  • Marginal note:Acting on victim’s behalf

    (1.1) Any of the following individuals may exercise a victim’s rights under Division 1.1 of Part III or may act on a victim’s behalf for the purposes of sections 189.1, 202.201, 203.6, 203.7 and 203.81:

    • (a) if the victim is dead or is incapable, other than for operational reasons, of acting on their own behalf,

      • (i) the victim’s spouse or the individual who was at the time of the victim’s death their spouse,

      • (ii) the individual who is, or was at the time of the victim’s death, cohabiting with them in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year,

      • (iii) a relative or dependant of the victim,

      • (iv) an individual who has in law or fact custody of, or is responsible for the care or support of, the victim, and

      • (v) an individual who has in law or fact custody of, or is responsible for the care or support of, a dependant of the victim; and

    • (b) if, for operational reasons, the victim is unable to act on their own behalf and has requested the appointment of a member of the Canadian Forces to act on their behalf, a member appointed by the Chief of the Defence Staff or any officer authorized by the Chief of Defence Staff.

  • Marginal note:Exception — not a victim

    (1.2) An individual is not a victim in relation to a service offence, or entitled to exercise a victim’s rights under Division 1.1 of Part III, if the individual is charged with the offence, found guilty of the offence or found unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder in respect of the offence.

  • Marginal note:Exception — acting on victim’s behalf

    (1.3) An individual is not entitled to act on a victim’s behalf for the purposes of sections 189.1, 202.201, 203.6, 203.7 and 203.81 if the individual is an accused person in relation to the offence or alleged offence that resulted in the victim suffering harm or loss or is an individual who is found guilty of that offence or who is found not responsible on account of mental disorder or unfit to stand trial in respect of that offence.

  • Marginal note:Meaning of possession

    (2) For the purposes of the Code of Service Discipline and Part VII,

    • (a) a person has anything in possession when the person has it in the person’s personal possession or knowingly

      • (i) has it in the actual possession or custody of another person, or

      • (ii) has it in any place, whether or not that place belongs to or is occupied by the person, for the use or benefit of the person or of another person; and

    • (b) where one of two or more persons, with the knowledge and consent of the rest, has anything in the person’s custody or possession, it shall be deemed to be in the custody and possession of each and all of them.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 2
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), ss. 42, 60
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 11
  • 1992, c. 20, s. 216
  • 1993, c. 34, s. 91(F)
  • 1995, c. 39, s. 175
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 1
  • 2001, c. 32, s. 67, c. 41, s. 97
  • 2004, c. 15, s. 74
  • 2007, c. 5, s. 1
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 1
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 2
  • 2014, c. 17, s. 17
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 2
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 64
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 65

PART IDepartment of National Defence

Establishment of the Department

Marginal note:Formation of department

 There is hereby established a department of the Government of Canada called the Department of National Defence over which the Minister of National Defence appointed by commission under the Great Seal shall preside.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 3

Minister

Marginal note:Duties

 The Minister holds office during pleasure, has the management and direction of the Canadian Forces and of all matters relating to national defence and is responsible for

  • (a) the construction and maintenance of all defence establishments and works for the defence of Canada; and

  • (b) research relating to the defence of Canada and to the development of and improvements in materiel.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 4
  • R.S., 1985, c. 6 (4th Supp.), s. 10

Marginal note:Designation of person to execute Minister’s functions

 The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, may designate any other person in addition to the Minister to exercise any power or perform any duty or function that is vested in or that may be exercised or performed by the Minister under this Act.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 5

Marginal note:Associate Minister

 The Governor General may, by commission under the Great Seal, appoint an Associate Minister of National Defence to hold office during pleasure and to exercise and perform such powers, duties and functions of the Minister as may be assigned to the Associate Minister by the Governor in Council.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 6

Deputy Minister

Marginal note:Appointment

 There shall be a Deputy Minister of National Defence who shall be appointed by the Governor in Council to hold office during pleasure.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 7

Marginal note:Associate Deputy Ministers

 The Governor in Council may appoint not more than three Associate Deputy Ministers of National Defence, each of whom shall have the rank and status of a deputy head of a department and as such shall, under the Minister and the Deputy Minister, exercise and perform such powers, duties and functions as deputy of the Minister and otherwise as the Minister may specify.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 8

Judge Advocate General

Marginal note:Appointment

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may appoint an officer who is a barrister or advocate with at least ten years standing at the bar of a province to be the Judge Advocate General of the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Tenure of office

    (2) The Judge Advocate General holds office during pleasure for a term not exceeding four years.

  • Marginal note:Re-appointment

    (3) The Judge Advocate General is eligible to be re-appointed on the expiry of a first or subsequent term of office.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 9
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 2

Marginal note:Legal adviser

 The Judge Advocate General acts as legal adviser to the Governor General, the Minister, the Department and the Canadian Forces in matters relating to military law.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 2

Marginal note:Superintendence of military justice

  •  (1) The Judge Advocate General has the superintendence of the administration of military justice in the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Regular reviews

    (2) The Judge Advocate General shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, regular reviews of the administration of military justice.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 2

Marginal note:Responsible to Minister

  •  (1) The Judge Advocate General is responsible to the Minister in the performance of the Judge Advocate General’s duties and functions.

  • Marginal note:Annual report

    (2) The Judge Advocate General shall report annually to the Minister on the administration of military justice in the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Tabling in Parliament

    (3) The Minister shall have a copy of the report laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives it.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 2

Marginal note:Rank

 The Judge Advocate General holds a rank that is not less than brigadier-general.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 2

Marginal note:Authority to act for Judge Advocate General

 The powers of the Judge Advocate General may be exercised, and the duties and functions of the Judge Advocate General may be performed, by any other officer who has the qualifications set out in subsection 9(1) that the Minister may authorize to act for the Judge Advocate General for that purpose.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 10
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 2

Marginal note:Non-derogation

 For greater certainty, section 9.1 is not in derogation of the authority of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada under the Department of Justice Act.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 2

Materiel

Marginal note:Delivery of materiel for sale or disposal

 The Governor in Council may authorize the Minister to deliver to any department or agency of the Government of Canada, for sale or disposal to any countries or international welfare organizations and on any terms that the Governor in Council may determine, any materiel that has not been declared surplus and is not immediately required for the use of the Canadian Forces or for any other purpose under this Act.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 11
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 3

Regulations

Marginal note:Power of Governor in Council to make regulations

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for the organization, training, discipline, efficiency, administration and good government of the Canadian Forces and generally for carrying the purposes and provisions of this Act into effect.

  • Marginal note:Minister’s power to make regulations

    (2) Subject to section 13 and any regulations made by the Governor in Council, the Minister may make regulations for the organization, training, discipline, efficiency, administration and good government of the Canadian Forces and generally for carrying the purposes and provisions of this Act into effect.

  • Marginal note:Treasury Board’s power to make regulations

    (3) The Treasury Board may make regulations

    • (a) prescribing the rates and conditions of issue of pay of military judges, the Director of Military Prosecutions and the Director of Defence Counsel Services;

    • (b) prescribing the forfeitures and deductions to which the pay and allowances of officers and non-commissioned members are subject; and

    • (c) providing for any matter concerning the pay, allowances and reimbursement of expenses of officers and non-commissioned members for which the Treasury Board considers regulations are necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes or provisions of this Act.

  • Marginal note:Retroactive effect

    (4) Regulations made under paragraph (3)(a) may, if they so provide, have retroactive effect. However, regulations that prescribe the rates and conditions of issue of pay of military judges may not have effect

    • (a) in the case of an inquiry under section 165.34, before the day referred to in subsection 165.34(3) on which the inquiry that leads to the making of the regulations is to commence; or

    • (b) in the case of an inquiry under section 165.35, before the day on which the inquiry that leads to the making of the regulations commences.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 12
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 4
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 3

Marginal note:Limitation on Minister’s power

 Where in any section of this Act, other than section 12, there is express reference to regulations made or prescribed by the Governor in Council or the Treasury Board in respect of any matter, the Minister does not have power to make regulations pertaining to that matter.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 13

Marginal note:Military Police Professional Code of Conduct

 The Governor in Council may make regulations, to be known as the Military Police Professional Code of Conduct, to govern the conduct of members of the military police.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 5

PART IIThe Canadian Forces

Constitution

Marginal note:Canadian Forces

 The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 14

Marginal note:Regular force

  •  (1) There shall be a component of the Canadian Forces, called the regular force, that consists of officers and non-commissioned members who are enrolled for continuing, full-time military service.

  • Marginal note:Composition of regular force

    (2) The maximum numbers of officers and non-commissioned members in the regular force shall be as authorized by the Governor in Council, and the regular force shall include such units and other elements as are embodied therein.

  • Marginal note:Reserve force

    (3) There shall be a component of the Canadian Forces, called the reserve force, that consists of officers and non-commissioned members who are enrolled for other than continuing, full-time military service when not on active service.

  • Marginal note:Composition of reserve force

    (4) The maximum numbers of officers and non-commissioned members in the reserve force shall be as authorized by the Governor in Council, and the reserve force shall include such units and other elements as are embodied therein.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 15
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Special force

  •  (1) In an emergency, or if considered desirable in consequence of any action undertaken by Canada under the United Nations Charter or the North Atlantic Treaty, the North American Aerospace Defence Command Agreement or any other similar instrument to which Canada is a party, the Governor in Council may establish and authorize the maintenance of a component of the Canadian Forces, called the special force, consisting of

    • (a) officers and non-commissioned members of the regular force who are placed in the special force under conditions prescribed in regulations;

    • (b) officers and non-commissioned members of the reserve force who, being on active service or having applied and been accepted for continuing, full-time military service, are placed in the special force under conditions prescribed in regulations; and

    • (c) officers and non-commissioned members not of the regular force or the reserve force who are enrolled in the special force for continuing, full-time military service.

  • Marginal note:Composition of special force

    (2) The maximum numbers of officers and non-commissioned members in the special force shall be as authorized by the Governor in Council, and the special force shall include such units and other elements as are embodied therein.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 16
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 2004, c. 15, s. 75

Units and Other Elements

Marginal note:Organization

  •  (1) The Canadian Forces shall consist of those of the following elements that are from time to time organized by or under the authority of the Minister:

    • (a) commands, including the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force;

    • (b) formations;

    • (c) units; and

    • (d) other elements.

  • Marginal note:Components

    (2) A unit or other element organized under subsection (1), other than a command or a formation, shall from time to time be embodied in a component of the Canadian Forces as directed by or under the authority of the Minister.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 17
  • 2014, c. 20, s. 168

Chief of the Defence Staff

Marginal note:Appointment, rank and duties of Chief of Defence Staff

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may appoint an officer to be the Chief of the Defence Staff, who shall hold such rank as the Governor in Council may prescribe and who shall, subject to the regulations and under the direction of the Minister, be charged with the control and administration of the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Responsibility and channels of communication

    (2) Unless the Governor in Council otherwise directs, all orders and instructions to the Canadian Forces that are required to give effect to the decisions and to carry out the directions of the Government of Canada or the Minister shall be issued by or through the Chief of the Defence Staff.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 18

Marginal note:Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

 There shall be an officer appointed by the Chief of the Defence Staff to be the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 6

Marginal note:Absence or incapacity of Chief of the Defence Staff

 In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, or any other officer that is specified by the Minister or the Chief of the Defence Staff, has the control and administration of the Canadian Forces.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 6

Canadian Forces Provost Marshal

Marginal note:Appointment

  •  (1) The Chief of the Defence Staff may appoint an officer who has been a member of the military police for at least 10 years to be the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (in this Act referred to as the “Provost Marshal”).

  • Marginal note:Rank

    (2) The Provost Marshal holds a rank that is not less than colonel.

  • Marginal note:Tenure of office and removal

    (3) The Provost Marshal holds office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding four years. The Chief of the Defence Staff may remove the Provost Marshal from office for cause on the recommendation of an inquiry committee established under regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Powers of inquiry committee

    (4) An inquiry committee has the same powers, rights and privileges — other than the power to punish for contempt — as are vested in a superior court of criminal jurisdiction with respect to

    • (a) the attendance, swearing and examination of witnesses;

    • (b) the production and inspection of documents;

    • (c) the enforcement of its orders; and

    • (d) all other matters necessary or proper for the due exercise of its jurisdiction.

  • Marginal note:Reappointment

    (5) The Provost Marshal is eligible to be reappointed on the expiry of a first or subsequent term of office.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 4

Marginal note:Duties and functions

 The Provost Marshal’s responsibilities include

  • (a) investigations conducted by any unit or other element under his or her command;

  • (b) the establishment of selection and training standards applicable to candidates for the military police and the ensuring of compliance with those standards;

  • (c) the establishment of training and professional standards applicable to the military police and the ensuring of compliance with those standards; and

  • (d) investigations in respect of conduct that is inconsistent with the professional standards applicable to the military police or the Military Police Professional Code of Conduct.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 4

Marginal note:General supervision

  •  (1) The Provost Marshal acts under the general supervision of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in respect of the responsibilities described in paragraphs 18.4(a) to (d).

  • Marginal note:General instructions or guidelines

    (2) The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff may issue general instructions or guidelines in writing in respect of the responsibilities described in paragraphs 18.4(a) to (d). The Provost Marshal shall ensure that they are available to the public.

  • Marginal note:Specific instructions or guidelines

    (3) The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff may issue instructions or guidelines in writing in respect of a particular investigation.

  • Marginal note:Availability to public

    (4) The Provost Marshal shall ensure that instructions and guidelines issued under subsection (3) are available to the public.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (5) Subsection (4) does not apply in respect of an instruction or guideline, or of a part of one, if the Provost Marshal considers that it would not be in the best interests of the administration of justice for the instruction or guideline, or that part of it, to be available to the public.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 4

Marginal note:Annual report

 The Provost Marshal shall, within three months after the end of each fiscal year, submit to the Chief of the Defence Staff a report concerning the activities of the Provost Marshal and the military police during the year. The Chief of the Defence Staff shall submit the report to the Minister.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 4

Powers of Command

Marginal note:Authority of officers and non-commissioned members

 The authority and powers of command of officers and non-commissioned members shall be as prescribed in regulations.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 19
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Enrolment

Marginal note:Commissioned officers

  •  (1) Commissions of officers in the Canadian Forces shall be granted by Her Majesty during pleasure.

  • Marginal note:Officer cadets and non-commissioned members

    (2) Persons shall be enrolled as officer cadets or as non-commissioned members for indefinite or fixed periods of service as may be prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:When consent of parent or guardian required

    (3) A person under the age of eighteen years shall not be enrolled without the consent of one of the parents or of the guardian of that person.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 20
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Ranks of officers and non-commissioned members

  •  (1) For the purposes of this Act, the ranks of the officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces shall be as set out in the schedule.

  • Marginal note:Designation

    (2) A person holding a rank set out in the schedule shall use, or be referred to by, a designation of rank prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council but only in the circumstances prescribed in those regulations.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 21
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 2014, c. 20, s. 169

Marginal note:Numbers in ranks and trade groups

 The maximum number of persons in each rank and trade group of the Canadian Forces shall be determined as prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 22

Marginal note:Obligation to serve

  •  (1) The enrolment of a person binds the person to serve in the Canadian Forces until the person is, in accordance with regulations, lawfully released.

  • Marginal note:Oaths and declarations on enrolment

    (2) Oaths and declarations required on enrolment shall be taken and subscribed before commissioned officers or justices of the peace and shall be in such forms as may be prescribed in regulations.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 23

Marginal note:Consent to transfer

 No officer or non-commissioned member shall be transferred from the regular force to the reserve force or from the reserve force to the regular force unless the officer or non-commissioned member consents to the transfer.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 24
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Effect of receipt of pay if not enrolled

 A person who, although not enrolled or re-engaged for service, has received pay as an officer or non-commissioned member is, until the person claims to be released and is released, deemed to be an officer or non-commissioned member, as the case may be, of that component of the Canadian Forces through which the pay was received and to be subject to this Act as if the person were such an officer or non-commissioned member duly enrolled or re-engaged for service.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 25
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Effect of receipt of pay if irregularly enrolled

  •  (1) A person who, although erroneously or irregularly enrolled or re-engaged, has received pay as an officer or non-commissioned member of that component of the Canadian Forces in which the person was so enrolled or re-engaged, is deemed to be an officer or non-commissioned member, as the case may be, regularly enrolled or re-engaged, and is not, except as provided in subsection (2), entitled to be released on the ground of the error or irregularity.

  • Marginal note:Provision for release

    (2) A person who is, by virtue of subsection (1), deemed to be an officer or non-commissioned member and who claims to be released within three months after the date of commencement of the pay and establishes the error or irregularity referred to in that subsection shall, except when on active service or during an emergency, be released.

  • Marginal note:Method of release

    (3) The commanding officer of a person who claims to be released on the ground of not having been enrolled or re-engaged, or not having been regularly enrolled or re-engaged, shall forthwith forward the claim to the authority having power to effect the release and the person, if entitled to be released, shall be released with all convenient speed.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 26
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Attachment and Secondment

Marginal note:Manner and conditions of attachment and secondment

 An officer or non-commissioned member may be attached or seconded to another component of the Canadian Forces or to any department or agency of government, any public or private institution, private industry or any other body in such manner and under such conditions as are prescribed in any other Act or in regulations, but no officer or non-commissioned member of the reserve force who is not on active service shall be attached or seconded pursuant to this section unless the officer or non-commissioned member consents to the attachment or secondment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 27
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Promotion

Marginal note:Authority to promote

 Subject to section 22 and to regulations, officers and non-commissioned members may be promoted by the Minister or by such authorities of the Canadian Forces as are prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 28
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Grievances

Marginal note:Right to grieve

  •  (1) An officer or non-commissioned member who has been aggrieved by any decision, act or omission in the administration of the affairs of the Canadian Forces for which no other process for redress is provided under this Act is entitled to submit a grievance.

  • Marginal note:Exceptions

    (2) There is no right to grieve in respect of

    • (a) a decision of a court martial or the Court Martial Appeal Court;

    • (b) a decision of a board, commission, court or tribunal established other than under this Act; or

    • (c) a matter or case prescribed by the Governor in Council in regulations.

  • Marginal note:Military judges

    (2.1) A military judge may not submit a grievance in respect of a matter that is related to the exercise of his or her judicial duties.

  • Marginal note:Manner and conditions

    (3) A grievance must be submitted in the manner and in accordance with the conditions prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:No penalty for grievance

    (4) An officer or non-commissioned member may not be penalized for exercising the right to submit a grievance.

  • Marginal note:Correction of error

    (5) Notwithstanding subsection (4), any error discovered as a result of an investigation of a grievance may be corrected, even if correction of the error would have an adverse effect on the officer or non-commissioned member.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 29
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 43
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 5

Marginal note:Authorities for determination of grievances

  •  (1) The initial authority and subsequent authorities who may consider and determine grievances are the authorities designated in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Different authorities

    (2) The regulations may provide that different types of grievances may be considered and determined by different authorities.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7

Marginal note:Grievances submitted by military judges

 Despite subsection 29.1(1), a grievance submitted by a military judge shall be considered and determined by the Chief of the Defence Staff.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 6

Marginal note:Final authority

 The Chief of the Defence Staff is the final authority in the grievance process and shall deal with all matters as informally and expeditiously as the circumstances and the considerations of fairness permit.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 6

Marginal note:Referral to Grievances Committee

  •  (1) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall refer every grievance that is of a type prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council, and every grievance submitted by a military judge, to the Grievances Committee for its findings and recommendations before the Chief of the Defence Staff considers and determines the grievance. The Chief of the Defence Staff may refer any other grievance to the Grievances Committee.

  • Marginal note:Material to be provided to Board

    (2) When referring a grievance to the Grievances Committee, the Chief of the Defence Staff shall provide the Grievances Committee with a copy of

    • (a) the written submissions made to each authority in the grievance process by the officer or non-commissioned member presenting the grievance;

    • (b) any decision made by an authority in respect of the grievance; and

    • (c) any other information under the control of the Canadian Forces that is relevant to the grievance.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 7, 106(E)

Marginal note:Chief of the Defence Staff not bound

  •  (1) The Chief of the Defence Staff is not bound by any finding or recommendation of the Grievances Committee.

  • Marginal note:Reasons

    (2) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall provide reasons for his or her decision in respect of a grievance if

    • (a) the Chief of the Defence Staff does not act on a finding or recommendation of the Grievances Committee; or

    • (b) the grievance was submitted by a military judge.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 8, 106(E)

Marginal note:Delegation

  •  (1) The Chief of the Defence Staff may delegate any of his or her powers, duties or functions as final authority in the grievance process to an officer who is directly responsible to the Chief of the Defence Staff, except that

    • (a) a grievance submitted by an officer may be delegated only to an officer of equal or higher rank; and

    • (b) a grievance submitted by a military judge may not be delegated.

  • Marginal note:Conflict of interest

    (2) An officer who is placed in a real, apparent or potential conflict of interest as a result of a delegation may not act as final authority in respect of the grievance and shall advise the Chief of the Defence Staff in writing without delay.

  • Marginal note:Subdelegation

    (3) The Chief of the Defence Staff may not delegate the power to delegate under subsection (1).

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 9

Marginal note:Decision is final

 A decision of a final authority in the grievance process is final and binding and, except for judicial review under the Federal Courts Act, is not subject to appeal or to review by any court.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2002, c. 8, s. 182

Military Grievances External Review Committee

Marginal note:Grievances Committee

  •  (1) The Canadian Forces Grievance Board is continued as the Military Grievances External Review Committee, consisting of a Chairperson, at least two Vice-Chairpersons and any other members appointed by the Governor in Council that are required to allow it to perform its functions.

  • Marginal note:Full- or part-time

    (2) The Chairperson and one Vice-Chairperson are each full-time members and the other members may be appointed as full-time or part-time members.

  • Marginal note:Tenure and removal

    (3) Each member holds office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding four years but may be removed by the Governor in Council for cause.

  • Marginal note:Re-appointment

    (4) A member is eligible to be re-appointed on the expiry of a first or subsequent term of office.

  • Marginal note:Duties of full-time members

    (5) Full-time members shall devote the whole of their time to the performance of their duties under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Conflict of interest — part-time members

    (6) Part-time members may not accept or hold any office or employment during their term of office that is inconsistent with their duties under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Remuneration

    (7) Members who are not officers or non-commissioned members are entitled to be paid for their services the remuneration and allowances fixed by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Travel and living expenses

    (8) Members who are not officers or non-commissioned members are entitled to be paid reasonable travel and living expenses incurred by them in the course of their duties while absent from their ordinary place of work, if full-time members, or their ordinary place of residence, if part-time members, subject to any applicable Treasury Board directives.

  • Marginal note:Status of members

    (9) Members who are not officers or non-commissioned members are deemed

  • Marginal note:Secondment

    (10) An officer or a non-commissioned member who is appointed as a member of the Grievances Committee shall be seconded to the Grievances Committee in accordance with section 27.

  • Marginal note:Oath of office

    (11) Every member shall, before commencing the duties of office, take the following oath of office:

    I, blank line, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and honestly fulfil my duties as a member of the Military Grievances External Review Committee in conformity with the requirements of the National Defence Act, and of all rules and instructions under that Act applicable to the Military Grievances External Review Committee, and that I will not disclose or make known to any person not legally entitled to it any knowledge or information obtained by me by reason of my office. (And in the case of an oath: So help me God.)

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2003, c. 22, ss. 224(E), 225(E)
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 11

Marginal note:Chairperson

  •  (1) The Chairperson is the chief executive officer of the Grievances Committee and has supervision over and direction of its work and staff.

  • Marginal note:Absence or incapacity

    (2) In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson or if that office is vacant, the Minister may authorize a Vice-Chairperson to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Chairperson.

  • Marginal note:Delegation

    (3) The Chairperson may delegate to a Vice-Chairperson any of the Chairperson’s powers, duties or functions under this Act, except the power to delegate under this subsection and the duty to submit an annual report under subsection 29.28(1).

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Head office

 The head office of the Grievances Committee shall be at the place in Canada designated by the Governor in Council.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Staff

  •  (1) The employees that are necessary for the proper conduct of the work of the Grievances Committee shall be appointed in accordance with the Public Service Employment Act.

  • Marginal note:Experts

    (2) The Grievances Committee may, with the approval of the Treasury Board, engage on a temporary basis the services of counsel and other persons having technical or specialized knowledge to assist the Grievances Committee in its work, establish the terms and conditions of their engagement and fix and pay their remuneration and expenses.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Duties and functions

  •  (1) The Grievances Committee shall review every grievance referred to it by the Chief of the Defence Staff and provide its findings and recommendations in writing to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the officer or non-commissioned member who submitted the grievance.

  • Marginal note:Duty to act expeditiously

    (2) The Grievances Committee shall deal with all matters before it as informally and expeditiously as the circumstances and the considerations of fairness permit.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Powers

 The Grievances Committee has, in relation to the review of a grievance referred to it, the power

  • (a) to summon and enforce the attendance of witnesses and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce any documents and things under their control that it considers necessary to the full investigation and consideration of matters before it;

  • (b) to administer oaths; and

  • (c) to receive and accept any evidence and information that it sees fit, whether admissible in a court of law or not.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Restriction

 The Grievances Committee may not receive or accept any evidence or other information that would be inadmissible in a court of law by reason of any privilege under the law of evidence.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Witness not excused from testifying

  •  (1) No witness shall be excused from answering any question relating to a grievance before the Grievances Committee when required to do so by the Grievances Committee on the ground that the answer to the question may tend to criminate the witness or subject the witness to any proceeding or penalty.

  • Marginal note:Answer not receivable

    (2) No answer given or statement made by a witness in response to a question described in subsection (1) may be used or receivable against the witness in any disciplinary, criminal, administrative or civil proceeding, other than a hearing or proceeding in respect of an allegation that the witness gave the answer or made the statement knowing it to be false.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Expenses

 Travel and living expenses incurred in appearing before the Grievances Committee shall, in the discretion of the Grievances Committee, be paid, in accordance with applicable Treasury Board directives, to the officer or non-commissioned member whose grievance is being heard, and to that person’s assisting officer or counsel, if the Grievances Committee holds a hearing at a place in Canada that is not their ordinary place of residence.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Return of documents, etc.

 Documents and things presented to the Grievances Committee at a hearing shall, on request, be returned to the person who presented them within a reasonable time after the Grievances Committee has provided its findings and recommendations to the Chief of the Defence Staff.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Rules

  •  (1) The Chairperson may make rules respecting

    • (a) the manner of dealing with grievances referred to the Grievances Committee, including the conduct of investigations and hearings by the Grievances Committee;

    • (b) the apportionment of the work of the Grievances Committee among its members and the assignment of members to review grievances; and

    • (c) the performance of the duties and functions of the Grievances Committee.

  • Marginal note:Hearings in private

    (2) A hearing of the Grievances Committee is to be held in private, unless the Chairperson, having regard to the interests of the persons participating in the hearing and the interest of the public, directs that the hearing or any part of it be held in public.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Protection of members

 No criminal or civil proceedings lie against any member of the Grievances Committee, or against any person acting on its behalf, for anything done, reported or said in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of a power or in the performance or purported performance of a duty or function of the Grievances Committee.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Marginal note:Annual report

  •  (1) The Chairperson shall, within three months after the end of each year, submit to the Minister a report of the activities of the Grievances Committee during that year and its recommendations, if any.

  • Marginal note:Tabling in Parliament

    (2) The Minister shall have a copy of the report laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives it.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 106(E)

Release

Marginal note:Entitlement

  •  (1) Except during an emergency, an officer or non-commissioned member who is not on active service is entitled to be released at the expiration of the term of service for which the officer or non-commissioned member is enrolled or re-engaged.

  • Marginal note:Effect of illegal absence

    (2) Except as may be prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council, any period during which an officer or non-commissioned member is in a state of desertion or is absent without leave shall not be reckoned toward the completion of the term of service for which that officer or non-commissioned member was enrolled or re-engaged.

  • Marginal note:Exception in emergency or when on active service

    (3) Where the term of service for which an officer or non-commissioned member is enrolled or re-engaged expires during an emergency or when the officer or non-commissioned member is on active service or within one year after the expiration of an emergency or after he has ceased to be on active service, the officer or non-commissioned member is liable to serve until the expiration of one year after the emergency has ceased to exist or after he has ceased to be on active service, as the case may be.

  • Marginal note:Reinstatement

    (4) Subject to regulations made by the Governor in Council, where

    • (a) an officer or non-commissioned member has been released from the Canadian Forces or transferred from one component to another by reason of a sentence of dismissal or a finding of guilty by a court martial or any civil court, and

    • (b) the sentence or finding ceases to have force and effect as a result of a decision of a competent authority,

    the release or transfer may be cancelled, with the consent of the officer or non-commissioned member concerned, who shall thereupon, except as provided in those regulations, be deemed for the purpose of this Act or any other Act not to have been so released or transferred.

Active Service

Marginal note:Placing forces on active service

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may place the Canadian Forces or any component, unit or other element thereof or any officer or non-commissioned member thereof on active service anywhere in or beyond Canada at any time when it appears advisable to do so

    • (a) by reason of an emergency, for the defence of Canada;

    • (b) in consequence of any action undertaken by Canada under the United Nations Charter; or

    • (c) in consequence of any action undertaken by Canada under the North Atlantic Treaty, the North American Aerospace Defence Command Agreement or any other similar instrument to which Canada is a party.

  • Marginal note:When officers and non-commissioned members deemed on active service

    (2) An officer or non-commissioned member who

    • (a) is a member of, serving with, or attached or seconded to, a component, unit or other element of the Canadian Forces that has been placed on active service,

    • (b) has been placed on active service, or

    • (c) pursuant to law has been attached or seconded to a portion of a force that has been placed on active service,

    shall be deemed to be on active service for all purposes.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 31
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 2004, c. 15, s. 76

Marginal note:Proclamation for meeting of Parliament

 Whenever the Governor in Council places the Canadian Forces or any component or unit thereof on active service, if Parliament is then separated by an adjournment or prorogation that will not expire within ten days, a proclamation shall be issued for the meeting of Parliament within ten days, and Parliament shall accordingly meet and sit on the day appointed by the proclamation, and shall continue to sit and act in like manner as if it had stood adjourned or prorogued to the same day.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 32

Service

Marginal note:Liability in case of regular force

  •  (1) The regular force, all units and other elements thereof and all officers and non-commissioned members thereof are at all times liable to perform any lawful duty.

  • Marginal note:Liability in case of reserve force

    (2) The reserve force, all units and other elements thereof and all officers and non-commissioned members thereof

    • (a) may be ordered to train for such periods as are prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council; and

    • (b) may be called out on service to perform any lawful duty other than training at such times and in such manner as by regulations or otherwise are prescribed by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Exception in case of reserve force

    (3) Nothing in subsection (2) shall be deemed to impose liability to serve as prescribed therein, without his consent, on an officer or non-commissioned member of the reserve force who is, by virtue of the terms of his enrolment, liable to perform duty on active service only.

  • Marginal note:Meaning of duty

    (4) In this section, duty means any duty that is military in nature and includes any duty involving public service authorized under section 273.6.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 33
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 8

Limitation on Deployment

Marginal note:Persons under eighteen

 A person who is under the age of eighteen years may not be deployed by the Canadian Forces to a theatre of hostilities.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 34
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 9
  • 2000, c. 13, s. 1

Pay and Allowances

Marginal note:Treasury Board to establish

  •  (1) The rates and conditions of issue of pay of officers and non-commissioned members, other than military judges, shall be established by the Treasury Board.

  • Marginal note:Reimbursements and allowances

    (2) The payments that may be made to officers and non-commissioned members by way of reimbursement for travel or other expenses and by way of allowances in respect of expenses and conditions arising out of their service shall be determined and regulated by the Treasury Board.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 35
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60(E)
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 10

Supply and Issue of Materiel

Marginal note:Ministerial approval

 The materiel supplied to or used by the Canadian Forces shall be of such type, pattern and design and shall be issued on such scales and in such manner as the Minister, or such authorities of the Canadian Forces as are designated by the Minister for that purpose, may approve.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 36

Public Property

Marginal note:Liability for loss or damage

 The conditions under which and the extent to which an officer or non-commissioned member is liable to Her Majesty in respect of loss of or damage to public property shall be as prescribed in regulations.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 37
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Non-public Property

Marginal note:Non-public property of units

  •  (1) The non-public property of a unit or other element of the Canadian Forces shall vest in the officer from time to time in command of that unit or other element, and shall be used for the benefit of officers and non-commissioned members or for any other purpose approved by the Chief of the Defence Staff in the manner and to the extent authorized by the Chief of the Defence Staff.

  • Marginal note:Non-public property of disbanded units

    (2) The non-public property of every disbanded unit or other disbanded element of the Canadian Forces vested in the officer in command of that unit or other element shall pass to and vest in the Chief of the Defence Staff, and may be disposed of at the discretion and direction of the Chief of the Defence Staff for the benefit of all or any officers and non-commissioned members or former officers and non-commissioned members, or their dependants.

  • Marginal note:Non-public property of units or elements in altered circumstances

    (3) Where, by reason of a substantial reduction in the number of officers and non-commissioned members serving in a unit or other element of the Canadian Forces or by reason of a change in the location or other conditions of service of a unit or other element, the Chief of the Defence Staff considers it desirable to do so, he may direct that the non-public property or any part thereof that is vested in the officer in command of that unit or other element shall pass to and be vested in the Chief of the Defence Staff on the terms set out in subsection (2).

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 38
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Other non-public property

  •  (1) Non-public property acquired by contribution but not contributed to any specific unit or other element of the Canadian Forces shall vest in the Chief of the Defence Staff and, subject to any specific directions by the contributor as to its disposal, may be disposed of at the discretion and direction of the Chief of the Defence Staff for the benefit of all or any officers and non-commissioned members or former officers and non-commissioned members, or their dependants.

  • Marginal note:By-products and refuse

    (2) By-products and refuse derived from rations and other consumable stores issued to the Canadian Forces for use in service kitchens, and the proceeds of the sale thereof, shall, to the extent that the Governor in Council may prescribe, be non-public property.

  • Marginal note:Alienation of non-public property

    (3) Except as authorized by the Chief of the Defence Staff, no gift, sale or other alienation or attempted alienation of non-public property is effectual to pass the property therein.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 39
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Liability for loss or damage

 The conditions under which and the extent to which an officer or non-commissioned member is liable to make restitution or reimbursement in respect of loss of or damage to non-public property resulting from the negligence or misconduct of that officer or noncommissioned member shall be as prescribed by the Minister.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 40
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Ministerial directions

  •  (1) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall exercise his authority under subsections 38(1) and (2) and 39(1) subject to any directions that may be given to him by the Minister for carrying the purposes and provisions of this section and sections 38 to 40 into effect.

  • Marginal note:Audit

    (2) Non-public property accounts shall be audited as the Minister may from time to time direct.

  • Marginal note:Special provision

    (3) The Financial Administration Act does not apply to non-public property.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 38

Service Estates

Marginal note:Collection, administration and distribution

  •  (1) The service estates of officers and non-commissioned members who die during their service in the Canadian Forces may be collected, administered and distributed in whole or in part as prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Definition of service estate

    (2) For the purposes of this section, but subject to any exceptions prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council, service estate means the following parts of the estate of a deceased officer or non-commissioned member mentioned in subsection (1):

    • (a) service pay and allowances;

    • (b) all other emoluments emanating from Her Majesty that, at the date of death, are due or otherwise payable;

    • (c) personal equipment that the deceased person is, under regulations, permitted to retain;

    • (d) personal or movable property, including cash, found on the deceased person or on a defence establishment or otherwise in the care or custody of the Canadian Forces; and

    • (e) in the case of an officer or non-commissioned member dying outside Canada, all other personal or movable property belonging to the deceased and situated outside Canada.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 42
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 11

Presumption of Death

Marginal note:Authority to issue certificate

 Where an officer or non-commissioned member disappears under circumstances that, in the opinion of the Minister or such other authorities as the Minister may designate, raise beyond reasonable doubt a presumption that the officer or non-commissioned member is dead, the Minister or any such other authority may issue a certificate declaring that the officer or non-commissioned member is deemed to be dead and stating the date on which the death is presumed to have occurred, and the officer or non-commissioned member shall thenceforth, for the purposes of this Act and the regulations and in relation to his status and service in the Canadian Forces, be deemed to have died on that date.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 43
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Personal Effects of Absentees

Marginal note:Vesting and disposal

 The personal belongings and decorations of an officer or non-commissioned member who is absent without leave that are found in camp, quarters or otherwise in the care or custody of the Canadian Forces vest in Her Majesty and shall be disposed of in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 44
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Boards of Inquiry

Marginal note:Convening boards

  •  (1) The Minister, and such other authorities as the Minister may prescribe or appoint for that purpose, may, where it is expedient that the Minister or any such other authority should be informed on any matter connected with the government, discipline, administration or functions of the Canadian Forces or affecting any officer or non-commissioned member, convene a board of inquiry for the purpose of investigating and reporting on that matter.

  • Marginal note:Powers

    (2) A board of inquiry has, in relation to the matter before it, power

    • (a) to summon any person before the board and compel the person to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce any documents and things under the person’s control that it considers necessary for the full investigation and consideration of that matter;

    • (b) to administer oaths;

    • (c) to receive and accept, on oath or by affidavit or otherwise, any evidence and other information the board sees fit, whether or not the evidence or information is or would be admissible in a court of law; and

    • (d) to examine any record and make any inquiry that the board considers necessary.

  • Marginal note:Access to on-board recordings

    (3) For greater certainty, a board of inquiry may have access to an on-board recording, as defined in subsection 22(1) of the Aeronautics Act, only if it is made available under that Act.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 45
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 13
  • 2014, c. 29, s. 22

Marginal note:Witness not excused from testifying

  •  (1) No witness shall be excused from answering any question relating to a matter before a board of inquiry when required to do so by the board of inquiry on the ground that the answer to the question may tend to criminate the witness or subject the witness to any proceeding or penalty.

  • Marginal note:Answer not receivable

    (2) No answer given or statement made by a witness in response to a question described in subsection (1) may be used or receivable against the witness in any disciplinary, criminal or civil proceeding, other than a hearing or proceeding in respect of an allegation that the witness gave the answer or made the statement knowing it to be false.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 14

Cadet Organizations

Marginal note:Formation

  •  (1) The Minister may authorize the formation of cadet organizations under the control and supervision of the Canadian Forces to consist of persons of not less than twelve years of age who have not attained the age of nineteen years.

  • Marginal note:Training, administration, provision and command

    (2) The cadet organizations referred to in subsection (1) shall be trained for such periods, administered in such manner and provided with materiel and accommodation under such conditions, and shall be subject to the authority and command of such officers, as the Minister may direct.

  • Marginal note:Not part of Canadian Forces

    (3) The cadet organizations referred to in subsection (1) are not comprised in the Canadian Forces.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 43
  • 1974-75-76, c. 36, Sch. (DND) vote 1d, c. 66, s. 21

Educational Institutions

Marginal note:Establishment

  •  (1) The Governor in Council, and any other authorities that are prescribed or appointed by the Governor in Council for that purpose, may in the interests of national defence establish institutions for the training and education of officers and non-commissioned members, officers and employees of the Department, candidates for enrolment in the Canadian Forces or for employment in the Department and other persons whose attendance has been authorized by or on behalf of the Minister.

  • Marginal note:Control and administration

    (2) The institutions referred to in subsection (1) shall be governed and administered in the manner prescribed by the Minister.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 47
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 15

Service Associations

Marginal note:Establishment

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may establish associations and organizations for purposes designed to further the defence of Canada.

  • Marginal note:Accommodation, materiel and facilities

    (2) The Minister may authorize the provision of accommodation, materiel and facilities for the training, practice and use of the associations and organizations mentioned in subsection (1) and other associations and organizations designed to further the defence of Canada, whether or not the members of such associations and organizations are officers or non-commissioned members.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 48
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Exercise of Authority

Marginal note:Exercise of authority of officer or non-commissioned member by another

 Any power or jurisdiction given to, and any act or thing to be done by, to or before any officer or non-commissioned member may be exercised by, or done by, to or before any other officer or non-commissioned member for the time being authorized in that behalf by regulations or according to the custom of the service.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 49
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Method of signifying orders

 Orders made under this Act may be signified by an order, instruction or letter under the hand of any officer whom the authority that made those orders has authorized to issue orders on its behalf, and any order, instruction or letter purporting to be signed by any officer appearing therein to be so authorized is evidence that the officer is so authorized.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 47

Notification of Orders

Marginal note:Publication

  •  (1) All regulations and all orders and instructions issued to the Canadian Forces shall be held to be sufficiently notified to any person whom they may concern by their publication, in the manner prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council, in the unit or other element in which that person is serving.

  • Marginal note:Registered mail

    (2) All regulations and all orders and instructions relating to or in any way affecting an officer or non-commissioned member of the reserve force who is not serving with a unit or other element shall, when sent to the officer or non-commissioned member by registered mail, addressed to the latest known place of abode or business of the officer or non-commissioned member, be held to be sufficiently notified.

  • Marginal note:Saving provision

    (3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), all regulations and all orders and instructions referred to in those subsections shall be held to be sufficiently notified to any person whom they may concern by their publication in the Canada Gazette.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 51
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60(E)

Validity of Documents

Marginal note:Authenticity of documents

 A commission, appointment, warrant, order or instruction in writing purported to be granted, made or issued under this Act is evidence of its authenticity without proof of the signature or seal affixed thereto or the authority of the person granting, making or issuing it.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 49

Marginal note:Signature on commissions

  •  (1) The Governor General may cause the signature of the Governor General to be affixed to a commission granted to an officer of the Canadian Forces by stamping the signature on the commission with a stamp approved by, and used for the purpose by authority of, the Governor General.

  • Marginal note:Validity of signature

    (2) A signature affixed in accordance with subsection (1) is as valid and effectual as if it were in the handwriting of the Governor General, and neither its authenticity nor the authority of the person by whom it was affixed shall be called in question, except on behalf of Her Majesty.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 50

Marginal note:Validity of bonds

 Every bond to Her Majesty entered into by any person before a judge, a justice of the peace or an officer of the Canadian Forces, including a military judge, for the purpose of securing the payment of a sum of money or the performance of a duty or act required or authorized by this Act or by regulations is valid and may be enforced accordingly.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 54
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 16

PART IIICode of Service Discipline

Purpose

Marginal note:Purpose

  •  (1) The purpose of the Code of Service Discipline is to maintain the discipline, efficiency and morale of the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Clarification

    (2) For greater certainty, the behaviour of persons who are subject to the Code of Service Discipline relates to the discipline, efficiency and morale of the Canadian Forces even when those persons are not on duty, in uniform or on a defence establishment.

DIVISION 1Disciplinary Jurisdiction of the Canadian Forces

Application

 [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 17]

Marginal note:Persons subject to Code of Service Discipline

  •  (1) The following persons are subject to the Code of Service Discipline:

    • (a) an officer or non-commissioned member of the regular force;

    • (b) an officer or non-commissioned member of the special force;

    • (c) an officer or non-commissioned member of the reserve force when the officer or non-commissioned member is

      • (i) undergoing drill or training, whether in uniform or not,

      • (ii) in uniform,

      • (iii) on duty,

      • (iv) [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 19]

      • (v) called out under Part VI in aid of the civil power,

      • (vi) called out on service,

      • (vii) placed on active service,

      • (viii) in or on any vessel, vehicle or aircraft of the Canadian Forces or in or on any defence establishment or work for defence,

      • (ix) serving with any unit or other element of the regular force or the special force, or

      • (x) present, whether in uniform or not, at any drill or training of a unit or other element of the Canadian Forces;

    • (d) subject to such exceptions, adaptations and modifications as the Governor in Council may by regulations prescribe, a person who, pursuant to law or pursuant to an agreement between Canada and the state in whose armed forces the person is serving, is attached or seconded as an officer or non-commissioned member to the Canadian Forces;

    • (e) a person, not otherwise subject to the Code of Service Discipline, who is serving in the position of an officer or non-commissioned member of any force raised and maintained outside Canada by Her Majesty in right of Canada and commanded by an officer of the Canadian Forces;

    • (f) a person, not otherwise subject to the Code of Service Discipline, who accompanies any unit or other element of the Canadian Forces that is on service or active service in any place;

    • (g) subject to such exceptions, adaptations and modifications as the Governor in Council may by regulations prescribe, a person attending an institution established under section 47;

    • (h) an alleged spy for the enemy;

    • (i) a person, not otherwise subject to the Code of Service Discipline, who, in respect of any service offence committed or alleged to have been committed by the person, is in civil custody or in service custody; and

    • (j) a person, not otherwise subject to the Code of Service Discipline, while serving with the Canadian Forces under an engagement with the Minister whereby the person agreed to be subject to that Code.

  • Marginal note:Continuing liability

    (2) Every person subject to the Code of Service Discipline under subsection (1) at the time of the alleged commission by the person of a service offence continues to be liable to be charged, dealt with and tried in respect of that offence under the Code of Service Discipline notwithstanding that the person may have, since the commission of that offence, ceased to be a person described in subsection (1).

  • Marginal note:Retention of status and rank

    (3) Every person who, since allegedly committing a service offence, has ceased to be a person described in subsection (1), shall for the purposes of the Code of Service Discipline be deemed, for the period during which under that Code he is liable to be charged, dealt with and tried, to have the same status and rank that he held immediately before so ceasing to be a person described in subsection (1).

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 60
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 19

Marginal note:Persons accompanying Canadian Forces

  •  (1) For the purposes of this section and sections 60, 62 and 65, but subject to any limitations prescribed by the Governor in Council, a person accompanies a unit or other element of the Canadian Forces that is on service or active service if the person

    • (a) participates with that unit or other element in the carrying out of any of its movements, manoeuvres, duties in aid of the civil power, duties in a disaster or warlike operations;

    • (b) is accommodated or provided with rations at the person’s own expense or otherwise by that unit or other element in any country or at any place designated by the Governor in Council;

    • (c) is a dependant outside Canada of an officer or non-commissioned member serving beyond Canada with that unit or other element; or

    • (d) is embarked on a vessel or aircraft of that unit or other element.

  • Marginal note:How persons accompanying Canadian Forces to be treated

    (2) Subject to subsection (3), every person mentioned in paragraph 60(1)(f) who, while accompanying any unit or other element of the Canadian Forces, is alleged to have committed a service offence, shall be treated as a non-commissioned member.

  • Marginal note:Certificate entitling person to treatment as officer

    (3) A person described in subsection (2) who holds, from the commanding officer of the unit or other element of the Canadian Forces that the person accompanies or from any other officer prescribed by the Minister for that purpose, a certificate entitling the person to be treated on the footing of an officer, revocable at the pleasure of the officer who issued it or of any other officer of equal or higher rank, shall be treated as an officer in respect of any offence alleged to have been committed by the person while holding that certificate.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 61
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Command

  •  (1) Every person to whom subsection 61(2) or (3) applies shall, for the purposes of the Code of Service Discipline, be deemed to be under the command of the commanding officer of the unit or other element of the Canadian Forces that the person accompanies.

  • Marginal note:Spies

    (2) Every person described in paragraph 60(1)(h) shall, for the purposes of the Code of Service Discipline, be deemed to be under the command of the commanding officer of the unit or other element of the Canadian Forces that may be holding the person in custody from time to time.

  • Marginal note:Released persons serving sentence

    (3) Every person described in paragraph 60(1)(i) who is alleged to have committed, during the currency of the imprisonment or detention of that person, a service offence shall, for the purposes of the Code of Service Discipline, be deemed to be under the command of the commanding officer of the service prison or detention barrack, as the case may be, in which that person is imprisoned or detained.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 55

Marginal note:Persons under special engagement

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), every person mentioned in paragraph 60(1)(j) who, while serving with the Canadian Forces, is alleged to have committed a service offence shall be treated as a non-commissioned member.

  • Marginal note:Agreement entitling person to treatment as officer

    (2) Where the terms of the agreement under which a person described in subsection (1) was engaged entitle the person to be treated as an officer, the person shall be treated as an officer.

  • Marginal note:Command where person under special engagement

    (3) Every person to whom subsection (1) or (2) applies shall, for the purposes of the Code of Service Discipline, be deemed to be under the command of the commanding officer of the unit or other element of the Canadian Forces in which that person is serving.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 63
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

 [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 44]

Marginal note:Persons under command of officer deemed their superior officer

  •  (1) Every person subject to the Code of Service Discipline by virtue of paragraph 60(1)(f), (g), (i) or (j) shall, for the purposes of preparation, practice or execution of any plan, arrangement or manoeuvre for the defence or evacuation of any area in the event of attack, be under the command of the commanding officer of the unit or other element of the Canadian Forces that the person is accompanying or with which the person is serving or is in attendance and, for those purposes, the commanding officer shall be deemed to be a superior officer of the person.

  • Marginal note:Prohibited interpretation

    (2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as requiring any person described therein to bear arms or to participate in any active operations against the enemy.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 55

Plea in Bar of Trial

Marginal note:Autrefois acquit and autrefois convict

  •  (1) A person may not be tried or tried again in respect of an offence or any other substantially similar offence arising out of the facts that gave rise to the offence if, while subject to the Code of Service Discipline in respect of that offence, or if, while liable to be charged, dealt with and tried under the Code in respect of that offence, the person

    • (a) has been found not guilty by a court martial, civil court or court of a foreign state on a charge of having committed that offence; or

    • (b) has been found guilty by a court martial, civil court or court of a foreign state on a charge of having committed that offence and has been either punished in accordance with the sentence or discharged absolutely or on conditions.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) Nothing in subsection (1) affects the validity of a new trial held under section 249 or a new trial directed by a court having jurisdiction to do so.

  • Marginal note:Effect of other offences admitted at previous trial

    (3) A person who, under section 194, has been sentenced in respect of a service offence admitted by that person may not be tried by a court martial or civil court in respect of that offence.

Place of Commission of Offence

Marginal note:Service offence, wherever committed, is triable

 Subject to section 70, every person alleged to have committed a service offence may be charged, dealt with and tried under the Code of Service Discipline, whether the alleged offence was committed in Canada or outside Canada.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 57

Place of Trial

Marginal note:No territorial limitation

 Every person alleged to have committed a service offence may be charged, dealt with and tried under the Code of Service Discipline, either in Canada or outside Canada.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 58

Period of Liability

Marginal note:When person is liable

  •  (1) A person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline at the time of the alleged commission of a service offence may be charged, dealt with and tried at any time under the Code.

  • Marginal note:Sections 130 and 132

    (2) Despite subsection (1), if the service offence is punishable under section 130 or 132 and the act or omission that constitutes the service offence would have been subject to a limitation period had it been dealt with other than under the Code, then that limitation period applies.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 69
  • 1990, c. 14, s. 7
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 12
  • 1993, c. 34, s. 92
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 21
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 2

Limitations with respect to Certain Offences

Marginal note:Offences not triable by courts martial

 A court martial does not have jurisdiction to try any person charged with any of the following offences committed in Canada:

  • (a) murder;

  • (b) manslaughter; or

  • (c) an offence under any of sections 280 to 283 of the Criminal Code.

  • (d) to (f) [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 22]

Jurisdiction of Civil Courts

Marginal note:No interference with civil jurisdiction

 Subject to section 66, nothing in the Code of Service Discipline affects the jurisdiction of any civil court to try a person for any offence triable by that court.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 71
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 46

DIVISION 1.1Declaration of Victims Rights

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definition of military justice system

 For the purposes of this Division, military justice system means

  • (a) the investigation of service offences, the processes for the laying and referral of charges of service offences and their prosecution;

  • (b) the process for the carrying out of punishments in relation to service offences, except in respect of any service prisoners and service convicts who have been committed to a penitentiary or civil prison; and

  • (c) the proceedings of a court martial or a Review Board, as defined in section 197, in respect of an accused person who is found unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder.

Rights

Information

Marginal note:General information

 Every victim has the right, on request, to information about

  • (a) the military justice system and the role of victims in it;

  • (b) the services and programs available to them as a victim; and

  • (c) their right to file a complaint for an infringement or denial of any of their rights under this Division.

Marginal note:Investigation and proceedings

 Every victim has the right, on request, to information about

  • (a) the status and outcome of the investigation into the service offence; and

  • (b) the location of proceedings in relation to the offence, when they will take place and their progress and outcome.

Marginal note:Information about offender or accused

  •  (1) Every victim has the right, on request, to information about

    • (a) the offender while they are in a service prison or detention barrack;

    • (b) the release of the offender from a service prison or detention barrack;

    • (b.1) hearings held under section 202.161 to decide whether the accused person is a high-risk accused and the dispositions made at those hearings; and

    • (c) hearings held for the purpose of making dispositions under any of sections 201, 202 and 202.16 and the dispositions made at those hearings; and

    • (d) hearings held by a Review Board under section 202.25 and the dispositions made at those hearings.

  • Marginal note:Disclosure of information

    (2) Information may be disclosed for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) subject to and in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council.

Protection

Marginal note:Security

 Every victim has the right to have their security considered by the appropriate authorities in the military justice system.

Marginal note:Protection from intimidation and retaliation

 Every victim has the right to have reasonable and necessary measures taken by the appropriate authorities in the military justice system to protect the victim from intimidation and retaliation.

Marginal note:Privacy

 Every victim has the right to have their privacy considered by the appropriate authorities in the military justice system.

Marginal note:Identity protection

 Every victim has the right to request that their identity be protected if they are a complainant in respect of the service offence or a witness in proceedings relating to the service offence.

Marginal note:Testimonial aids

 Every victim has the right to request testimonial aids when appearing as a witness in proceedings relating to the service offence.

Participation

Marginal note:Views to be considered

 Every victim has the right to convey their views about decisions to be made by appropriate authorities in the military justice system that affect the victim’s rights under this Division and to have those views considered.

Marginal note:Victim impact statement

 Every victim has the right to present a victim impact statement to the appropriate authorities in the military justice system and to have it considered.

Restitution

Marginal note:Restitution order

 Every victim has the right to have the court martial consider making a restitution order against the offender.

Marginal note:Enforcement

 Every victim in whose favour a restitution order is made has the right, if they are not paid, to have the order entered as a civil court judgment that is enforceable against the offender.

General Provisions

Marginal note:Application

  •  (1) This Division applies in respect of a victim of a service offence in their interactions with the military justice system

    • (a) while the offence is being investigated or prosecuted or the charge is being referred;

    • (b) while the offender is serving a punishment in relation to the offence, unless the offender is a service prisoner or service convict who has been committed to a penitentiary or civil prison; and

    • (c) while the accused person is, in relation to the offence, under the jurisdiction of a court martial or a Review Board, as defined in section 197, if they are found unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder.

  • Marginal note:Reporting of offence

    (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), if an offence is reported to the appropriate authorities in the military justice system, the investigation of the offence is deemed to begin at the time of the reporting.

Marginal note:Exercise of rights

  •  (1) The rights of victims under this Division are to be exercised through the mechanisms provided by law.

  • Marginal note:Connection to Canada

    (2) A victim is entitled to exercise their rights under this Division only if

Marginal note:Victim’s liaison officer

  •  (1) Unless he or she is of the opinion that it is not possible to do so for operational reasons, a commanding officer shall, at the request of the victim, appoint an officer or non-commissioned member, who satisfies the conditions established in regulations made by the Governor in Council, to be a liaison officer to assist the victim as provided for in subsection (3). The commanding officer shall, to the extent possible, appoint the officer or non-commissioned member who has been requested by the victim to be their liaison officer.

  • Marginal note:Absence or incapacity

    (2) In the event of the absence or incapacity of the victim’s liaison officer, a commanding officer shall appoint another officer or non-commissioned member to replace the liaison officer during that absence or incapacity, unless it is not possible to do so for operational reasons.

  • Marginal note:Role of victim’s liaison officer

    (3) Assistance by a victim’s liaison officer consists of

    • (a) explaining to the victim the manner in which service offences are charged, dealt with and tried under the Code of Service Discipline; and

    • (b) obtaining and transmitting to the victim information relating to a service offence that the victim has requested and to which the victim has a right under this Division.

Marginal note:Interpretation of this Division

 This Division is to be construed and applied in a manner that is reasonable in the circumstances and in a manner that is not likely to

  • (a) interfere with the proper administration of military justice, including

    • (i) by causing interference with investigative discretion or by causing excessive delay in, compromising or hindering the investigation of any service offence,

    • (ii) by causing interference with charge laying discretion in respect of any service offence, or by causing excessive delay in, compromising or hindering the laying or referral of a charge in respect of any service offence, and

    • (iii) by causing interference with prosecutorial discretion or by causing excessive delay in, compromising or hindering the prosecution of any service offence;

  • (b) interfere with ministerial discretion in respect of any service offence;

  • (c) interfere with the discretion that may be exercised by any person or body authorized to release an accused person or offender into the community;

  • (d) endanger the life or safety of any individual; or

  • (e) cause injury to international relations, national defence or national security.

Marginal note:Interpretation of other Acts, regulations, etc.

 To the extent that it is possible to do so, every Act of Parliament enacted — and every order, rule or regulation made under such an Act — before, on or after the day on which this Division comes into force is to be construed and applied in a manner that is compatible with the rights provided for under this Division.

Marginal note:Primacy in event of inconsistency

Marginal note:No adverse inference

 No adverse inference is to be drawn against a person who is charged with a service offence from the fact that an individual has been identified as a victim in relation to the service offence.

Marginal note:Entering or remaining in Canada

 Nothing in this Division is to be construed so as to permit any individual to

  • (a) enter Canada or remain in Canada beyond the end of the period for which they are authorized to so remain;

  • (b) delay any removal proceedings or prevent the enforcement of any removal order; or

  • (c) delay any extradition proceedings or prevent the extradition of any person to or from Canada.

Remedies

Marginal note:Complaint

  •  (1) Every victim who is of the opinion that any of their rights under this Division have been infringed or denied by an authority within the military justice system has the right to file a complaint in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Complaints mechanism

    (2) Regulations made by the Governor in Council may, among other things, provide for

    • (a) the review of complaints involving alleged infringements or denials of rights under this Division;

    • (b) the power to make recommendations to remedy such infringements and denials; and

    • (c) the obligation to notify victims of the result of those reviews and of any recommendations that were made.

Marginal note:Status

 Nothing in this Division is to be construed as granting to, or removing from, any victim, any individual acting on behalf of a victim or any victim’s liaison officer the status of a party, intervenor or observer in any proceedings.

Marginal note:No cause of action

 No cause of action or right to damages arises from an infringement or denial of a right under this Division. For greater certainty, nothing in this section is to be construed as affecting any other cause of action or right to damages.

Marginal note:No appeal

 No appeal lies from any decision or order solely on the grounds that a right under this Division has been infringed or denied.

DIVISION 2Service Offences and Punishments

Responsibility for Offences

Marginal note:Parties to offences

  •  (1) Every person is a party to and guilty of an offence who

    • (a) actually commits it;

    • (b) does or omits to do anything for the purpose of aiding any person to commit it;

    • (c) abets any person in committing it; or

    • (d) counsels or procures any person to commit it.

  • Marginal note:Attempts

    (2) Every person who, having an intent to commit an offence, does or omits to do anything for the purpose of carrying out the intention is guilty of an attempt to commit the offence, whether or not it was possible under the circumstances to commit the offence.

  • Marginal note:Common intention

    (3) Where two or more persons form an intention in common to carry out an unlawful purpose and to assist each other therein and any one of them, in carrying out the common purpose, commits an offence, each of them who knew or ought to have known that the commission of the offence would be a probable consequence of carrying out the common purpose is a party to and guilty of that offence.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 62

Civil Defences

Marginal note:Rules and principles of civil courts applicable

 All rules and principles that are followed from time to time in the civil courts and that would render any circumstance a justification or excuse for any act or omission or a defence to any charge are applicable in any proceedings under the Code of Service Discipline.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 15

Ignorance of the Law

Marginal note:Ignorance not to constitute excuse

 The fact that a person is ignorant of the provisions of this Act, or of any regulations or of any order or instruction duly notified under this Act, is no excuse for any offence committed by the person.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 15

Misconduct of Commanders in Presence of Enemy

Marginal note:Offences by commanders when in action

 Every officer in command of a vessel, aircraft, defence establishment, unit or other element of the Canadian Forces who

  • (a) when under orders to carry out an operation of war or on coming into contact with an enemy that it is the duty of the officer to engage, does not use his utmost exertion to bring the officers and non-commissioned members under his command or his vessel, aircraft or other materiel into action,

  • (b) being in action, does not, during the action, in the officer’s own person and according to the rank of the officer, encourage his officers and non-commissioned members to fight courageously,

  • (c) when capable of making a successful defence, surrenders his vessel, aircraft, defence establishment, materiel, unit or other element of the Canadian Forces to the enemy,

  • (d) being in action, improperly withdraws from the action,

  • (e) improperly fails to pursue an enemy or to consolidate a position gained,

  • (f) improperly fails to relieve or assist a known friend to the utmost of his power, or

  • (g) when in action, improperly forsakes his station,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if the officer acted traitorously, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life, if the officer acted from cowardice, is liable to imprisonment for life or less punishment, and in any other case, is liable to dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 73
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 24

Misconduct of any Person in Presence of Enemy

Marginal note:Offences by any person in presence of enemy

 Every person who

  • (a) improperly delays or discourages any action against the enemy,

  • (b) goes over to the enemy,

  • (c) when ordered to carry out an operation of war, fails to use his utmost exertion to carry the orders into effect,

  • (d) improperly abandons or delivers up any defence establishment, garrison, place, materiel, post or guard,

  • (e) assists the enemy with materiel,

  • (f) improperly casts away or abandons any materiel in the presence of the enemy,

  • (g) improperly does or omits to do anything that results in the capture by the enemy of persons or the capture or destruction by the enemy of materiel,

  • (h) when on watch in the presence or vicinity of the enemy, leaves his post before he is regularly relieved or sleeps or is drunk,

  • (i) behaves before the enemy in such manner as to show cowardice, or

  • (j) does or omits to do anything with intent to imperil the success of any of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if the person acted traitorously, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life, and in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 74
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 25

Security

Marginal note:Offences related to security

 Every person who

  • (a) improperly holds communication with or gives intelligence to the enemy,

  • (b) without authority discloses in any manner whatever any information relating to the numbers, position, materiel, movements, preparations for movements, operations or preparations for operations of any of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith,

  • (c) without authority discloses in any manner whatever any information relating to a cryptographic system, aid, process, procedure, publication or document of any of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith,

  • (d) makes known the parole, watchword, password, countersign or identification signal to any person not entitled to receive it,

  • (e) gives a parole, watchword, password, countersign or identification signal different from that which he received,

  • (f) without authority alters or interferes with any identification or other signal,

  • (g) improperly occasions false alarms,

  • (h) when acting as sentry or lookout, leaves his post before he is regularly relieved or sleeps or is drunk,

  • (i) forces a safeguard or forces or strikes a sentinel, or

  • (j) does or omits to do anything with intent to prejudice the security of any of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if the person acted traitorously, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life, and in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 75
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 26

Prisoners of War

Marginal note:Offences related to prisoners of war

 Every person who

  • (a) by want of due precaution, or through disobedience of orders or wilful neglect of duty, is made a prisoner of war,

  • (b) having been made a prisoner of war, fails to rejoin Her Majesty’s service when able to do so, or

  • (c) having been made a prisoner of war, serves with or aids the enemy,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if the person acted traitorously, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life, and in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 76
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 27

Miscellaneous Operational Offences

Marginal note:Offences related to operations

 Every person who

  • (a) does violence to any person bringing materiel to any of Her Majesty’s Forces or to any forces cooperating therewith,

  • (b) irregularly detains any materiel being conveyed to any unit or other element of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith,

  • (c) irregularly appropriates to the unit or other element of the Canadian Forces with which the person is serving any materiel being conveyed to any other unit or element of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith,

  • (d) without orders from the person’s superior officer, improperly destroys or damages any property,

  • (e) breaks into any house or other place in search of plunder,

  • (f) commits any offence against the property or person of any inhabitant or resident of a country in which he is serving,

  • (g) steals from, or with intent to steal searches, the person of any person killed or wounded, in the course of warlike operations,

  • (h) steals any money or property that has been left exposed or unprotected in consequence of warlike operations, or

  • (i) takes otherwise than for the public service any money or property abandoned by the enemy,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if the person committed the offence on active service, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment and, in any other case, is liable to dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 67

Spies for the Enemy

Marginal note:Offence of being spy

 Every person who spies for the enemy is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 78
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 28

Mutiny

Marginal note:Mutiny with violence

 Every person who joins in a mutiny that is accompanied by violence is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 79
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 28

Marginal note:Mutiny without violence

 Every person who joins in a mutiny that is not accompanied by violence is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years or to less punishment or, in the case of a ringleader of the mutiny, to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 80
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 28

Marginal note:Offences related to mutiny

 Every person who

  • (a) causes or conspires with any other person to cause a mutiny,

  • (b) endeavours to persuade any person to join in a mutiny,

  • (c) being present, does not use his utmost endeavours to suppress a mutiny, or

  • (d) being aware of an actual or intended mutiny, does not without delay inform his superior officer thereof,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 71

Seditious Offences

Marginal note:Advocating governmental change by force

 Every person who publishes or circulates any writing, printing or document in which is advocated, or who teaches or advocates, the use, without the authority of law, of force as a means of accomplishing any governmental change within Canada is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 72

Insubordination

Marginal note:Disobedience of lawful command

 Every person who disobeys a lawful command of a superior officer is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 73

Marginal note:Striking or offering violence to a superior officer

 Every person who strikes or attempts to strike, or draws or lifts up a weapon against, or uses, attempts to use or offers violence against, a superior officer is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 74

Marginal note:Insubordinate behaviour

 Every person who uses threatening or insulting language to, or behaves with contempt toward, a superior officer is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 75

Marginal note:Quarrels and disturbances

 Every person who

  • (a) quarrels or fights with any other person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, or

  • (b) uses provoking speeches or gestures toward a person so subject that tend to cause a quarrel or disturbance,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 76

Marginal note:Resisting or escaping from arrest or custody

 Every person who

  • (a) being concerned in a quarrel, fray or disorder,

    • (i) refuses to obey an officer, though of inferior rank, who orders the person into arrest, or

    • (ii) strikes or uses or offers violence to any such officer,

  • (b) strikes or uses or offers violence to any other person in whose custody he is placed, whether or not that other person is his superior officer and whether or not that other person is subject to the Code of Service Discipline,

  • (c) resists an escort whose duty it is to apprehend him or to have him in charge, or

  • (d) breaks out of barracks, station, camp, quarters or ship,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 77

Desertion

Marginal note:Offence

  •  (1) Every person who deserts or attempts to desert is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if the person committed the offence on active service or under orders for active service, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment and, in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Definition

    (2) A person deserts who

    • (a) being on or having been warned for active service, duty during an emergency or other important service, is absent without authority with the intention of avoiding that service;

    • (b) having been warned that his vessel is under sailing orders, is absent without authority with the intention of missing that vessel;

    • (c) absents himself without authority from his place of duty with the intention of remaining absent from his place of duty;

    • (d) is absent without authority from his place of duty and at any time during such absence forms the intention of remaining absent from his place of duty; or

    • (e) while absent with authority from his place of duty, with the intention of remaining absent from his place of duty, does any act or omits to do anything the natural and probable consequence of which act or omission is to preclude the person from being at his place of duty at the time required.

  • Marginal note:Presumption of desertion

    (3) A person who has been absent without authority for a continuous period of six months or more shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed to have had the intention of remaining absent from his place of duty.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 78

Marginal note:Connivance at desertion

 Every person who

  • (a) being aware of the desertion or intended desertion of a person from any of Her Majesty’s Forces, does not without reasonable excuse inform his superior officer forthwith, or

  • (b) fails to take any steps in his power to cause the apprehension of a person whom he knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe, to be a deserter,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 79

Absence without Leave

Marginal note:Offence

  •  (1) Every person who absents himself without leave is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Definition

    (2) A person absents himself without leave who

    • (a) without authority leaves his place of duty;

    • (b) without authority is absent from his place of duty; or

    • (c) having been authorized to be absent from his place of duty, fails to return to his place of duty at the expiration of the period for which the absence of that person was authorized.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 80

Marginal note:False statement in respect of leave

 Every person who knowingly makes a false statement in respect of prolongation of leave of absence is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 81

Disgraceful Conduct

Marginal note:Scandalous conduct by officers

 Every officer who behaves in a scandalous manner unbecoming an officer is guilty of an offence and on conviction shall suffer dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or dismissal from Her Majesty’s service.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 82

Marginal note:Cruel or disgraceful conduct

 Every person who behaves in a cruel or disgraceful manner is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 83

Marginal note:Traitorous or disloyal utterances

 Every person who uses traitorous or disloyal words regarding Her Majesty is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 84

Marginal note:Abuse of subordinates

 Every person who strikes or otherwise ill-treats any person who by reason of rank or appointment is subordinate to him is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 85

Marginal note:Making false accusations or statements or suppressing facts

 Every person who

  • (a) makes a false accusation against an officer or non-commissioned member, knowing the accusation to be false, or

  • (b) when seeking redress under section 29, knowingly makes a false statement affecting the character of an officer or non-commissioned member or knowingly, in respect of the redress so sought, suppresses any material fact

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 96
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Drunkenness

  •  (1) Drunkenness is an offence and every person convicted thereof is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment, except that, where the offence is committed by a non-commissioned member who is not on active service or on duty or who has not been warned for duty, no punishment of imprisonment, and no punishment of detention for a term in excess of ninety days, shall be imposed.

  • Marginal note:When committed

    (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the offence of drunkenness is committed where a person, owing to the influence of alcohol or a drug,

    • (a) is unfit to be entrusted with any duty that the person is or may be required to perform; or

    • (b) behaves in a disorderly manner or in a manner likely to bring discredit on Her Majesty’s service.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 97
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Malingering, aggravating disease or infirmity or injuring self or another

 Every person who

  • (a) malingers or feigns or produces disease or infirmity,

  • (b) aggravates, or delays the cure of, disease or infirmity by misconduct or wilful disobedience of orders, or

  • (c) wilfully maims or injures himself or any other person who is a member of any of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith, whether at the instance of that person or not, with intent thereby to render himself or that other person unfit for service, or causes himself to be maimed or injured by any person with intent thereby to render himself unfit for service,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if he commits the offence on active service or when under orders for active service or in respect of a person on active service or under orders for active service, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment and, in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 88

Offences in relation to Service Arrest and Custody

Marginal note:Detaining unnecessarily or failing to bring up for investigation

 Every person who unnecessarily detains any other person in arrest or confinement without bringing him to trial, or fails to bring that other person’s case before the proper authority for investigation, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 89

Marginal note:Setting free without authority or allowing or assisting escape

 Every person who

  • (a) without authority sets free or authorizes or otherwise facilitates the setting free of any person in custody,

  • (b) negligently or wilfully allows to escape any person who is committed to his charge, or whom it is his duty to guard or keep in custody, or

  • (c) assists any person in escaping or in attempting to escape from custody,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if he acted wilfully, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to less punishment and, in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 90

Marginal note:Escape from custody

 Every person who, being in arrest or confinement or in prison or otherwise in lawful custody, escapes or attempts to escape is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 91

Marginal note:Failure to comply with conditions

 Every person who, without lawful excuse, fails to comply with a condition imposed under this Division or Division 3 or 8, or a condition of an undertaking given under Division 3 or 10, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 29
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 16

Marginal note:Hindering arrest or confinement or withholding assistance when called on

 Every person who

  • (a) resists or wilfully obstructs an officer or non-commissioned member in the performance of any duty pertaining to the arrest, custody or confinement of a person subject to the Code of Service Discipline, or

  • (b) when called on, refuses or neglects to assist an officer or non-commissioned member in the performance of any such duty

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 102
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Withholding delivery over or assistance to civil power

 Every person who neglects or refuses to deliver over an officer or non-commissioned member to the civil power, pursuant to a warrant in that behalf, or to assist in the lawful apprehension of an officer or non-commissioned member accused of an offence punishable by a civil court is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 103
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Offences in relation to Vessels

Marginal note:Losing, stranding or hazarding vessels

 Every person who wilfully or negligently or through other default loses, strands or hazards, or suffers to be lost, stranded or hazarded, any of Her Majesty’s Canadian ships or other vessels of the Canadian Forces is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 94

 [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 30]

Marginal note:Disobedience of captain’s orders

  •  (1) Every person who, when in a ship, disobeys any lawful command given by the captain of the ship in relation to the navigation or handling of the ship or affecting the safety of the ship, whether or not the captain is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Command in ship

    (2) For the purposes of this section, every person of whatever rank shall, when the person is in a ship, be under the command, in respect of all matters relating to the navigation or handling of the ship or affecting the safety of the ship, of the captain of the ship, whether or not the captain is subject to the Code of Service Discipline.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 96

Offences in relation to Aircraft

Marginal note:Wrongful acts in relation to aircraft or aircraft material

 Every person who

  • (a) in the use of or in relation to any aircraft or aircraft material, wilfully or negligently or by neglect of or contrary to regulations, orders or instructions, does any act or omits to do anything, which act or omission causes or is likely to cause loss of life or bodily injury to any person,

  • (b) wilfully or negligently or by neglect of or contrary to regulations, orders or instructions, does any act or omits to do anything, which act or omission results or is likely to result in damage to or destruction or loss of any of Her Majesty’s aircraft or aircraft material or of aircraft or aircraft material of any forces cooperating with Her Majesty’s Forces, or

  • (c) during a state of war wilfully or negligently causes the sequestration by or under the authority of a neutral state or the destruction in a neutral state of any of Her Majesty’s aircraft or of aircraft of any forces cooperating with Her Majesty’s Forces,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if the person acted wilfully, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment and, in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 97

Marginal note:Signing inaccurate certificate

 Every person who signs an inaccurate certificate in relation to an aircraft or aircraft material without taking reasonable steps to ensure that it was accurate, the proof of taking which steps lies on that person, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 98

Marginal note:Low flying

 Every person who flies an aircraft at a height less than the minimum height authorized in the circumstances is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 99

Marginal note:Disobedience of captain’s orders

  •  (1) Every person who, when in an aircraft, disobeys any lawful command given by the captain of the aircraft in relation to the flying or handling of the aircraft or affecting the safety of the aircraft, whether or not the captain is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Command in aircraft

    (2) For the purposes of this section,

    • (a) every person of whatever rank shall, when the person is in an aircraft, be under the command, in respect of all matters relating to the flying or handling of the aircraft or affecting the safety of the aircraft, of the captain of the aircraft, whether or not the captain is subject to the Code of Service Discipline; and

    • (b) if the aircraft is a glider and is being towed by another aircraft, the captain of the glider shall, so long as the glider is being towed, be under the command, in respect of all matters relating to the flying or handling of the glider or affecting the safety of the glider, of the captain of the towing aircraft, whether or not the captain of the towing aircraft is subject to the Code of Service Discipline.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 100

Offences in relation to Vehicles

Marginal note:Improper driving of vehicles

  •  (1) Every person who

    • (a) drives a vehicle of the Canadian Forces recklessly or in a manner that is dangerous to any person or property having regard to all the circumstances of the case, or, having charge of and being in or on such a vehicle, causes or by wilful neglect permits it to be so driven,

    • (b) while the person’s ability to drive a vehicle of the Canadian Forces is impaired by alcohol or a drug, drives or attempts to drive such a vehicle, whether it is in motion or not, or

    • (c) having charge of a vehicle of the Canadian Forces, knowingly permits it to be driven by a person whose ability to drive such a vehicle is impaired by alcohol or a drug,

    is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Occupant of driver’s seat deemed attempting to drive

    (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a person who occupies the seat ordinarily occupied by a driver of a vehicle shall be deemed to have attempted to drive the vehicle, unless that person establishes that he did not enter or mount the vehicle for the purpose of setting it in motion.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 101

Marginal note:Improper use of vehicles

 Every person who

  • (a) uses a vehicle of the Canadian Forces for an unauthorized purpose,

  • (b) without authority uses a vehicle of the Canadian Forces for any purpose, or

  • (c) uses a vehicle of the Canadian Forces contrary to any regulation, order or instruction,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 102

Offences in relation to Property

Marginal note:Causing fires

 Every person who wilfully or negligently or by neglect of or contrary to regulations, orders or instructions, does any act or omits to do anything, which act or omission causes or is likely to cause fire to occur in any materiel, defence establishment or work for defence is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if the person acted wilfully, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment and, in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 103

Marginal note:Stealing

  •  (1) Every person who steals is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if by reason of the person’s rank, appointment or employment or as a result of any lawful command the person, at the time of the commission of the offence, was entrusted with the custody, control or distribution of the thing stolen, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years or to less punishment and, in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Definition

    (2) For the purposes of this section,

    • (a) stealing is the act of fraudulently and without colour of right taking, or fraudulently and without colour of right converting to the use of any person, any thing capable of being stolen, with intent

      • (i) to deprive, temporarily or absolutely, the owner of it or a person who has a special property or interest in it, of the thing or of that property or interest,

      • (ii) to pledge it or deposit it as security,

      • (iii) to part with it under a condition with respect to its return that the person who parts with it may be unable to perform, or

      • (iv) to deal with it in such a manner that it cannot be restored in the condition in which it was at the time when it was taken and converted;

    • (b) stealing is committed when the offender moves the thing or causes it to move or to be moved, or begins to cause it to become movable, with intent to steal it;

    • (c) the taking or conversion may be fraudulent, although effected without secrecy or attempt at concealment; and

    • (d) it is immaterial whether the thing converted was taken for the purpose of conversion, or whether it was, at the time of the conversion, in the lawful possession of the person who converts it.

  • Marginal note:When movable inanimate things capable of being stolen

    (3) Every inanimate thing that is the property of any person and that either is or may be made movable is capable of being stolen as soon as it becomes movable, although it is made movable in order that it may be stolen.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 104

Marginal note:Receiving

 Every person who receives or retains in his possession any property obtained by the commission of any service offence, knowing the property to have been so obtained, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 105

Marginal note:Destruction, damage, loss or improper disposal

 Every person who

  • (a) wilfully destroys or damages, loses by neglect, improperly sells or wastefully expends any public property, non-public property or property of any of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith,

  • (b) wilfully destroys, damages or improperly sells any property belonging to another person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, or

  • (c) sells, pawns or otherwise disposes of any cross, medal, insignia or other decoration granted by or with the approval of Her Majesty,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 106

Marginal note:Miscellaneous offences

 Every person who

  • (a) connives at the exaction of an exorbitant price for property purchased or rented by a person supplying property or services to the Canadian Forces,

  • (b) improperly demands or accepts compensation, consideration or personal advantage in respect of the performance of any military duty or in respect of any matter relating to the Department or the Canadian Forces,

  • (c) receives directly or indirectly, whether personally or by or through any member of his family or person under his control, or for his benefit, any gift, loan, promise, compensation or consideration, either in money or otherwise, from any person, for assisting or favouring any person in the transaction of any business relating to any of Her Majesty’s Forces, or to any forces cooperating therewith or to any mess, institute or canteen operated for the use and benefit of members of those forces,

  • (d) demands or accepts compensation, consideration or personal advantage for convoying a vessel entrusted to his care,

  • (e) being in command of a vessel or aircraft, takes or receives on board goods or merchandise that he is not authorized to take or receive on board, or

  • (f) commits any act of a fraudulent nature not particularly specified in sections 73 to 128,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 117
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 31

Offences in relation to Tribunals

Marginal note:Definition of tribunal

  •  (1) For the purposes of this section and section 119, tribunal includes a court martial, a military judge, an officer conducting a summary hearing, the Grievances Committee, the Military Judges Inquiry Committee, the Military Police Complaints Commission, a board of inquiry, a commissioner taking evidence under this Act and any inquiry committee established under regulations.

  • Marginal note:Contempt

    (2) Every person who

    • (a) being duly summoned or ordered to attend as a witness before a tribunal, fails to attend or to remain in attendance,

    • (b) refuses to take an oath or make a solemn affirmation lawfully required by a tribunal to be taken or made,

    • (c) refuses to produce any document in the power or control of, and lawfully required by a tribunal to be produced by, that person,

    • (d) refuses when a witness to answer any question to which a tribunal may lawfully require an answer,

    • (e) uses insulting or threatening language before, or causes any interruption or disturbance in the proceedings of, a tribunal, or

    • (f) commits any other contempt of a tribunal

    is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 118
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 32
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 17, 106(E)
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 8

Marginal note:Failure to appear or attend

 Every person who, being duly summoned or ordered to appear before a court martial or a military judge, as an accused, or before an officer conducting a summary hearing, as a person charged with having committed a service infraction, fails, without lawful excuse, the proof of which lies on the person, to appear as summoned or ordered, or to remain in attendance, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

Marginal note:False evidence

 Every person who, when examined on oath or solemn affirmation before a tribunal, knowingly gives false evidence is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 119
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 32

Offence in Relation to the Sex Offender Information Registration Act

Marginal note:Failure to comply with order or obligation

  •  (1) Every person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with an order made under section 227.01 of this Act or section 490.012 of the Criminal Code or with an obligation under section 227.06 of this Act, section 490.019 or 490.02901 of the Criminal Code or section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Reasonable excuse

    (2) For greater certainty, a lawful command that prevents a person from complying with an order or obligation is a reasonable excuse.

  • Marginal note:Proof of certain facts by certificate

    (3) In proceedings under subsection (1), a certificate of a person referred to in paragraph 16(2)(b.1) of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act stating that the person named in the certificate failed to report under section 4, 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 — or provide information under section 5 or notify a person under subsection 6(1) — of that Act is evidence of the statements contained in it without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed it.

  • Marginal note:Attendance and cross-examination

    (4) The person named in the certificate may, with the leave of the court martial, require the attendance of the person who signed it for the purpose of cross-examination.

  • Marginal note:Notice of intention to produce

    (5) A certificate is not to be received in evidence unless, before the commencement of the trial, the party who intends to produce it gives the person named in the certificate a copy of it and reasonable notice of their intention to produce it.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 2
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 45

Offence in Relation to DNA Identification

Marginal note:Failure to comply with order or summons

  •  (1) Every person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with an order made under subsection 196.14(4) or 196.24(4) of this Act or subsection 487.051(4) or 487.055(3.11) of the Criminal Code, or with a summons referred to in subsection 487.055(4) or 487.091(3) of the Criminal Code, is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:For greater certainty

    (2) For greater certainty, a lawful command that prevents a person from complying with an order or summons is a reasonable excuse.

  • 2007, c. 22, ss. 34, 49

Offences in relation to Billeting

Marginal note:Ill-treatment or non-payment of occupant or person on whom billeted

 Every person who

  • (a) ill-treats, by violence, extortion or making disturbance in billets or otherwise, any occupant of a house in which any person is billeted or of any premises in which accommodation for materiel has been provided, or

  • (b) fails to comply with regulations in respect of payment of the just demands of the person on whom he or any officer or non-commissioned member under his command is or has been billeted or the occupant of premises on which materiel is or has been accommodated,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 120
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Offences in relation to Enrolment

Marginal note:Fraudulent enrolment

 Every person who, having been released from Her Majesty’s Forces by reason of a sentence of a court martial or by reason of misconduct, has afterwards been enrolled in the Canadian Forces without declaring the circumstances of that release is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

Marginal note:False answers or false information

 Every person who knowingly

  • (a) makes a false answer to any question set out in any document required to be completed, or

  • (b) furnishes any false information or false document,

in relation to the enrolment of that person is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 112

Marginal note:Assisting unlawful enrolment

 Every person who is concerned in the enrolment of any other person and who knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that by being enrolled that other person commits an offence under this Act is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 113

Miscellaneous Offences

Marginal note:Negligent performance of duties

 Every person who negligently performs a military duty imposed on that person is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 114

Marginal note:Offences in relation to documents

 Every person who

  • (a) wilfully or negligently makes a false statement or entry in a document made or signed by that person and required for official purposes or who, being aware of the falsity of a statement or entry in a document so required, orders the making or signing thereof,

  • (b) when signing a document required for official purposes, leaves in blank any material part for which the signature is a voucher, or

  • (c) with intent to injure any person or with intent to deceive, suppresses, defaces, alters or makes away with any document or file kept, made or issued for any military or departmental purpose,

is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 115

Marginal note:Refusing immunization, tests, blood examination or treatment

 Every person who, on receiving an order to submit to inoculation, re-inoculation, vaccination, re-vaccination, other immunization procedures, immunity tests, blood examination or treatment against any infectious disease, wilfully and without reasonable excuse disobeys that order is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 116

Marginal note:Injurious or destructive handling of dangerous substances

 Every person who wilfully or negligently or by neglect of or contrary to regulations, orders or instructions does any act or omits to do anything, in relation to any thing or substance that may be dangerous to life or property, which act or omission causes or is likely to cause loss of life or bodily injury to any person or damage to or destruction of any property, is guilty of an offence and on conviction, if he acted wilfully, is liable to imprisonment for life or to less punishment and, in any other case, is liable to imprisonment for less than two years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 117

Marginal note:Conspiracy

 Every person who conspires with any other person, whether or not that other person is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, to commit an offence under the Code of Service Discipline is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to less punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 118

Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Discipline

Marginal note:Prejudicing good order or discipline

  •  (1) Any act, conduct, disorder or neglect to the prejudice of good order and discipline is an offence and every person convicted thereof is liable to dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or to less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Offence and contraventions prejudicial to good order and discipline

    (2) An act or omission constituting an offence under section 72 or a contravention by any person of

    • (a) any of the provisions of this Act,

    • (b) any regulations, orders or instructions published for the general information and guidance of the Canadian Forces or any part thereof, or

    • (c) any general, garrison, unit, station, standing, local or other orders,

    is an act, conduct, disorder or neglect to the prejudice of good order and discipline.

  • Marginal note:Attempts to commit offences

    (3) An attempt to commit any of the offences prescribed in sections 73 to 128 is an act, conduct, disorder or neglect to the prejudice of good order and discipline.

  • Marginal note:Saving provision

    (4) Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) affects the generality of subsection (1).

  • Marginal note:Not intended to cover offences elsewhere provided for

    (5) No person may be charged under this section with any offence for which special provision is made in sections 73 to 128 but the conviction of a person so charged is not invalid by reason only of the charge being in contravention of this subsection unless it appears that an injustice has been done to the person charged by reason of the contravention.

  • Marginal note:Officer’s responsibility not affected

    (6) The responsibility of any officer for the contravention of subsection (5) is not affected by the validity of any conviction on the charge in contravention of that subsection.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 119

Offences Punishable by Ordinary Law

Marginal note:Service trial of civil offences

  •  (1) An act or omission

    • (a) that takes place in Canada and is punishable under Part VII, the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament, or

    • (b) that takes place outside Canada and would, if it had taken place in Canada, be punishable under Part VII, the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament,

    is an offence under this Division and every person convicted thereof is liable to suffer punishment as provided in subsection (2).

  • Marginal note:Punishment

    (2) Subject to subsection (3), if a court martial convicts a person under subsection (1), it shall,

    • (a) if the conviction was in respect of an offence

      • (i) committed in Canada under Part VII, the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament and for which a minimum punishment is prescribed, or

      • (ii) committed outside Canada under section 235 of the Criminal Code,

      impose a punishment in accordance with the enactment prescribing the minimum punishment for the offence; or

    • (b) in any other case,

      • (i) impose the punishment prescribed for the offence by Part VII, the Criminal Code or that other Act, or

      • (ii) impose dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or less punishment.

  • Marginal note:Code of Service Discipline applies

    (3) All provisions of the Code of Service Discipline in respect of a punishment of imprisonment for life, for two years or more or for less than two years, and a fine, apply in respect of punishments imposed under paragraph (2)(a) or subparagraph (2)(b)(i).

  • Marginal note:Saving provision

    (4) Nothing in this section is in derogation of the authority conferred by other sections of the Code of Service Discipline to charge, deal with and try a person alleged to have committed any offence set out in sections 73 to 129 and to impose the punishment for that offence described in the section prescribing that offence.

Marginal note:Reference to Attorney General

 For the purposes of this Act, the reference in section 320.4 of the Criminal Code to the Attorney General includes the Attorney General of Canada.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 131
  • R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 187
  • 2018, c. 21, s. 43

Marginal note:Offences under law applicable outside Canada

  •  (1) An act or omission that takes place outside Canada and would, under the law applicable in the place where the act or omission occurred, be an offence if committed by a person subject to that law is an offence under this Division, and every person who is found guilty thereof is liable to suffer punishment as provided in subsection (2).

  • Marginal note:Punishment for offence under law applicable outside Canada

    (2) Subject to subsection (3), where a court martial finds a person guilty of an offence under subsection (1), the court martial shall impose the punishment in the scale of punishments that it considers appropriate, having regard to the punishment prescribed by the law applicable in the place where the act or omission occurred and the punishment prescribed for the same or a similar offence in this Act, the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament.

  • Marginal note:Application of Code of Service Discipline

    (3) All provisions of the Code of Service Discipline in respect of a punishment of imprisonment for life, for two years or more or for less than two years, and a fine, apply in respect of punishments imposed under subsection (2).

  • Marginal note:Saving provision

    (4) Nothing in this section is in derogation of the authority conferred by other sections of the Code of Service Discipline to charge, deal with and try a person alleged to have committed any offence set out in sections 73 to 130 and to impose the punishment for that offence described in the section prescribing that offence.

  • Marginal note:Contravention of customs laws

    (5) Where an act or omission constituting an offence under subsection (1) contravenes the customs laws applicable in the place where the offence was committed, any officer appointed under the regulations for the purposes of this section may seize and detain any goods by means of or in relation to which the officer believes on reasonable grounds that the offence was committed and, if any person is convicted of the offence under subsection (1), the goods may, in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, be forfeited to Her Majesty and may be disposed of as provided by those regulations.

Conviction of Cognate Offence

Marginal note:Person charged with desertion

  •  (1) A person charged with desertion may be found guilty of attempting to desert or of being absent without leave.

  • Marginal note:Person charged with attempt to desert

    (2) A person charged with attempting to desert may be found guilty of being absent without leave.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 122

Marginal note:Person charged with violent offence against officer

  •  (1) A person charged with any one of the offences prescribed in section 84 may be found guilty of any other offence prescribed in that section.

  • Marginal note:Person charged with insubordinate behaviour

    (2) A person charged with any one of the offences prescribed in section 85 may be found guilty of any other offence prescribed in that section.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 122

Marginal note:Conviction of offence in circumstances involving lower punishment

 A person charged with a service offence may, on failure of proof of an offence having been committed under circumstances involving a higher punishment, be found guilty of the same offence as having been committed under circumstances involving a lower punishment.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 122

Marginal note:Powers on service trial of civil offences

 Where a person is charged with an offence under section 130 and the charge is one on which he might, in the event of trial by a civil court in Canada for that offence, have been found guilty of any other offence, the person may be found guilty of that other offence.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 122

Marginal note:Offence charged, attempt proved

  •  (1) If the complete commission of an offence charged is not proved but the evidence establishes an attempt to commit the offence, the accused person may be found guilty of the attempt.

  • (2) [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 11]

  • (3) [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 11]

Marginal note:Special finding of guilty

 A court martial may, instead of making a finding of not guilty, make a special finding of guilty if it concludes that

  • (a) the facts proved in respect of an offence being tried by it differ materially from the facts alleged in the statement of particulars but are sufficient to establish the commission of the offence charged; and

  • (b) the difference between the facts proved and the facts alleged in the statement of particulars has not prejudiced the accused person in their defence.

If the court martial makes a special finding of guilty, it shall state the differences between the facts proved and the facts alleged in the statement of particulars.

Punishments

Marginal note:Scale of punishments

  •  (1) The following punishments may be imposed in respect of service offences and each of those punishments is a punishment less than every punishment preceding it:

    • (a) imprisonment for life;

    • (b) imprisonment for two years or more;

    • (c) dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service;

    • (d) imprisonment for less than two years;

    • (e) dismissal from Her Majesty’s service;

    • (f) detention;

    • (g) reduction in rank;

    • (h) forfeiture of seniority;

    • (i) severe reprimand;

    • (j) reprimand;

    • (k) fine; and

    • (l) minor punishments.

  • Marginal note:Definition of less punishment

    (2) Where a punishment for an offence is specified by the Code of Service Discipline and it is further provided in the alternative that on conviction the offender is liable to less punishment, the expression less punishment means any one or more of the punishments lower in the scale of punishments than the specified punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 139
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 35

Marginal note:Imprisonment for shorter term

 Every person who, on conviction of a service offence, is liable to imprisonment for life, other than as a minimum punishment, or for a term of years or other term may be sentenced to imprisonment for a shorter term.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 140
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 36

Marginal note:Dismissal as accompanying punishment

  •  (1) Where a court martial imposes a punishment of imprisonment for life or for two years or more on an officer or a non-commissioned member, the court martial may in addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Division, impose a punishment of dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or a punishment of dismissal from Her Majesty’s service.

  • Marginal note:Dismissal as accompanying punishment

    (2) Where a court martial imposes a punishment of imprisonment for less than two years on an officer or a non-commissioned member, the court martial may in addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Division, impose a punishment of dismissal from Her Majesty’s service.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 36

Marginal note:Reduction in rank as accompanying punishment

 Where a court martial imposes a punishment of imprisonment on an officer or a non-commissioned member, the court martial may in addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Division, impose a punishment of reduction in rank, that may be

  • (a) in the case of an officer, to the lowest commissioned rank; and

  • (b) in the case of a non-commissioned member, to the lowest rank to which under the regulations the non-commissioned member can be reduced.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 36

 [Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 19]

 [Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 19]

Marginal note:Dismissal with disgrace

  •  (1) If a court martial imposes a punishment of dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service on an officer or non-commissioned member, it may, in addition, despite any other provision of this Division, impose a punishment of imprisonment for less than two years.

  • Marginal note:Effective date of dismissal

    (1.1) A punishment of dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service or dismissal from Her Majesty’s service is deemed to be carried out as of the date on which the release of an officer or a non-commissioned member from the Canadian Forces is effected.

  • Marginal note:Consequences

    (2) A person on whom a punishment of dismissal with disgrace from Her Majesty’s service has been carried out is not, except in an emergency or unless that punishment is subsequently set aside or altered, eligible to serve Her Majesty again in any military or civil capacity.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 141
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, ss. 37, 92
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 13(E)

Marginal note:Detention

  •  (1) The punishment of detention is subject to the following conditions:

    • (a) detention may not exceed ninety days and a person sentenced to detention may not be subject to detention for more than ninety days consecutively by reason of more than one conviction; and

    • (b) no officer may be sentenced to detention.

  • Marginal note:Reduction in rank during detention

    (2) A non-commissioned member above the rank of private who is sentenced to detention is deemed to be reduced to the rank of private until the sentence of detention is completed.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 142
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 38
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 20

Marginal note:Reduction in rank

  •  (1) The punishment of reduction in rank applies to officers above the rank of second lieutenant and to non-commissioned members above the rank of private.

  • Marginal note:Restrictions

    (2) The punishment of reduction in rank does not

    • (a) involve reduction to a rank lower than that to which under regulations the offender can be reduced; and

    • (b) in the case of a commissioned officer, involve reduction to a rank lower than commissioned rank.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 143
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Forfeiture of seniority

 Where a court martial imposes a punishment of forfeiture of seniority on an officer or non-commissioned member, the court martial shall in passing sentence specify the period for which seniority is to be forfeited.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 144
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 39

Marginal note:Fine

  •  (1) A fine must be imposed in a stated amount.

  • Marginal note:Terms of payment

    (2) The terms of payment of a fine are in the discretion of the court martial that imposes the fine.

  • Marginal note:Variation of terms of payment

    (3) The terms of payment of a fine may be varied by the military judge who imposed the fine or a military judge designated by the Chief Military Judge.

Marginal note:Civil enforcement of fines

  •  (1) If an offender is in default of payment of a fine, the Minister may, in addition to any other method provided by law for recovering the fine, by filing the conviction, enter as a judgment the amount of the fine and costs, if any, in any court in Canada that has jurisdiction to enter a judgment for that amount.

  • Marginal note:Effect of filing order

    (2) A judgment that is entered under this section is enforceable in the same manner as if it were a judgment obtained by the Minister in civil proceedings.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 21

Marginal note:Minor punishments

 Minor punishments shall be such as are prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 125

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 15]

Prohibition Orders

Marginal note:Prohibition order

  •  (1) If a court martial considers it desirable, in the interests of the safety of an offender or of any other person, it shall — in addition to any other punishment that may be imposed for the offence — make an order prohibiting the offender from possessing any firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, or all such things, on convicting or discharging absolutely the offender of

    • (a) an offence in the commission of which violence against a person was used, threatened or attempted;

    • (b) an offence that involves, or the subject-matter of which is, a firearm, a cross-bow, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device, any ammunition, any prohibited ammunition or an explosive substance;

    • (c) an offence relating to the contravention of any of sections 5 to 7 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;

    • (c.1) an offence relating to the contravention of any of sections 9 to 14 of the Cannabis Act; or

    • (d) an offence that is punishable under section 130 and that is described in paragraph 109(1)(b) of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Duration of prohibition order

    (2) An order made under subsection (1) begins on the day the order is made and ends on the day specified in the order.

  • Marginal note:Application of order

    (3) Unless it specifies otherwise, an order made under subsection (1) does not prohibit an officer or a non-commissioned member from possessing any thing necessary for the performance of their duties.

  • Marginal note:Notification

    (4) A court martial that makes an order under subsection (1) shall without delay cause the Registrar of Firearms appointed under section 82 of the Firearms Act to be notified of the order.

  • 1995, c. 39, s. 176
  • 1996, c. 19, s. 83.1
  • 2012, c. 1, s. 50
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 22
  • 2018, c. 16, ss. 168, 188(E)

Marginal note:Requirement to surrender

 A court martial that makes an order under subsection 147.1(1) may, in the order, require the offender against whom the order is made to surrender to a member of the military police or to the offender’s commanding officer

  • (a) any thing the possession of which is prohibited by the order that is in the possession of the offender on the commencement of the order; and

  • (b) every authorization, licence and registration certificate relating to any thing the possession of which is prohibited by the order that is held by the offender on the commencement of the order.

The court martial shall specify in the order a reasonable period for surrendering the thing or document, and during that period section 117.01 of the Criminal Code does not apply to the offender.

  • 1995, c. 39, s. 176
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 23

Marginal note:Forfeiture

  •  (1) Unless an order made under subsection 147.1(1) specifies otherwise, every thing the possession of which is prohibited by the order that, on the commencement of the order, is in the possession of the person against whom the order is made is forfeited to Her Majesty.

  • Marginal note:Disposal

    (2) Every thing forfeited to Her Majesty under subsection (1) shall be disposed of or otherwise dealt with as the Minister directs.

  • 1995, c. 39, s. 176

Marginal note:Authorizations revoked or amended

 Every authorization, licence and registration certificate relating to any thing the possession of which is prohibited by an order made under subsection 147.1(1) and issued to a person against whom the order is made is, on the commencement of the order, revoked, or amended, as the case may be, to the extent of the prohibitions in the order.

  • 1995, c. 39, s. 176

Marginal note:Return to owner

 Where the Minister is, on application for an order under this section, satisfied that a person, other than the person against whom an order under subsection 147.1(1) was made,

  • (a) is the owner of any thing that is or may be forfeited to Her Majesty under subsection 147.3(1) and is lawfully entitled to possess it, and

  • (b) had no reasonable grounds to believe that the thing would or might be used in the commission of the offence in respect of which the order was made,

the Minister shall order that the thing be returned to the owner or the proceeds of any sale of the thing be paid to that owner, or, if the thing was destroyed, that an amount equal to the value of the thing be paid to the owner.

  • 1995, c. 39, s. 176

Order to Abstain from Communicating

Marginal note:If injury or damage feared

  •  (1) An information may, in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, be laid before a military judge by or on behalf of any victim who fears on reasonable grounds that a person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline will cause physical or emotional harm to the victim, to the victim’s spouse, to a person who is cohabiting with the victim in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year, or to the victim’s child or will cause damage to the victim’s property.

  • Marginal note:Parties to appear

    (2) The military judge who receives the information shall cause the parties to appear before the military judge, either in person or otherwise.

  • Marginal note:Order

    (3) The military judge may, if satisfied by the evidence that there are reasonable grounds for the victim’s fears, order that the person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline and who is referred to in the information

    • (a) abstain from communicating, directly or indirectly, with any of the following individuals who are specified in the order:

      • (i) the victim,

      • (ii) the victim’s spouse,

      • (iii) a person who is cohabiting with the victim in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year,

      • (iv) the victim’s child;

    • (b) refrain from going to any place specified in the order; or

    • (c) comply with any other condition specified in the order that the military judge considers necessary.

  • Marginal note:Absence of military judge

    (4) If, for operational reasons, no military judge is available, the information may be laid before a commanding officer and, if it is so laid, that commanding officer has all the powers of a military judge that are set out in subsection (3).

  • Marginal note:Review

    (5) Every decision of a commanding officer to make or not make an order under subsection (3) must be reviewed as soon as feasible by a military judge. The military judge may, at the conclusion of the review, amend any order that was made and, if none was made, make any order under that subsection.

Intermittent Sentences

Marginal note:Imprisonment or detention

  •  (1) A court martial that sentences an offender to imprisonment or detention for a period of 14 days or less may, on application of the offender and having regard to the offender’s age and character, the nature of the offence and the circumstances surrounding its commission, and the availability of appropriate accommodation to ensure compliance with the sentence, order

    • (a) that the sentence be served intermittently at the times specified in the order; and

    • (b) that the offender comply with any conditions prescribed in the order when the offender is not in confinement during the period during which the sentence is served.

  • Marginal note:Application to vary intermittent sentence

    (2) An offender who is ordered to serve a sentence intermittently may apply to have the sentence served on consecutive days by applying to a military judge after giving notice to the Director of Military Prosecutions.

  • Marginal note:New sentence of imprisonment or detention

    (3) If a court martial imposes a sentence of imprisonment or detention on an offender who is subject to an intermittent sentence in respect of another offence, the unexpired portion of the intermittent sentence is to be served on consecutive days unless the court martial orders otherwise.

  • Marginal note:Hearing into breach of conditions

    (4) On application by a representative of the Canadian Forces who is a member of a class designated for that purpose by regulations made by the Governor in Council, a determination of whether an offender has breached a condition imposed under paragraph (1)(b) may be made by a military judge.

  • Marginal note:Consequences of breach

    (5) If a military judge determines, after giving the offender and the applicant an opportunity to make representations, that the offender has breached a condition, the military judge may

    • (a) revoke the order made under subsection (1) and order that the offender serve the sentence on consecutive days; or

    • (b) vary any conditions imposed under paragraph (1)(b) and substitute or add other conditions as the military judge sees fit.

Incarceration under more than one Sentence

Marginal note:Concurrent punishment

 Where a person is under a sentence imposed by a court martial that includes a punishment involving incarceration and another court martial subsequently passes a new sentence that also includes a punishment involving incarceration, both punishments of incarceration shall, subject to section 745.51 of the Criminal Code, after the date of the pronouncement of the new sentence, run concurrently but the punishment higher in the scale of punishments shall be served first.

 [Repealed before coming into force, 2005, c. 22, s. 47]

Punishment for Certain Offences

Marginal note:Punishment for certain offences

  •  (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament, a person convicted of an offence under this Act for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more, or an offence punishable under section 130 that is an indictable offence under the Criminal Code or any other Act of Parliament, other than an offence for which a sentence of imprisonment for life is imposed as a minimum punishment, where the act or omission constituting the offence also constitutes a terrorist activity, is liable to imprisonment for life.

  • Marginal note:Offender must be notified

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply unless the Director of Military Prosecutions satisfies the court martial that the offender, before making a plea, was notified that the application of that subsection would be sought by reason of the act or omission constituting the offence also constituting a terrorist activity.

  • 2001, c. 41, s. 99

 [Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 25]

 [Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 25]

 [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 47]

DIVISION 3Arrest and Pre-Trial Custody

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

 The definitions in this section apply in this Division.

custody review officer

custody review officer, in respect of a person in custody, means

  • (a) the officer who is the person’s commanding officer, or an officer who is designated by that officer; or

  • (b) if it is not practical for an officer referred to in paragraph (a) to act as the custody review officer, the officer who is the commanding officer of the unit or element where the person is in custody or an officer who is designated by that officer. (officier réviseur)

designated offence

designated offence means

  • (a) an offence that is punishable under section 130 that is

    • (i) listed in section 469 of the Criminal Code,

    • (ii) an offence punishable by imprisonment for life under subsection 5(3), 6(3) or 7(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, or

    • (iii) an offence of conspiring to commit an offence under any subsection referred to in subparagraph (ii);

  • (b) an offence under this Act where the minimum punishment is imprisonment for life;

  • (c) an offence under this Act for which a punishment higher in the scale of punishments than imprisonment for less than two years may be awarded that is alleged to have been committed while at large after having been released in respect of another offence pursuant to the provisions of this Division or Division 10;

  • (d) an offence under this Act that is a criminal organization offence; or

  • (e) an offence under this Act that is a terrorism offence. (infraction désignée)

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 153
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 47
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 40
  • 2001, c. 41, s. 100
  • 2012, c. 1, s. 48(E)
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 26(F)

Authority to Arrest

Marginal note:General authority

  •  (1) Every person who has committed, is found committing or is believed on reasonable grounds to have committed a service offence, or who is charged with having committed a service offence, may be placed under arrest.

  • Marginal note:Reasonably necessary force

    (2) Every person authorized to effect arrest under this Division may use such force as is reasonably necessary for that purpose.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 154
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 48
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 92

Marginal note:Powers of officers

  •  (1) An officer may, without a warrant, in the circumstances described in section 154, arrest or order the arrest of

    • (a) any non-commissioned member;

    • (b) any officer of equal or lower rank; and

    • (c) any officer of higher rank who is engaged in a quarrel, fray or disorder.

  • Marginal note:Powers of non-commissioned members

    (2) A non-commissioned member may, without a warrant, in the circumstances described in section 154, arrest or order the arrest of

    • (a) any non-commissioned member of lower rank; and

    • (b) any non-commissioned member of equal or higher rank who is engaged in a quarrel, fray or disorder.

  • Marginal note:Limitations on power of arrest

    (2.1) Unless ordered to do so by a superior officer, an officer or non-commissioned member shall not order the arrest of a person, nor arrest a person, without a warrant for an offence that is not a serious offence if:

    • (a) they have reasonable grounds to believe that the public interest may be satisfied without so arresting the person, having regard to all the circumstances including the need to

      • (i) establish the person’s identity,

      • (ii) secure or preserve evidence of or relating to the offence, and

      • (iii) prevent the continuation or repetition of the offence or the commission of another offence; and

    • (b) they have no reasonable grounds to believe that, if the person is not so arrested, the person will fail to attend before a court martial in order to be dealt with according to law.

  • Marginal note:Arrest of persons other than officers or non-commissioned members

    (3) Every person who is not an officer or non-commissioned member but who was subject to the Code of Service Discipline at the time of the alleged commission by that person of a service offence may, without a warrant, be arrested or ordered to be arrested by such person as any commanding officer may designate for that purpose.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 155
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 27
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 63

Marginal note:Powers of military police

  •  (1) Officers and non-commissioned members who are appointed as members of the military police under regulations made for the purposes of this section may

    • (a) detain or arrest without a warrant any person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, regardless of the person’s rank or status, who has committed, is found committing, is believed on reasonable grounds to be about to commit or to have committed a service offence or who is charged with having committed a service offence; and

    • (b) exercise such other powers for carrying out the Code of Service Discipline as are prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Arrest without warrant — limitations

    (2) A member of the military police shall not arrest a person without a warrant for an offence that is not a serious offence if paragraphs 155(2.1)(a) and (b) apply.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 156
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), ss. 49, 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 41
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 28

Marginal note:Issue of warrants

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), every commanding officer, and every officer to whom a commanding officer has, under section 162.94, delegated the power to conduct a summary hearing, may by a warrant under his or her hand authorize any person to arrest any person subject to the Code of Service Discipline who

    • (a) has committed a service offence;

    • (b) is believed on reasonable grounds to have committed a service offence; or

    • (c) is charged under this Act with having committed a service offence.

  • Marginal note:Limitation

    (2) An officer authorized to issue a warrant under this section shall not, unless the officer has certified on the face of the warrant that the exigencies of the service so require, issue a warrant for the arrest of any officer of rank higher than the rank held by the officer so authorized.

  • Marginal note:Limitation

    (2.1) An officer authorized to issue a warrant under this section shall not issue a warrant for the arrest of any person who is a member of, serving with, or attached or seconded to the same unit of the Canadian Forces as the officer.

  • Marginal note:Contents of warrants

    (3) In any warrant issued under this section, the offence in respect of which the warrant is issued shall be stated and the names of more persons than one in respect of the same offence, or several offences of the same nature, may be included.

  • Marginal note:Saving provision

    (4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to be in derogation of the authority that any person, including an officer or non-commissioned member, may have under other sections of this Act or otherwise under the law of Canada to arrest any other person without a warrant.

Action following Arrest

Marginal note:Release from custody

  •  (1) A person arrested under this Act shall, as soon as is practicable, be released from custody by the person making the arrest, unless the person making the arrest believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary that the person under arrest be retained in custody having regard to all the circumstances, including

    • (a) the gravity of the offence alleged to have been committed;

    • (b) the need to establish the identity of the person under arrest;

    • (c) the need to secure or preserve evidence of or relating to the offence alleged to have been committed;

    • (d) the need to ensure that the person under arrest will appear before a court martial or civil court to be dealt with according to law;

    • (e) the need to prevent the continuation or repetition of the offence alleged to have been committed or the commission of any other offence; and

    • (f) the necessity to ensure the safety and security of the person under arrest, any victim of the offence, or any other person.

  • Marginal note:Retention in custody

    (2) If an arrested person is to be retained in custody, the person shall be placed in service custody or civil custody. Such force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose may be used.

  • Marginal note:Duty to receive into service custody

    (3) The officer or non-commissioned member in charge of a guard or a guard-room or a member of the military police shall receive and keep a person under arrest who is committed to their custody.

  • Marginal note:Account in writing

    (4) The person who commits a person under arrest to service custody shall, at the time of committal, deliver to the officer or non-commissioned member into whose custody the person under arrest is committed a signed account in writing setting out why the person under arrest is being committed to custody.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 158
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), ss. 51, 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 29
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 18

Marginal note:Report of custody

  •  (1) The officer or non-commissioned member into whose custody a person under arrest is committed shall, as soon as practicable, and in any case within twenty-four hours after the arrest of the person committed to custody, deliver a report of custody, in writing, to the custody review officer.

  • Marginal note:Contents

    (2) The report of custody must set out the name of the person in custody, an account of the offence alleged to have been committed by that person so far as it is known and the name and rank, if any, of the person who committed the person into service custody.

  • Marginal note:Representations concerning release

    (3) Before the report of custody is delivered to the custody review officer,

    • (a) a copy of the report and the account in writing must be provided to the person in custody; and

    • (b) the person in custody must be given the opportunity to make representations concerning the person’s release from custody.

  • Marginal note:Representations to be reduced to writing

    (4) Representations concerning release made by or on behalf of the person in custody must be reduced to writing or recorded by any other means.

  • Marginal note:Accompanying documents

    (5) When the report of custody is delivered, it must be accompanied by the account in writing and any representations made by or on behalf of the person in custody or a statement confirming that the person was given the opportunity to make representations but did not do so.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Initial Review

Marginal note:Review of report of custody

  •  (1) The custody review officer shall review the report of custody and the accompanying documents as soon as practicable after receiving them and in any case within forty-eight hours after the arrest of the person committed to custody.

  • Marginal note:Duty to release

    (2) After reviewing the report of custody and the accompanying documents, the custody review officer shall direct that the person committed to custody be released immediately unless the officer believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary that the person be retained in custody, having regard to all the circumstances, including those set out in subsection 158(1).

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Continuing duty to release

 If, at any time after receiving the report of custody and before the person in custody is brought before a military judge, the custody review officer no longer believes that the grounds to retain the person in custody exist, the custody review officer shall direct that the person be released from custody.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Duty to retain in custody if designated offence

 Notwithstanding subsection 158.2(2) and section 158.3, if the person in custody is charged with having committed a designated offence, the custody review officer shall direct that the person be retained in custody.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Duty to review where charge not laid

 If a charge is not laid within seventy-two hours after the person in custody was arrested, the custody review officer shall determine why a charge has not been laid and reconsider whether it remains necessary to retain the person in custody.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Release with or without conditions

  •  (1) The custody review officer may direct that the person be released without conditions or that the person be released and, as a condition of release, direct the person to comply with any of the following conditions:

    • (a) remain under military authority;

    • (b) report at specified times to a specified military authority;

    • (c) remain within the confines of a specified defence establishment or at a location within a geographical area;

    • (d) abstain from communicating with any witness or specified person, or refrain from going to any specified place; and

    • (e) comply with such other reasonable conditions as are specified.

  • Marginal note:Consideration of victim’s safety and security

    (1.1) If the custody review officer directs that the person be released, with or without conditions, the custody review officer shall include in the direction a statement that he or she has considered the safety and security of every victim of the alleged offence.

  • Marginal note:Copy to victim

    (1.2) The custody review officer shall, on request by a victim of the alleged offence, cause a copy of the direction to be given to the victim.

  • Marginal note:Review

    (2) A direction to release a person with or without conditions may, on application, be reviewed by

    • (a) if the custody review officer is an officer designated by a commanding officer, that commanding officer; or

    • (b) if the custody review officer is a commanding officer, the next superior officer to whom the commanding officer is responsible in matters of discipline.

  • Marginal note:Powers

    (3) After giving a representative of the Canadian Forces and the released person an opportunity to be heard, the officer conducting the review may make any direction that a custody review officer may make under subsection (1). If he or she makes a direction, subsections (1.1) and (1.2) apply with any necessary modifications.

Marginal note:Direction — no communication

 If a custody review officer directs that a person be retained in custody, the custody review officer may also direct that the person abstain from communicating, directly or indirectly, with any victim, witness or other person specified in the direction except in accordance with any conditions specified in the direction that the officer considers necessary.

Review by Military Judge

Marginal note:Review of directions

  •  (1) A military judge may, on application by counsel for the Canadian Forces or by a person released with conditions and after giving counsel and the released person an opportunity to be heard, review any of the following directions and make any direction that a custody review officer may make under subsection 158.6(1):

    • (a) a direction that was reviewed under subsection 158.6(2);

    • (b) a direction that was made under subsection 158.6(3); and

    • (c) a direction that was made under this section.

  • Marginal note:Conditions

    (2) A military judge shall not direct that a condition, other than the condition of keeping the peace and being of good behaviour, be imposed unless counsel for the Canadian Forces shows cause why it is necessary that the condition be imposed.

  • Marginal note:Further applications

    (3) If an application under this section has been heard, another application under this section may not be made with respect to the same person, except with leave of a military judge, before the expiry of 30 days from the day on which a decision was made in respect of the most recent application.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 31

Marginal note:Hearing by military judge

  •  (1) A custody review officer who does not direct the release of a person from custody shall, as soon as practicable, cause the person to be taken before a military judge for the purpose of a hearing to determine whether the person is to be retained in custody.

  • Marginal note:Applicable operational considerations

    (2) In determining when it is practicable to cause the person to be taken before a military judge, the custody review officer may have regard to the constraints of military operations, including the location of the unit or element where the person is in custody and the circumstances under which it is deployed.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 159
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 52
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Onus on Canadian Forces

 When the person retained in custody is taken before a military judge, the military judge shall direct that the person be released from custody unless counsel for the Canadian Forces, or in the absence of counsel a person appointed by the custody review officer, shows cause why the continued retention of the person in custody is justified or why any other direction under this Division should be made.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Justification for retention in custody

 For the purposes of sections 159.1 and 159.3, the retention of a person in custody is only justified when one or more of the following grounds have been established to the satisfaction of the military judge:

  • (a) custody is necessary to ensure the person’s attendance before a court martial or civil court to be dealt with according to law;

  • (b) custody is necessary for the protection or the safety of the public, having regard to all the circumstances including any substantial likelihood that the person will, if released from custody, commit an offence or interfere with the administration of military justice; and

  • (c) custody is necessary to maintain public trust in the administration of military justice, having regard to the circumstances including the apparent strength of the prosecution’s case, the gravity of the nature of the offence, the circumstances surrounding its commission and the potential for a lengthy term of imprisonment.

Marginal note:Onus on person in custody

  •  (1) Notwithstanding section 159.1, if the person in custody is charged with having committed a designated offence, the military judge shall direct that the person be retained in custody until dealt with according to law, unless the person shows cause why the person’s retention in custody is not justified.

  • Marginal note:Release on undertaking

    (2) If the person in custody shows cause why the person’s retention in custody is not justified, the military judge shall direct that the person be released from custody on giving any undertaking to comply with any of the conditions referred to in section 158.6 that the military judge considers appropriate, unless the person in custody shows cause why the giving of an undertaking is not justified.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Direction — no communication

 If a military judge directs that a person be retained in custody, the military judge may also direct that the person abstain from communicating, directly or indirectly, with any victim, witness or other person specified in the direction, except in accordance with any conditions specified in the direction that the military judge considers necessary.

Marginal note:Release with or without undertaking

  •  (1) The military judge may direct that the person be released without conditions or that the person be released on the giving of an undertaking to comply with any of the conditions referred to in section 158.6 that the military judge considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Variation of undertaking

    (2) The undertaking under which a person is released may be varied

    • (a) by direction of a military judge on application with reasonable notice being given; or

    • (b) with the written consent of the person and the Director of Military Prosecutions.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Hearing may be adjourned

 The military judge may adjourn the hearing on the military judge’s own motion or on application, but the adjournment may not be for more than three clear days except with the consent of the person in custody.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Alternate means of hearing

  •  (1) The military judge may direct that the hearing be conducted wholly or in part by the means of a telecommunications device, including by telephone, if the military judge is satisfied that the benefit of a hearing by that device outweighs the potential prejudice to the person in custody of conducting a hearing by that device.

  • Marginal note:Representations and factors to be considered

    (2) In deciding whether to make the direction, the military judge shall take into account

    • (a) the location of the person in custody;

    • (b) the gravity of the offence;

    • (c) the circumstances under which the unit or element detaining the person in custody is deployed;

    • (d) the availability of counsel for the Canadian Forces and the person in custody;

    • (e) the limitations of available telecommunications devices;

    • (f) the time required to bring the person in custody and the person’s counsel before the military judge; and

    • (g) any other matter that the military judge considers relevant.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Reasons

  •  (1) The military judge shall include in the minutes of any proceedings under this Division the reasons for any direction.

  • Marginal note:Consideration of victim’s safety and security

    (2) If the military judge directs that a person be released, with or without conditions, the military judge shall include in the direction a statement that he or she has considered the safety and security of every victim of the alleged offence.

  • Marginal note:Copy to victim

    (3) The military judge shall, on request by a victim of the alleged offence, cause a copy of the direction to be given to the victim.

Duty of Director of Military Prosecutions

Marginal note:Review after 90 days

 If the trial of a person who has been retained in custody has not commenced within ninety days after the day that person was last taken before a military judge, the Director of Military Prosecutions shall cause the person to be brought before a military judge to determine whether the continued retention of the person in custody is justified under section 159.2.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Review by Court Martial Appeal Court

Marginal note:Review of direction

  •  (1) At any time before the commencement of a person’s trial, a judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court may, on application, review any direction of a military judge under this Division to release the person from custody with or without an undertaking or to retain the person in custody.

  • Marginal note:Application of provisions

    (2) The provisions of this Division apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, to any review under this section.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Direction Cancelled

Marginal note:Regulations

 A direction to retain a person in custody or impose conditions on their release is cancelled in the circumstances prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 33

DIVISION 4Commencement of Proceedings

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definition of commanding officer

 In this Division, commanding officer, in respect of a person charged with having committed a service offence or a service infraction, means the commanding officer of the person and includes an officer who is empowered by regulations made by the Governor in Council to act as the commanding officer of the person.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 160
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 24

Laying of Charge

Marginal note:Laying of charge

  •  (1) Proceedings against a person who is alleged to have committed a service offence or a service infraction are commenced by the laying of a charge in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Duty to act expeditiously

    (2) If the person is retained in custody or released from custody with conditions, a charge must be laid as expeditiously as the circumstances permit.

Marginal note:Referral of charge — service offence

  •  (1) After a person is charged with having committed a service offence, the charge must be referred, in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, to the Director of Military Prosecutions.

  • Marginal note:Referral of charge — service infraction

    (2) After a person is charged with having committed a service infraction, the charge must be referred, in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, to an officer who is a commanding officer in respect of the person.

Duty to Act Expeditiously

Marginal note:Duty to act expeditiously

 Charges laid under the Code of Service Discipline shall be dealt with as expeditiously as the circumstances permit.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 162
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 3

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 25]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 25]

DIVISION 5Summary Hearings

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

 The following definitions apply in this Division.

commanding officer

commanding officer, in respect of a person charged with having committed a service infraction, means an officer who is a commanding officer as defined in section 160. (commandant)

delegated officer

delegated officer means an officer to whom a commanding officer has, under section 162.94, delegated the power to conduct a summary hearing. (officier délégué)

scale of sanctions

scale of sanctions means the scale of sanctions set out in subsection 162.7. (échelle des sanctions)

superior commander

superior commander means an officer of or above the rank of colonel, or any other officer appointed by the Chief of the Defence Staff as a superior commander. (commandant supérieur)

Service Infractions

Marginal note:Summary hearing

 Service infractions may be dealt with only by summary hearing.

Marginal note:Not offence

 A service infraction is not an offence under this Act.

Marginal note:Prior trial — offence

  •  (1) If a person has been tried in respect of an offence, the person may not be charged with having committed a service infraction arising from the same facts, regardless of whether the person was found guilty or not guilty of the offence by a court martial, by a civil court or by a court of a foreign state.

  • Marginal note:Prior summary hearing — service infraction

    (2) If a summary hearing has been conducted in respect of a service infraction that a person is alleged to have committed, the person may be charged, dealt with and tried in respect of an offence arising from the same facts, regardless of whether or not the person was found to have committed the service infraction.

  • Marginal note:Answer or statement — restriction

    (3) No answer given or statement made by a person at their summary hearing may be used or be receivable against them in any disciplinary, criminal or civil proceeding, other than at a hearing or proceeding in respect of an allegation that they gave the answer or made the statement knowing it to be false.

Marginal note:Scale of sanctions

 The following sanctions may be imposed in respect of a service infraction, and each is a sanction less than every sanction preceding it:

  • (a) reduction in rank;

  • (b) severe reprimand;

  • (c) reprimand;

  • (d) deprivation of pay, and of any allowance prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council, for not more than 18 days; and

  • (e) minor sanctions prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

Marginal note:Reduction in rank

  •  (1) The sanction of reduction in rank applies to officers above the rank of second lieutenant and to non-commissioned members above the rank of private.

  • Marginal note:Restrictions

    (2) The sanction of reduction in rank is not to involve

    • (a) reduction to a rank lower than that to which the person who has committed a service infraction can be reduced under regulations; and

    • (b) in the case of a commissioned officer, reduction to a rank lower than commissioned rank.

Marginal note:Objectives of sanctions

 The imposition of sanctions is intended to achieve one or more of the following objectives:

  • (a) to promote a habit of obedience to lawful commands and orders;

  • (b) to maintain public trust in the Canadian Forces as a disciplined armed force;

  • (c) to denounce indisciplined conduct;

  • (d) to deter persons from committing service infractions;

  • (e) to assist in rehabilitating persons who have committed service infractions;

  • (f) to promote a sense of responsibility in persons who have committed service infractions.

Marginal note:Fundamental principle

 Sanctions must be proportionate to the gravity of the service infraction and the degree of responsibility of the person who committed it.

Marginal note:Other principles

 Sanctions must be imposed in accordance with the following other principles:

  • (a) a sanction should be increased or reduced to account for any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances relating to the commission of the service infraction or the person who committed it, and aggravating circumstances include evidence establishing that

    • (i) the person, in committing the service infraction, abused their rank or other position of trust or authority,

    • (ii) the service infraction was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, or on any other similar factor, or

    • (iii) the commission of the service infraction resulted in harm to the conduct of a military operation or any military training;

  • (b) a sanction should be similar to sanctions imposed on persons for similar service infractions committed in similar circumstances; and

  • (c) a sanction should be the least severe sanction required to maintain the discipline, efficiency and morale of the Canadian Forces.

Marginal note:Consideration of indirect consequences

 In determining the sanction to be imposed against a person, a superior commander, commanding officer or delegated officer may take into account any indirect consequences of the finding that the person committed a service infraction, or of the sanction.

Summary Hearings

Marginal note:Delegation

 A commanding officer may, subject to regulations made by the Governor in Council and to the extent that the commanding officer considers appropriate, delegate his or her power to conduct a summary hearing to any officer under his or her command.

Marginal note:Commanding officer’s obligation

 A commanding officer to whom a charge alleging the commission of a service infraction is referred under subsection 161.1(2) shall, taking into account the conditions set out in section 163,

  • (a) conduct a summary hearing in respect of the charge;

  • (b) decide to not proceed with the charge if, in his or her opinion, it should not be proceeded with; or

  • (c) refer the charge, subject to and in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, to another commanding officer, a superior commander or a delegated officer.

Marginal note:Jurisdiction

  •  (1) A superior commander, commanding officer or delegated officer may conduct a hearing in respect of a charge alleging the commission of a service infraction if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

    • (a) the person charged is an officer who is at least one rank below the rank of the superior commander, commanding officer or delegated officer, or is a non-commissioned member;

    • (b) having regard to the gravity of the facts that gave rise to the charge, the powers of the superior commander, commanding officer or delegated officer to impose a sanction are adequate;

    • (c) there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the person charged is unable on account of mental disorder to understand the nature, object or possible consequences of the proceedings; and

    • (d) having regard to the interests of discipline, efficiency and morale of the Canadian Forces, it would be appropriate to conduct the hearing.

  • Marginal note:Prohibition on conducting hearing

    (2) A superior commander, commanding officer or delegated officer may not conduct a hearing if he or she

    • (a) carried out or directly supervised the investigation of the service infraction;

    • (b) issued a warrant under section 273.3 in relation to anything referred to in any of paragraphs 273.3(a) to (c) that relates to the service infraction; or

    • (c) laid the charge or caused it to be laid.

    However, he or she may conduct such a hearing if, having regard to all the circumstances, it is not practicable for any other superior commander, commanding officer or delegated officer to conduct the hearing.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 163
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), ss. 53, 60
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 14
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 4
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 35
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 25

Marginal note:Sanctions imposed by superior commander

  •  (1) A superior commander who finds on a balance of probabilities, at a summary hearing, that a person has committed one or more service infractions, may impose one or more of the sanctions referred to in section 162.7.

  • Marginal note:Sanctions imposed by commanding officer

    (2) A commanding officer who finds on a balance of probabilities, at a summary hearing, that a person has committed one or more service infractions, may impose one or more of the sanctions referred to in paragraphs 162.7(c) to (e).

  • Marginal note:Sanctions imposed by delegated officer

    (3) A delegated officer who finds on a balance of probabilities, at a summary hearing, that a person has committed one or more service infractions, may impose one or more of the following sanctions:

    • (a) a sanction referred to in paragraph 162.7(d) for not more than seven days;

    • (b) minor sanctions referred to in paragraph 162.7(e).

Marginal note:Obligation after referral

 A superior commander, commanding officer or delegated officer to whom a charge is referred under paragraph 162.95(c) or under this section shall, taking into account the conditions set out in section 163,

  • (a) conduct a summary hearing in respect of the charge;

  • (b) decide not to proceed with the charge if, in his or her opinion, it should not be proceeded with; or

  • (c) refer the charge, subject to and in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, to a superior commander, commanding officer or delegated officer.

Marginal note:Subsequent summary hearing proceedings not precluded

 A decision that a charge should not be proceeded with by summary hearing does not preclude, subject to section 163.4, proceeding with the charge by summary hearing at any subsequent time.

Marginal note:Limitation period

 A summary hearing in respect of a charge alleging the commission of a service infraction may not be conducted unless it commences within six months after the day on which the service infraction is alleged to have been committed.

Marginal note:No territorial limitation

 Every person alleged to have committed a service infraction may be charged under the Code of Service Discipline, regardless of whether the alleged service infraction was committed in Canada or outside Canada, and the summary hearing in respect of that charge may be conducted in Canada or outside Canada.

Review Authorities

Marginal note:Chief of the Defence Staff and other military authorities

  •  (1) The review authorities in respect of a finding that a person has committed a service infraction and in respect of a sanction imposed by an officer who conducted a summary hearing are the Chief of the Defence Staff and any other military authorities that are prescribed by the Governor in Council in regulations.

  • Marginal note:When authorities may act

    (2) A review authority in respect of a finding that a person has committed a service infraction and in respect of a sanction imposed by an officer who conducted a summary hearing may act on its own initiative or on application, made in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, of the person found to have committed the service infraction.

Quashing of Findings

Marginal note:Authority to quash

  •  (1) A review authority may quash a finding, by an officer who conducted a summary hearing, that a person has committed a service infraction.

  • Marginal note:Effect of complete quashing

    (2) If a finding that a person has committed a service infraction is quashed and no other such finding was made at the summary hearing, every sanction imposed as a result of the quashed finding is also quashed and a new summary hearing may be held in relation to the service infraction as if no previous summary hearing had been held.

  • Marginal note:Effect of partial quashing

    (3) In the case where more than one finding has been made that a person has committed a service infraction and a review authority quashes one or more but not all of them, if a sanction imposed is in excess of any that may be imposed in respect of the remaining findings or is, in the opinion of the review authority, unduly severe, the review authority shall substitute for that sanction any new sanction or sanctions that it considers appropriate.

Substitution of Findings

Marginal note:Substitution of invalid or unsubstantiated findings

  •  (1) A review authority may substitute a new finding for any finding that a person has committed a service infraction that was invalidly made or that cannot be supported by the evidence if the new finding could validly have been made on the charge to which the new finding relates and it appears to the review authority that the officer who conducted the summary hearing was satisfied of the facts that establish the service infraction specified or involved in the new finding.

  • Marginal note:Effect on sanction

    (2) If a new finding is substituted and a sanction imposed in respect of the original finding is in excess of a sanction that may be imposed in respect of the new finding or is, in the opinion of the review authority, unduly severe, the review authority shall substitute for that sanction any new sanction or sanctions that it considers appropriate.

Substitution of Sanctions

Marginal note:Authority to substitute

  •  (1) A review authority may substitute for any invalid sanction imposed by an officer who conducted a summary hearing any new sanction or sanctions that it considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Condition applicable to new sanction

    (2) If a new sanction is substituted, the new sanction may not be higher in the scale of sanctions than that other sanction.

Commutation, Mitigation and Remission of Sanctions

Marginal note:Authority to commute, mitigate or remit sanctions

  •  (1) A review authority may commute, mitigate or remit any or all of the sanctions imposed by an officer who conducted a summary hearing.

  • Marginal note:Definitions

    (2) The following definitions apply in subsection (1).

    commute

    commute means to replace a sanction with another sanction that is lower in the scale of sanctions. (commuer)

    mitigate

    mitigate means to impose a lesser amount of the same sanction. (mitiger)

    remit

    remit means to exempt a person from the requirement to undergo the whole or any part of a sanction. (remettre)

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 25]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 25]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 25]

DIVISION 6Trial by Court Martial

Charge must be Preferred

Marginal note:Charge must be preferred

  •  (1) A person may be tried by court martial only if a charge against the person is preferred by the Director of Military Prosecutions.

  • Marginal note:Meaning of prefer

    (2) For the purposes of this Act, a charge is preferred when the charge sheet in respect of the charge is signed by the Director of Military Prosecutions, or an officer authorized by the Director of Military Prosecutions to do so, and filed with the Court Martial Administrator.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 165
  • 1992, c. 16, s. 2
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 37

Director of Military Prosecutions

Marginal note:Appointment

  •  (1) The Minister may appoint an officer who is a barrister or advocate with at least ten years standing at the bar of a province to be the Director of Military Prosecutions.

  • Marginal note:Tenure of office and removal

    (2) The Director of Military Prosecutions holds office during good behaviour for a term of not more than four years. The Minister may remove the Director of Military Prosecutions from office for cause on the recommendation of an inquiry committee established under regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Powers of inquiry committee

    (2.1) An inquiry committee has the same powers, rights and privileges — other than the power to punish for contempt — as are vested in a superior court of criminal jurisdiction with respect to

    • (a) the attendance, swearing and examination of witnesses;

    • (b) the production and inspection of documents;

    • (c) the enforcement of its orders; and

    • (d) all other matters necessary or proper for the due exercise of its jurisdiction.

  • Marginal note:Re-appointment

    (3) The Director of Military Prosecutions is eligible to be re-appointed on the expiry of a first or subsequent term of office.

  • 1992, c. 16, s. 2
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 38

Marginal note:Duties and functions

 The Director of Military Prosecutions is responsible for the preferring of all charges to be tried by court martial and for the conduct of all prosecutions at courts martial. The Director of Military Prosecutions also acts as counsel for the Minister in respect of appeals when instructed to do so.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Preferring charges

  •  (1) When a charge is referred to the Director of Military Prosecutions, the Director of Military Prosecutions may

    • (a) prefer the charge; or

    • (b) prefer any other charge that is founded on facts disclosed by evidence in addition to or in substitution for the charge.

  • Marginal note:Irregularity, informality or defect

    (1.1) The validity of a charge preferred by the Director of Military Prosecutions is not affected by any irregularity, informality or defect in the charge referred to the Director.

  • Marginal note:Withdrawing charges

    (2) The Director of Military Prosecutions may withdraw a charge that has been preferred, but if a trial by court martial has commenced, the Director of Military Prosecutions may do so only with leave of the court martial.

  • Marginal note:Effect of withdrawing charge

    (3) Withdrawing a charge does not preclude it from being proceeded with at any subsequent time.

  • Marginal note:Effect of not preferring charge

    (4) A decision not to prefer a charge does not preclude the charge from being preferred at any subsequent time.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 39

Marginal note:Reasons for not proceeding

 If the Director of Military Prosecutions decides that a charge should not be proceeded with by a trial by court martial, he or she shall communicate the decision and the reasons for it, in writing, to the officer or non-commissioned member who referred the charge to him or her, and to the commanding officer of the accused person.

 [Repealed, 2008, c. 29, s. 6]

Marginal note:Barristers and advocates to assist

 The Director of Military Prosecutions may be assisted and represented, to the extent determined by the Director of Military Prosecutions, by officers who are barristers or advocates with standing at the bar of a province.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Acting Director of Military Prosecutions

 The powers of the Director of Military Prosecutions may be exercised, and the duties and functions of the Director of Military Prosecutions may be performed, by any officer who is a barrister or advocate with standing at the bar of a province and who is authorized by the Minister.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Relationship to Judge Advocate General

  •  (1) The Director of Military Prosecutions acts under the general supervision of the Judge Advocate General.

  • Marginal note:General instructions

    (2) The Judge Advocate General may issue general instructions or guidelines in writing in respect of prosecutions. The Director of Military Prosecutions shall ensure that they are available to the public.

  • Marginal note:Specific instructions

    (3) The Judge Advocate General may issue instructions or guidelines in writing in respect of a particular prosecution.

  • Marginal note:Availability to public

    (4) The Director of Military Prosecutions shall ensure that instructions and guidelines issued under subsection (3) are available to the public.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (5) Subsection (4) does not apply where the Director of Military Prosecutions considers that it would not be in the best interests of the administration of military justice for any instruction or guideline, or any part of it, to be available to the public.

  • Marginal note:Copies to Minister

    (6) The Judge Advocate General shall provide the Minister with a copy of every instruction and guideline made under this section.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Court Martial Administrator

Marginal note:Appointment

 There shall be a person appointed to be the Court Martial Administrator.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Duties

  •  (1) The Court Martial Administrator performs the duties specified in sections 165.191 to 165.193 and, if he or she convenes a General Court Martial, shall appoint its members.

  • Marginal note:Summoning of accused person

    (1.1) The Court Martial Administrator shall summon the accused person to appear at the court martial.

  • Marginal note:Other duties

    (2) The Court Martial Administrator performs such other duties as may be specified by this Act or prescribed by the Governor in Council in regulations.

  • Marginal note:Relationship to Chief Military Judge

    (3) The Court Martial Administrator acts under the general supervision of the Chief Military Judge.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 7
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 40

Marginal note:Convening General Court Martial

  •  (1) The Court Martial Administrator shall convene a General Court Martial if any charge preferred against an accused person on a charge sheet is

    • (a) an offence under this Act, other than under section 130 or 132, that is punishable by imprisonment for life;

    • (b) an offence punishable under section 130 that is punishable by imprisonment for life; or

    • (c) an offence punishable under section 130 that is referred to in section 469 of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Consent to be tried by Standing Court Martial

    (2) An accused person who is charged with an offence referred to in subsection (1) may, with the written consent of the accused person and that of the Director of Military Prosecutions, be tried by Standing Court Martial.

  • Marginal note:Withdrawal of consent

    (3) The consent given under subsection (2) may not be withdrawn unless both the accused and the Director of Military Prosecutions agree in writing to the withdrawal.

  • 2008, c. 29, s. 8

Marginal note:Convening Standing Court Martial

 The Court Martial Administrator shall convene a Standing Court Martial if every charge preferred against an accused person on a charge sheet is

  • (a) an offence under this Act, other than under section 130, that is punishable by imprisonment for less than two years or by a punishment that is lower in the scale of punishments; or

  • (b) an offence that is punishable under section 130 and is punishable on summary conviction under any Act of Parliament.

  • 2008, c. 29, s. 8

Marginal note:Choice of accused

  •  (1) An accused person may choose to be tried by General Court Martial or Standing Court Martial if a charge is preferred and sections 165.191 and 165.192 do not apply.

  • Marginal note:Notification

    (2) The Court Martial Administrator shall cause the accused person to be notified in writing that he or she may make a choice under subsection (1).

  • Marginal note:Failure to make choice

    (3) If the accused person fails to notify the Court Martial Administrator in writing of his or her choice within 14 days after the day on which the accused person is notified under subsection (2), the accused person is deemed to have chosen to be tried by General Court Martial.

  • Marginal note:New choice — as of right

    (4) The accused person may, not later than 30 days before the date set for the commencement of the trial, make a new choice once as of right, in which case he or she shall notify the Court Martial Administrator in writing of the new choice.

  • Marginal note:New choice — with consent

    (5) The accused person may also, with the written consent of the Director of Military Prosecutions, make a new choice at any time, in which case he or she shall notify the Court Martial Administrator in writing of the new choice.

  • Marginal note:Two or more accused

    (6) If charges are preferred jointly and all of the accused persons do not choose — or are not deemed to have chosen — to be tried by the same type of court martial, they must be tried by a General Court Martial.

  • Marginal note:Convening of court martial

    (7) The Court Martial Administrator shall convene a General Court Martial or Standing Court Martial in accordance with this section.

  • 2008, c. 29, s. 8

Marginal note:Acting Court Martial Administrator

 The duties and functions of the Court Martial Administrator may be performed by any person authorized by the Court Martial Administrator.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Military Judges

Marginal note:Appointment

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may appoint any officer who is a barrister or advocate of at least 10 years’ standing at the bar of a province and who has been an officer for at least 10 years to be a military judge.

  • Marginal note:Oath

    (2) Every military judge shall, before commencing the duties of office, take the following oath of office:

    I blank line solemnly and sincerely promise and swear (or affirm) that I will impartially, honestly and faithfully, and to the best of my skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trusts reposed in me as a military judge. (And in the case of an oath: So help me God.)

  • Marginal note:Removal for cause

    (3) A military judge holds office during good behaviour and may be removed by the Governor in Council for cause on the recommendation of the Military Judges Inquiry Committee.

  • Marginal note:Ceasing to hold office

    (4) A military judge ceases to hold office on being released at his or her request from the Canadian Forces or on attaining the age of 60 years.

  • Marginal note:Resignation

    (5) A military judge may resign from office by giving notice in writing to the Minister. The resignation takes effect on the day on which the Minister receives the notice or on a later day that may be specified in the notice.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2011, c. 22, s. 2
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 41

Reserve Force Military Judges

Marginal note:Panel established

  •  (1) There is established a Reserve Force Military Judges Panel to which the Governor in Council may name any officer of the reserve force who has been an officer for at least 10 years and who

    • (a) is a barrister or advocate of at least 10 years’ standing at the bar of a province;

    • (b) has been a military judge;

    • (c) has presided at a Standing Court Martial or a Special General Court Martial; or

    • (d) has been a judge advocate at a court martial.

  • Marginal note:Reserve force military judge

    (2) An officer named to the panel is referred to in this Act as a “reserve force military judge”.

  • Marginal note:Oath

    (3) Every reserve force military judge shall, before commencing the duties of office, take the following oath of office:

    I blank line solemnly and sincerely promise and swear (or affirm) that I will impartially, honestly and faithfully, and to the best of my skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trusts reposed in me as a military judge. (And in the case of an oath: So help me God.)

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 41

Marginal note:Removal from panel

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may for cause remove the name of a reserve force military judge from the Reserve Force Military Judges Panel on the recommendation of the Military Judges Inquiry Committee.

  • Marginal note:Automatic removal from panel

    (2) The name of a reserve force military judge shall be removed from the panel on the judge’s release, at his or her request, from the Canadian Forces or on the judge attaining the age of 60 years.

  • Marginal note:Voluntary removal from panel

    (3) A reserve force military judge may request that their name be removed from the panel by giving notice in writing to the Minister. The removal takes effect on the day on which the Minister receives the notice or on a later day that may be specified in the notice.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 41

Marginal note:Chief Military Judge

  •  (1) The Chief Military Judge may select any reserve force military judge to perform any duties referred to in section 165.23 that may be specified by the Chief Military Judge.

  • Marginal note:Training

    (2) The Chief Military Judge may request a reserve force military judge to undergo any training that may be specified by the Chief Military Judge.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 41

Marginal note:Restriction on activities

 A reserve force military judge shall not engage in any business or professional activity that is incompatible with the duties that they may be required to perform under this Act.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 41

Duties and Immunity of Military Judges

Marginal note:Judicial duties and functions

  •  (1) Military judges shall preside at courts martial and shall perform other judicial duties under this Act that are required to be performed by military judges.

  • Marginal note:Other duties and functions

    (2) In addition to their judicial duties, military judges shall perform any other duties that the Chief Military Judge may direct, but those other duties may not be incompatible with their judicial duties.

  • Marginal note:Boards of inquiry

    (3) Military judges may, with the concurrence of the Chief Military Judge, be appointed as a board of inquiry.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Immunity

 A military judge has the same immunity from liability as a judge of a superior court of criminal jurisdiction.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 42

Chief Military Judge

Marginal note:Chief Military Judge

  •  (1) The Governor in Council may designate a military judge, other than a reserve force military judge, to be the Chief Military Judge.

  • Marginal note:Rank

    (2) The Chief Military Judge holds a rank that is not less than colonel.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 43

Marginal note:Duties and functions

 The Chief Military Judge assigns military judges to preside at courts martial and to perform other judicial duties under this Act.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Delegation

 The Chief Military Judge may authorize any military judge, other than a reserve force military judge, to exercise and perform any of the powers, duties and functions of the Chief Military Judge.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 44

Marginal note:Delegation

 The Chief Military Judge may delegate any of the Chief Military Judge’s duties and functions to a military judge.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Deputy Chief Military Judge

 The Governor in Council may designate a military judge, other than a reserve force military judge, to be the Deputy Chief Military Judge.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Marginal note:Power, duties and functions

 In the event that the Chief Military Judge is absent or unable to act or the office of Chief Military Judge is vacant, the Deputy Chief Military Judge shall exercise and perform the powers, duties and functions of the Chief Military Judge that are not otherwise authorized to be exercised or performed by a military judge under section 165.26.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Marginal note:Rules of practice and procedure

 The Chief Military Judge may, with the Governor in Council’s approval and after consulting with a rules committee established under regulations made by the Governor in Council, make rules governing the following:

  • (a) pre-trial conferences and other preliminary proceedings;

  • (b) the making of applications under section 158.7;

  • (c) the bringing of persons before a military judge under section 159;

  • (d) the scheduling of trials by court martial;

  • (e) the minutes of proceedings of courts martial and other proceedings;

  • (f) documents, exhibits or other things connected with any proceeding, including public access to them; and

  • (g) any other aspects of practice and procedure that are prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Military Judges Inquiry Committee

Marginal note:Composition of Committee

  •  (1) There is established a Military Judges Inquiry Committee to which the Chief Justice of the Court Martial Appeal Court shall appoint three judges of the Court Martial Appeal Court.

  • Marginal note:Chairperson

    (2) The Chief Justice shall appoint one of the judges to act as Chairperson.

  • Marginal note:Powers of inquiry committee

    (3) The inquiry committee has the same powers, rights and privileges — including the power to punish for contempt — as are vested in a superior court of criminal jurisdiction with respect to

    • (a) the attendance, swearing and examination of witnesses;

    • (b) the production and inspection of documents;

    • (c) the enforcement of its orders; and

    • (d) all other matters necessary or proper for the due exercise of its jurisdiction.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Marginal note:Inquiry required

  •  (1) The Military Judges Inquiry Committee shall, on receipt of a request in writing made by the Minister, commence an inquiry as to whether a military judge should be removed from office.

  • Marginal note:Other inquiry

    (2) The inquiry committee may, on receipt of any complaint or allegation in writing made in respect of a military judge, commence an inquiry as to whether the military judge should be removed from office.

  • Marginal note:Examination and recommendation

    (3) The Chairperson of the inquiry committee may designate a judge appointed to the committee to examine a complaint or allegation referred to in subsection (2) and to recommend whether an inquiry should be commenced.

  • Marginal note:Notice to military judge

    (4) The military judge in respect of whom an inquiry is held shall be given reasonable notice of the inquiry’s subject matter and of its time and place and shall be given an opportunity, in person or by counsel, to be heard at the inquiry, to cross-examine witnesses and to adduce evidence on his or her own behalf.

  • Marginal note:Inquiry held in public or private

    (5) The inquiry committee may hold an inquiry either in public or in private unless the Minister, having regard to the interests of the persons participating in the inquiry and the interests of the public, directs that the inquiry be held in public.

  • Marginal note:Counsel

    (6) The Chairperson of the inquiry committee may engage on a temporary basis the services of counsel to assist the committee and may, subject to any applicable Treasury Board directives, establish the terms and conditions of the counsel’s engagement and fix their remuneration and expenses.

  • Marginal note:Recommendation to the Governor in Council

    (7) The inquiry committee may recommend to the Governor in Council that the military judge be removed if, in its opinion,

    • (a) the military judge has become incapacitated or disabled from the due execution of his or her judicial duties by reason of

      • (i) infirmity,

      • (ii) having been guilty of misconduct,

      • (iii) having failed in the due execution of his or her judicial duties, or

      • (iv) having been placed, by his or her conduct or otherwise, in a position incompatible with the due execution of his or her judicial duties; or

    • (b) the military judge does not satisfy the physical and medical fitness standards applicable to officers.

  • Marginal note:Report

    (8) The inquiry committee shall provide to the Minister a record of each inquiry and a report of its conclusions. If the inquiry was held in public, the inquiry committee shall make its report available to the public.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Military Judges Compensation Committee

Marginal note:Composition of Committee

  •  (1) There is established a Military Judges Compensation Committee consisting of three part-time members to be appointed by the Governor in Council as follows:

    • (a) one person nominated by the military judges;

    • (b) one person nominated by the Minister; and

    • (c) one person, who shall act as chairperson, nominated by the members who are nominated under paragraphs (a) and (b).

  • Marginal note:Tenure and removal

    (2) Each member holds office during good behaviour for a term of four years, and may be removed for cause at any time by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Reappointment

    (3) A member is eligible to be reappointed for one further term.

  • Marginal note:Absence or incapacity

    (4) In the event of the absence or incapacity of a member, the Governor in Council may appoint, as a substitute temporary member, a person nominated in accordance with subsection (1).

  • Marginal note:Vacancy

    (5) If the office of a member becomes vacant during the member’s term, the Governor in Council shall appoint a person nominated in accordance with subsection (1) to hold office for the remainder of the term.

  • Marginal note:Quorum

    (6) All three members of the compensation committee together constitute a quorum.

  • Marginal note:Remuneration

    (7) The members of the compensation committee shall be paid the remuneration fixed by the Governor in Council and, subject to any applicable Treasury Board directives, the reasonable travel and living expenses incurred by them in the course of their duties while absent from their ordinary place of residence.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Marginal note:Mandate

  •  (1) The Military Judges Compensation Committee shall inquire into the adequacy of the remuneration of military judges.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (2) In conducting its inquiry, the compensation committee shall consider

    • (a) the prevailing economic conditions in Canada, including the cost of living, and the overall economic and current financial position of the federal government;

    • (b) the role of financial security of the judiciary in ensuring judicial independence;

    • (c) the need to attract outstanding candidates to the judiciary; and

    • (d) any other objective criteria that the committee considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:Quadrennial inquiry

    (3) The compensation committee shall commence an inquiry on September 1, 2015, and on September 1 of every fourth year after 2015, and shall submit a report containing its recommendations to the Minister within nine months after the day on which the inquiry commenced.

  • Marginal note:Postponement

    (4) The compensation committee may, with the consent of the Minister and the military judges, postpone the commencement of a quadrennial inquiry.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Marginal note:Other inquiries

  •  (1) The Minister may at any time refer to the Military Judges Compensation Committee for its inquiry the matter, or any aspect of the matter, mentioned in subsection 165.34(1).

  • Marginal note:Report

    (2) The compensation committee shall submit to the Minister a report containing its recommendations within a period fixed by the Minister after consultation with the compensation committee.

  • Marginal note:Continuance of duties

    (3) A person who ceases to hold office as a member for any reason other than their removal may carry out and complete their duties in respect of a matter that was referred to the compensation committee under subsection (1) before the person ceased to hold office. While completing those duties, the person is deemed to be a member of the compensation committee.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Marginal note:Extension

 The Governor in Council may, on the request of the Military Judges Compensation Committee, extend the time for the submission of a report.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

Marginal note:Minister’s duties

  •  (1) Within 30 days after receiving a report, the Minister shall notify the public and facilitate public access to the report in any manner that the Minister considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Response

    (2) The Minister shall respond to a report within six months after receiving it.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 45

General Courts Martial

Marginal note:Jurisdiction

 A General Court Martial may try any person who is liable to be charged, dealt with and tried on a charge of having committed a service offence.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 166
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Punishment limitation

 A General Court Martial that tries a person other than an officer or a non-commissioned member may only pass a sentence that includes a punishment of imprisonment or a fine.

  • 2008, c. 29, s. 9

Marginal note:Composition

  •  (1) A General Court Martial is composed of a military judge and a panel of five members.

  • Marginal note:Rank of senior member

    (2) The senior member of the panel must be an officer of or above the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

  • (3) [Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 47]

  • Marginal note:Ranks for trial of brigadier-general or above

    (4) If the accused person is of or above the rank of brigadier-general, the senior member of the panel must be an officer of or above the rank of the accused person and the other members of the panel must be of or above the rank of colonel.

  • Marginal note:Rank for trial of colonel

    (5) If the accused person is of the rank of colonel, the senior member of the panel must be an officer of or above the rank of the accused person and the other members of the panel must be of or above the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

  • Marginal note:Rank for trial of lieutenant-colonel or lower-ranked officer

    (6) If the accused person is an officer of or below the rank of lieutenant-colonel, the members of the panel other than the senior member must be of or above the rank of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Rank for trial of non-commissioned member

    (7) If the accused person is a non-commissioned member, the panel is composed of the senior member, one other officer and three non-commissioned members who are of or above both the rank of the accused person and the rank of sergeant.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 167
  • 1992, c. 16, s. 3
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 47

Marginal note:Ineligibility to serve

 None of the following persons may sit as a member of the panel of a General Court Martial:

  • (a) an officer or non-commissioned member who is a lawyer or notary;

  • (b) a witness for the prosecution or the accused person;

  • (c) the commanding officer of the accused person;

  • (d) a member of the military police;

  • (e) an officer below the rank of captain;

  • (f) any person who, before the court martial, participated in any investigation respecting the matters on which a charge against the accused person is founded; or

  • (g) an officer or non-commissioned member of any armed force who is attached, seconded or on loan to the Canadian Forces.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 168
  • 1992, c. 16, s. 4
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 48

 [Repealed, 2008, c. 29, s. 10]

 [Repealed, 2008, c. 29, s. 10]

 [Repealed, 2008, c. 29, s. 10]

 [Repealed, 2008, c. 29, s. 10]

Standing Courts Martial

Marginal note:Jurisdiction

 A Standing Court Martial may try any person who is liable to be charged, dealt with and tried on a charge of having committed a service offence.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 173
  • 1992, c. 16, s. 6
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 11

Marginal note:Composition

 Every military judge is authorized to preside at a Standing Court Martial, and a military judge who does so constitutes the Standing Court Martial.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 174
  • 1992, c. 16, s. 6
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42

Marginal note:Punishment limitation

 A Standing Court Martial that tries a person other than an officer or a non-commissioned member may only pass a sentence that includes a punishment of imprisonment or a fine.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 175
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 16
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 12

 [Repealed, 2008, c. 29, s. 12]

 [Repealed, 2008, c. 29, s. 12]

 [Repealed, 2008, c. 29, s. 12]

Powers

Marginal note:Courts martial

  •  (1) A court martial has the same powers, rights and privileges — including the power to punish for contempt — as are vested in a superior court of criminal jurisdiction with respect to

    • (a) the attendance, swearing and examination of witnesses;

    • (b) the production and inspection of documents;

    • (c) the enforcement of its orders; and

    • (d) all other matters necessary or proper for the due exercise of its jurisdiction.

  • Marginal note:Military judges

    (2) Subsection (1) applies to a military judge performing a judicial duty under this Act other than presiding at a court martial.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 179
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 56
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 42
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 49(E)

Admission to Courts Martial and Certain Proceedings Before Military Judges

Marginal note:Proceedings public

  •  (1) Unless this Act provides otherwise, court martial proceedings, and proceedings before military judges under any of sections 147.6, 148, 158.7, 159, 187, 215.2 and 248.81, must be public and, to the extent that accommodation permits, the public must be admitted to the proceedings.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) A military judge or, if a court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may, on application of the prosecutor or a witness or on the military judge’s own motion, order that the public be excluded during the whole or any part of the proceedings or order that the witness testify behind a screen or other device that would allow the witness not to be seen by members of the public, if the military judge considers that it is necessary in the interests of public safety, public morals, the maintenance of order or the proper administration of military justice, or to prevent injury to international relations, national defence or national security.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (3) In determining whether the order is in the interest of the proper administration of military justice, the military judge shall consider

    • (a) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of service offences and the participation of victims and witnesses in the military justice process;

    • (b) the safeguarding of the interests of witnesses under the age of 18 years in all proceedings;

    • (c) the ability of any witness, if the order were not made, to give a full and candid account of the acts complained of;

    • (d) whether any witness needs the order for their security or to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

    • (e) the protection of military justice system participants who are involved in the proceedings;

    • (f) whether effective alternatives to the making of the order are available in the circumstances;

    • (g) the salutary and deleterious effects of the order; and

    • (h) any other factor that the military judge considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:No adverse inference

    (4) No adverse inference may be drawn from the fact that an order is, or is not, made under this section.

  • Marginal note:Reasons to be stated

    (5) If a person is charged with an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under section 151, 152, 153, 153.1 or 155, subsection 160(2) or (3) or section 163.1, 170, 171, 171.1, 172, 172.1, 172.2, 173, 271, 272, 273, 279.01, 279.011, 279.02, 279.03, 286.1, 286.2 or 286.3 of the Criminal Code and the prosecutor or the person applies for an order under subsection (2), the military judge shall, if no such order is made, state, by reference to the circumstances of the case, the reasons for not making an order.

  • Marginal note:Witnesses

    (6) Witnesses are not to be admitted to the proceedings except when under examination or by leave of the military judge.

  • Marginal note:Clearing court

    (7) For the purpose of any deliberation, the military judge may cause the place where the proceedings are being held to be cleared.

Production of certain records

Marginal note:Definition of record

 For the purposes of sections 180.02 to 180.08, record means any form of record that contains personal information for which there is a reasonable expectation of privacy and includes medical, psychiatric, therapeutic, counselling, education, employment, child welfare, adoption and social services records, personal journals and diaries, and records containing personal information the production or disclosure of which is protected by any other Act of Parliament or of a provincial legislature, but does not include records made by persons responsible for the investigation or prosecution of the service offence.

Marginal note:Production of record to accused

  •  (1) Except in accordance with sections 180.03 to 180.08, no record relating to a complainant or a witness shall be produced to an accused person in any proceedings in respect of any of the following offences or in any proceedings in respect of two or more offences at least one of which is any of the following offences:

    • (a) an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under section 151, 152, 153, 153.1, 155, 160, 170, 171, 172, 173, 210, 211, 213, 271, 272, 273, 279.01, 279.011, 279.02, 279.03, 286.1, 286.2 or 286.3 of the Criminal Code;

    • (b) any offence under the Criminal Code, as it read at any time before the day on which this paragraph comes into force, if the conduct alleged involved a violation of the complainant’s sexual integrity and would be an offence referred to in paragraph (a) if it had occurred on or after that day.

  • Marginal note:Application of provisions

    (2) Section 180.01, this section and sections 180.03 to 180.08 and 303 apply in respect of a record relating to the complainant or a witness that is in the possession or control of any person, including the prosecutor in the proceedings, unless, in the case of a record in the possession or control of the prosecutor, the complainant or witness, as the case may be, has expressly waived the application of those sections.

  • Marginal note:Duty of prosecutor to give notice

    (3) In the case of a record in respect of which this section applies that is in the possession or control of the prosecutor, the prosecutor shall notify the accused person that the record is in the prosecutor’s possession or control, but, in doing so, the prosecutor shall not disclose the record’s contents.

Marginal note:Application for production

  •  (1) An accused person who seeks the production of a record may make an application for its production to a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, to the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial.

  • Marginal note:Form and content of application

    (2) The application must be made in writing and set out

    • (a) particulars identifying the record that the accused person seeks to have produced and the name of the person who has possession or control of the record; and

    • (b) the grounds on which the accused person relies to establish that the record is likely relevant to an issue at trial or to the competence of a witness to testify.

  • Marginal note:Insufficient grounds

    (3) Any one or more of the following assertions by the accused person are not sufficient on their own to establish that the record is likely relevant to an issue at trial or to the competence of a witness to testify:

    • (a) the record exists;

    • (b) the record relates to medical or psychiatric treatment, therapy or counselling that the complainant or witness has received or is receiving;

    • (c) the record relates to the incident that is the subject matter of the proceedings;

    • (d) the record may disclose a prior inconsistent statement of the complainant or witness;

    • (e) the record may relate to the credibility of the complainant or witness;

    • (f) the record may relate to the reliability of the testimony of the complainant or witness merely because the complainant or witness has received or is receiving psychiatric treatment, therapy or counselling;

    • (g) the record may reveal allegations of sexual abuse of the complainant by a person other than the accused person;

    • (h) the record relates to the sexual activity of the complainant with any person, including the accused person;

    • (i) the record relates to the presence or absence of a recent complaint;

    • (j) the record relates to the complainant’s sexual reputation;

    • (k) the record was made close in time to the complaint or to the activity that forms the subject matter of the charge against the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Service of application

    (4) The accused person shall serve the application on the prosecutor, on the person who has possession or control of the record, on the complainant or witness, as the case may be, and on any other person to whom, to the knowledge of the accused person, the record relates, at least 14 days before the hearing referred to in subsection 180.04(1) begins or any shorter interval that the military judge may allow in the interests of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Service on other persons

    (5) The military judge may, at any time, order that the application be served on any person to whom he or she considers the record may relate.

Marginal note:Hearing in private

  •  (1) The military judge shall hold a hearing in private to determine whether to order the person who has possession or control of the record to produce it to the military judge for review.

  • Marginal note:Persons who may appear at hearing

    (2) The person who has possession or control of the record, the complainant or witness, as the case may be, and any other person to whom the record relates may appear and make submissions at the hearing, but they are not compellable as witnesses at the hearing.

  • Marginal note:Right to counsel

    (3) The military judge shall, as soon as feasible, inform any person referred to in subsection (2) who participates in the hearing of their right to be represented by counsel.

  • Marginal note:Costs

    (4) No order for costs may be made against a person referred to in subsection (2) in respect of their participation in the hearing.

Marginal note:Order to produce record for review

  •  (1) The military judge may order the person who has possession or control of the record to produce the record or a part of the record to the military judge for review if, after the hearing, the military judge is satisfied that

    • (a) the application was made in accordance with subsections 180.03(2) to (5);

    • (b) the accused person has established that the record is likely relevant to an issue at trial or to the competence of a witness to testify; and

    • (c) the production of the record is necessary in the interests of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (2) In determining whether to make the order, the military judge shall consider the salutary and deleterious effects of the determination on the accused person’s right to make a full answer and defence and on the right to privacy, personal security and equality of the complainant or witness, as the case may be, and of any other person to whom the record relates. In particular, the military judge shall take the following factors into account:

    • (a) the extent to which the record is necessary for the accused person to make a full answer and defence;

    • (b) the probative value of the record;

    • (c) the nature and extent of the reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to the record;

    • (d) whether production of the record is based on a discriminatory belief or bias;

    • (e) the potential prejudice to the personal dignity and right to privacy of any person to whom the record relates;

    • (f) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of sexual offences;

    • (g) society’s interest in encouraging the obtaining of treatment by complainants of sexual offences; and

    • (h) the effect of the determination on the integrity of the trial process.

Marginal note:Review of record by military judge

  •  (1) If the military judge has ordered the production of the record or a part of the record for review, the military judge shall review it in the absence of the parties to determine whether the record or the part of the record should be produced to the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Hearing in private

    (2) The military judge may hold a hearing in private if he or she considers that it will assist in making the determination.

  • Marginal note:Provisions re hearing

    (3) Subsections 180.04(2) to (4) apply in the case of a hearing held under subsection (2).

Marginal note:Order to produce

  •  (1) If the military judge is satisfied that the record or a part of the record is likely relevant to an issue at trial or to the competence of a witness to testify and that its production is necessary in the interests of military justice, the military judge may order that the record or the part of the record, as the case may be, be produced to the accused person, subject to any conditions that may be imposed under subsection (3).

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (2) In determining whether to make the order, the military judge shall consider the salutary and deleterious effects of the determination on the accused person’s right to make a full answer and defence and on the right to privacy, personal security and equality of the complainant or witness, as the case may be, and of any other person to whom the record relates and, in particular, the military judge shall take the factors specified in paragraphs 180.05(2)(a) to (h) into account.

  • Marginal note:Conditions on production

    (3) The military judge who orders the production of the record or a part of the record to the accused person, may impose conditions on the production to protect the interests of military justice and, to the greatest extent possible, the privacy, personal security and equality interests of the complainant or witness, as the case may be, and of any other person to whom the record relates, including the following conditions:

    • (a) the record is to be edited as directed by the military judge;

    • (b) a copy of the record, rather than the original, is to be produced;

    • (c) the accused person and counsel for the accused person are not to disclose the contents of the record to any other person, except with the approval of the military judge;

    • (d) the record is to be viewed only at a location specified by the military judge;

    • (e) no copies of the record are to be made or only the number of copies specified by the military judge may be made; and

    • (f) information regarding any person named in the record, such as their address, telephone number and place of employment, is to be severed from the record.

  • Marginal note:Copy to prosecutor

    (4) If the military judge orders the production of the record or a part of the record to the accused person, the military judge shall direct that a copy of the record or the part of the record, as the case may be, be provided to the prosecutor, unless the military judge determines that it is not in the interests of military justice to do so.

  • Marginal note:Record not used in other proceedings

    (5) The record or the part of the record that is produced to the accused person under an order made under subsection (1) must not be used in any other disciplinary, criminal, civil or administrative proceedings.

  • Marginal note:Retention of record by court

    (6) If the military judge refuses to order the production of the record or a part of the record to the accused person, the record or the part of the record, as the case may be, must, unless the military judge orders otherwise, be kept by the military judge in a sealed package until the later of the expiry of the time for any appeal and the completion of any appeal in the proceedings against the accused person, at which time the record or the part of the record must be returned to the person lawfully entitled to possession or control of it.

Marginal note:Reasons for decision

 The military judge shall provide reasons in writing for ordering or not ordering the production of the record or a part of the record under subsection 180.05(1) or 180.07(1).

Rules of Evidence

Marginal note:Rules of evidence

  •  (1) Subject to this Act, the Governor in Council may make rules of evidence to be applicable at trials by court martial.

  • Marginal note:Publication

    (2) No rule made under this section is effective until it has been published in the Canada Gazette, and every rule shall be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the day on which it is made.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 181
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 51

Marginal note:Admission of documents and records

  •  (1) Documents and records of the classes that are prescribed in rules made under section 181 may be admitted, as evidence of the facts stated in them, at trials by court martial or in any proceedings before civil courts arising out of those trials, and the conditions governing the admissibility of the documents and records — or copies of them — in those classes shall be as prescribed in those rules.

  • Marginal note:Statutory declarations admissible, subject to conditions

    (2) A court martial may receive, as evidence of the facts stated in them, statutory declarations made in the manner prescribed by the Canada Evidence Act, subject to the following conditions:

    • (a) if the declaration is one that the prosecutor wishes to introduce, a copy shall be served on the accused person at least seven days before the trial;

    • (b) if the declaration is one that the accused person wishes to introduce, a copy shall be served on the prosecutor at least three days before the trial; and

    • (c) at any time before the trial, the party served with a copy of the declaration under paragraph (a) or (b) may notify the opposite party that the party so served will not consent to the declaration being received by the court martial, and in that event the declaration shall not be received.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 182
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 52

Witnesses at Courts Martial

Marginal note:Procurement of attendance of witnesses

  •  (1) The commanding officer of an accused person shall take all necessary action to procure the attendance of the witnesses whom the prosecutor and the accused person request to be called and whose attendance can, having regard to the exigencies of the service, reasonably be procured.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (1.1) Nothing in subsection (1) requires the procurement of the attendance of any witness, the request for whose attendance is considered by the commanding officer to be frivolous or vexatious.

  • Marginal note:Procurement of attendance in exceptional cases

    (2) Where a commanding officer considers to be frivolous or vexatious a request by the accused person for the attendance of a witness whose attendance, having regard to the exigencies of the service, can reasonably be procured, the attendance of that witness shall be procured if the accused person pays in advance the fees and expenses of the witness in accordance with section 251.2.

  • Marginal note:Reimbursement of accused for fees and expenses

    (3) Where the evidence of a witness whose attendance is procured under subsection (2) proves to be relevant and material at the trial, the court martial shall order that the accused person be reimbursed in the amount of the fees and expenses paid to the witness.

  • Marginal note:Rights of accused preserved

    (4) Nothing in this section limits the right of an accused person to procure and produce at the trial, at the expense of the accused person, if the exigencies of the service permit, such witnesses as that person may desire.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 183
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 44

Marginal note:Support person — witnesses under 18 or with disability

  •  (1) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial shall, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is under the age of 18 years or who has a mental or physical disability, or on application of such a witness, order that a support person of the witness’s choice be permitted to be present and to be close to the witness while the witness testifies, unless the military judge is of the opinion that the order would interfere with the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Other witnesses

    (2) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness, or on application of a witness, order that a support person of the witness’s choice be permitted to be present and to be close to the witness while the witness testifies, if the military judge is of the opinion that the order would facilitate the giving of a full and candid account by the witness of the acts complained of or would otherwise be in the interest of the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (3) In determining whether to make an order under subsection (2), the military judge shall consider

    • (a) the witness’s age;

    • (b) the witness’s mental or physical disabilities, if any;

    • (c) the nature of the offence;

    • (d) the nature of any relationship between the witness and the accused person;

    • (e) whether the witness needs the order for their security or to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

    • (f) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of service offences and the participation of victims and witnesses in the military justice process; and

    • (g) any other factor that the military judge considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:Witness not to be support person

    (4) The military judge shall not permit a witness to be a support person unless the military judge is of the opinion that doing so is necessary for the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:No communication while testifying

    (5) The military judge may order that the support person and the witness not communicate with each other while the witness testifies.

  • Marginal note:No adverse inference

    (6) No adverse inference may be drawn from the fact that an order is, or is not, made under subsection (2).

Marginal note:Testimony outside courtroom — witnesses under 18 or with disability

  •  (1) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial shall, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is under the age of 18 years or who is able to communicate evidence but may have difficulty doing so by reason of a mental or physical disability, or on application of such a witness, order that the witness testify outside the courtroom or behind a screen or other device that would allow the witness not to see the accused person, unless the military judge is of the opinion that the order would interfere with the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Other witnesses

    (2) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness, or on application of a witness, order that the witness testify outside the courtroom or behind a screen or other device that would allow the witness not to see the accused person, if the military judge is of the opinion that the order would facilitate the giving of a full and candid account by the witness of the acts complained of or would otherwise be in the interest of the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (3) In determining whether to make an order under subsection (2), the military judge shall consider

    • (a) the witness’s age;

    • (b) the witness’s mental or physical disabilities, if any;

    • (c) the nature of the offence;

    • (d) the nature of any relationship between the witness and the accused person;

    • (e) whether the witness needs the order for their security or to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

    • (f) whether the order is needed to protect the identity of a peace officer, as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code, who has acted, is acting or will be acting in an undercover capacity or of a person who has acted, is acting or will be acting covertly under the direction of a peace officer as defined in that section;

    • (g) whether the order is needed to protect the witness’s identity if they have had, have or will have responsibilities relating to national security or intelligence;

    • (h) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of service offences and the participation of victims and witnesses in the military justice process; and

    • (i) any other factor that the military judge considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:Same procedure for determination

    (4) If the military judge is of the opinion that it is necessary for a witness to testify in order to determine whether an order under subsection (2) should be made in respect of the witness, the military judge shall order that the witness testify in accordance with that subsection.

  • Marginal note:Conditions of exclusion

    (5) A witness shall not testify outside the courtroom in accordance with an order made under subsection (1) or (2) unless arrangements are made for the accused person, the military judge and, if a General Court Martial has been convened, its panel to watch the testimony of the witness by means of closed-circuit television or otherwise and the accused person is permitted to communicate with counsel while watching the testimony.

  • Marginal note:No adverse inference

    (6) No adverse inference may be drawn from the fact that an order is, or is not, made under subsection (2).

Marginal note:Accused not to cross-examine witnesses under 18

  •  (1) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial shall, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is under the age of 18 years, or on application of such a witness, order that the accused person not personally cross-examine the witness, unless the military judge is of the opinion that the proper administration of military justice requires the accused person to personally conduct the cross-examination. If such an order is made, the military judge shall direct the Director of Defence Counsel Services to provide counsel to conduct the cross-examination.

  • Marginal note:Accused not to cross-examine complainant — certain offences

    (2) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under section 264, 271, 272 or 273 of the Criminal Code, a military judge shall, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is a victim, or on application of such a witness, order that the accused person not personally cross-examine the witness, unless the military judge is of the opinion that the proper administration of military justice requires the accused person to personally conduct the cross-examination. If such an order is made, the military judge shall direct the Director of Defence Counsel Services to provide counsel to conduct the cross-examination.

  • Marginal note:Other witnesses

    (3) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness who is not entitled to make an application under subsection (1) or (2), or on application of such a witness, order that the accused person not personally cross-examine the witness, if the military judge is of the opinion that the order would facilitate the giving of a full and candid account by the witness of the acts complained of or would otherwise be in the interest of the proper administration of military justice. If such an order is made, the military judge shall direct the Director of Defence Counsel Services to provide counsel to conduct the cross-examination.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (4) In determining whether to make an order under subsection (3), the military judge shall consider

    • (a) the witness’s age;

    • (b) the witness’s mental or physical disabilities, if any;

    • (c) the nature of the offence;

    • (d) the nature of any relationship between the witness and the accused person;

    • (e) whether the witness needs the order for their security or to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

    • (f) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of service offences and the participation of victims and witnesses in the military justice process; and

    • (g) any other factor that the military judge considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:No adverse inference

    (5) No adverse inference may be drawn from the fact that counsel is, or is not, provided under this section.

Marginal note:Non-disclosure of witness’s identity

  •  (1) In proceedings against an accused person in respect of a service offence, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a witness, or on application of a witness, make an order directing that any information that could identify the witness not be disclosed in the course of the proceedings, if the military judge is of the opinion that the order is in the interest of the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Hearing may be held

    (2) The military judge may hold a hearing to determine whether the order should be made, and the hearing may be in private.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (3) In determining whether to make the order, the military judge shall consider

    • (a) the right to a fair and public hearing;

    • (b) the nature of the offence;

    • (c) whether the witness needs the order for their security or to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

    • (d) whether the order is needed to protect the security of anyone known to the witness;

    • (e) whether the order is needed to protect the identity of a peace officer, as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code, who has acted, is acting or will be acting in an undercover capacity, or of a person who has acted, is acting or will be acting covertly under the direction of a peace officer as defined in that section;

    • (f) whether the order is needed to protect the witness’s identity if they have had, have or will have responsibilities relating to national security or intelligence;

    • (g) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of service offences and the participation of victims and witnesses in the military justice process;

    • (h) the importance of the witness’s testimony to the case;

    • (i) whether effective alternatives to the making of the order are available in the circumstances;

    • (j) the salutary and deleterious effects of the order; and

    • (k) any other factor that the military judge considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:No adverse inference

    (4) No adverse inference may be drawn from the fact that an order is, or is not, made under this section.

Marginal note:Order restricting publication — sexual offences

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may make an order directing that any information that could identify a victim or a witness not be published in any document, or broadcast or transmitted in any way, if the proceedings are in respect of

    • (a) any of the following offences:

      • (i) an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under section 151, 152, 153, 153.1, 155, 160, 162, 163.1, 170, 171, 171.1, 172, 172.1, 172.2, 173, 210, 211, 213, 271, 272, 273, 279.01, 279.011, 279.02, 279.03, 280, 281, 286.1, 286.2, 286.3, 346 or 347 of the Criminal Code,

      • (ii) any offence under the Criminal Code, as it read at any time before the day on which this subparagraph comes into force, if the conduct alleged would be an offence referred to in subparagraph (i) if it had occurred on or after that day; or

    • (b) two or more offences being dealt with in the same proceeding, at least one of which is an offence referred to in paragraph (a).

  • Marginal note:Mandatory order on application

    (2) In proceedings in respect of any offence referred to in subsection (1), the military judge shall

    • (a) as soon as feasible, inform the victim and any witness under the age of 18 years of their right to make an application for the order; and

    • (b) on application of the victim, the prosecutor or any such witness, make the order.

  • Marginal note:Victim under 18 — other offences

    (3) Subject to subsection (4), in proceedings in respect of a service offence other than an offence referred to in subsection (1), if the victim is under the age of 18 years, the military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may make an order directing that any information that could identify the victim not be published in any document or broadcast or transmitted in any way.

  • Marginal note:Mandatory order on application

    (4) In proceedings in respect of a service offence other than an offence referred to in subsection (1), if the victim is under the age of 18 years, the military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial shall

    • (a) as soon as feasible, inform the victim of their right to make an application for the order; and

    • (b) on application of the victim or the prosecutor, make the order.

  • Marginal note:Child pornography

    (5) In proceedings in respect of an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under section 163.1 of the Criminal Code, the military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial shall make an order directing that any information that could identify a witness who is under the age of 18 years or any person who is the subject of any representation, written material or recording that constitutes child pornography, as defined in that section 163.1, not be published in any document or broadcast or transmitted in any way.

  • Marginal note:Limitation

    (6) An order made under this section does not apply in respect of the disclosure of information if the disclosure is made in the course of the administration of military justice and it is made for a purpose other than to make the information known in the community.

Marginal note:Order restricting publication — victims and witnesses

  •  (1) Unless an order is made under section 183.5, on application of the prosecutor in respect of a victim or a witness, or on application of a victim or a witness, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may make an order directing that any information that could identify the victim or witness not be published in any document or broadcast or transmitted in any way, if the military judge is of the opinion that the order is in the interest of the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Military justice system participants

    (2) On application of the prosecutor in respect of a military justice system participant who is involved in proceedings in respect of an offence referred to in subsection (3) or on application of the military justice system participant themself, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may make an order directing that any information that could identify the military justice system participant not be published in any document or broadcast or transmitted in any way, if the military judge is of the opinion that the order is in the interest of the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Offences

    (3) For the purpose of subsection (2), an offence is any of the following:

    • (a) an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under section 423.1, 467.11, 467.111, 467.12 or 467.13 of the Criminal Code or that is a serious offence committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organization;

    • (b) a terrorism offence;

    • (c) an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under subsection 16(1) or (2), 17(1), 19(1), 20(1) or 22(1) of the Security of Information Act;

    • (d) an offence punishable under section 130 that is an offence under subsection 21(1) or section 23 of the Security of Information Act and that is committed in relation to an offence referred to in paragraph (c).

  • Marginal note:Limitation

    (4) An order made under this section does not apply in respect of the disclosure of information if the disclosure is made in the course of the administration of military justice and it is made for a purpose other than to make the information known in the community.

  • Marginal note:Making of application

    (5) An application for an order under this section must be made in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Grounds

    (6) The application must set out the grounds on which the applicant relies to establish that the order is necessary for the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Hearing may be held

    (7) The military judge may hold a hearing to determine whether an order under this section should be made, and the hearing may be held in private.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (8) In determining whether to make an order under this section, the military judge shall consider

    • (a) the right to a fair and public hearing;

    • (b) whether there is a real and substantial risk that the victim, witness or military justice system participant would suffer harm if their identity were disclosed;

    • (c) whether the victim, witness or military justice system participant needs the order for their security or to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

    • (d) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of service offences and the participation of victims, witnesses and military justice system participants;

    • (e) whether effective alternatives are available to protect the identity of the victim, witness or military justice system participant;

    • (f) the salutary and deleterious effects of the order;

    • (g) the impact of the order on the freedom of expression of those affected by it; and

    • (h) any other factor that the military judge considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:Conditions

    (9) An order made under this section may be subject to any conditions that the military judge thinks fit.

  • Marginal note:Publication prohibited

    (10) Unless the military judge refuses to make an order under this section, no person shall publish in any document or broadcast or transmit in any way

    • (a) the contents of the application for the order;

    • (b) any evidence taken, information given or submissions made at a hearing held under subsection (7); or

    • (c) any other information that could identify the person to whom the application relates as a victim, witness or military justice system participant in the proceedings.

Marginal note:Security of witnesses

  •  (1) In proceedings against an accused person, a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may, on application of the prosecutor or a witness or on his or her own motion, make any order other than one that may be made under section 180, if the military judge is of the opinion that the order is necessary to protect the security of any witness and is otherwise in the interest of the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Factors to be considered

    (2) In determining whether to make the order, the military judge shall consider

    • (a) the witness’s age;

    • (b) the witness’s mental or physical disabilities, if any;

    • (c) the right to a fair and public hearing;

    • (d) the nature of the service offence;

    • (e) whether the witness needs the order to protect them from intimidation or retaliation;

    • (f) whether the order is needed to protect the security of anyone known to the witness;

    • (g) society’s interest in encouraging the reporting of service offences and the participation of victims, witnesses and military justice system participants;

    • (h) the importance of the witness’s testimony to the case;

    • (i) whether effective alternatives to the making of the order are available in the circumstances;

    • (j) the salutary and deleterious effects of the order; and

    • (k) any other factor that the military judge considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:No adverse inference

    (3) No adverse inference may be drawn from the fact that an order is, or is not, made under this section.

Evidence on Commission

Marginal note:Appointment of commissioner to take evidence

  •  (1) The Chief Military Judge, or any military judge designated by the Chief Military Judge, may appoint any officer or other qualified person, in this section referred to as a “commissioner”, to take, under oath, the evidence of any person required as a witness at a court martial

    • (a) who is, by reason of physical disability arising out of illness, not likely to be able to attend at the time the trial is held;

    • (b) who is absent from the country in which the trial is held; or

    • (c) whose attendance is not readily obtainable for a good and sufficient reason.

  • Marginal note:Admissibility of commission evidence

    (2) The document containing the evidence of a witness, taken under subsection (1) and duly certified by the commissioner is admissible in evidence at a trial by court martial to the same extent and subject to the same objections as if the evidence were given by the witness in person at the trial.

  • Marginal note:Power to require personal attendance of witness

    (3) If, in the opinion of a court martial, a witness whose evidence has been taken on commission should, in the interests of military justice, appear and give evidence before the court martial, and the witness is not too ill to attend the trial and is not outside the country in which the trial is held, the court martial may require the attendance of that witness.

  • Marginal note:Representation, examination and cross-examination before commissioner

    (4) At any proceedings before a commissioner, the accused person and the prosecutor are entitled to be represented and the persons representing them have the right to examine and cross-examine any witness.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 184
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 45
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 53

Marginal note:Copy to accused

 The accused person shall, at least twenty-four hours before it is admitted at the court martial, be furnished without charge with a copy of the document referred to in subsection 184(2).

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 161

Objections

Marginal note:Objections

  •  (1) When a court martial is assembled, the names of the military judge and the members, if any, must be read to the accused person and the prosecutor, who shall then be asked if they object to the constitution of the court martial and, in the event of an objection, the decision as to whether to allow the objection is to be made in accordance with the procedure prescribed in regulations.

  • Marginal note:Replacements

    (2) The procedure for the replacement of a person in respect of whom an objection has been allowed shall be as prescribed in regulations.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 186
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46

Preliminary Proceedings

Marginal note:Preliminary proceedings

 At any time after a charge has been preferred but before the commencement of the trial, any question, matter or objection in respect of the charge may, on application, be heard and determined by a military judge or, if the court martial has been convened, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 187
  • 1992, c. 16, s. 9
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 13

Amendment of Charges

Marginal note:Amendment if defence not prejudiced

  •  (1) Where it appears to a court martial that there is a technical defect in a charge that does not affect the substance of the charge, the court martial, if of the opinion that the conduct of the accused person’s defence will not be prejudiced by an amendment of the charge, shall make the order for the amendment of the charge that it considers necessary to meet the circumstances of the case.

  • Marginal note:Adjournment on amendment of charge

    (2) Where a charge is amended by a court martial, the court martial shall, if the accused person so requests, adjourn its proceedings for any period that it considers necessary to enable the accused person to meet the charge so amended.

  • Marginal note:Minute of amendment

    (3) Where a charge is amended by a court martial, a minute of the amendment shall be endorsed on the charge sheet.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 188
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46

Adjournments

Marginal note:Adjournment

 A court martial may adjourn its proceedings whenever the court martial considers adjournment desirable.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 189
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46

Pleas

Marginal note:Pleas permitted

  •  (1) An accused person who makes an application under subsection (2) or who, after the commencement of the trial, is called on to plead may plead guilty or not guilty, or any other plea authorized by regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Plea of guilty

    (2) At any time after a court martial is convened but before the commencement of the trial, the military judge assigned to preside at the court martial may, on application, receive the accused person’s plea of guilty in respect of any charge and, if there are no other charges remaining before the court martial to which pleas of not guilty have been recorded, determine the sentence.

  • Marginal note:Conditions for accepting guilty plea

    (3) The military judge may accept a plea of guilty only if he or she is satisfied that

    • (a) the accused person is making the plea voluntarily; and

    • (b) the accused person

      • (i) understands that the plea is an admission of the essential elements of the service offence,

      • (ii) understands the nature and consequences of the plea, and

      • (iii) understands that the military judge is not bound by any agreement made between the accused person and the prosecutor.

  • Marginal note:Validity of plea

    (4) The failure of the military judge to fully inquire whether the conditions set out in subsection (3) are met does not affect the validity of the plea.

  • Marginal note:Refusal to plead

    (5) If an accused person refuses to plead or does not answer directly, he or she is deemed to have made a plea of not guilty.

  • Marginal note:Allowing time

    (6) An accused person is not entitled as of right to have their trial postponed, but the military judge may, if the military judge considers that the accused person should be allowed further time to plead or prepare for their defence or for any other reason, adjourn the trial to a later time, on any terms that the military judge considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Included or other offence

    (7) Despite any other provision of this Act, if an accused person pleads not guilty of the service offence charged but guilty of any other service offence arising out of the same transaction, whether or not it is an included offence, the military judge may, with the consent of the prosecutor, accept that plea of guilty and, if the plea is accepted, the military judge shall find the accused person not guilty of the offence charged and find him or her guilty of the offence in respect of which the plea of guilty was accepted and enter those findings in the record of the court martial.

  • Marginal note:Inquiry of court — serious personal injury offence

    (8) If the accused person is charged with a service offence that is a serious personal injury offence and the accused person and the prosecutor have entered into an agreement under which the accused person will enter a plea of guilty of the service offence charged — or a plea of not guilty of the service offence charged but guilty of any other service offence arising out of the same transaction, whether or not it is an included offence — the military judge shall, after accepting the plea of guilty, inquire of the prosecutor whether reasonable steps were taken to inform the victims of the agreement.

  • Marginal note:Inquiry of court — certain offences

    (9) If the accused person is charged with a serious offence that is not a serious personal injury offence and the accused person and the prosecutor have entered into an agreement referred to in subsection (8), the military judge shall, after accepting the plea of guilty, inquire of the prosecutor whether any of the victims had advised the prosecutor of their desire to be informed if such an agreement were entered into and, if so, whether reasonable steps were taken to inform that victim of the agreement.

  • Marginal note:Duty to inform

    (10) If subsection (8) or (9) applies, and any victim was not informed of the agreement before the plea of guilty was accepted, the prosecutor shall, as soon as feasible, take reasonable steps to inform the victim of the agreement and the acceptance of the plea.

  • Marginal note:Validity of plea

    (11) Neither the failure of the military judge to inquire of the prosecutor as required under subsection (8) or (9) nor the failure of the prosecutor to take reasonable steps to inform the victims of the agreement affects the validity of the plea.

  • (12) [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 64]

Views

Marginal note:Authority for viewing

 A court martial may view any place, thing or person.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 190
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 17
  • 1992, c. 16, s. 10
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46

Decisions of General Court Martial

Marginal note:Questions of law

 The military judge presiding at a General Court Martial determines all questions of law or mixed law and fact arising before or after the commencement of the trial.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 191
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 14

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 30]

Marginal note:Decision of panel

  •  (1) The members of the panel determine the court martial’s finding and its decision in respect of any other matter or question arising after the commencement of the trial that is not a question of law or mixed law and fact.

  • Marginal note:Decision

    (2) A decision of the panel in respect of a finding of guilty or not guilty, of unfitness to stand trial or of not responsible on account of mental disorder is determined by the unanimous vote of its members. A decision in respect of any other matter is determined by a majority vote.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 192
  • 1992, c. 16, s. 11
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 14

Marginal note:Disagreement of panel

  •  (1) If the military judge presiding at a General Court Martial is satisfied that the members of the panel are unable to agree on a finding and that further retention of the panel would be useless, the military judge may in his or her discretion discharge the panel.

  • Marginal note:Dissolution of court martial

    (2) If a panel is discharged under subsection (1), the court martial is dissolved and the accused person may be dealt with as if the trial had never commenced.

  • 2008, c. 29, s. 14

Marginal note:Sentence

 The military judge presiding at a General Court Martial determines the sentence.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 193
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 14

Similar Offences

Marginal note:Similar offences may be considered in imposing sentence

  •  (1) A court martial may, on the request of a person who is found guilty and who admits to having committed service offences similar in character to an offence of which the person is found guilty, take those service offences into consideration for the purposes of the sentence as if the person had been charged with, tried for and found guilty of those service offences.

  • Marginal note:Restriction

    (2) If a court martial takes an admitted service offence into consideration for the purposes of the sentence, the sentence may not include any punishment higher in the scale of punishments than the punishment that might be imposed in respect of any offence of which the person is found guilty.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 194
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 46

Absconding Accused

Marginal note:Accused absconding during court martial

  •  (1) An accused person who absconds during the course of their trial by court martial, whether or not the person is charged jointly with another person, is deemed to have waived their right to be present at their trial.

  • Marginal note:Continuing or adjourning court martial

    (2) A military judge presiding at the court martial of an accused person who absconds may

    • (a) continue the trial and proceed to a judgment or verdict and, if the accused person is found guilty, impose a sentence in their absence; or

    • (b) if a warrant is issued under section 249.23, adjourn the trial to await the appearance of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Continuing court martial

    (3) A military judge who adjourns a court martial may at any time continue the court martial if he or she is satisfied that it is no longer in the interests of military justice to await the appearance of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Adverse inference

    (4) A court martial may draw an inference adverse to the accused person from the fact that the accused person has absconded.

  • Marginal note:Accused not entitled to reopening

    (5) An accused person who reappears at their trial is not entitled to have any part of the proceedings that were conducted in their absence reopened unless the court martial is satisfied that because of exceptional circumstances it is in the interests of military justice to reopen the proceedings.

  • Marginal note:Counsel for accused person may continue to act

    (6) Counsel for an accused person who absconds is not deprived, as result of the absconding, of any authority he or she may have to continue to represent the accused person.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 54

Pronouncement of Findings and Sentence

Marginal note:Manner and effective date of pronouncement

 The finding and sentence of a court martial shall, at the conclusion of the trial of the offender so sentenced, be pronounced in open court to the offender, who shall be under the sentence as of the date of the pronouncement thereof.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 170

Death or Incapacity

Marginal note:Death or incapacity to continue of judge

  •  (1) Where the military judge presiding at a court martial dies or is for any reason unable to continue, the proceedings of the court martial are deemed to be adjourned. The proceedings may be continued with another military judge, in this section referred to as the “replacement judge”, assigned by the Chief Military Judge.

  • Marginal note:When finding not pronounced

    (2) If the court martial has not pronounced its finding before the presiding military judge dies or becomes unable to continue, the replacement judge

    • (a) in the case of a General Court Martial, may order that the court martial

      • (i) continue from the stage at which it was when it was deemed to be adjourned, or

      • (ii) commence again, at the stage immediately following the plea of the accused person, as if no evidence had been introduced; and

    • (b) in the case of a Standing Court Martial, shall commence the court martial again at the stage immediately following the plea of the accused person, as if no evidence had been introduced.

  • Marginal note:Adjudications and evidence

    (3) In the case of a court martial continued under subparagraph (2)(a)(i),

    • (a) if an adjudication was made before the adjournment but no order was made, the replacement judge shall make any order that is authorized by law and required in the circumstances; and

    • (b) if any evidence was adduced before the adjournment, the evidence is deemed to have been adduced before the replacement judge but, if the prosecutor and the accused so agree, any part of that evidence may be adduced again.

  • Marginal note:When finding pronounced

    (4) If the court martial pronounced its finding before the presiding military judge died or became unable to continue, the replacement judge shall determine the sentence.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 196
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 47
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 15

Marginal note:Dissolution

  •  (1) If, after an accused person has made a plea but before the court martial pronounces its finding, two or more members of the panel die or are for any reason unable to continue to act, the court martial is dissolved.

  • Marginal note:Illness of accused

    (2) Where, on account of the illness of an accused person, it is impossible to continue the trial of that person, the court martial is dissolved.

  • Marginal note:Unfit to stand trial

    (3) Where a court martial finds, under subsection 198(2), that an accused person is unfit to stand trial and it completes the proceedings under subsection 200(2), the court martial is dissolved.

  • Marginal note:Effect of dissolution

    (4) Where a court martial is dissolved pursuant to this section, the accused person may be dealt with as if the trial had never commenced.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 47
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 16

DIVISION 6.1Forensic DNA Analysis

Marginal note:Definitions

 The definitions in this section apply in this Division.

Commissioner

Commissioner means the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (commissaire)

designated offence

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

DNA

DNA means deoxyribonucleic acid. (ADN)

DNA profile

DNA profile means the results of forensic DNA analysis. (profil d’identification génétique)

forensic DNA analysis

forensic DNA analysis

  • (a) in relation to a bodily substance that is taken in execution of a warrant under section 196.12, 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 196.12(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 in execution of an order made under section 196.14 or under an authorization granted under section 196.24, or to a bodily substance referred to in paragraph 196.12(1)(b), means forensic DNA analysis of the bodily substance. (analyse génétique)

peace officer

peace officer means

  • (a) a police officer, police constable, bailiff, constable or other person employed for the preservation and maintenance of the public peace or for the service or execution of civil process; or

  • (b) an officer or a non-commissioned member of the Canadian Forces who is

    • (i) a member of the military police, or

    • (ii) employed on duties that the Governor in Council has prescribed in the regulations to be of such a kind as to necessitate that the officer or non-commissioned member performing them has the powers of a peace officer. (agent de la paix)

prescribed form

prescribed form means a form prescribed in the regulations made by the Governor in Council. (formulaire réglementaire)

primary designated offence

primary designated offence means

  • (a) an offence within the meaning of paragraphs (a) and (c.02) of the definition primary designated offence in section 487.04 of the Criminal Code that is punishable under section 130;

  • (a.1) an offence within the meaning of any of paragraphs (a.1) to (c.01), (c.03) and (c.1) of the definition primary designated offence in section 487.04 of the Criminal Code that is punishable under section 130; and

  • (b) an attempt to commit or, other than for the purpose of subsection 196.12(1), a conspiracy to commit an offence within the meaning of any of paragraphs (a) to (c.03) of the definition primary designated offence in section 487.04 of the Criminal Code that is punishable under section 130. (infraction primaire)

secondary designated offence

secondary designated offence means

  • (a) an offence within the meaning of any of paragraphs (a) to (d.2) of the definition secondary designated offence in section 487.04 of the Criminal Code that is punishable under section 130;

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

    • (i) paragraph 77(a) (violence to person bringing materiel to forces),

    • (ii) section 79 (mutiny with violence),

    • (iii) section 84 (striking a superior officer),

    • (iv) paragraph 87(b) (violence while in custody),

    • (v) section 95 (striking a subordinate),

    • (vi) paragraph 107(a) (endangering a person on an aircraft), or

    • (vii) section 127 (handling of dangerous substances); and

  • (c) an attempt to commit or, other than for the purpose of subsection 196.12(1), a conspiracy to commit any offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (b). (infraction secondaire)

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2005, c. 25, s. 23
  • 2007, c. 22, ss. 35, 48
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 46
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 55
  • 2014, c. 25, s. 36
  • 2018, c. 21, s. 44

Marginal note:Information for warrant to take bodily substances for forensic DNA analysis

  •  (1) A military judge, on ex parte application in the prescribed form, may issue a warrant in the prescribed form authorizing the taking for the purpose of forensic DNA analysis, from a person subject to the Code of Service Discipline, of any number of samples of bodily substances that is reasonably required for that purpose, if the military judge is satisfied by information on oath that it is in the best interests of the administration of military justice to do so and that there are reasonable grounds to believe

    • (a) that a designated offence has been committed;

    • (b) that a bodily substance has been found or obtained

      • (i) at the place where the offence was committed,

      • (ii) on or within the body of the victim of the offence,

      • (iii) on anything worn or carried by the victim at the time the offence was committed, or

      • (iv) on or within the body of any person or thing or at any place associated with the commission of the offence;

    • (c) that the person subject to the Code of Service Discipline was a party to the offence; and

    • (d) that forensic DNA analysis of a bodily substance from the person will provide evidence about whether the bodily substance referred to in paragraph (b) was from that person.

  • Marginal note:Criteria

    (2) In considering whether to issue the warrant, the military judge shall have regard to all relevant matters, including

    • (a) the nature of the offence and the circumstances surrounding its commission; and

    • (b) whether there is

      • (i) a peace officer who is able, by virtue of training or experience, to obtain a bodily substance from the person, or

      • (ii) another person who is able, by virtue of training or experience, to obtain under the direction of a peace officer a bodily substance from the person.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 56

Marginal note:Telewarrants

  •  (1) If a peace officer believes that it would be impracticable to appear personally before a military judge to apply for a warrant, the peace officer may submit an information on oath to the judge by telephone or other means of telecommunication.

  • Marginal note:Contents of information

    (2) An information submitted by telephone or other means of telecommunication shall include, in addition to the information described in subsection 196.12(1),

    • (a) a statement of the circumstances that make it impracticable for the peace officer to appear personally before a military judge; and

    • (b) a statement as to any prior application for a warrant under this section.

  • Marginal note:Oath in writing

    (3) If the telecommunication is in written form, a written statement by the peace officer that all matters contained in the information are true to the officer’s knowledge and belief is deemed to be a statement made under oath.

  • Marginal note:Information filed with Court Martial Administrator

    (4) The military judge shall, as soon as practicable, certify the information as to time and date of receipt, and cause it to be filed with the Court Martial Administrator. If the telecommunication is not in written form, the information that is to be filed is the verbatim record, or a transcription of it, certified by the judge as to its contents and time and date of receipt.

  • Marginal note:Formalities respecting warrant and facsimiles

    (5) When a military judge issues a warrant by telephone or other means of telecommunication that is not in written form,

    • (a) the judge shall complete and sign the warrant in the prescribed form, noting on its face the time, date and place of issuance;

    • (b) the peace officer, on the direction of the judge, shall complete, in duplicate, a facsimile of the warrant in the prescribed form, noting on its face the name of the judge and the time, date and place of issuance; and

    • (c) the judge shall, as soon as practicable after the warrant has been issued, cause the warrant to be filed with the Court Martial Administrator.

  • Marginal note:Issuance of warrant — telecommunication in written form

    (6) When a military judge issues a warrant by a means of telecommunication in written form,

    • (a) the judge shall complete and sign the warrant in the prescribed form, noting on its face the time, date and place of issuance;

    • (b) the judge shall transmit the warrant by the means of telecommunication to the peace officer who submitted the information, and the copy of the warrant received by the peace officer is deemed to be a facsimile within the meaning of paragraph (5)(b);

    • (c) the peace officer shall procure another facsimile of the warrant; and

    • (d) the judge shall, as soon as practicable after the warrant has been issued, cause the warrant to be filed with Court Martial Administrator.

  • Marginal note:Proof of authorization

    (7) In any proceeding in which it is material for a court to be satisfied that the taking of samples of a bodily substance was authorized by a warrant issued by telephone or other means of telecommunication, the absence of the information or warrant, signed by the military judge and carrying on its face a notation of the time, date and place of issuance, is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof that the taking of the samples was not authorized.

  • Marginal note:Duplicates and facsimiles acceptable

    (8) A duplicate or a facsimile of an information or a warrant has the same probative force as the original for the purpose of subsection (7).

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1

Marginal note:Order — primary designated offences

  •  (1) A court martial shall make an order in the prescribed form authorizing the taking of the number of samples of bodily substances that is reasonably required for the purpose of forensic DNA analysis from a person who is found guilty of an offence committed at any time, including before June 30, 2000, if that offence is a primary designated offence within the meaning of paragraph (a) of the definition primary designated offence in section 196.11 when the person is sentenced.

  • Marginal note:Order — primary designated offences

    (2) A court martial shall make such an order in the prescribed form in relation to a person who is found guilty of an offence committed at any time, including before June 30, 2000, if that offence is a primary designated offence within the meaning of paragraph (a.1) or (b) of the definition primary designated offence in section 196.11 when the person is sentenced. However, the court martial is not required to make the order if it is satisfied that the person has established that the impact of such an order on their privacy and security of the person would be grossly disproportionate to the public interest in the protection of society and the proper administration of military justice, to be achieved through the early detection, arrest and conviction of offenders.

  • Marginal note:Order — persons found not responsible and secondary designated offences

    (3) A court martial may, on application by the prosecutor and if it is satisfied that it is in the best interests of the administration of military justice to do so, make such an order in the prescribed form in relation to

    • (a) a person who is found not responsible on account of mental disorder for an offence committed at any time, including before June 30, 2000, if that offence is a designated offence when the finding is made; or

    • (b) a person who is found guilty of an offence committed at any time, including before June 30, 2000, if that offence is a secondary designated offence when the person is sentenced.

    In deciding whether to make the order, the court martial shall consider the nature of the offence and the circumstances surrounding its commission, any previous convictions, any previous finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder for a designated offence and the impact that such an order would have on the person’s privacy and security and shall give reasons for the decision.

  • Marginal note:Order to offender

    (4) When a court martial makes an order authorizing the taking of samples of bodily substances, it may make an order in the prescribed form to require the person to report at the place, day and time set out in the order and submit to the taking of the samples.

 [Repealed, 2007, c. 22, s. 5]

Marginal note:Timing of order

  •  (1) The court martial may make an order under section 196.14 authorizing the taking of samples of bodily substances either when it imposes a sentence on a person or finds them not responsible on account of mental disorder or at a later date if it adjourns the proceedings after it imposes the sentence or makes the finding.

  • Marginal note:Hearing by new court martial

    (2) If the court martial does not consider the matter at that time,

    • (a) the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial to do so;

    • (b) the Court Martial Administrator shall, within 90 days after the day on which the sentence was imposed or the person was found not responsible on account of mental disorder, convene the court martial; and

    • (c) for greater certainty, the person who may be made subject to the order continues to be liable to be dealt with under the Code of Service Discipline for the purpose of the hearing.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2005, c. 25, s. 25
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 5
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 17

Marginal note:Failure to appear

  •  (1) If a person fails to appear at the place, day and time set out in an order made under subsection 196.14(4) or 196.24(4), a military judge may issue a warrant in the prescribed form for their arrest to allow samples of bodily substances to be taken.

  • Marginal note:Warrant in force

    (2) The warrant may be executed anywhere in or outside Canada by a peace officer who has jurisdiction in that place or over the person. The warrant remains in force until it is executed.

  • 2005, c. 25, s. 25
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 5

Marginal note:When collection to take place

  •  (1) Samples of bodily substances shall be taken as authorized under section 196.14

    • (a) at the place, day and time set out in an order made under subsection 196.14(4) or as soon as feasible afterwards; or

    • (b) in any other case, on the day on which the order authorizing the taking of the samples is made or as soon as feasible afterwards.

  • Marginal note:When collection to take place

    (1.1) Samples of bodily substances shall be taken as authorized under section 196.24

    • (a) at the place, day and time set out in an order made under subsection 196.24(4) or as soon as feasible afterwards; or

    • (b) in any other case, as soon as feasible after the authorization is granted.

  • Marginal note:When collection to take place

    (1.2) If a person fails to appear as required by an order made under subsection 196.14(4) or 196.24(4), samples of bodily substances shall be taken

    • (a) when the person is arrested under a warrant issued under subsection 196.161(1) or as soon as feasible afterwards; or

    • (b) as soon as feasible after the person appears at the place set out in the order if no warrant is issued.

  • Marginal note:Appeal

    (1.3) Subsections (1) to (1.2) apply even if the order or authorization to take the samples of bodily substances is appealed.

  • Marginal note:Collection of samples

    (2) A peace officer who is authorized under section 196.14 or 196.24 to take samples of bodily substances may cause the samples to be taken in any place in or outside Canada in which the person who is subject to the order or authorization is located.

  • Marginal note:Who collects samples

    (3) The samples shall be taken by a peace officer who has jurisdiction over the person or in the place in which the samples are taken — or a person acting under their direction — who is able, by virtue of training or experience, to take them.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2005, c. 25, s. 26
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 37

Marginal note:Report of peace officer

  •  (1) A peace officer who takes samples of bodily substances from a person or who causes a person who is not a peace officer to take samples under their direction shall, as soon as feasible after the samples are taken, make a written report in the prescribed form and cause the report to be filed with

    • (a) the military judge who issued the warrant under section 196.12 or 196.13 or who granted the authorization under section 196.24, or another military judge; or

    • (b) the Court Martial Administrator, in the case of an order made by a court martial under section 196.14.

  • Marginal note:Contents of report

    (2) The report shall state the time and date the samples were taken, and describe the bodily substances that were taken.

  • Marginal note:Copy of report

    (2.1) The peace officer who takes the samples or causes the samples to be taken under their direction at the request of another peace officer shall send a copy of the report to the other peace officer unless that other peace officer had jurisdiction to take the samples.

  • Marginal note:Unexecuted telewarrant

    (3) If a peace officer does not execute a warrant that was issued in accordance with section 196.13, the peace officer must make a report stating the reasons why the warrant was not executed.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 38

Marginal note:No criminal or civil liability

 No peace officer, and no person acting under a peace officer’s direction, incurs any disciplinary, criminal or civil liability for anything necessarily done with reasonable care and skill in the taking of samples of bodily substances in execution of a warrant issued under section 196.12 or 196.13 or an order made under section 196.14 or under an authorization granted under section 196.24.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 39

Marginal note:Investigative procedures

  •  (1) A peace officer, or a person acting under a peace officer’s direction, is authorized by a warrant issued under section 196.12 or 196.13, an order made under section 196.14 or an authorization granted under section 196.24 to take samples of bodily substances by any of the following means:

    • (a) the plucking of individual hairs, including the root sheath;

    • (b) the taking of buccal swabs by swabbing the lips, tongue and inside cheeks of the mouth to collect epithelial cells; or

    • (c) the taking of blood by pricking the skin surface with a sterile lancet.

  • Marginal note:Terms and conditions

    (2) The warrant or order shall include any terms and conditions that the military judge or court martial considers advisable to ensure that the taking of the samples is reasonable in the circumstances.

  • Marginal note:Fingerprints

    (3) A peace officer who is authorized to take samples of bodily substances from a person by an order made under section 196.14 or an authorization granted under section 196.24, or a person acting under their direction, may take fingerprints from the person for the purpose of the DNA Identification Act.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 40

Marginal note:Duty to inform

  •  (1) Before taking samples of bodily substances from a person, or causing samples to be taken under their direction, in execution of a warrant issued under section 196.12 or 196.13 or an order made under section 196.14 or under an authorization granted under section 196.24, a peace officer shall inform the person of

    • (a) the contents of the warrant or order;

    • (b) the nature of the investigative procedures by means of which the samples are to be taken;

    • (c) the purpose of taking the samples;

    • (d) the authority of the peace officer and any person acting under the officer’s direction to use as much force as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of taking the samples; and

    • (e) in the case of samples of bodily substances taken in execution of a warrant, the possibility that the results of forensic DNA analysis may be used in evidence.

  • Marginal note:Detention of person

    (2) A person from whom samples of bodily substances are to be taken may, for that purpose, be detained for a period that is reasonable in the circumstances and be required to accompany a peace officer.

  • Marginal note:Respect of privacy

    (3) A peace officer, or any person acting under a peace officer’s direction, who takes samples of bodily substances from a person shall ensure that the person’s privacy is respected in a manner that is reasonable in the circumstances.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 41

Marginal note:Verification

  •  (1) Before taking samples of bodily substances from a person under an order made under section 196.14 or an authorization granted under section 196.24, a peace officer, or a person acting under their direction, shall verify whether the convicted offenders index of the national DNA data bank, established under the DNA Identification Act, contains the person’s DNA profile.

  • Marginal note:DNA profile in data bank

    (2) If the person’s DNA profile is in the convicted offenders index of the national DNA data bank, the peace officer or person acting under their direction shall not take any bodily substances from the person but shall

    • (a) confirm in writing on the order or authorization that they have been advised that the person’s DNA profile is in the national DNA data bank; and

    • (b) transmit a copy of the order or authorization containing that confirmation and any other information prescribed by regulations made under the DNA Identification Act to the Commissioner.

  • Marginal note:DNA profile not in data bank

    (3) If the person’s DNA profile is not in the convicted offenders index of the national DNA data bank, the peace officer or person acting under their direction shall execute the order or authorization and transmit to the Commissioner

    • (a) any bodily substances taken; and

    • (b) a copy of the order or authorization and any other information prescribed by regulations made under the DNA Identification Act.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2005, c. 25, s. 27
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 42

Marginal note:Destruction of bodily substances, etc.

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), bodily substances that are taken from a person in execution of a warrant under section 196.12 and the results of forensic DNA analysis shall be destroyed or, in the case of results in electronic form, access to those results shall be permanently removed, without delay after

    • (a) the results of the analysis establish that the bodily substance referred to in paragraph 196.12(1)(b) was not from that person;

    • (b) the person is finally acquitted of the designated offence and of any other offence in respect of the same transaction; or

    • (c) the expiry of one year after the charge is withdrawn unless during that year the person is again charged with the designated offence or any other offence in respect of the same transaction.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) A military judge may order that the bodily substances that are taken from a person and the results of forensic DNA analysis not be destroyed during any period that the judge considers appropriate if the judge is satisfied that they might reasonably be required in an investigation or prosecution of the person for another designated offence or of another person for the designated offence or any other offence in respect of the same transaction.

  • Marginal note:Destruction of bodily substances, etc., voluntarily given

    (3) Bodily substances that are provided voluntarily by a person and the results of forensic DNA analysis shall be destroyed or, in the case of results in electronic form, access to those results shall be permanently removed, without delay after the results of the analysis establish that the bodily substance referred to in paragraph 196.12(1)(b) was not from that person.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1

Marginal note:Collection of additional bodily substances

  •  (1) A military judge may, on ex parte application made in the prescribed form within a reasonable time, authorize, in the prescribed form, the taking from a person, for the purpose of forensic DNA analysis, of any number of additional samples of bodily substances that is reasonably required for that purpose if

    • (a) a DNA profile cannot be derived from the bodily substances that were taken from that person under an order made under section 196.14; or

    • (b) the information or bodily substances required by regulations made under the DNA Identification Act were not transmitted in accordance with the requirements of the regulations or were lost.

  • Marginal note:Reasons

    (2) The application shall state the reasons why a DNA profile cannot be derived from the bodily substances or why the information or bodily substances were not transmitted in accordance with the regulations or were lost.

  • Marginal note:For greater certainty

    (3) For greater certainty, the person who may be made subject to the authorization continues to be liable to be dealt with under the Code of Service Discipline for that purpose.

  • Marginal note:Persons not in custody

    (4) If the military judge authorizes the taking of samples of bodily substances from a person who is not in custody, an order in the prescribed form shall be directed to the person requiring them to report at the place, day and time set out in the order and submit to the taking of the samples.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1
  • 2005, c. 25, s. 28
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 43

Marginal note:Review by Director of Military Prosecutions

  •  (1) On receipt of a notice from the Commissioner under subsection 5.2(1) of the DNA Identification Act that an order made under section 196.14 or an authorization granted under section 196.24 appears to be defective, the Director of Military Prosecutions shall review the order or authorization and the court record.

  • Marginal note:Clerical error

    (2) If the Director of Military Prosecutions is of the opinion that the defect is due to a clerical error, the Director shall

    • (a) apply, ex parte, to the military judge who made the order, or to another military judge, to have it corrected; and

    • (b) transmit a copy of the corrected order or authorization, if any, to the Commissioner.

  • Marginal note:Substantive defect

    (3) If the Director of Military Prosecutions is of the opinion that the offence referred to in the order or authorization is not a designated offence, the Director shall inform the Commissioner of that opinion.

  • Marginal note:No defect

    (4) If the Director of Military Prosecutions is of the opinion that the offence referred to in the order or authorization is a designated offence, the Director shall transmit that opinion, with written reasons, to the Commissioner.

  • 2005, c. 25, s. 29
  • 2007, c. 22, s. 44

Marginal note:Order denying access to information used to obtain a warrant

  •  (1) A military judge may, on application made at the time of issuing a warrant, make an order prohibiting access to and the disclosure of any information relating to the warrant on the ground that

    • (a) the ends of justice would be subverted by the disclosure for one of the reasons referred to in subsection (2) or the information might be used for an improper purpose; and

    • (b) the ground referred to in paragraph (a) outweighs in importance the access to the information.

  • Marginal note:Reasons

    (2) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(a), an order may be made under subsection (1) on the ground that the ends of justice would be subverted by the disclosure

    • (a) if disclosure of the information would

      • (i) compromise the identity of a confidential informant,

      • (ii) compromise the nature and extent of an ongoing investigation,

      • (iii) endanger a person engaged in particular intelligence-gathering techniques and thereby prejudice future investigations in which similar techniques would be used, or

      • (iv) prejudice the interests of an innocent person; and

    • (b) for any other sufficient reason.

  • Marginal note:Procedure

    (3) If an order is made under subsection (1), all documents relating to the application shall, subject to any terms and conditions that the military judge considers desirable in the circumstances, including terms and conditions concerning the duration of the prohibition, partial disclosure of a document, deletion of any information or the occurrence of a condition, be placed in a packet and sealed by the military judge immediately on determination of the application, and that packet shall be kept in the custody of the Court Martial Administrator in a place to which the public has no access or in any other place that the judge may authorize and shall not be dealt with except in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the order or as varied under subsection (4).

  • Marginal note:Application for variance of order

    (4) An application to terminate the order or vary any of its terms and conditions may be made to the military judge who made the order or to another military judge.

  • 2000, c. 10, s. 1

DIVISION 6.2Identification of Accused Persons and Offenders

Marginal note:Meaning of designated offence

 In this Division, designated offence means an offence under any of the following provisions of this Act:

  • (a) paragraphs 75(a) to (d) (offences related to security);

  • (b) paragraphs 77(a) and (d) to (i) (offences related to operations);

  • (c) section 78 (spying for the enemy);

  • (d) section 79 (mutiny with violence);

  • (e) section 80 (mutiny without violence);

  • (f) paragraphs 81(a) and (b) (offences related to mutiny);

  • (g) section 84 (striking or offering violence to a superior officer);

  • (h) paragraphs 87(a) to (c) (resisting arrest or custody);

  • (i) section 95 (abuse of subordinates);

  • (j) section 100 (setting free without authority or allowing or assisting escape);

  • (k) section 101 (escape from custody);

  • (l) section 101.1 (failure to comply with conditions);

  • (m) section 102 (hindering arrest or confinement or withholding assistance);

  • (n) paragraphs 111(1)(a) and (b) (improper driving of vehicles);

  • (o) section 113 (causing fires);

  • (p) section 114 (stealing);

  • (q) section 115 (receiving);

  • (r) paragraphs 116(a) and (b) (destruction, damage, loss or improper disposal), if the conduct is wilful;

  • (s) paragraphs 117(a) to (d) and (f) (miscellaneous offences), except where the offender unlawfully obtains transportation by fraud;

  • (t) section 118 (offences in relation to tribunals);

  • (u) section 118.1 (failure to appear or attend);

  • (v) section 119 (false evidence);

  • (w) section 124 (negligent performance of duties), if the negligence results in death or bodily harm;

  • (x) section 127 (negligent handling of dangerous substances);

  • (y) section 128 (conspiracy); or

  • (z) section 130 (service trial of civil offences), if the act or omission is punishable under any other Act of Parliament and constitutes an offence under that other Act that is an indictable offence or is deemed to be an indictable offence by paragraph 34(1)(a) of the Interpretation Act.

  • 2002, c. 13, s. 88

Marginal note:Fingerprints and photographs

  •  (1) Any person who is charged with, or convicted by a court martial of, a designated offence may be fingerprinted or photographed or subjected to any other measurement, process or operation having the object of identifying persons that is approved by order of the Governor in Council under the Identification of Criminals Act.

  • Marginal note:Use of force

    (2) Such force may be used as is necessary to the effectual carrying out and application of the measurements, processes and operations described in subsection (1).

  • Marginal note:Publication

    (3) The results of the measurements, processes and operations to which a person has been subjected under subsection (1) may be published for the purpose of affording information to peace officers within the meaning of Division 6.1 and others engaged in the execution or administration of the law.

  • 2002, c. 13, s. 88

Marginal note:No liability for acting under this Division

 No civil or criminal liability shall be incurred by any person for anything lawfully done under this Division or by any person concerned in the publication of results for the purpose of subsection 196.27(3).

  • 2002, c. 13, s. 88

Marginal note:Destruction of fingerprints, photographs, etc.

 Fingerprints, photographs and other measurements that are taken under subsection 196.27(1) from a person who is charged with a designated offence shall be destroyed without delay, on application by the person, if the charge has not been proceeded with in the three years after the charge is laid.

DIVISION 7Mental Disorder

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

 For the purposes of this Division,

appropriate province

appropriate province means

  • (a) in respect of a court martial held in Canada, the province in which it is held, or

  • (b) in respect of a court martial held outside Canada, the province with which the Minister makes arrangements for the benefit and welfare of the accused person; (province concernée)

assessment

assessment means an assessment of the mental condition of the accused person, and any incidental observation or examination of the accused person; (évaluation)

disposition

disposition means an order made by a court martial under section 201, 202 or 202.16 or a finding made by a court martial under subsection 202.161(4); (décision)

medical practitioner

medical practitioner means a person who is entitled to practise medicine by the laws of a province; (médecin)

Review Board

Review Board means the Review Board established or designated for a province pursuant to subsection 672.38(1) of the Criminal Code; (commission d’examen)

significant threat to the safety of the public

significant threat to the safety of the public means a risk of serious physical or psychological harm to members of the public — including any victim of or witness to the offence, or any person under the age of 18 years — resulting from conduct that is criminal in nature but not necessarily violent. (risque important pour la sécurité du public)

Fitness to Stand Trial

Marginal note:Presumption of fitness

  •  (1) An accused person is presumed fit to stand trial unless the court martial is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the accused person is unfit to stand trial.

  • Marginal note:Court directs issue to be tried

    (2) Subject to section 199, where at any time after the commencement of a trial by court martial the court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that the accused person is unfit to stand trial, the court martial may direct, of its own motion or on application of the accused person or the prosecutor, that the issue of fitness be tried, and a finding shall be made by the court martial as to whether the accused person is unfit to stand trial.

  • Marginal note:Burden of proof

    (3) An accused person or a prosecutor who makes an application under subsection (2) has the burden of proof that the accused is unfit to stand trial.

  • Marginal note:Order for assessment

    (4) Subject to regulations, where a court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that evidence of the mental condition of an accused person is necessary for the purpose of determining whether the accused person is unfit to stand trial, the court martial may make an order for an assessment of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Subsequent proceedings

    (5) A finding of unfit to stand trial shall not prevent the accused person from being tried subsequently on the same charge where the accused person becomes fit to stand trial.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 198
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18

Marginal note:Postponing trial of issue

  •  (1) Where the trial of an issue referred to in subsection 198(2) arises before the close of the case for the prosecution, the court martial may postpone directing the trial of the issue until a time not later than the opening of the case for the defence or, on motion of the accused person, such later time as the court martial may direct.

  • Marginal note:Issue not tried

    (2) Where a court martial postpones directing the trial of an issue pursuant to subsection (1) and the accused person is found not guilty or proceedings are otherwise terminated, the issue shall not be tried.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 199
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18

Marginal note:Trial proceeds where accused fit to stand trial

  •  (1) Where the finding of a court martial on trial of the issue is that an accused person is fit to stand trial, the court martial shall continue its proceedings as if the issue of fitness had never arisen.

  • Marginal note:Procedure where accused unfit to stand trial

    (2) Where the finding on trial of the issue is that an accused person is unfit to stand trial, the court martial shall

    • (a) set aside any plea that has been made; and

    • (b) hold a hearing and make a disposition under section 201 in respect of the accused person if it is satisfied that it can readily do so and that a disposition should be made without delay.

  • Marginal note:Order for assessment

    (3) Subject to regulations, where a court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that evidence of the mental condition of an accused person is necessary for the purpose of determining the appropriate disposition to be made under subsection (2) or under section 202, the court martial may make an order for an assessment of the accused person.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 200
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 2005, c. 22, s. 61(F)

Marginal note:Disposition

  •  (1) When a court martial makes a disposition by virtue of subsection 200(2), it shall, taking into account the safety of the public, which is the paramount consideration, the mental condition of the accused person, the reintegration of the accused person into society and the other needs of the accused person, make one of the following dispositions that is necessary and appropriate in the circumstances:

    • (a) by order, direct that the accused person be released from custody subject to such conditions as the court martial considers appropriate; or

    • (b) by order, direct that the accused person be detained in custody in a hospital or other appropriate place determined by the court martial, subject to such conditions as the court martial considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Treatment not a condition

    (2) No order made under subsection (1) shall direct that any psychiatric or other treatment of the accused person be carried out or direct that the accused person submit to such treatment, except that the order may include a condition regarding psychiatric or other treatment where the accused person has consented to the condition and the court martial considers the condition to be reasonable and necessary in the interests of the accused person.

Marginal note:Treatment disposition

  •  (1) Where the finding on trial of the issue is that an accused person is unfit to stand trial and the court martial has not made a disposition under section 201, the court martial may, on application by the prosecutor, by order, direct that treatment of the accused person be carried out for a specified period not exceeding sixty days, subject to such conditions as the court martial considers appropriate, and, where the accused person is not detained in custody, direct that the accused person submit to that treatment by the person or at the place specified in the order.

  • Marginal note:Condition

    (2) No disposition may be made under this section unless the court martial is satisfied, on the basis of evidence described in subsection (3), that a specific treatment should be administered to the accused person for the purpose of making the accused person fit to stand trial.

  • Marginal note:Evidence required

    (3) The evidence required by a court martial for the purposes of subsection (2) shall be a statement by a medical practitioner that the practitioner has made an assessment of the accused person and is of the opinion, based on the grounds specified, that

    • (a) the accused person, at the time of the assessment, was unfit to stand trial;

    • (b) the psychiatric treatment and any other related medical treatment specified by the practitioner will likely render the accused person fit to stand trial within a period not exceeding sixty days and that without that treatment the accused person is likely to remain unfit to stand trial;

    • (c) the risk of harm to the accused person from the psychiatric and other related medical treatment specified is not disproportionate to the benefit anticipated to be derived from it; and

    • (d) the psychiatric and other related medical treatment specified is the least restrictive and least intrusive treatment that could, in the circumstances, be specified for the purpose referred to in subsection (2), taking into consideration the opinions stated in paragraphs (b) and (c).

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (3.1) A court martial shall not make a disposition under this section unless the prosecutor notifies the accused, in writing and as soon as practicable, of the application.

  • Marginal note:Challenge by accused person

    (4) On receipt of the notice referred to in subsection (3.1), an accused person may challenge an application of the prosecutor under this section, and may adduce any evidence for that purpose.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (5) A court martial shall not direct, and no direction given pursuant to a disposition made under this section shall include, the performance of psychosurgery or electro-convulsive therapy or any other prohibited treatment prescribed in regulations.

  • Marginal note:Definitions

    (6) In subsection (5), electro-convulsive therapy and psychosurgery have the meaning assigned by the regulations.

  • Marginal note:Consent of hospital required for treatment

    (7) A court martial shall not make a disposition under this section without the consent of the person in charge of the hospital or place where the accused person is to be treated or of the person to whom responsibility for the treatment of the accused person is assigned by the court martial.

  • Marginal note:Consent of accused person not required for treatment

    (8) A court martial may direct that treatment of an accused person be carried out pursuant to a disposition made under this section without the consent of the accused person or a person who, according to the laws of the jurisdiction where the disposition is made, is authorized to consent for the accused person.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 202
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 1997, c. 18, s. 131

Marginal note:Where Review Board or chairperson sends accused back to court martial

  •  (1) Where a Review Board or the chairperson of a Review Board, in exercising a power under section 202.25, orders that the accused person be sent back to a court martial for trial of the issue of whether the accused person is fit to stand trial, the Review Board or chairperson shall, immediately after making the order, cause a copy of it to be sent to the Chief Military Judge.

  • Marginal note:Convening court martial

    (2) On receipt of a copy of the order, the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a court martial to try the issue and make a finding of whether the accused person is fit to stand trial and, where the court martial finds the accused person fit, to try the accused person as if the issue had never arisen.

  • Marginal note:Custody in hospital

    (3) Notwithstanding the opinion of a Review Board or the chairperson of a Review Board that an accused person is fit to stand trial, the Chief Military Judge or a military judge assigned by the Chief Military Judge may, on application, order the accused person to be detained in custody in a hospital or other appropriate place until a court martial makes a finding under subsection (2) if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the accused person will become unfit to stand trial unless so detained.

  • Marginal note:Burden and standard of proof

    (4) In proceedings directed pursuant to subsection (2), the burden of proof that the accused person has subsequently become fit to stand trial is on the party who asserts it, and is discharged by proof on the balance of probabilities.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 49

Marginal note:Accused person to remain in hospital

 Notwithstanding a finding that the accused person is fit to stand trial, the court martial may order an accused person to continue to be detained in custody in a hospital or other appropriate place until the completion of the trial, where the court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that the accused person will become unfit to stand trial unless so detained.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18

Marginal note:Prima facie case

  •  (1) If a finding of unfit to stand trial is made by a court martial in respect of an accused person, the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial to hold an inquiry and determine whether sufficient admissible evidence can be adduced at that time to put the accused person on trial

    • (a) not later than two years after that finding and every two years thereafter until the accused person is tried or found not guilty in respect of the offence; or

    • (b) at any other time that the Chief Military Judge may order, where the Chief Military Judge is satisfied on the basis of an application and any other written material submitted by the accused person that there is reason to doubt that there is a prima facie case against the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Extension of time for holding inquiry

    (1.1) Despite paragraph (1)(a), the Chief Military Judge may extend the period for holding an inquiry if he or she is satisfied on the basis of an application by the Director of Military Prosecutions or the accused person that the extension is necessary for the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Where prima facie case not made

    (2) If, on the completion of an inquiry held pursuant to this section, the court martial is satisfied that sufficient admissible evidence cannot be adduced to put the accused person on trial, the court martial shall find the accused person not guilty of the charge.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 1993, c. 34, s. 94(F)
  • 1997, c. 18, s. 132
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 50
  • 2005, c. 22, ss. 48, 61(F)
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 18
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 57

Marginal note:Recommendation of Review Board

  •  (1) The Review Board may, of its own motion, make a recommendation to the Chief Military Judge to cause a court martial to be convened for holding an inquiry to determine whether a stay of proceedings should be ordered in respect of an accused person found unfit to stand trial if

    • (a) the Review Board has held a hearing under section 672.81 or 672.82 of the Criminal Code in respect of the accused person; and

    • (b) on the basis of any relevant information, including disposition information within the meaning of the regulations and an assessment report made under an assessment ordered by the Review Board under paragraph 672.121(a) of the Criminal Code, the Review Board is of the opinion that

      • (i) the accused person remains unfit to stand trial and is not likely to ever become fit to stand trial, and

      • (ii) the accused person does not pose a significant threat to the safety of the public.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (2) If the Review Board makes a recommendation referred to in subsection (1), the Review Board shall provide notice to the accused person, the Director of Military Prosecutions, the Chief Military Judge and any other party who, in the opinion of the Review Board, has a substantial interest in protecting the interests of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Obligation of court martial

    (3) As soon as practicable after receiving the notice referred to in subsection (2), the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial for the purpose of determining whether an inquiry should be held to determine whether a stay of proceedings should be ordered and to hold, as soon as practicable, the inquiry if the court martial determines that it is appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Inquiry may be conducted

    (4) Subject to the regulations, a court martial having jurisdiction over an accused person may, of its own motion, conduct an inquiry to determine whether a stay of proceedings should be ordered if the court martial is of the opinion, on the basis of any relevant information, that

    • (a) the accused person remains unfit to stand trial and is not likely to ever become fit to stand trial; and

    • (b) the accused person does not pose a significant threat to the safety of the public.

  • Marginal note:Power to order an assessment

    (5) Subject to the regulations, if a court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that evidence of the mental condition of an accused person is necessary for the purpose of determining whether a stay of proceedings should be ordered, the court martial may make an order for an assessment of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Assessment order

    (6) If the court martial holds an inquiry under subsection (3) or (4), it shall order an assessment of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Stay

    (7) The court martial may, on completion of an inquiry under this section, order a stay of proceedings if it is satisfied

    • (a) on the basis of clear information, that the accused person remains unfit to stand trial and is not likely to ever become fit to stand trial;

    • (b) that the accused does not pose a significant threat to the safety of the public; and

    • (c) that a stay is in the interests of the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Proper administration of military justice

    (8) To determine whether a stay of proceedings is in the interests of the proper administration of military justice, the court martial shall consider any submissions of the prosecutor, the accused person and all other parties and the following factors:

    • (a) the nature and seriousness of the alleged offence;

    • (b) the salutary and deleterious effects of the order for a stay of proceedings, including the effect on public confidence in the administration of military justice;

    • (c) the time that has elapsed since the commission of the alleged offence and whether an inquiry has been held under section 202.12 to decide whether sufficient evidence can be adduced to put the accused person on trial; and

    • (d) any other factor that the court martial considers relevant.

  • Marginal note:Effect of stay

    (9) If a stay of proceedings is ordered by the court martial, any disposition made in respect of the accused person ceases to have effect. If a stay of proceedings is not ordered, the finding of unfit to stand trial and any disposition made in respect of the accused person remain in force, until the Review Board holds a disposition hearing and makes a disposition in respect of the accused person, in exercising a power under section 672.83 of the Criminal Code.

Mental Disorder When Offence Committed

Marginal note:Defence of mental disorder

  •  (1) No accused person shall be held responsible under this Act for a service offence in respect of an act committed or an omission made while suffering from a mental disorder that rendered the person incapable of appreciating the nature and quality of the act or omission or of knowing that it was wrong.

  • Marginal note:Presumption

    (2) Every person is presumed not to suffer from a mental disorder so as to be exempt from responsibility by virtue of subsection (1), until the contrary is proved on the balance of probabilities.

  • Marginal note:Burden of proof

    (3) The burden of proof that an accused person was suffering from a mental disorder so as to be exempt from responsibility is on the party raising the issue.

  • Marginal note:Assessment order

    (4) Subject to regulations, where a court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that evidence of the mental condition of an accused person is necessary for the purpose of determining whether the accused person was, at the time of the commission of the alleged offence, suffering from a mental disorder so as to be exempt from responsibility, the court martial may make an order for an assessment of the accused person.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18

Marginal note:Finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder

  •  (1) If a court martial finds that an accused person committed the act or made the omission that forms the basis of the offence charged but was suffering at the time from a mental disorder so as to be exempt from responsibility, the court martial shall make a finding that the accused person committed the act or made the omission but is not responsible on account of mental disorder.

  • Marginal note:Effects

    (2) Where a finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder is made, the accused person shall not be found guilty or convicted of the offence, but

    • (a) the accused person may not be tried or tried again in respect of that offence or any other substantially similar offence arising out of the facts that gave rise to that offence;

    • (b) any civil court may take into account the finding in considering any application for judicial interim release or in considering the dispositions to make or sentence to impose against that person for any other offence;

    • (c) any court martial or the Court Martial Appeal Court may consider the finding in considering an application for release pending appeal under Division 10 or in considering the dispositions to make or sentence to impose against that person for any other offence;

    • (d) [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 51]

    • (e) the finding may be considered in making an order under Division 3 in respect of that person;

    • (f) [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 33]

    • (g) the finding does not include a finding or determination respecting civil liability; and

    • (h) the Parole Board of Canada or any provincial parole board may take the finding into account in considering an application by that person for parole or for a record suspension under the Criminal Records Act in respect of any other offence.

  • Marginal note:Finding not previous conviction

    (3) A finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder is not a previous conviction for the purposes of any offence under any Act for which a greater punishment is prescribed by reason of previous convictions.

Marginal note:Disposition hearing

  •  (1) Where a court martial makes a finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder in respect of an accused person, the court martial shall hold a hearing and make a disposition under section 202.16, where the court martial is satisfied that it can readily make a disposition in respect of the accused person and that a disposition should be made without delay.

  • Marginal note:Assessment order

    (2) Subject to regulations, where a court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that evidence of the mental condition of an accused person is necessary for the purpose of determining the appropriate disposition to be made under this section, the court martial may make an order for an assessment of the accused person.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 2005, c. 22, s. 61(F)

Marginal note:Disposition

  •  (1) When a court martial makes a disposition by virtue of subsection 202.15(1), it shall, taking into account the safety of the public, which is the paramount consideration, the mental condition of the accused person, the reintegration of the accused person into society and the other needs of the accused person, make one of the following dispositions that is necessary and appropriate in the circumstances:

    • (a) by order, direct that the accused person be released from custody without conditions if, in the opinion of the court martial, the accused person is not a significant threat to the safety of the public;

    • (b) by order, direct that the accused person be released from custody subject to such conditions as the court martial considers appropriate; or

    • (c) by order, direct that the accused person be detained in custody in a hospital or other appropriate place determined by the court martial, subject to such conditions as the court martial considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Treatment not a condition

    (2) No order made under subsection (1) shall direct that any psychiatric or other treatment of the accused person be carried out or direct that the accused person submit to such treatment, except that the order may include a condition regarding psychiatric or other treatment where the accused person has consented to the condition and the court martial considers the condition to be reasonable and necessary in the interests of the accused person.

High-Risk Accused

Marginal note:Application to court martial

  •  (1) If a court martial makes a finding under subsection 202.14(1) that an accused person is not responsible on account of mental disorder and it has not terminated its proceedings in respect of the accused person, the Director of Military Prosecutions may make an application to the court martial for a finding that the accused person is a high-risk accused.

  • Marginal note:Application to Chief Military Judge

    (2) If the court martial has terminated its proceedings in respect of the accused person, the Director of Military Prosecutions may make the application to the Chief Military Judge. On receipt of the application, the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial.

  • Marginal note:Restriction

    (3) No application shall be made under subsection (1) or (2) if a disposition has been made to release the accused person from custody without conditions or to discharge the accused person absolutely.

  • Marginal note:Finding

    (4) The court martial referred to in subsection (1) or (2) may, at the conclusion of a hearing, find the accused person to be a high-risk accused if the accused person has been found not responsible on account of mental disorder for a serious personal injury offence, the accused person was 18 years of age or more at the time of the commission of the offence and

    • (a) the court martial is satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood that the accused person will use violence that could endanger the life or safety of another person; or

    • (b) the court martial is of the opinion that the acts that constitute the offence were of such a brutal nature as to indicate a risk of grave physical or psychological harm to another person.

  • (5) [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 64]

  • Marginal note:Factors to consider

    (6) In deciding whether to find that the accused person is a high-risk accused, the court martial shall consider all relevant evidence, including

    • (a) the nature and circumstances of the offence;

    • (b) any pattern of repetitive behaviour of which the offence forms a part;

    • (c) the accused person’s current mental condition;

    • (d) the past and expected course of the accused person’s treatment, including the accused person’s willingness to follow treatment; and

    • (e) the opinions of experts who have examined the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Detention of high-risk accused person

    (7) If the court martial finds the accused person to be a high-risk accused, the court martial shall make a disposition under paragraph 202.16(1)(c), but the accused person’s detention must not be subject to any condition that would permit the accused person to be absent from the hospital or other appropriate place unless

    • (a) it is appropriate, in the opinion of the person in charge of the hospital or other appropriate place, for the accused person to be absent from the hospital or place for medical reasons or for any purpose that is necessary for the accused person’s treatment, if the accused person is escorted by a person who is authorized by the person in charge of the hospital or place; and

    • (b) a structured plan has been prepared to address any risk related to the accused person’s absence and, as a result, that absence will not present an undue risk to the public.

  • Marginal note:Assessment order

    (8) Subject to regulations, if the court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that evidence of the mental condition of an accused person is necessary for the purpose of determining the appropriate disposition to be made under this section, the court martial may make an order for an assessment of the accused person.

Marginal note:Referral to court martial for review

  •  (1) If a Review Board, in exercising a power under section 202.25, decides to refer to a court martial for review under subsection 672.84(1) of the Criminal Code a finding that an accused person is a high-risk accused, the Review Board shall, immediately after making the decision, cause a copy of it to be sent to the Chief Military Judge.

  • Marginal note:Convening court martial

    (2) On receipt of a copy of the decision, the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial to review the finding.

  • Marginal note:Review of finding by court martial

    (3) The court martial shall, at the conclusion of a hearing, revoke the finding if the court martial is satisfied that there is not a substantial likelihood that the accused person will use violence that could endanger the life or safety of another person, in which case sections 202.15 and 202.21 apply as if the court martial has made a finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder.

  • Marginal note:Finding not revoked

    (4) If the court martial does not revoke the finding, it shall immediately send to the Review Board, in original or copied form, a transcript of the hearing, any other document or information related to the hearing, and all exhibits filed with it, if the transcript, document, information or exhibits are in its possession.

  • Marginal note:Assessment order

    (5) Subject to regulations, if the court martial has reasonable grounds to believe that evidence of the mental condition of the accused person is necessary for the purpose of determining whether to revoke the finding, the court martial may make an order for an assessment of the accused person.

General Provisions Respecting Assessment Orders, Dispositions and Assessment Reports

Marginal note:Conditions for custody

  •  (1) An accused person shall not be placed in custody under an assessment order made by a court martial under this Division unless

    • (a) the court martial is satisfied that on the evidence custody is necessary to assess the accused person, or that on the evidence of a medical practitioner custody is desirable to assess the accused person and the accused person consents to custody;

    • (b) custody of the accused person is required in respect of any other matter or by virtue of any other provision of this Act or the Criminal Code; or

    • (c) the prosecutor, having been given a reasonable opportunity to do so, shows that the detention of the accused person in custody is justified having regard to all the circumstances, including those set out in paragraphs 158(1)(a) to (e).

  • Marginal note:Report of medical practitioner in writing

    (2) For the purposes of subparagraph (1)(a), where the prosecutor and the accused person agree, the evidence of a medical practitioner may be in the form of a report in writing.

  • Marginal note:No treatment order on assessment

    (3) No assessment order made under this Division shall direct that any psychiatric or other treatment of an accused person be carried out or direct that the accused person submit to such treatment.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 1998, c. 35, ss. 52(E), 92
  • 2005, c. 22, s. 50

Marginal note:No custody or release orders during assessment

  •  (1) During the period that an assessment order made by a court martial under this Division is in force, no order may be made for custody or release from custody of the accused person under any provision of Division 3 or for release from detention or imprisonment under any provision of Division 10 in respect of that offence or an included offence.

  • Marginal note:Variation of assessment order

    (2) Subject to subsection 202.17(1), a court martial may, at any time while an assessment order made by the court martial under this Division is in force, if it is established to the satisfaction of the court martial on a balance of probabilities that it is necessary to do so, vary the terms and conditions respecting the custody or release from custody of the accused person specified in the order in such manner as the court martial considers appropriate in the circumstances.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 1998, c. 35, ss. 53, 92
  • 2005, c. 22, s. 51

Marginal note:Assessment report

  •  (1) An assessment order made by a court martial under this Division may require the person who makes the assessment to submit in writing an assessment report on the mental condition of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Assessment report to be filed with court

    (2) An assessment report shall be filed with the court martial that ordered it at the place and within the period specified by the court martial.

  • Marginal note:Distribution of assessment report

    (3) Subject to regulations, where an assessment report is filed pursuant to subsection (2), the court martial shall cause copies of it to be sent to the prosecutor, the accused person and any counsel representing the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Assessment report part of record

    (4) Subject to regulations, an assessment report shall form part of the record of the proceedings in respect of which it was prepared.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 2005, c. 22, s. 52

Marginal note:Effective date of disposition

 A disposition made in respect of an accused person under section 201, 202 or 202.16 shall come into force on the day that it is made or on any later day that the court martial specifies in it, and shall remain in force until the Review Board of the appropriate province holds a hearing and makes a disposition under section 672.83 of the Criminal Code.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 2005, c. 22, s. 53

Marginal note:Procedure at disposition hearing

  •  (1) A hearing by a court martial to make or review a disposition in respect of an accused person shall be held in accordance with this section and the regulations.

  • Marginal note:Hearing to be informal

    (2) The hearing may be conducted in as informal a manner as is appropriate in the circumstances.

  • Marginal note:Interested person may be party

    (3) The court martial may designate as a party any person who has a substantial interest in protecting the accused person’s interests, if the court martial is of the opinion that it is just to do so.

  • Marginal note:Notice of hearing — parties

    (4) The court martial shall give notice of the hearing to the parties.

  • Marginal note:Notice of hearing — victim

    (5) The court martial shall, at the request of a victim of the offence, give the victim notice of the hearing and of the relevant provisions of this Act.

  • Marginal note:Notice of release from custody and intended place of residence

    (6) If the accused person is released from custody without conditions under paragraph 202.16(1)(a) or with conditions under paragraph 201(1)(a) or 202.16(1)(b), a notice of the release and the accused person’s intended place of residence shall, at the victim’s request, be given to the victim within the time and in the manner fixed by regulations.

  • Marginal note:Order excluding public

    (7) If the court martial considers it to be in the accused person’s best interests and not contrary to the public interest, it may order the public or any members of the public to be excluded from the hearing or any part of it.

  • Marginal note:Right to counsel

    (8) The accused person or any other party has the right to be represented by counsel.

  • Marginal note:Assigning counsel

    (9) A court martial shall, either before or at the time of the hearing of an accused person who is not represented by counsel, direct that counsel be provided by the Director of Defence Counsel Services if the accused person has been found unfit to stand trial or the interests of military justice require that counsel be provided.

  • Marginal note:Right of accused person to be present

    (10) Subject to subsection (11), the accused person has the right to be present during the entire hearing.

  • Marginal note:Removal or absence of accused person

    (11) The court martial may permit the accused person to be absent during the entire hearing or any part of it on any conditions that the court martial considers appropriate. The court martial may also cause the accused person to be removed and barred from re-entry for the entire hearing or any part of it for any of the following reasons:

    • (a) the accused person is interrupting the hearing and it is not feasible to continue it in the accused person’s presence;

    • (b) the court martial is satisfied that the accused person’s presence would likely endanger the life or safety of another person or would seriously impair the treatment or recovery of the accused person; or

    • (c) the court martial is satisfied that the accused person should not be present for the hearing of evidence, oral or written submissions, or the cross-examination of any witness respecting the existence of grounds for removing the accused person under paragraph (b).

  • Marginal note:Rights of parties at hearing

    (12) Any party may adduce evidence, make oral or written submissions, call witnesses and cross-examine any witness called by any other party and, on application, cross-examine any person who made an assessment report that was submitted in writing to the court martial.

  • Marginal note:Witnesses

    (13) A party may not compel the attendance of witnesses, but may request the court martial to do so.

  • Marginal note:Video links

    (14) If the accused person agrees, the court martial may permit them to appear by closed-circuit television or any other means that allows the court martial and the accused person to engage in simultaneous visual and oral communication, for any part of the hearing, so long as the accused person is given the opportunity to communicate privately with counsel if they are represented by counsel.

  • Marginal note:Determination of mental condition of accused person

    (15) A court martial that reviews a disposition shall, on receipt of an assessment report, determine if there has been any change in the accused person’s mental condition since the disposition was made or last reviewed that may provide grounds for the accused person’s release from custody under section 202.16. If the court martial determines that there has been such a change, it shall notify every victim of the offence that they may prepare a statement.

  • Marginal note:Victim impact statement

    (16) For the purpose of making or reviewing a disposition in respect of an accused person, a court martial shall consider the statement of any victim of the offence describing the physical or emotional harm done to, or property damage or economic loss suffered by, the victim as a result of the commission of the offence and the impact of the offence on the victim.

  • Marginal note:Procedure

    (17) A victim’s statement must be prepared in the form, and filed in accordance with the procedures, provided for by regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Presentation of victim statement

    (18) Unless the court martial considers that it would not be in the best interests of the administration of military justice, the court martial shall, at the victim’s request, permit the victim to read their statement or to present the statement in any other manner that the court martial considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Consideration by court martial

    (19) Whether or not a statement has been prepared and filed, the court martial may consider any other evidence concerning any victim of the offence for the purpose of making or reviewing the disposition.

  • Marginal note:Copy of statement

    (20) The Court Martial Administrator shall, as soon as feasible after receiving a victim’s statement, ensure that a copy is provided to the prosecutor and to the accused person or their counsel.

  • Marginal note:Inquiry by court martial

    (21) As soon as feasible after a finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder is made and before making a disposition, the court martial shall inquire of the prosecutor or a victim of the offence, or any person representing a victim of the offence, whether the victim has been advised that they may prepare a statement.

  • Marginal note:Adjournment

    (22) On application of the prosecutor or a victim or on its own motion, the court martial may adjourn the hearing to permit a victim to prepare a statement or to present evidence referred to in subsection (19) if it is satisfied that the adjournment would not interfere with the proper administration of military justice.

  • (23) [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 65]

Marginal note:Additional conditions — safety and security

 If a court martial holds a hearing referred to in section 202.201, the court martial shall consider whether it is desirable, in the interests of the safety and security of any person, particularly a victim of or witness to the offence or a justice system participant, to include as a condition of the disposition that the accused

  • (a) abstain from communicating, directly or indirectly, with any victim, witness or other person identified in the disposition, or refrain from going to any place specified in the disposition; or

  • (b) comply with any other condition specified in the disposition that the court martial considers necessary to ensure the safety and security of those persons.

Marginal note:Status quo pending Review Board’s hearing

  •  (1) Where a court martial makes a finding of unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder in respect of an accused person and does not make a disposition in respect of the accused person under section 201, 202 or 202.16, any order or direction for the custody or release from custody of the accused person that is in force at the time the finding is made continues in force, subject to its terms, until a disposition in respect of the accused person is made by the Review Board.

  • Marginal note:Variation of order

    (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a court martial may, on cause being shown, cancel any order or direction referred to in subsection (1) and make any other order or direction for the custody or release from custody of the accused person that the court martial considers to be appropriate in the circumstances, including an order directing that the accused person be detained in custody in a hospital or other appropriate place pending a disposition in respect of the accused person made by the Review Board.

  • Marginal note:Subsequent court martial order takes precedence

    (3) Pending a disposition by the Review Board, where a court martial

    • (a) makes a disposition under paragraph 201(1)(b) or 202.16(1)(c) in respect of an accused person, that disposition takes precedence over any prior sentence of imprisonment or detention of the accused person; or

    • (b) imposes a sentence of imprisonment or detention on the accused person, that sentence takes precedence over any prior disposition made under paragraph 201(1)(b) or 202.16(1)(c).

  • Marginal note:Disposition takes precedence over probation order

    (4) Where a disposition is made under paragraph 201(1)(b) or 202.16(1)(c) and the accused person is convicted or discharged conditionally under the Criminal Code by a civil court in respect of another offence but is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment in respect of that other offence, the disposition shall come into force and, notwithstanding any provision of the Criminal Code, takes precedence over any probation order made in respect of the offence.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 2005, c. 22, s. 54

Marginal note:Procedural irregularities

  •  (1) Any procedural irregularity in relation to a hearing held by a court martial or Review Board does not affect the validity of the proceedings unless the accused person suffers substantial prejudice thereby.

  • Marginal note:Reasons for disposition and copies to be provided

    (2) After making a disposition in respect of an accused person under section 201, 202 or 202.16, a court martial shall state its reasons for making the disposition in the record of the proceedings, and shall provide or cause to be provided to the accused person, the prosecutor and the person in charge of the hospital or other appropriate place where the accused person is detained in custody or is to attend pursuant to the disposition a copy of the disposition and those reasons.

  • Marginal note:Transmittal of transcript to Review Board

    (3) If a court martial holds a hearing under subsection 200(2) or 202.15(1), whether or not it makes a disposition, it shall send without delay to the Review Board of the appropriate province, in original or copied form, a transcript of the hearing, any document or information relating to the hearing and all exhibits filed with it, if the transcript, document, information or exhibits are in its possession.

  • Marginal note:Transmittal of transcript to Review Board

    (3.1) If the court martial does not hold a hearing referred to in subsection (3), it shall send without delay to the Review Board of the appropriate province, following a verdict of unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder, in original or copied form, any transcript of the proceedings in respect of the accused, any document or information relating to the proceedings and all exhibits filed with it, if the transcript, document, information or exhibits are in its possession.

  • Marginal note:Order of committal

    (4) Where a court martial makes a disposition in respect of an accused person under section 201 or 202.16 directing that the accused person be placed and detained in custody in a hospital or other appropriate place, a committing authority referred to in subsection 219(1) shall issue a committal order in such form as is prescribed by regulation.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 2005, c. 22, ss. 55, 61(F)

Marginal note:Definition of justice

  •  (1) In this section, justice means a justice as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Arrest without warrant for contravention of disposition

    (2) A member of the military police or any other peace officer within the meaning of the Criminal Code may arrest an accused person without a warrant if he or she has reasonable grounds to believe that the accused person

    • (a) is at large contrary to the terms of a disposition made by a court martial under section 201, 202 or 202.16 or by a Review Board; or

    • (b) has contravened or wilfully failed to comply with the disposition or any condition of a disposition or assessment order, or is about to do so.

  • Marginal note:Accused person released subject to conditions

    (2.1) The member of the military police or other peace officer who makes an arrest under subsection (2) may release an accused person arrested under that subsection who is subject to a disposition made by a court martial under paragraph 201(1)(a) or 202.16(1)(b), a disposition made by a Review Board under paragraph 672.54(b) of the Criminal Code or an assessment order and deliver the accused person to the place specified in the disposition or assessment order.

  • Marginal note:Continued detention

    (2.2) The member of the military police or other peace officer shall not release the accused person if he or she has reasonable grounds to believe

    • (a) that it is necessary in the public interest that the accused person be detained in custody having regard to all the circumstances, including the need to

      • (i) establish the identity of the accused person,

      • (ii) establish the terms and conditions of the disposition or assessment order referred to in subsection (2.1),

      • (iii) prevent the commission of an offence, or

      • (iv) prevent the accused person from doing anything referred to in paragraph (2)(a) or (b); or

    • (b) that the accused person is subject to a disposition or an assessment order of a Review Board of another province.

  • Marginal note:Accused person brought before justice or commanding officer

    (2.3) An accused person referred to in subsection (2.1) who is not released or an accused person arrested under subsection (2) who is subject to a disposition of a court martial made under paragraph 201(1)(b), subsection 202(1) or paragraph 202.16(1)(c) or a disposition of a Review Board made under paragraph 672.54(c) of the Criminal Code shall be taken to a justice having jurisdiction in the territorial division in which the accused person is arrested or a commanding officer without unreasonable delay and in any event within a period of twenty-four hours after the arrest.

  • Marginal note:Justice or commanding officer not available

    (3) If a justice having jurisdiction in the territorial division in which the accused person is arrested or a commanding officer is not available within a period of twenty-four hours after the arrest, the accused person shall be taken before a justice or commanding officer as soon as practicable.

  • Marginal note:Release of accused person

    (3.1) A justice or commanding officer shall release an accused who is brought before them unless they are satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the circumstances referred to in paragraph (2)(a) or (b) exist.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (3.2) If the justice or commanding officer releases the accused, notice shall be given to the Review Board that made the disposition or to the court martial or Review Board that made the assessment order.

  • Marginal note:Order pending decision of Review Board

    (4) If a justice or commanding officer before whom an accused person is taken is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the circumstances referred to in paragraph (2)(a) or (b) exist, the justice or commanding officer may, pending a hearing of a Review Board with respect to the disposition or a hearing of a court martial or Review Board with respect to the assessment order, make an order that is appropriate in the circumstances in relation to the accused person, including an order that the accused person be delivered to a place that is specified in the disposition or assessment order. If the justice or commanding officer makes an order under this subsection, notice shall be given to the Review Board that made the disposition or to the court martial or Review Board that made the assessment order.

  • Marginal note:Powers of Review Board

    (5) Where a Review Board receives a notice pursuant to subsection (4), it may exercise the powers and shall perform the duties referred to in the Criminal Code in respect of the accused person as if the Review Board were conducting a review of a disposition.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 2005, c. 22, ss. 56, 61(F)
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 60

Protected Statements

Marginal note:Definition of protected statement

  •  (1) In this section, protected statement means a statement made by the accused person, during the course and for the purposes of an assessment ordered under this Division or treatment directed by a disposition made under section 202, to the person specified in the assessment order or the disposition, or to anyone acting under that person’s direction.

  • Marginal note:Protected statements not admissible against accused

    (2) No protected statement or reference to a protected statement made by an accused person is admissible in evidence, without the consent of the accused person, in any proceeding before a court, court martial, tribunal, body or person with jurisdiction to compel the production of evidence.

  • Marginal note:Exceptions

    (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), evidence of a protected statement is admissible for the purpose of

    • (a) determining whether the accused person is unfit to stand trial;

    • (b) making a disposition or placement decision respecting the accused person;

    • (c) determining under subsection 202.162(3) whether to revoke a finding that an accused person is a high-risk accused;

    • (d) determining whether the balance of the mind of the accused person was disturbed at the time of commission of the alleged offence, where the accused person is a female charged with an offence arising out of the death of her newly-born child;

    • (e) determining whether the accused person was, at the time of the commission of an alleged offence, suffering from automatism or a mental disorder so as to be exempt from responsibility by virtue of subsection 202.13(1), if the accused person puts his or her mental capacity to form the requisite intent into issue or if the prosecutor raises the issue after a finding is made of not responsible on account of mental disorder;

    • (f) challenging the credibility of an accused person in any proceeding where the testimony of the accused person is inconsistent in a material particular with a protected statement that the accused person made previously; or

    • (g) establishing the perjury of an accused person who is charged with perjury in respect of a statement made in any proceeding.

Provisions of Criminal Code Applicable

Marginal note:Powers of Review Board

  •  (1) Review Boards and their chairpersons may exercise the powers and shall perform the duties assigned to them under the Criminal Code, with any modifications that the circumstances require and unless the context otherwise requires, in relation to findings made by courts martial of unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder, and in relation to dispositions made under section 201 or 202.16 or subsection 202.161(4), except for the powers and duties referred to in subsections 672.5(8.1) and (8.2) and sections 672.851 and 672.86 to 672.89 of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Application

    (1.1) For the application of subsection (1), a reference to the attorney general of a province in which a hearing is held under subsection 672.5(3) of the Criminal Code shall be read as a reference to the Director of Military Prosecutions.

  • Marginal note:References to Attorney General

    (1.1) For the purpose of subsection (1), a reference to the Attorney General in subsections 672.81(1.1) and (1.31) of the Criminal Code shall be read as a reference to the Director of Military Prosecutions. [2014, c. 6, s. 28]

  • Marginal note:References to Attorney General

    (1.1) For the purpose of subsection (1), a reference to the Attorney General of a province in which a hearing is held under subsection 672.5(3) of the Criminal Code and a reference to the Attorney General in subsections 672.81(1.1) and (1.31) of that Act shall be read as a reference to the Director of Military Prosecutions. [2014, c. 6, s. 32]

  • Marginal note:Application of paragraph 672.121(a) of Criminal Code

    (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the reference to subsection 672.851(1) of the Criminal Code in paragraph 672.121(a) of that Act shall be read as a reference to subsection 202.121(1) of this Act.

Marginal note:Application of ss. 672.67 to 672.71 of Criminal Code to findings

 Sections 672.67 to 672.71 of the Criminal Code apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, to findings made by courts martial of unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder, and a reference in any of those sections to a Review Board is deemed to be a reference to the Review Board of the appropriate province.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 18
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 54
  • 2005, c. 22, s. 58

DIVISION 7.1Sentencing

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 65]

Purpose and Principles of Sentencing by Courts Martial

Marginal note:Fundamental purpose of sentencing

  •  (1) The fundamental purpose of sentencing is to maintain the discipline, efficiency and morale of the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Objectives

    (2) The fundamental purpose of sentencing is to be achieved by imposing just punishments that have one or more of the following objectives:

    • (a) to promote a habit of obedience to lawful commands and orders;

    • (b) to maintain public trust in the Canadian Forces as a disciplined armed force;

    • (c) to denounce unlawful conduct and the harm done to victims or to the community that is caused by unlawful conduct;

    • (d) to deter offenders and other persons from committing offences;

    • (e) to assist in rehabilitating offenders;

    • (f) to assist in reintegrating offenders into military service;

    • (g) to separate offenders, if necessary, from other officers or non-commissioned members or from society generally;

    • (h) to provide reparations for harm done to victims or to the community; and

    • (i) to promote a sense of responsibility in offenders and an acknowledgment of the harm done to victims or to the community.

Marginal note:Fundamental principle of sentencing

 A sentence must be proportionate to the gravity of the offence and the degree of responsibility of the offender.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 62

Marginal note:Other sentencing principles

 Sentences must be imposed in accordance with the following other principles:

  • (a) a sentence should be increased or reduced to account for any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances relating to the offence or the offender, and aggravating circumstances include, but are not restricted to, evidence establishing that

    • (i) the offender, in committing the offence, abused their rank or other position of trust or authority,

    • (ii) the offence was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, or on any other similar factor,

    • (iii) the offender, in committing the offence, abused their spouse or common-law partner,

    • (iv) the offender, in committing the offence, abused a person under the age of 18 years,

    • (v) the commission of the offence resulted in substantial harm to the conduct of a military operation,

    • (vi) the offence was committed in a theatre of hostilities,

    • (vii) the offence was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization, or

    • (viii) the offence was a terrorism offence;

  • (b) a sentence should be similar to sentences imposed on similar offenders for similar offences committed in similar circumstances;

  • (c) an offender should not be deprived of liberty by imprisonment or detention if less restrictive punishments may be appropriate in the circumstances;

  • (c.1) all available punishments, other than imprisonment and detention, that are reasonable in the circumstances and consistent with the harm done to victims or to the community should be considered for all offenders, with particular attention to the circumstances of Aboriginal offenders;

  • (d) a sentence should be the least severe sentence required to maintain the discipline, efficiency and morale of the Canadian Forces; and

  • (e) any indirect consequences of the finding of guilty or the sentence should be taken into consideration.

Marginal note:Abuse of persons under age of 18

 When a court martial imposes a sentence for an offence that involved the abuse of a person under the age of 18 years, it shall give primary consideration to the objectives of denunciation and deterrence of such conduct.

Facts Relevant to the Determination of a Sentence

Marginal note:Disputed facts

  •  (1) If there is a dispute with respect to any fact that is relevant to the determination of a sentence,

    • (a) the court martial shall request that evidence be adduced as to the existence of the fact unless it is satisfied that sufficient evidence was adduced at trial;

    • (b) subject to paragraph (c), the court martial shall be satisfied on a balance of probabilities of the existence of the disputed fact before relying on it in determining the sentence; and

    • (c) the prosecutor shall establish, by proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the existence of any aggravating fact or any previous conviction of the accused person.

  • Marginal note:Panel

    (2) In the case of a General Court Martial, the court martial

    • (a) shall accept as proven all facts, express or implied, that are essential to the court martial panel’s finding of guilty; and

    • (b) may find any other relevant fact that was disclosed by evidence at the trial to be proven, or hear evidence presented by either party with respect to that fact.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 62

Victim Impact Statement

Marginal note:Duty to consider victim impact statement

  •  (1) For the purpose of determining the sentence to be imposed on an offender or whether the offender should be discharged absolutely in respect of any offence, a court martial shall consider the statement of any victim of the offence describing the physical or emotional harm done to, or property damage or economic loss suffered by, the victim as a result of the commission of the offence and the impact of the offence on the victim.

  • Marginal note:Filing of statement

    (2) The victim’s statement must be filed in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Presentation of statement

    (3) Unless the court martial considers that it would not be in the best interests of the administration of military justice, the court martial shall, at the victim’s request, permit the victim to present the statement by

    • (a) reading it;

    • (b) reading it in the presence and close proximity of any support person of the victim’s choice;

    • (c) subject to subsection 203.7(4), reading it outside the courtroom or behind a screen or other device that would allow the victim not to see the offender; or

    • (d) presenting it in any other manner that the court martial considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Evidence concerning victim admissible

    (4) Whether or not a statement has been prepared and filed in accordance with this section, the court martial may consider any other evidence concerning any victim of the offence for the purpose of determining the sentence to be imposed on the offender or determining whether the offender should be discharged absolutely.

Marginal note:Inquiry by court martial

  •  (1) As soon as feasible after a finding of guilt and in any event before imposing sentence, the court martial shall inquire of the prosecutor whether reasonable steps have been taken to provide the victim with an opportunity to prepare a statement referred to in subsection 203.6(1).

  • Marginal note:Adjournment

    (2) On application of the prosecutor or a victim or on its own motion, the court martial may adjourn the proceedings to permit a victim to prepare a statement or to present evidence in accordance with subsection 203.6(4), if the court martial is satisfied that the adjournment would not interfere with the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Photograph

    (3) During the presentation

    • (a) the victim may have with them a photograph of themselves taken before the commission of the offence if it would not, in the opinion of the court martial, disrupt the proceedings; or

    • (b) if the statement is presented by an individual acting on the victim’s behalf, that individual may have with them a photograph of the victim taken before the commission of the offence if it would not, in the opinion of the court martial, disrupt the proceedings.

  • Marginal note:Conditions of exclusion

    (4) The victim shall not present the statement outside the courtroom unless arrangements are made for the offender and the court martial to watch the presentation by means of closed-circuit television or otherwise and the offender is permitted to communicate with counsel while watching the presentation.

  • Marginal note:Consideration of statement

    (5) In considering the statement, the court martial shall take into account the portions of the statement that it considers relevant to the determination referred to in subsection 203.6(1) and disregard any other portion.

Military Impact Statement

Marginal note:Military impact statement

  •  (1) When determining the sentence to be imposed on an offender or determining whether the offender should be discharged absolutely in respect of any service offence, the court martial shall consider any statement made on the behalf of the Canadian Forces describing the harm done to discipline, efficiency or morale as a result of the commission of the offence and the impact of the offence on discipline, efficiency or morale.

  • Marginal note:Filing of statement

    (2) The statement must be prepared by an officer or non-commissioned member who is authorized to do so by regulations made by the Governor in Council and it must be filed in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Presentation of statement

    (3) The court martial shall, at the request of the person who made the statement, permit the person to present the statement by reading it or by presenting it in any other manner that the court martial considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Copy of statement

    (4) The court martial shall, as soon as feasible after a finding of guilt, cause a copy of the statement to be provided to the prosecutor and to the offender or counsel for the offender.

Community Impact Statement

Marginal note:Community impact statement

  •  (1) When determining the sentence to be imposed on an offender or determining whether the offender should be discharged absolutely in respect of any service offence, the court martial shall consider any statement made by an individual on a community’s behalf, describing the harm or loss suffered by the community as a result of the commission of the offence and the impact of the offence on the community.

  • Marginal note:Filing of statement

    (2) The statement must be filed in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Presentation of statement

    (3) The court martial shall, at the request of the individual who made the statement, permit the individual to present the statement by

    • (a) reading it;

    • (b) reading it in the presence and close proximity of any support person of the individual’s choice;

    • (c) subject to subsection (4), reading it outside the courtroom or behind a screen or other device that would allow the individual not to see the offender; or

    • (d) presenting it in any other manner that the court martial considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Conditions of exclusion

    (4) The individual making the statement shall not present it outside the courtroom unless arrangements are made for the offender and the court martial to watch the presentation by means of closed-circuit television or otherwise and the offender is permitted to communicate with counsel while watching the presentation.

  • Marginal note:Copy of statement

    (5) The court martial shall, as soon as feasible after a finding of guilt, cause a copy of the statement to be provided to the prosecutor and to the offender or counsel for the offender.

Absolute Discharge

Marginal note:Absolute discharge

  •  (1) If an accused person pleads guilty to or is found guilty of an offence, other than an offence for which a minimum punishment is prescribed by law or an offence punishable by imprisonment for 14 years or for life, the court martial before which the accused appears may, if it considers it to be in the accused person’s best interests and not contrary to the public interest, instead of convicting the accused person, direct that they be discharged absolutely.

  • Marginal note:Effect of discharge

    (2) If a court martial directs that an offender be discharged absolutely of an offence, the offender is deemed not to have been convicted of the offence, except that

    • (a) they may appeal from the determination of guilt as if it were a conviction in respect of the offence;

    • (b) the Minister may appeal from the decision not to convict the offender of the offence as if that decision were a finding of not guilty in respect of the offence; and

    • (c) the offender may plead autrefois convict in respect of any subsequent charge relating to the offence.

  • Marginal note:References to section 730 of Criminal Code

    (3) A reference in any Act of Parliament to a discharge under section 730 of the Criminal Code is deemed to include an absolute discharge under subsection (1).

Restitution

Marginal note:Court martial to consider restitution order

  •  (1) A court martial that imposes a sentence on an offender or directs that an offender be discharged absolutely shall consider making a restitution order under section 203.9.

  • Marginal note:Inquiry by court martial

    (2) As soon as feasible after a finding of guilt and in any event before imposing the sentence or directing that the offender be discharged absolutely, the court martial shall inquire of the prosecutor whether reasonable steps have been taken to provide the victims with an opportunity to indicate whether they are seeking restitution for their losses and damages, the amount of which must be readily ascertainable.

  • Marginal note:Adjournment

    (3) On application of the prosecutor or on its own motion, the court martial may adjourn the proceedings to permit the victims to indicate whether they are seeking restitution or to establish their losses and damages, if the court martial is satisfied that the adjournment would not interfere with the proper administration of military justice.

  • Marginal note:Form

    (4) Victims and other persons may indicate whether they are seeking restitution by completing a form prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council and by filing it in accordance with the procedures provided for in regulations made by the Governor in Council, and, if they are seeking restitution, shall establish, in the same manner, their losses and damages, the amount of which must be readily ascertainable.

  • Marginal note:Reasons

    (5) If a victim seeks restitution and the court martial does not make a restitution order, it shall include in the court record a statement of its reasons for not doing so.

Marginal note:Restitution order

 A court martial that imposes a sentence on an offender or directs that an offender be discharged absolutely may, on application of the Director of Military Prosecutions 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:

  • (a) in the case of damage to, or the loss or destruction of, the property of any person as a result of the commission of the offence or the arrest or attempted arrest of the offender, by paying to the person an amount that is not more than the replacement value of the property as of the date the order is imposed, less the value of any part of the property that is returned to that person as of the date it is returned, if the amount is readily ascertainable;

  • (b) in the case of bodily or psychological harm to any person as a result of the commission of the offence or the arrest or attempted arrest of the offender, by paying to the person an amount that is not more than all pecuniary damages incurred as a result of the harm, including loss of income or support, if the amount is readily ascertainable; and

  • (c) in the case of bodily harm or threat of bodily harm to a person — who at the relevant time was the offender’s spouse, common-law partner or child or any other member of the offender’s household — as a result of the commission of the offence or the arrest or attempted arrest of the offender, by paying to the person, independently of any amount ordered to be paid under paragraphs (a) and (b), an amount that is not more than the actual and reasonable expenses incurred by that person, as a result of moving out of the offender’s household, for temporary housing, food, child care and transportation, if the amount is readily ascertainable.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 62

Marginal note:Ability to pay

 The offender’s financial means or ability to pay does not prevent the court martial from making an order under section 203.9.

Marginal note:Payment under order

 In making an order under section 203.9, the court martial shall require the offender to pay the full amount specified in the order by the day specified in the order, unless the court martial is of the opinion that the amount should be paid in instalments, in which case the court martial shall set out a periodic payment scheme in the order.

Marginal note:More than one person

 An order under section 203.9 may be made in respect of more than one person, in which case the order must specify the amount that is payable to each person. The order may also specify the order of priority in which those persons are to be paid.

Marginal note:Enforcing restitution order

  •  (1) An offender who fails to pay an amount that is ordered to be paid in a restitution order by the day specified in the order or who fails to make a periodic payment required under the order is in default of the order, and the person who was to be paid the amount or to whom the periodic payment was to be made, as the case may be, may, by filing the order, enter as a judgment any amount ordered to be paid that remains unpaid under the order in any civil court that has jurisdiction to enter a judgment for that amount, and that judgment is enforceable against the offender in the same manner as if it were a judgment rendered against the offender in that court in civil proceedings.

  • Marginal note:Moneys found on offender

    (2) All or any part of an amount that is ordered to be paid in a restitution order may be taken out of moneys found in the possession of the offender at the time of their arrest if the court martial making the order, on being satisfied that ownership of or right to possession of those moneys is not disputed by claimants other than the offender, so directs.

Marginal note:Notice of order

 A court martial that makes a restitution order shall cause notice of the content of the order, or a copy of the order, to be given to the person to whom the restitution is ordered to be paid.

Marginal note:Civil remedy not affected

 A civil remedy for an act or omission is not affected by reason only that an order of restitution has been made in respect of that act or omission.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 62

Passing of Sentence

Marginal note:Only one sentence to be passed

 Only one sentence shall be passed on an offender at a trial under the Code of Service Discipline and, if the offender is convicted of more than one offence, the sentence is good if any one of the offences would have justified it.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 62

DIVISION 8Provisions Applicable to Imprisonment and Detention

Computation of Term

Marginal note:Commencement of term

  •  (1) Subject to subsections (3) and 148(1) and sections 215 to 217, the term of a punishment of imprisonment or detention shall commence on the day on which the court martial pronounces sentence on the offender.

  • Marginal note:Time counted

    (2) The only time that shall be reckoned toward the completion of a term of a punishment of imprisonment or detention shall be the time that the offender spends in civil custody or service custody while under the sentence in which that punishment is included.

  • Marginal note:Special case

    (3) Where a punishment referred to in subsection (2) cannot lawfully be carried out by reason of a vessel being at sea or in a port at which there is no suitable place of incarceration, the offender shall as soon as practicable, having regard to the exigencies of the service, be sent to a place where the punishment can lawfully be carried out, and the period of time prior to the date of arrival of the offender at that place shall not be reckoned toward the completion of the term of the punishment.

Service Prisons and Detention Barracks

Marginal note:Service prisons and detention barracks

  •  (1) Such places as are designated by the Minister for the purpose shall be service prisons and detention barracks and any hospital or other place for the reception of sick persons to which a person who is a service convict, service prisoner or service detainee has been admitted shall, in so far as relates to that person, be deemed to be part of the place to which that person has been committed.

  • Marginal note:Corrective disciplinary measures for service prisons and detention barracks

    (2) The nature of and the manner of imposing corrective measures for breach of the regulations, orders and rules applicable in respect of service prisons and detention barracks by a person committed thereto as the result of a sentence passed on that person, and the terms and conditions of remission for good conduct of any part of a punishment involving incarceration, shall be as prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Limitations

    (3) Corrective measures referred to in subsection (2) shall not include whipping, paddling or any of the punishments referred to in paragraphs 139(1)(a) to (l) and shall not be so imposed as to increase the duration of any punishment involving a term of incarceration.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 177

 [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 59]

Suspension of Imprisonment or Detention

Marginal note:Suspension of execution of punishment

  •  (1) If an offender is sentenced to imprisonment or detention, the execution of the punishment may be suspended by the court martial that imposes the punishment or, if the offender’s sentence is affirmed, is substituted or is imposed on appeal, by the Court Martial Appeal Court.

  • Marginal note:Consideration of victim’s safety and security

    (1.1) If the court martial or the Court Martial Appeal Court, as the case may be, makes a decision that the execution of the punishment be suspended, it shall include in the decision a statement that it has considered the safety and security of every victim of the offence.

  • Marginal note:Copy to victim

    (1.2) The court martial or the Court Martial Appeal Court, as the case may be, shall, on request by a victim of the offence, cause a copy of the decision to be given to the victim.

  • Marginal note:Conditions

    (2) In suspending the execution of a punishment, the court martial or the Court Martial Appeal Court, as the case may be, shall impose the following conditions on the offender:

    • (a) to keep the peace and be of good behaviour;

    • (b) to attend any hearing under section 215.2 when ordered to do so by the appropriate person referred to in paragraph 215.2(1)(a) or (b); and

    • (c) in the case of an offender who is not an officer or a non-commissioned member, to notify the Provost Marshal in advance of any change of name or address, and to promptly notify the Provost Marshal of any change of employment or occupation.

  • Marginal note:Other conditions

    (3) The court martial or the Court Martial Appeal Court may, in addition to the conditions described in subsection (2), impose any reasonable conditions.

Marginal note:Varying conditions

 On application by an offender, a condition imposed under subsection 215(3) or varied, added or substituted under this section or section 215.2 may be varied, or another condition may be substituted for that condition, by

  • (a) a military judge, in the case of a condition imposed, varied, added or substituted by a court martial; or

  • (b) a judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court, in the case of a condition imposed, varied, added or substituted by that Court.

Marginal note:Hearing into breach of conditions

  •  (1) On application by a representative of the Canadian Forces who is a member of a class designated for that purpose by regulations made by the Governor in Council, a determination of whether an offender has breached a condition imposed under section 215 or varied, added or substituted under section 215.1 or this section may be made by

    • (a) a military judge, in the case of a condition imposed, varied, added or substituted by a court martial; or

    • (b) a judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court, in the case of a condition imposed, varied, added or substituted by that Court.

  • Marginal note:Revocation of suspension or changes to conditions

    (2) If a person referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) determines, after giving the offender and the applicant an opportunity to make representations, that the offender has breached a condition, the person may

    • (a) revoke the suspension of a punishment and commit the offender or, if the person is not empowered to commit the offender, direct an authority so empowered to do so; or

    • (b) vary any conditions imposed under subsection 215(3) or varied, added or substituted under section 215.1 or this section, or add or substitute other conditions, as the person sees fit.

Marginal note:Non-appearance of accused person

 A person who orders an offender to attend for a hearing under section 215.2 may, if the offender fails to attend as ordered, issue a warrant for the offender’s arrest in the form prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 64

Marginal note:Definition of suspending authority

  •  (1) In this section and section 217, suspending authority means any authority prescribed to be a suspending authority in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Suspension of imprisonment or detention

    (2) A suspending authority may suspend a punishment of imprisonment or detention, whether or not the offender has already been committed to undergo that punishment, if there are imperative reasons relating to military operations or the offender’s welfare.

  • Marginal note:Notification

    (2.1) A suspending authority that suspends a punishment shall provide written reasons for the suspension to any person prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Committal after suspension

    (2.2) A suspending authority may — if the reasons described in subsection (2) no longer apply or if the offender’s conduct is inconsistent with the reasons for which the punishment was suspended — revoke the suspension of a punishment and commit the offender or, if the person is not empowered to commit the offender, direct an authority so empowered to do so.

  • Marginal note:Committing authority may postpone committal

    (3) Where an offender has been sentenced to imprisonment or detention and suspension of the punishment has been recommended, the authority empowered to commit the offender to a penitentiary, civil prison, service prison or detention barrack, as the case may be, may postpone committal until directions of a suspending authority have been obtained.

  • Marginal note:Mandatory suspension of detention

    (4) A suspending authority shall suspend a punishment of detention in the circumstances prescribed by the Governor in Council in regulations.

Marginal note:Effect of suspension before committal

  •  (1) Where a punishment is suspended before committal to undergo the punishment, the offender shall, if in custody, be discharged from custody and the term of the punishment shall not commence until the offender has been ordered to be committed to undergo that punishment.

  • Marginal note:Effect of suspension after committal

    (2) Where a punishment is suspended after committal to undergo the punishment, the offender shall be discharged from the place in which the offender is incarcerated and the currency of the punishment shall be arrested after the day of that discharge until the offender is again ordered to be committed to undergo that punishment.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 60

Marginal note:Review and remission

  •  (1) If a punishment has been suspended, it may at any time, and shall at intervals of not more than three months, be reviewed by a suspending authority. The suspending authority may, at the time of the review and in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, remit the punishment.

  • Marginal note:Automatic remission of punishments

    (2) A punishment, except a punishment referred to in subsection (3), that has been suspended shall be deemed to be wholly remitted on the expiration of a period, commencing on the day the suspension was ordered, equal to the term of the punishment less any time during which the offender has been incarcerated following pronouncement of the sentence, unless the punishment has been put into execution prior to the expiration of that period.

  • Marginal note:Automatic remission of detention

    (3) A punishment of detention that has been suspended is deemed to be wholly remitted on the expiration of one year commencing on the day the suspension was ordered, unless the punishment has been put into execution prior to the expiration of that period.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 217
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 61
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 66

 [Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 67]

Committal to Imprisonment or Detention

Marginal note:Committing authority

  •  (1) The Minister may prescribe or appoint authorities for the purposes of this section and section 220 and, in this section and section 220, an authority prescribed or appointed under this subsection is referred to as a committing authority.

  • Marginal note:Warrants for committal

    (2) A committal order, in such form as is prescribed in regulations, made by a committing authority is a sufficient warrant for the committal of a service convict, service prisoner or service detainee to any lawful place of confinement.

  • Marginal note:Authority for transfer

    (3) A committing authority may, by warrant, order that a service convict, service prisoner or service detainee be transferred, from the place to which that convict, prisoner or detainee has been committed to undergo punishment, to any other place in which that punishment may lawfully be put into execution.

  • Marginal note:Custody pending delivery on committal and during transfer

    (4) A service convict, service prisoner or service detainee, until delivered to the place where that convict, prisoner or detainee is to undergo punishment or while being transferred from one such place to another such place, may be held in any place, either in service custody or in civil custody, or at one time in service custody and at another time in civil custody, as occasion may require, and may be transferred from place to place by any mode of conveyance, under such restraint as is necessary for the safe conduct of that convict, prisoner or detainee.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 187

Marginal note:Committal of service convicts

  •  (1) A service convict whose punishment of imprisonment for life or for two years or more is to be put into execution shall as soon as practicable be committed to a penitentiary to undergo punishment according to law, except that a committing authority may, in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, order that a service convict be committed to a service prison to undergo the punishment or any part of the punishment.

  • Marginal note:Committal when unexpired term less than two years

    (2) Where a committing authority orders the committal to a penitentiary of a service convict, part of whose punishment has been undergone in a service prison, the service convict may be so committed notwithstanding that the unexpired portion of the term of that punishment is less than two years.

  • Marginal note:Committal of service prisoners

    (3) A service prisoner whose punishment of imprisonment for less than two years is to be put into execution shall as soon as practicable be committed to a civil prison to undergo punishment according to law, except that a committing authority may, in accordance with regulations made by the Governor in Council, order that a service prisoner be committed to a service prison or detention barrack to undergo the punishment or part thereof.

  • Marginal note:Committal of service detainees

    (4) A service detainee whose punishment of detention is to be put into execution shall as soon as practicable be committed to a detention barrack to undergo the punishment.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 220
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 62

Temporary Removal from Incarceration

Marginal note:Authority for temporary removal

 Where the exigencies of the service so require, a service convict, service prisoner or service detainee may, by an order made by a committing authority referred to in section 219 or 220, be removed temporarily from the place to which he has been committed for such period as may be specified in that order but, until returned to that place, any person removed pursuant to this section shall be retained in service custody or civil custody, as occasion may require, and no further committal order is necessary on the return of the person to that place.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 188

Rules Applicable to Service Convicts and Service Prisoners

Marginal note:Rules of penitentiaries and civil prisons to apply

  •  (1) A service convict, while undergoing punishment in a penitentiary, or a service prisoner, while undergoing punishment in a civil prison, shall be dealt with in the same manner as other prisoners in the place where that convict or prisoner is undergoing punishment, and all rules applicable in respect of a person sentenced by a civil court to imprisonment in a penitentiary or civil prison, as the case may be, in so far as circumstances permit, apply accordingly.

  • Marginal note:Jurisdiction and discretion of Parole Board of Canada

    (2) If the punishment of a service convict undergoing punishment in a penitentiary or of a service prisoner undergoing punishment in a civil prison is not suspended under this Act within six months after the date of the committal of that convict or prisoner to that penitentiary or civil prison, the Parole Board of Canada has, subject to Part II of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, exclusive jurisdiction and absolute discretion to grant, refuse to grant, or revoke the parole of that convict or prisoner.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 222
  • 1992, c. 20, s. 215
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 63
  • 2012, c. 1, s. 160
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 35

Validity of Documents

Marginal note:Legalization and rectification

 The custody of a service convict, service prisoner or service detainee is not illegal by reason only of informality or error in or in respect of a document containing a warrant, order or direction issued in pursuance of this Act, or by reason only that the document deviates from the prescribed form, and any such document may be amended appropriately at any time by the authority that issued it in the first instance or by any other authority empowered to issue documents of the same nature.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 190

Mental Disorder during Imprisonment or Detention

Marginal note:Persons in penitentiaries or civil prisons

 A service convict or service prisoner who, having been released from the Canadian Forces, is suffering from a mental disorder while undergoing punishment in a penitentiary or civil prison shall be treated in the same manner as if the convict or prisoner were a person undergoing a term of imprisonment in the penitentiary or civil prison by virtue of the sentence of a civil court.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 224
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 20

 [Repealed, 1991, c. 43, s. 20]

Transfer of Offenders

Marginal note:Transfer of offenders

  •  (1) A person who has been found guilty of an offence by a civil court in Canada or by a civil or military tribunal of any country other than Canada and sentenced to a term of incarceration may, with the approval of the Chief of the Defence Staff or an officer designated by the Chief of the Defence Staff, be transferred to the custody of the appropriate civil or military authorities of Canada for incarceration under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Imprisonment or detention of offenders transferred

    (2) A person transferred under subsection (1) may, in lieu of the incarceration to which that person was sentenced, be imprisoned or detained for the term or the remainder of the term of incarceration to which he was sentenced as though that person had been sentenced to that term by a court martial, and the provisions of this Division are applicable in respect of every person so transferred as though the person had been so sentenced.

  • Marginal note:Restriction

    (3) A person who has been found guilty of an offence by a civil court in Canada shall not,

    • (a) if sentenced by the civil court to a term of less than two years, be transferred under subsection (1) without the consent of the attorney general of the province in which that person is incarcerated; or

    • (b) if sentenced by the civil court to imprisonment for life or a term of two years or more, be transferred under subsection (1) without the consent of the Attorney General of Canada.

Parole Eligibility

Marginal note:Sentence of imprisonment for life

  •  (1) A court martial that imposes a punishment of imprisonment for life shall pronounce the following sentence:

    • (a) in the case of a person who has been convicted of having committed traitorously an offence of misconduct in the presence of an enemy (section 73 or 74), an offence related to security (section 75) or an offence in relation to prisoners of war (section 76), imprisonment for life without eligibility for parole until the person has served 25 years of the sentence;

    • (b) in the case of a person who has been convicted of an offence of high treason or an offence of first degree murder, imprisonment for life without eligibility for parole until the person has served 25 years of the sentence;

    • (c) in the case of a person who has been convicted of an offence of second degree murder and has previously been convicted of culpable homicide that is murder, imprisonment for life without eligibility for parole until the person has served 25 years of the sentence;

    • (d) in the case of a person who has been convicted of an offence of second degree murder, imprisonment for life without eligibility for parole until the person has served at least 10 years of the sentence or any greater number of years, not being more than 25, that has been substituted under subsection (2); or

    • (e) in the case of a person who has been convicted of any other offence, imprisonment for life with normal eligibility for parole.

  • Marginal note:Provisions of Criminal Code apply

    (2) Sections 745.1 to 746.1 of the Criminal Code apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, to a sentence of imprisonment for life that is imposed under this Act, and for that purpose

    • (a) a reference in sections 745.2 to 745.3 of the Criminal Code to a jury shall be read as a reference to the panel of a General Court Martial; and

    • (b) in the case of a conviction that took place outside Canada, a reference in section 745.6 of the Criminal Code to the province in which a conviction took place shall be read as a reference to the province in which the offender is incarcerated when they make an application under that section.

  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 68, 132

Marginal note:Power of court martial to delay parole

  •  (1) Despite section 120 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, if a person receives a sentence of imprisonment for life that is imposed otherwise than as a minimum punishment or a sentence of imprisonment for two years or more on conviction for an offence set out in Schedule I or II to that Act that is punishable under section 130 of this Act, a court martial may order that the portion of the sentence that must be served before the person may be released on full parole is one half of the sentence or 10 years, whichever is less.

  • Marginal note:Condition

    (2) The court martial may only make the order if it is satisfied, having regard to the circumstances of the commission of the offence and the person’s character and circumstances, that the expression of society’s denunciation of the offence or the objective of specific or general deterrence requires that the order be made.

  • Marginal note:Criminal organization offences

    (3) Despite section 120 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, if a person receives a sentence of imprisonment for life that is imposed otherwise than as a minimum punishment or a sentence of imprisonment for two years or more on conviction under this Act for a criminal organization offence, the court martial may order that the portion of the sentence that must be served before the person may be released on full parole is one half of the sentence or 10 years, whichever is less.

  • Marginal note:Power of court martial to delay parole

    (4) Despite section 120 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, if a person receives a sentence of imprisonment of two years or more, including a sentence of imprisonment for life, on conviction under this Act for a terrorism offence, the court martial shall order that the portion of the sentence that must be served before the person may be released on full parole is one half of the sentence or 10 years, whichever is less, unless the court martial is satisfied, having regard to the circumstances of the commission of the offence and the person’s character and circumstances, that the expression of society’s denunciation of the offence and the objectives of specific or general deterrence would be adequately served by a period of parole ineligibility determined in accordance with the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

  • Marginal note:Objectives

    (5) The paramount objectives that are to guide the court martial under this section are denunciation and specific or general deterrence, with the rehabilitation of the person, in all cases, being subordinate to those paramount objectives.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 68

DIVISION 8.1Sex Offender Information

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

 The following definitions apply in this Division.

crime of a sexual nature

crime of a sexual nature means a crime referred to in subsection 3(2) of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. (crime de nature sexuelle)

database

database has the same meaning as in subsection 3(1) of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. (banque de données)

designated offence

designated offence means

  • (a) an offence within the meaning of paragraph (a), (c), (c.1), (d) or (d.1) of the definition designated offence in subsection 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code that is punishable under section 130 of this Act;

  • (b) an offence within the meaning of paragraph (b) of the definition designated offence in subsection 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code that is punishable under section 130 of this Act;

  • (c) an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offence referred to in paragraph (a); or

  • (d) an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offence referred to in paragraph (b). (infraction désignée)

finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder

finding of not responsible on account of mental disorder includes a verdict of not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder within the meaning of subsection 672.1(1) of the Criminal Code. (verdict de non-responsabilité pour cause de troubles mentaux)

officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve

officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve means an officer, or non-commissioned member, of the reserve force

  • (a) who is required, whether on active service or not, to perform military or any other form of duty or training;

  • (b) whose primary duty is not the supervision, administration and training of cadet organizations referred to in section 46; and

  • (c) who is required to undergo annual training. (officier ou militaire du rang de la première réserve)

pardon

pardon means a conditional pardon granted under Her Majesty’s royal prerogative of mercy or under section 748 of the Criminal Code that has not been revoked. (pardon)

prescribed form

prescribed form means a form prescribed in the regulations made by the Governor in Council. (formulaire réglementaire)

record suspension

record suspension means a record suspension, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Criminal Records Act, that has not been revoked or ceased to have effect. (suspension du casier)

registration centre

registration centre has the same meaning as in subsection 3(1) of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act. (bureau d’inscription)

Review Board

Review Board means the Review Board established or designated for a province under subsection 672.38(1) of the Criminal Code. (commission d’examen)

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 227
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 65
  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2012, c. 1, s. 153
  • 2014, c. 25, s. 37

Order to Comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act

Marginal note:Order

  •  (1) When a court martial imposes a sentence on a person for an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition designated offence in section 227 or finds the person not responsible on account of mental disorder for such an offence, it shall make an order in the prescribed form requiring the person to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act for the applicable period specified in section 227.02.

  • Marginal note:Order — if intent established

    (2) When a court martial imposes a sentence on a person for an offence referred to in paragraph (b) or (d) of the definition designated offence in section 227, it shall, on application of the prosecutor, make an order in the prescribed form requiring the person to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act for the applicable period specified in section 227.02 if the prosecutor establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the person committed the offence with the intent to commit an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of that definition.

  • Marginal note:Order — if previous offence established

    (3) When a court martial imposes a sentence on a person for a designated offence in connection with which an order may be made under subsection (1) or (2) or finds the person not responsible on account of mental disorder for such an offence, it shall, on application of the prosecutor, make an order in the prescribed form requiring the person to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act for the applicable period specified in section 227.02 if the prosecutor establishes that

    • (a) the person was, before or after the coming into force of this paragraph, previously convicted of, or found not responsible on account of mental disorder for, an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition designated offence in section 227 of this Act or in paragraph (a), (c), (c.1), (d), (d.1) or (e) of the definition designated offence in subsection 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code;

    • (b) the person was not served with a notice under section 227.08 of this Act or section 490.021 or 490.02903 of the Criminal Code in connection with that offence; and

    • (c) no order was made under subsection (1) or under subsection 490.012(1) of the Criminal Code in connection with that offence.

  • Marginal note:Failure to make order

    (3.1) If the court martial does not consider the matter under subsection (1) or (3) at that time,

    • (a) the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial to do so;

    • (b) the Court Martial Administrator shall, within 90 days after the day on which the sentence was imposed or the person was found not responsible on account of mental disorder, convene the court martial; and

    • (c) for greater certainty, the person continues to be liable to be dealt with under the Code of Service Discipline for that purpose.

  • Marginal note:Interpretation

    (4) For the purpose of paragraph (3)(a), a previous conviction includes a conviction for an offence

    • (a) for which a person is given an adult sentence within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act; or

    • (b) that is made in ordinary court within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Young Offenders Act, chapter Y-1 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985.

  • (5) and (6) [Repealed, 2010, c. 17, s. 47]

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 47
  • 2014, c. 25, s. 38

Marginal note:Date order begins

  •  (1) An order made under section 227.01 begins on the day on which it is made.

  • Marginal note:Duration of order

    (2) An order made under subsection 227.01(1) or (2)

    • (a) ends 10 years after it was made if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence in connection with which it was made is five years or less;

    • (b) ends 20 years after it was made if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is 10 or 14 years; and

    • (c) applies for life if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is life.

  • Marginal note:Duration of order

    (2.1) An order made under subsection 227.01(1) applies for life if the person is convicted of, or found not responsible on account of mental disorder for, more than one offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition designated offence in section 227.

  • Marginal note:Duration of order

    (3) An order made under subsection 227.01(1) or (2) applies for life if the person is, or was at any time, subject to an obligation under section 227.06 of this Act, section 490.019 or 490.02901 of the Criminal Code or section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act.

  • Marginal note:Duration of order

    (4) An order made under subsection 227.01(1) or (2) applies for life if the person is, or was at any time, subject to an order made previously under section 227.01 of this Act or section 490.012 of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Duration of order

    (5) An order made under subsection 227.01(3) applies for life.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 48

Marginal note:Application for termination order

  •  (1) A person who is subject to an order may apply for a termination order

    • (a) if five years have elapsed since the order was made, in the case of an order referred to in paragraph 227.02(2)(a);

    • (b) if 10 years have elapsed since the order was made, in the case of an order referred to in paragraph 227.02(2)(b); or

    • (c) if 20 years have elapsed since the order was made, in the case of an order referred to in paragraph 227.02(2)(c) or subsection 227.02(2.1), (3) or (5).

  • Marginal note:Multiple orders

    (2) A person who is subject to more than one order made under section 227.01 may apply for a termination order if 20 years have elapsed since the most recent order was made.

  • Marginal note:Pardon or record suspension

    (3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), a person may apply for a termination order once they receive a pardon or once a record suspension is ordered.

  • Marginal note:Scope of application

    (4) The application shall be in relation to every order that is in effect. If a person is subject to an obligation under section 227.06 of this Act, section 490.019 or 490.02901 of the Criminal Code or section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act, the application shall also be in relation to that obligation.

  • Marginal note:Re-application

    (5) A person whose application is refused may re-apply if five years have elapsed since they made the previous application. They may also re-apply once they receive a pardon or once a record suspension is ordered. However, they may not re-apply under this subsection if an order is made with respect to them under section 227.01 of this Act or section 490.012 of the Criminal Code after the previous application was made.

  • Marginal note:Jurisdiction

    (6) The application shall be made to the Chief Military Judge if the applicant is subject to the Code of Service Discipline or is an officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve at the time. In any other case, the application shall be made to a court under section 490.015 of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Court martial

    (7) On receipt of the application, the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial to try the issue.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 20
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 49
  • 2012, c. 1, s. 154

Marginal note:Termination order

  •  (1) The court martial shall make a termination order if it is satisfied that the person has established that the impact on them of continuing an order or an obligation, including on their privacy or liberty, would be grossly disproportionate to the public interest in protecting society through the effective prevention or investigation of crimes of a sexual nature, to be achieved by the registration of information relating to sex offenders under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act.

  • Marginal note:Reasons for decision

    (2) The court martial shall give reasons for the decision.

  • Marginal note:Notice to Provost Marshal

    (3) If the court martial makes a termination order, it shall cause the Provost Marshal to be notified of the decision.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 50
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Requirements relating to notice

  •  (1) When a court martial makes an order under section 227.01, it shall cause

    • (a) the order to be read by or to the person who is subject to it;

    • (b) a copy of the order to be given to that person;

    • (c) that person to be informed of sections 4 to 7.1 of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, section 119.1 of this Act and sections 490.031 and 490.0311 of the Criminal Code; and

    • (d) a copy of the order to be sent to

      • (i) the Review Board that is responsible for making a disposition with respect to that person, if applicable,

      • (ii) the person in charge of the place in which the person who is subject to the order is to serve the custodial portion of a sentence or is to be detained in custody as part of a disposition under Division 7 of this Part, if applicable, and

      • (iii) the Provost Marshal.

  • Marginal note:Notice on disposition by Review Board

    (2) A Review Board shall cause a copy of the order to be given to the person who is subject to the order when it directs,

    • (a) in the exercise of the powers and performance of the duties assigned to it under paragraph 672.54(a) of the Criminal Code, that the person be discharged absolutely; or

    • (b) in the exercise of the powers and performance of the duties assigned to it under paragraph 672.54(b) of the Criminal Code, that the person be discharged subject to conditions, unless the conditions restrict the person’s liberty in a manner and to an extent that prevent them from complying with sections 4, 4.1, 4.3 and 6 of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act.

  • Marginal note:Notice before release

    (3) The person in charge of the place in which the person who is subject to the order is serving the custodial portion of a sentence, or is detained in custody, before their release or discharge shall give them a copy of the order not earlier than 10 days before their release or discharge.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Notice and Obligation to Comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act — Convictions Before September 12, 2008

Marginal note:Obligation to comply

 A person who is served with a notice in the prescribed form shall comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act for the applicable period specified in section 227.09 of this Act unless an exemption order is made under subsection 227.1(4) of this Act or subsection 490.023(2) of the Criminal Code.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4

Marginal note:Persons who may be served

  •  (1) The Provost Marshal may serve a person with a notice if, on the day on which this section comes into force, they are subject to a sentence for an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition designated offence in section 227 or have not been discharged absolutely or unconditionally released from custody under Division 7 of this Part in connection with such an offence.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) A notice shall not be served on a person if

    • (a) they may be served with a notice under section 490.021 of the Criminal Code;

    • (b) they have been finally acquitted of, or have received a free pardon granted under Her Majesty’s royal prerogative of mercy or under section 748 of the Criminal Code for, every offence in connection with which the notice may be served on them; or

    • (c) an application has been made for an order under subsection 227.01(3) of this Act or subsection 490.012(3) of the Criminal Code in relation to any offence in connection with which the notice may be served on them.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Period for and method of service

  •  (1) The notice shall be personally served within one year after the day on which section 227.07 comes into force.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) If a person is unlawfully at large or is in breach of any terms of their sentence or their discharge or release under Division 7 of this Part, or of any conditions set under this Part, that relate to residence, the notice may be served by registered mail at their last known address.

  • Marginal note:Proof of service

    (3) An affidavit of the person who served the notice, sworn before a commissioner or other person authorized to take affidavits, is evidence of the service and the notice if it sets out that

    • (a) the person who served the notice has charge of the appropriate records and has knowledge of the facts in the particular case;

    • (b) the notice was personally served on, or mailed to, the person to whom it was directed on a named day; and

    • (c) the person who served the notice identifies a true copy of the notice as an exhibit attached to the affidavit.

  • Marginal note:Requirements relating to notice

    (4) The person who served the notice shall send a copy of the affidavit and the notice to the Provost Marshal without delay.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Date obligation begins

  •  (1) The obligation under section 227.06 begins

    • (a) either one year after the day on which the person is served with the notice, or when an exemption order is refused under subsection 227.1(4) of this Act or subsection 490.023(2) of the Criminal Code, whichever is later; or

    • (b) when an exemption order is quashed.

  • Marginal note:Date obligation ends

    (2) The obligation ends when an exemption order is made on an appeal from a decision made under subsection 227.1(4) of this Act or subsection 490.023(2) of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Duration of obligation

    (3) If subsection (2) does not apply earlier, the obligation

    • (a) ends 10 years after the person was sentenced, or found not responsible on account of mental disorder, for the offence listed in the notice if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is five years or less;

    • (b) ends 20 years after the person was sentenced, or found not responsible on account of mental disorder, for the offence listed in the notice if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is 10 or 14 years;

    • (c) applies for life if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence listed in the notice is life; or

    • (d) applies for life if, at any time, the person was convicted of, or found not responsible on account of mental disorder for, more than one offence that is referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition designated offence in section 227 of this Act or in paragraph (a), (c), (c.1), (d), (d.1) or (e) of the definition designated offence in subsection 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code and if more than one of those offences is listed in the notice.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2014, c. 25, s. 39

Marginal note:Application for exemption order

  •  (1) A person who is not subject to an order under section 227.01 of this Act or section 490.012 of the Criminal Code may apply for an order exempting them from the obligation within one year after they are served with a notice under section 227.08.

  • Marginal note:Jurisdiction

    (2) The application shall be made to the Chief Military Judge if the applicant is subject to the Code of Service Discipline or is an officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve at the time. In any other case, the application shall be made to a court under section 490.023 of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Court martial

    (3) On receipt of the application, the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial to try the issue.

  • Marginal note:Exemption order

    (4) The court martial shall make an exemption order if it is satisfied that the person has established that the impact of the obligation on them, including on their privacy or liberty, would be grossly disproportionate to the public interest in protecting society through the effective prevention or investigation of crimes of a sexual nature, to be achieved by the registration of information relating to sex offenders under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act.

  • Marginal note:Reasons for decision

    (5) The court martial shall give reasons for the decision.

  • Marginal note:Removal of information from database

    (6) If the court martial makes an exemption order, it shall also make an order requiring the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to permanently remove from the database all information that relates to the person that was registered in the database on receipt of the notice.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 21
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 52

Marginal note:Requirements relating to notice

 If the court martial refuses to make an exemption order or if the Court Martial Appeal Court dismisses an appeal from such a decision or quashes an exemption order, it shall cause the Provost Marshal to be notified of the decision and shall cause the person who applied for the order to be informed of sections 4 to 7.1 of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, section 119.1 of this Act and sections 490.031 and 490.0311 of the Criminal Code.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Application for termination order

  •  (1) A person who is subject to an obligation under section 227.06 may apply for a termination order unless they are also subject to

  • Marginal note:Time for application

    (2) A person may apply for a termination order if the following period has elapsed since they were sentenced, or found not responsible on account of mental disorder, for an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition designated offence in section 227:

    • (a) five years if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is five years or less;

    • (b) 10 years if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is 10 or 14 years; or

    • (c) 20 years if the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence is life.

  • Marginal note:More than one offence

    (3) If more than one offence is listed in the notice served under section 227.08, the person may apply for a termination order if 20 years have elapsed since they were sentenced, or found not responsible on account of mental disorder, for the most recent offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (c) of the definition designated offence in section 227 of this Act or in paragraph (a), (c), (c.1), (d), (d.1) or (e) of the definition designated offence in subsection 490.011(1) of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Pardon or record suspension

    (4) Despite subsections (2) and (3), a person may apply for a termination order once they receive a pardon or once a record suspension is ordered.

  • Marginal note:Re-application

    (5) A person whose application is refused may apply again if five years have elapsed since they made the previous application. They may also apply again once they receive a pardon or once a record suspension is ordered. However, they may not apply again if, after the previous application was made, they become subject to an obligation under section 490.019 or 490.02901 of the Criminal Code or under section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act or to an order under section 227.01 of this Act or section 490.012 of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Jurisdiction

    (6) The application shall be made to the Chief Military Judge if the applicant is subject to the Code of Service Discipline or is an officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve at the time. In any other case, the application shall be made to a court under section 490.026 of the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Court martial

    (7) On receipt of the application, the Chief Military Judge shall cause the Court Martial Administrator to convene a Standing Court Martial to try the issue.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 22
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 53
  • 2012, c. 1, s. 155
  • 2014, c. 25, s. 40

Marginal note:Termination order

  •  (1) The court martial shall make an order terminating the obligation if it is satisfied that the person has established that the impact on them of continuing the obligation, including on their privacy or liberty, would be grossly disproportionate to the public interest in protecting society through the effective prevention or investigation of crimes of a sexual nature, to be achieved by the registration of information relating to sex offenders under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act.

  • Marginal note:Reasons for decision

    (2) The court martial shall give reasons for the decision.

  • Marginal note:Requirements relating to notice

    (3) If the court martial makes a termination order, it shall cause the Provost Marshal to be notified of the decision.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 54
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Deemed application

 If a person is eligible to apply for both an exemption order under section 227.1 and a termination order under section 227.12 within one year after they are served with a notice under section 227.08, an application within that period for one order is deemed to be an application for both.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4

Suspension of Time Limits, Proceedings and Obligations

Marginal note:Determination — inability to act for operational reasons

  •  (1) The Chief of the Defence Staff may determine that a person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, or who is an officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve, is, for operational reasons, unable to

    • (a) apply for an exemption order under section 227.1 of this Act or section 490.023 of the Criminal Code within the required period;

    • (b) appeal the legality of a decision made under subsection 227.01(2), 227.04(1), 227.1(4) or 227.13(1) of this Act — or appeal a decision made under subsection 490.012(2), 490.016(1), 490.023(2), 490.027(1), 490.02905(2), 490.02909(1) or 490.02913(1) of the Criminal Code — within the required period;

    • (c) participate in a proceeding relating to an exemption order referred to in paragraph (a) or in an appeal proceeding referred to in paragraph (b); or

    • (d) comply with section 4, 4.1, 4.3 or 6 of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act within the required period.

  • Marginal note:Effects of determination

    (2) If the Chief of the Defence Staff makes a determination, the following rules apply:

    • (a) in the case of a determination under paragraph (1)(a), the running of the period during which the person may apply for an exemption order is suspended from the day on which the operational reasons first apply until 45 days after the day on which they cease to apply;

    • (b) in the case of a determination under paragraph (1)(b), the running of the period during which the person may appeal the legality of a decision, or a decision, is suspended from the day on which the operational reasons first apply until 45 days after the day on which they cease to apply;

    • (c) in the case of a determination under paragraph (1)(c),

      • (i) any proceeding relating to an exemption order is suspended from the day on which the operational reasons first apply until 45 days after the day on which they cease to apply, or

      • (ii) an application may be made to appeal the legality of a decision, or a decision, after the day on which the operational reasons first apply, but any appeal proceeding is suspended from the day on which the operational reasons first apply until 45 days after the day on which they cease to apply; and

    • (d) in the case of a determination under paragraph (1)(d), the person’s obligation to comply with the relevant section of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act is suspended from the day on which the operational reasons first apply until 15 days after the day on which they cease to apply.

  • Marginal note:Factors for consideration

    (2.1) The Chief of the Defence Staff may make a determination only if he or she is of the opinion that the operational reasons clearly outweigh in importance the public interest in applying the provisions of the Act that, but for the determination, would apply in the circumstances.

  • Marginal note:Notice to Minister

    (2.2) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall notify the Minister before making a determination.

  • Marginal note:Review of operational reasons

    (2.3) Every 15 days after a determination is made, the Chief of the Defence Staff shall consider whether the operational reasons cease to apply.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (3) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall notify the Minister without delay that a determination has been made under this section.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (4) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall notify the Provost Marshal without delay of the determination, the date on which the operational reasons first apply and the date on which they cease to apply, and the Provost Marshal shall notify the person without delay.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (5) The Provost Marshal shall notify the following persons without delay of a determination made under paragraph (1)(b) or (c), the effect of the determination, the date on which the suspension of the time limit or proceeding first applies and the date on which it ceases to apply:

    • (a) the Minister or counsel instructed by the Minister if the decision in relation to which an appeal may be brought was made under this Act, or the Minister or counsel instructed by the Minister and the Court Martial Administrator if the proceeding was commenced under this Act; or

    • (b) the attorney general of a province or the minister of justice of a territory if the decision in relation to which an appeal may be brought was made, or the proceeding was commenced, in that jurisdiction under the Criminal Code.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 55
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Determination — information relating to an operation

  •  (1) The Chief of the Defence Staff may determine that the communication, under section 6 of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, of information that relates to an operation could jeopardize national security, international relations or the security of an operation that is within a class of operations designated by a regulation made under paragraph 227.2(b).

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (2) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall notify the Minister without delay that a determination has been made under this section.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (3) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall notify the Provost Marshal without delay of the determination, and the Provost Marshal shall notify without delay any participant in the operation who is required to comply with section 6 of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act.

  • Marginal note:Effect of determination

    (4) A participant in the operation is exempted from the requirement under section 6 of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act to provide the information relating to the operation.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Statutory Instruments Act

 The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply to a determination made by the Chief of the Defence Staff under subsection 227.15(1) or 227.16(1).

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4

Marginal note:Annual Report

  •  (1) The Chief of the Defence Staff shall, within 30 days after the end of each year, submit a report to the Minister on the operation of sections 227.15 and 227.16 for that year that includes

    • (a) the number of determinations made under each of paragraphs 227.15(a) to (d) and the duration of the suspension resulting from each determination; and

    • (b) the number of determinations made under subsection 227.16(1) and the number of persons exempted under subsection 227.16(4) as a result of each determination.

  • Marginal note:Tabling in Parliament

    (2) The Minister shall cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives the report.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4

Disclosure of Information

Marginal note:Disclosure

  •  (1) At the request of the Provost Marshal, the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or a person authorized by the Commissioner shall disclose information that is registered in the database, or the fact that information is registered in the database, to the Provost Marshal if the disclosure is necessary to enable the Provost Marshal to determine

    • (a) whether a person may be served with a notice under section 227.08;

    • (b) for the purpose of a proceeding under section 227.01 or subsection 227.04(1), 227.1(4) or 227.13(1) or for the purpose of an appeal respecting the legality of a decision made under any of those provisions, whether a person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, or who is an officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve, is, or was at any time, required to comply with an order made under section 227.01 of this Act or section 490.012 of the Criminal Code or with an obligation under section 227.06 of this Act, section 490.019 or 490.02901 of the Criminal Code or section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act;

    • (c) for the purpose of enabling compliance with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, whether a person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, or who is an officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve, is required to comply with an order made under section 227.01 of this Act or section 490.012 of the Criminal Code or with an obligation under section 227.06 of this Act, section 490.019 or 490.02901 of the Criminal Code or section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act; or

    • (d) whether a person who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline, or who is an officer, or non-commissioned member, of the primary reserve, may be the subject of a determination under subsection 227.15(1) or 227.16(1).

  • Marginal note:Disclosure by Provost Marshal

    (2) The Provost Marshal shall disclose the information

    • (a) to a prosecutor if the disclosure is necessary for the purpose of a proceeding for an order under section 227.01, a termination order under subsection 227.04(1) or 227.13(1) or an exemption order under subsection 227.1(4);

    • (b) to the Minister or counsel instructed by the Minister if the disclosure is necessary for the purpose of an appeal respecting the legality of a decision made in a proceeding referred to in paragraph (a);

    • (c) to a person’s commanding officer if the disclosure is necessary to enable the person to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act; or

    • (d) to the Chief of the Defence Staff if the disclosure is necessary for the purpose of a determination under subsection 227.15(1) or 227.16(1).

  • Marginal note:Disclosure in proceedings

    (3) The prosecutor or the Minister or counsel instructed by the Minister may, if the information is relevant to the proceeding or appeal referred to in paragraph (2)(a) or (b), disclose it to the presiding judge, court or court martial.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 56
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Disclosure

  •  (1) If a person, in connection with a proceeding or an appeal other than one referred to in paragraph 227.18(2)(a) or (b), discloses the fact that information relating to them is registered in the database, the Provost Marshal shall request that the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police disclose all of the information relating to the person that is registered in the database. The Commissioner or a person authorized by the Commissioner shall disclose the information to the Provost Marshal without delay.

  • Marginal note:Disclosure by Provost Marshal

    (2) The Provost Marshal shall disclose the information

    • (a) to the officer conducting the summary hearing and to a person who provides legal advice to the officer with respect to the hearing, in the case of a summary hearing; or

    • (b) to the prosecutor or to the Minister or counsel instructed by the Minister in any other case.

  • (3) [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 36]

  • Marginal note:Disclosure in proceedings

    (4) The officer who conducted the summary hearing may disclose the information to a review authority, and to a person who provides legal advice to the review authority, with respect to a review of a finding that a person has committed a service infraction or of any sanction imposed by that officer, if the information is relevant to the review.

  • Marginal note:Disclosure in proceedings

    (5) The prosecutor or the Minister or counsel instructed by the Minister may disclose the information to the presiding judge, court or court martial in the proceeding or appeal or in any subsequent appeal, or to a review authority and to a person who provides legal advice to the review authority with respect to a review of a finding of guilty made or a punishment imposed in the proceeding or appeal, if the information is relevant to the proceeding, appeal or review.

  • Marginal note:Disclosure in proceedings

    (6) A review authority may disclose the information to another review authority and to a person who provides legal advice to the other review authority with respect to a review by that review authority of a finding of guilty made or punishment imposed in a proceeding or appeal referred to in subsection (1) or in any subsequent appeal, if the information is relevant to the review.

Authorizations, Designations and Regulations

Marginal note:Regulations by Governor in Council

 The Governor in Council may make regulations

  • (a) respecting the means by which designated classes of persons who are subject to the Code of Service Discipline and officers, or non-commissioned members, of the primary reserve are required to report under section 4, 4.1 or 4.3, or to provide notification under section 6, of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act to registration centres designated under paragraph (e);

  • (b) designating classes of operations in respect of which a determination may be made under subsection 227.16(1);

  • (c) authorizing persons or classes of persons in or outside Canada to collect information under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act that relates to persons who are subject to the Code of Service Discipline and to officers, or non-commissioned members, of the primary reserve;

  • (d) authorizing persons or classes of persons in or outside Canada to register information under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act that relates to persons who are subject to the Code of Service Discipline and to officers, or non-commissioned members, of the primary reserve; and

  • (e) designating places or classes of places in or outside Canada as registration centres for the purposes of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the area, or classes of persons who are subject to the Code of Service Discipline and officers, or non-commissioned members, of the primary reserve, served by each registration centre.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4

Marginal note:Authorization

 The Chief of the Defence Staff, the Provost Marshal, the Chief Military Judge or a commanding officer may authorize a person to communicate or disclose information, or give notice, under this Division on their behalf.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 4
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

DIVISION 9Appeals

General Provisions

Marginal note:Definition of legality and illegal

 For the purposes of this Division, the expressions legality and illegal shall be deemed to relate either to questions of law alone or to questions of mixed law and fact.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 228
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 92

 [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 67]

Right to Appeal

Marginal note:Appeal by person tried

 Every person subject to the Code of Service Discipline has, subject to subsection 232(3), the right to appeal to the Court Martial Appeal Court from a court martial in respect of any of the following matters:

  • (a) with leave of the Court or a judge thereof, the severity of the sentence, unless the sentence is one fixed by law;

  • (a.1) the decision to make an order under subsection 745.51(1) of the Criminal Code;

  • (b) the legality of any finding of guilty;

  • (c) the legality of the whole or any part of the sentence;

  • (d) the legality of a finding of unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder;

  • (e) the legality of a disposition made under section 201, 202 or 202.16;

  • (e.1) the legality of a finding made under subsection 202.161(4) or a decision made under subsection 202.162(3) about revoking such a finding;

  • (f) the legality of a decision made under any of subsections 196.14(1) to (3);

  • (g) the legality of a decision made under subsection 227.01(2);

  • (h) the legality of an order made under section 147.1 or 226.2 and, with leave of the Court or a judge of the Court, the reasonableness of any period imposed under section 147.2;

  • (i) the legality of an order made under section 148 and the legality or, with leave of the Court or a judge of the Court, the severity of any condition imposed under that section;

  • (i.1) the legality of a decision not to make an order under subsection 180.05(1) or of a decision to make or not to make an order under subsection 180.07(1);

  • (j) the legality or, with leave of the Court or a judge of the Court, the severity of a restitution order made under section 203.9 or the legality of an order made under section 249.25; or

  • (k) the legality of a suspension of a sentence of imprisonment or detention and the legality or, with leave of the Court or a judge of the Court, the severity of any condition imposed under subsection 215(3).

Marginal note:Appeal by Minister

 The Minister, or counsel instructed by the Minister for that purpose, has, subject to subsection 232(3), the right to appeal to the Court Martial Appeal Court from a court martial in respect of any of the following matters:

  • (a) with leave of the Court or a judge thereof, the severity of the sentence, unless the sentence is one fixed by law;

  • (a.1) the decision not to make an order under subsection 745.51(1) of the Criminal Code;

  • (b) the legality of any finding of not guilty;

  • (c) the legality of the whole or any part of the sentence;

  • (d) the legality of a decision of a court martial that terminates proceedings on a charge or that in any manner refuses or fails to exercise jurisdiction in respect of a charge;

  • (e) the legality of a finding of unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder;

  • (f) the legality of a disposition made under section 201, 202 or 202.16;

  • (f.01) the legality of a decision not to make a finding under subsection 202.161(4) or a decision made under subsection 202.162(3) about revoking such a finding;

  • (f.1) the legality of an order for a stay of proceedings made under subsection 202.121(7);

  • (g) the legality of a decision made under any of subsections 196.14(1) to (3);

  • (h) the legality of a decision made under subsection 227.01(2);

  • (i) the legality of an order made under section 147.1 or 226.2 and, with leave of the Court or a judge of the Court, the reasonableness of any period imposed under section 147.2;

  • (j) the legality of an order made under section 148 and the legality or, with leave of the Court or a judge of the Court, the severity of any condition imposed under that section;

  • (j.1) the legality of a decision to make an order under subsection 180.05(1) or 180.07(1);

  • (k) the legality or, with leave of the Court or a judge of the Court, the severity of a restitution order made under section 203.9 or the legality of an order made under section 249.25; or

  • (l) the legality of a suspension of a sentence of imprisonment or detention and the legality or, with leave of the Court or a judge of the Court, the severity of any condition imposed under subsection 215(3).

Marginal note:Appeal from order

 Subject to subsection 232(3), a person who applied for an exemption order under section 227.1 or a termination order under section 227.03 or 227.12 and the Minister or counsel instructed by the Minister have the right to appeal to the Court Martial Appeal Court in respect of the legality of the decision made by the court martial.

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 7

Marginal note:Other rights preserved

 The right of any person to appeal from the finding or sentence of a court martial shall be deemed to be in addition to and not in derogation of any rights that the person has under the law of Canada.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 198

Entry of Appeals

Marginal note:Form

  •  (1) An appeal or application for leave to appeal under this Division shall be stated on a form to be known as a Notice of Appeal, which shall contain particulars of the grounds on which the appeal is founded and shall be signed by the appellant.

  • Marginal note:Validity

    (2) A Notice of Appeal is not invalid by reason only of informality or the fact that it deviates from the prescribed form.

  • Marginal note:Limitation period

    (3) No appeal or application for leave to appeal under this Division shall be entertained unless the Notice of Appeal is delivered within thirty days after the date on which the court martial terminated its proceedings to the Registry of the Court Martial Appeal Court or, in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Governor in Council in regulations, to a person prescribed in those regulations.

  • Marginal note:Extension

    (4) The Court Martial Appeal Court or a judge thereof may at any time extend the time within which a Notice of Appeal must be delivered.

  • Marginal note:Forwarding statement

    (5) Where a Notice of Appeal is delivered pursuant to subsection (3) to a person prescribed by the Governor in Council in regulations, the person shall forward the Notice of Appeal to the Registry of the Court Martial Appeal Court.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 232
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 22
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 92
  • 2007, c. 5, s. 8(F)

Appeals from Dispositions

Marginal note:Automatic suspension of certain dispositions

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), if the disposition appealed from is a disposition made under section 202, the filing of a Notice of Appeal in accordance with section 232 suspends the application of the disposition pending the determination of the appeal.

  • Marginal note:Discretionary powers respecting suspension of dispositions

    (2) A judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court may, on application of any party who gives notice to each of the other parties within the time and in the manner prescribed under subsection 244(1), where the judge is satisfied that the mental condition of the accused justifies the taking of such action,

    • (a) by order, direct that the application of a disposition made under section 202 not be suspended pending the determination of the appeal;

    • (a.1) by order, direct that the application of a disposition made under paragraph 202.16(1)(a) be suspended pending the determination of the appeal;

    • (b) by order, direct that the application of a disposition appealed from that was made under section 201 or paragraph 202.16(1)(b) or (c) be suspended pending determination of the appeal;

    • (c) where the application of a disposition is suspended pursuant to subsection (1) or by virtue of an order made under paragraph (b), make such other disposition, other than a disposition under section 202 or paragraph 202.16(1)(a), in respect of the accused as is applicable and appropriate in the circumstances pending the determination of the appeal; and

    • (d) give such directions as the judge thinks necessary for expediting the appeal.

  • Marginal note:Effect of suspension of disposition

    (3) Where the application of a disposition appealed from is suspended pursuant to subsection (1) or by virtue of an order made under paragraph (2)(b),

    • (a) in the case where no disposition was in force in respect of the accused immediately before the coming into force of the disposition appealed from, any order for the interim release or detention of the accused that is in force immediately prior to the coming into force of the disposition appealed from continues in force, subject to the making of a disposition under paragraph (2)(c), pending the determination of the appeal; and

    • (b) in any other case, the disposition in force immediately before the coming into force of the disposition appealed from continues in force, subject to the making of a disposition under paragraph (2)(c).

Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada

Marginal note:Court established

  •  (1) There is hereby established a Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada, which shall hear and determine all appeals referred to it under this Division.

  • Marginal note:Judges

    (2) The judges of the Court Martial Appeal Court are

    • (a) not fewer than four judges of the Federal Court of Appeal or the Federal Court to be designated by the Governor in Council; and

    • (b) any additional judges of a superior court of criminal jurisdiction who are appointed by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Deputy judges of the Court

    (2.1) Subject to subsection (2.2), any former judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court may, at the request of the Chief Justice of that Court made with the approval of the Governor in Council, act as a judge of the Court and while so acting has all the powers of a judge of the Court and shall be referred to as a deputy judge of the Court.

  • Marginal note:Approval of Governor in Council

    (2.2) The Governor in Council may approve the making of requests under subsection (2.1) in general terms or for particular periods or purposes, and may limit the number of persons who may act under that subsection.

  • Marginal note:Salary

    (2.3) A person who acts as a judge under subsection (2.1) shall be paid a salary for the period he or she acts at the rate fixed by the Judges Act for a judge of the Federal Court of Appeal or the Federal Court, other than a Chief Justice, less any amount otherwise payable to him or her under that Act in respect of that period, and shall also be paid the travel allowances that a judge is entitled to be paid under the Judges Act.

  • Marginal note:Giving of judgment after judge ceases to hold office

    (2.4) If a judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court resigns his or her office or is appointed to another court or otherwise ceases to hold office, he or she may, at the request of the Chief Justice of the Court Martial Appeal Court, at any time within eight weeks after that event give judgment in any cause, action or matter previously tried by or heard before him or her as if he or she had continued in office.

  • Marginal note:Chief Justice

    (3) The Governor in Council shall designate one of the judges of the Court Martial Appeal Court to be the Chief Justice thereof, who shall preside, when present, at any sittings of the Court and shall, subject to subsection (4), appoint another judge to preside at any sittings of the Court at which the Chief Justice is not present.

  • Marginal note:Absence or incapacity of Chief Justice

    (4) Where the office of Chief Justice is vacant, or the Chief Justice is absent from Canada or is unable or unwilling to act, his powers shall be exercised and his duties performed by the senior judge who is in Canada and is able and willing to Act.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 234
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 92
  • 2002, c. 8, s. 153

Marginal note:Sittings and hearings

  •  (1) The Court Martial Appeal Court may sit and hear appeals at any place or places, and the Chief Justice of the Court shall arrange for sittings and hearings as may be required.

  • Marginal note:Hearing of appeals and other matters

    (2) Every appeal shall be heard by three judges of the Court Martial Appeal Court sitting together, the decision of the majority of whom shall be the decision of the Court, and any other matter before the Court shall be disposed of by the Chief Justice or by such other judge or judges of the Court as the Chief Justice may designate for that purpose.

  • Marginal note:Notification of dissent

    (3) Where an appeal has been wholly or partially dismissed by the Court Martial Appeal Court and there has been dissent in the Court, the appellant shall forthwith be informed of that dissent.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 235
  • R.S., 1985, c. 41 (1st Supp.), s. 13

Marginal note:Superior court of record

  •  (1) The Court Martial Appeal Court is a superior court of record.

  • Marginal note:Evidence

    (2) The Court Martial Appeal Court may hear evidence including new evidence, as it may deem expedient and the Court may sit in camera or in public.

  • Marginal note:Staff

    (3) The officers, clerks and employees appointed to the Courts Administration Service shall perform the duties of their respective offices in relation to the Court Martial Appeal Court.

  • Marginal note:Authorization to execute Chief Justice’s functions

    (4) The Chief Justice of the Court Martial Appeal Court may authorize any other judges of the Court to exercise or perform any of the powers or functions of the Chief Justice under this section and sections 234 and 235.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 236
  • 2002, c. 8, s. 154

Marginal note:Expenses

 A judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court is entitled to be paid travel allowances under the Judges Act as for attendances as judge of the Federal Court or the superior court to which the judge so entitled belongs.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 201
  • R.S., c. 10(2nd Supp.), s. 64
  • 1984, c. 40, s. 47(F)

Disposition of Appeals by Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada

Marginal note:Powers on appeal against finding of guilty

  •  (1) On the hearing of an appeal respecting the legality of a finding of guilty on any charge, the Court Martial Appeal Court, if it allows the appeal, may set aside the finding and

    • (a) enter a finding of not guilty in respect of the charge; or

    • (b) direct a new trial by court martial on the charge.

  • Marginal note:Effect of setting aside finding of guilty

    (2) Where the Court Martial Appeal Court has set aside a finding of guilty and no other finding of guilty remains, the whole of the sentence ceases to have force and effect.

  • Marginal note:Sentence where findings partly set aside

    (3) Where the Court Martial Appeal Court has set aside a finding of guilty but another finding of guilty remains, the Court may, except where it allows an appeal under section 240.1,

    • (a) affirm the sentence imposed by the court martial if the court martial could legally have imposed that sentence on the finding of guilty that remains; or

    • (b) substitute for the sentence imposed by the court martial a sentence that is warranted in law.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 238
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 23
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 68
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 23

Marginal note:Substitution of finding

  •  (1) Where an appellant has been found guilty of an offence and the court martial could, on the charge, have found the appellant guilty under section 133, 134 or 136 of some other offence or could have found the appellant guilty of some other offence on any alternative charge that was laid and, on the actual finding, it appears to the Court Martial Appeal Court that the facts proved the appellant guilty of that other offence, the Court may, instead of allowing or dismissing the appeal, substitute for the finding of guilty made by the court martial a finding of guilty of that other offence.

  • Marginal note:Sentence on substituted finding

    (2) On the substitution of a finding of guilty under subsection (1), the Court Martial Appeal Court may, except where it allows an appeal under section 240.1,

    • (a) affirm the sentence imposed by the court martial if the court martial could legally have imposed that sentence on the substituted finding of guilty; or

    • (b) substitute for the sentence imposed by the court martial a sentence that is warranted in law.

  • (3) [Repealed, 1991, c. 43, s. 24]

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 239
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 24
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 69

Marginal note:Appeal against not guilty finding

  •  (1) On the hearing of an appeal respecting the legality of a finding of not guilty on any charge, the Court Martial Appeal Court may, where it allows the appeal, set aside the finding and

    • (a) direct a new trial by court martial on that charge; or

    • (b) except if the finding is that of a General Court Martial, enter a finding of guilty with respect to the offence for which, in its opinion, the accused person should have been found guilty but for the illegality and

      • (i) impose the sentence in accordance with subsections (2) and (3), or

      • (ii) remit the matter to the court martial and direct it to impose a sentence in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).

  • Marginal note:Where no other finding of guilty

    (2) Where the Court Martial Appeal Court has entered a finding of guilty and there is no other finding of guilty, the Court or the court martial shall impose a sentence that is warranted in law.

  • Marginal note:Where another finding of guilty

    (3) Where the Court Martial Appeal Court has entered a finding of guilty and there is another finding of guilty, the Court or the court martial may

    • (a) affirm the sentence imposed by the court martial, if the court martial could legally have imposed the sentence on all of the findings; or

    • (b) substitute for the sentence imposed by the court martial a sentence that is warranted in law.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 25
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 24

Marginal note:Appeal against decision

 On the hearing of an appeal respecting the legality of a decision referred to in paragraph 230.1(d), the Court Martial Appeal Court may, if it allows the appeal, set aside the decision and direct a new trial by court martial on the charge.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 25
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 25

Marginal note:Substitution of new sentence where illegal sentence set aside

 On the hearing of an appeal respecting the legality of a sentence imposed by a court martial, the Court Martial Appeal Court, if it allows the appeal, may substitute for the sentence imposed by the court martial a sentence that is warranted in law.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 240
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 26
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 70

Marginal note:Appeal against severity of sentence

 On the hearing of an appeal respecting the severity of a sentence, the Court Martial Appeal Court shall consider the fitness of the sentence and, if it allows the appeal, may, on such evidence as it thinks fit to require or receive, substitute for the sentence imposed by the court martial a sentence that is warranted in law.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 26

Marginal note:Appeal against finding of unfit or not responsible

  •  (1) On the hearing of an appeal against a finding of unfit to stand trial or not responsible on account of mental disorder, the Court Martial Appeal Court shall, subject to subsection (2), direct a new trial by court martial if it allows the appeal.

  • Marginal note:Finding after close of case for prosecution

    (2) Where the finding of unfit to stand trial was made after the close of the case for the prosecution, the Court may, notwithstanding that the finding is proper, allow the appeal, set aside the finding and enter a finding of not guilty on any charge if it is of the opinion that the accused should have been acquitted on the charge at the close of the case for the prosecution.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 26
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 26

Marginal note:Appeal against disposition

 On the hearing of an appeal respecting the legality of a disposition made under section 201, 202 or 202.16, the Court Martial Appeal Court may, where it allows the appeal, set aside the disposition and

  • (a) make any disposition under section 201 or 202.16 that the court martial could have made;

  • (b) except in the case of a disposition made by a General Court Martial, remit the matter to the court martial for a rehearing, in whole or in part, in accordance with any directions that the Court considers appropriate; or

  • (c) make any other order that justice requires.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 26
  • 2008, c. 29, s. 27

Marginal note:Appeal

  •  (1) The Court Martial Appeal Court may allow an appeal against an order made under subsection 202.121(7) for a stay of proceedings, if the Court Martial Appeal Court is of the opinion that the order is unreasonable or cannot be supported by the evidence.

  • Marginal note:Effect

    (2) If the Court Martial Appeal Court allows the appeal, it may set aside the order for a stay of proceedings and restore the finding that the accused person is unfit to stand trial and the disposition made in respect of the accused person.

  • 2005, c. 22, s. 60

Marginal note:Appeal against order or decision

  •  (1) On the hearing of an appeal respecting the legality of a decision made under subsection 227.01(2), 227.04(1), 227.1(4) or 227.13(1), the Court Martial Appeal Court, or another court hearing the appeal, may dismiss the appeal, allow it and order a new hearing, quash the order or make an order that may be made under that provision.

  • Marginal note:Requirements relating to notice

    (2) If the Court Martial Appeal Court or other court makes an order that may be made under subsection 227.01(2), it shall cause the requirements set out in section 227.05 to be fulfilled.

  • Marginal note:Requirements relating to notice

    (3) If the Court Martial Appeal Court or other court makes an order that may be made under subsection 227.04(1) or 227.13(1), it shall cause the Provost Marshal to be notified of the decision.

  • Marginal note:Removal of information from database

    (4) If the Court Martial Appeal Court or other court makes an exemption order that may be made under subsection 227.1(4), it shall also make the order referred to in subsection 227.1(6).

  • 2007, c. 5, s. 9
  • 2010, c. 17, s. 60
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Special power to disallow appeal

 Notwithstanding anything in this Division, the Court Martial Appeal Court may disallow an appeal if, in the opinion of the Court, to be expressed in writing, there has been no substantial miscarriage of justice.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 241
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 92

Marginal note:New sentence

 Where a new sentence is substituted under subsection 238(3), 239(2) or 239.1(3) or section 240 or 240.1, the sentence imposed by the court martial ceases to have effect.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 27

 [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 71]

Marginal note:New trial

 Where the Court Martial Appeal Court directs a new trial on a charge under section 238, 239.1, 239.2 or 240.2, the accused person shall be tried again as if no trial on that charge had been held.

  • 1991, c. 43, s. 27

Marginal note:Powers to suspend new punishment

 If a punishment included in a sentence has been dealt with under subsection 238(3), 239(2) or 239.1(3) or section 240 or 240.1, the new punishment is subject to suspension in the same manner and to the same extent as if it had been imposed by the court martial that tried the appellant.

Marginal note:Appeal deemed abandoned

 Where a review of a disposition in respect of which an appeal is taken under paragraph 230(e) by any person is commenced under the review provisions of the Criminal Code by that person, the appeal shall be deemed to have been abandoned.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 243
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 29

Rules of Appeal Procedure

Marginal note:Chief Justice may make rules

  •  (1) The Chief Justice of the Court Martial Appeal Court may, with the approval of the Governor in Council, make rules respecting

    • (a) the seniority of members of the Court for the purpose of presiding at appeals;

    • (b) the practice and procedure to be observed at hearings;

    • (c) the conduct of appeals;

    • (c.1) the conduct of reviews of directions made under Division 3;

    • (d) the production of the minutes of the proceedings of any court martial in respect of which an appeal is taken;

    • (e) the production of all other documents and records relating to an appeal;

    • (f) the extent to which new evidence may be introduced;

    • (g) the circumstances in which, on the hearing of an appeal, the appellant may attend or appear before the Court;

    • (h) the provision for and the payment of fees of counsel for an appellant or a respondent, other than the Minister;

    • (h.1) the awarding and regulating of costs in the Court in favour of or against appellants and respondents; and

    • (i) the circumstances in which an appeal may be considered to be abandoned for want of prosecution, and the summary disposition by the Court of such appeals and of appeals showing no substantial grounds.

  • Marginal note:Publication

    (2) No rule made under this section has effect until it has been published in the Canada Gazette.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 244
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 72

Appeal to Supreme Court of Canada

Marginal note:Appeal by person tried

  •  (1) A person subject to the Code of Service Discipline may appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada against a decision of the Court Martial Appeal Court

    • (a) on any question of law on which a judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court dissents; or

    • (b) on any question of law, if leave to appeal is granted by the Supreme Court of Canada.

  • Marginal note:Appeal by Minister

    (2) The Minister, or counsel instructed by the Minister for that purpose, may appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada against a decision of the Court Martial Appeal Court

    • (a) on any question of law on which a judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court dissents; or

    • (b) on any question of law, if leave to appeal is granted by the Supreme Court of Canada.

  • Marginal note:Hearing and determination by Supreme Court of Canada

    (3) The Supreme Court of Canada, in respect of the hearing and determination of an appeal under this section, has the same powers, duties and functions as the Court Martial Appeal Court has under this Act, and sections 238 to 242 apply with such adaptations and modifications as the circumstances require.

  • Marginal note:When appeal deemed abandoned

    (4) An appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada that is not brought on for hearing by the appellant at the session of the Supreme Court of Canada during which the judgment appealed from was pronounced by the Court Martial Appeal Court, or at the next session of the Supreme Court of Canada, shall be deemed to be abandoned, unless otherwise ordered by the Supreme Court of Canada or a judge thereof.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 245
  • R.S., 1985, c. 34 (3rd Supp.), s. 14
  • 1997, c. 18, s. 134

 [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 73]

DIVISION 10Release Pending Appeal

Marginal note:Release by court martial

 Every person sentenced to a period of detention or imprisonment by a court martial has, within twenty-four hours after being so sentenced, the right to apply to that court martial or, in any circumstances that may be provided for by regulations made by the Governor in Council, to a military judge, for a direction that the person be released from detention or imprisonment until the expiration of the time to appeal referred to in subsection 232(3) and, if there is an appeal, until the determination of the appeal.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 74

Marginal note:Release by judge of the CMAC

 Every person sentenced to a period of detention or imprisonment by a court martial who appeals under Division 9 has the right, if the person has not applied under section 248.1, to apply to a judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court or, in any circumstances that may be provided for by regulations made by the Governor in Council, to a military judge, for a direction that the person be released from detention or imprisonment until the determination of the appeal.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 74

Marginal note:Court may direct release

  •  (1) On hearing an application to be released from detention or imprisonment, the court martial, the military judge or the judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court, as the case may be, may direct that the person making the application be released as provided for in sections 248.1 and 248.2 if the person establishes

    • (a) in the case of an application under section 248.1,

      • (i) that the person intends to appeal,

      • (ii) if the appeal is against sentence only, that it would cause unnecessary hardship if the person were placed or retained in detention or imprisonment,

      • (iii) that the person will surrender himself into custody when directed to do so, and

      • (iv) that the person’s detention or imprisonment is not necessary in the interest of the public or the Canadian Forces; or

    • (b) in the case of an application under section 248.2,

      • (i) that the appeal is not frivolous,

      • (ii) if the appeal is against sentence only, that it would cause unnecessary hardship if the person were placed or retained in detention or imprisonment,

      • (iii) that the person will surrender himself into custody when directed to do so, and

      • (iv) that the person’s detention or imprisonment is not necessary in the interest of the public or the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Consideration of victim’s safety and security

    (2) If the court martial, the military judge or the judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court, as the case may be, directs that the person be released, the court martial, military judge or judge shall include in the direction a statement that the safety and security of every victim of the alleged offence has been considered.

  • Marginal note:Copy to victim

    (3) The court martial, military judge or judge, as the case may be, shall, on request by a victim of the alleged offence, cause a copy of the direction to be given to the victim.

Marginal note:Right of representative of Canadian Forces

 On the hearing of an application to be released, counsel acting on behalf of the Canadian Forces shall be permitted to make representations if counsel so wishes after representations by or on behalf of the person making the application.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 76(F)

Marginal note:Undertaking if application granted

 If an application for release is granted, the court martial, the military judge or the judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court, as the case may be, may direct that the person making the application be released on giving an undertaking to

  • (a) remain under military authority;

  • (b) surrender himself or herself into custody when directed to do so; and

  • (c) comply with any other reasonable conditions that are stipulated.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 77

Marginal note:Release from detention or imprisonment

 Where a person is directed to be released from detention or imprisonment pursuant to this Division, the person in whose custody that person is shall forthwith release that person on his giving the undertaking referred to in section 248.5.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 92

Marginal note:Return to duty

 An officer or non-commissioned member who is released from detention or imprisonment pursuant to this Division shall be returned to duty unless the Chief of the Defence Staff, or an officer designated by the Chief of the Defence Staff, otherwise directs.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 92

Marginal note:Review of conditions

  •  (1) The conditions of an undertaking referred to in section 248.5 may, on application by the person who gave the undertaking or by counsel for the Canadian Forces, be reviewed by the Court Martial Appeal Court and that Court may

    • (a) confirm the conditions;

    • (b) vary the conditions; or

    • (c) substitute such other conditions as it sees fit.

  • Marginal note:New undertaking

    (2) Where the conditions of an undertaking referred to in section 248.5 have been varied or substituted pursuant to subsection (1), the person who gave the undertaking shall forthwith be placed in custody unless the person gives an undertaking to comply with such varied or substituted conditions.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 78(F)

Marginal note:Breach of undertaking

  •  (1) Where, on application by counsel for the Canadian Forces, an authority referred to in subsection (2) is satisfied, on cause being shown, that an undertaking given by a person under section 248.5 has been breached or is likely to be breached, that authority may

    • (a) cancel the direction that authorized the person to be released and direct that the person be detained in custody; or

    • (b) direct that the person may remain at liberty on his giving a new undertaking in accordance with section 248.5.

  • Marginal note:Determination of authority

    (2) The authority to whom an application under subsection (1) may be made is

    • (a) where the undertaking was given in respect of a direction made pursuant to an application under section 248.1, a military judge; or

    • (b) subject to subsection (3), where the undertaking was given in respect of a direction made pursuant to an application under section 248.2, a judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court.

    • (c) [Repealed, 1998, c. 35, s. 79]

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (3) In the circumstances provided for in regulations made by the Governor in Council, the authority to whom an application under subsection (1) may be made in respect of a direction made pursuant to an application under section 248.2 is a military judge.

  • Marginal note:Right to make representations

    (4) The person referred to in subsection (1) has the right to be present at the hearing of the application referred to in that subsection and the right to make representations at that hearing.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1993, c. 34, s. 95(F)
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 79

Marginal note:Rules

 The Chief Justice of the Court Martial Appeal Court, with the approval of the Governor in Council, may make rules respecting applications under sections 248.2, 248.8 and 248.81.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57

Marginal note:Appeal to CMAC

  •  (1) The following persons, namely,

    • (a) a person whose application to be released from detention or imprisonment pursuant to this Division is refused, and

    • (b) a person who is the subject of an order under section 248.81

    may appeal that decision or order to the Court Martial Appeal Court.

  • Marginal note:Idem

    (2) The Canadian Forces may appeal any direction under this Division that a person be released from detention or imprisonment or any order under section 248.81.

  • Marginal note:Grounds may be considered

    (3) When hearing an appeal under this section, the Court Martial Appeal Court may, in all cases where an appeal has been filed, take into consideration the grounds of appeal.

  • Marginal note:Application of provisions

    (4) The provisions of this Division apply, with such modifications as the circumstances require, to any appeal under this section.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 57
  • 1998, c. 35, ss. 80, 92

Marginal note:Surrender into custody

 A person released pending appeal under this Division may surrender himself or herself into custody at any time to serve a sentence of detention or imprisonment imposed on the person.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 81

DIVISION 11Petition for New Trial

Marginal note:Right to petition on new evidence

  •  (1) Every person who has been tried and found guilty by a court martial has a right, on grounds of new evidence discovered subsequent to the trial, to petition the Minister for a new trial.

  • Marginal note:Reference to CMAC for determination

    (2) The Minister may refer a petition to the Court Martial Appeal Court for a hearing and determination by that Court as if it were an appeal by the petitioner.

  • Marginal note:Reference to CMAC for opinion

    (3) The Minister may refer a petition or any question relating to a petition to the Court Martial Appeal Court for its opinion, and that Court shall furnish its opinion accordingly.

  • Marginal note:New trial

    (4) If the Minister is of the opinion that a petition should be granted, the Minister may order a new trial and the petitioner may be tried again as if no trial had been held.

Marginal note:Royal prerogative

 Nothing in this Division in any manner limits or affects Her Majesty’s royal prerogative of mercy.

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 41]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 41]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 41]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 41]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 41]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 15, s. 41]

DIVISION 12Miscellaneous Provisions

Right to be Represented

Marginal note:Right to be represented

 A person who is liable to be charged, dealt with and tried under the Code of Service Discipline has the right to be represented in the circumstances and in the manner prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Defence Counsel Services

Marginal note:Appointment

  •  (1) The Minister may appoint an officer who is a barrister or advocate with at least ten years standing at the bar of a province to be the Director of Defence Counsel Services.

  • Marginal note:Tenure of office

    (2) The Director of Defence Counsel Services holds office during good behaviour for a term of not more than four years. The Minister may remove the Director of Defence Counsel Services from office for cause on the recommendation of an inquiry committee established under regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Powers of inquiry committee

    (2.1) An inquiry committee has the same powers, rights and privileges — other than the power to punish for contempt — as are vested in a superior court of criminal jurisdiction with respect to

    • (a) the attendance, swearing and examination of witnesses;

    • (b) the production and inspection of documents;

    • (c) the enforcement of its orders; and

    • (d) all other matters necessary or proper for the due exercise of its jurisdiction.

  • Marginal note:Re-appointment

    (3) The Director of Defence Counsel Services is eligible to be re-appointed on the expiration of a first or subsequent term of office.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 71

Marginal note:Duties and functions

 The Director of Defence Counsel Services provides, and supervises and directs the provision of, legal services prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council to persons who are liable to be charged, dealt with and tried under the Code of Service Discipline.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Marginal note:Relationship to Judge Advocate General

  •  (1) The Director of Defence Counsel Services acts under the general supervision of the Judge Advocate General.

  • Marginal note:General instructions

    (2) The Judge Advocate General may issue general instructions or guidelines in writing in respect of defence counsel services.

  • Marginal note:Instructions must be public

    (3) The Director of Defence Counsel Services shall ensure that the general instructions and guidelines are available to the public.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Marginal note:Barristers and advocates to assist

  •  (1) The Director of Defence Counsel Services may be assisted by persons who are barristers or advocates with standing at the bar of a province.

  • Marginal note:Counsel

    (2) The Director of Defence Counsel Services may engage on a temporary basis the services of counsel to assist the Director of Defence Counsel Services.

  • Marginal note:Remuneration

    (3) The Director of Defence Counsel Services may, subject to any applicable Treasury Board directives, establish the terms and conditions of engagement and fix the remuneration and expenses of counsel engaged under subsection (2).

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 72(F)

Witnesses at Courts Martial and before Commissioners

Marginal note:Summonses to witnesses

  •  (1) Every person required to give evidence before a court martial may be summoned by a military judge, the Court Martial Administrator or the court martial.

  • Marginal note:Summonses to witnesses

    (2) Every person required to give evidence before a commissioner taking evidence under this Act may be summoned by a military judge, the Court Martial Administrator or the commissioner.

  • Marginal note:Production of documents

    (3) A person summoned under this section may be required to bring and produce at the court martial or before the commissioner taking evidence under this Act any documents in the possession or under the control of the person that relate to the matters in issue.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Warrant for Arrest on Non-Appearance of Accused

Marginal note:Non-appearance of accused

 Where an accused person has been duly summoned or ordered to appear before a court martial, the court martial may issue a warrant in the form prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council for the arrest of the accused person if the accused person

  • (a) fails to appear as summoned or ordered; or

  • (b) having appeared before the court martial, fails to attend before the court martial as required.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Effect of New Punishment

Marginal note:Force and effect

 If a new punishment is substituted for a punishment imposed by a court martial, the new punishment has force and effect as if it had been imposed by the court martial in the first instance and the provisions of the Code of Service Discipline apply accordingly. However, if the new punishment involves incarceration, the term of the new punishment is to be reckoned from the date of substitution.

Restitution of Property

Marginal note:Restitution of property

  •  (1) A court martial that finds a person guilty of an offence shall order that any property obtained by the commission of the offence be restored to the person apparently entitled to it if, at the time of the trial, the property is before the court martial or has been detained so that it can be immediately restored under the order to the person so entitled.

  • Marginal note:Restitution where no conviction, but offence committed

    (2) Where an accused person is tried for an offence but is not convicted and it appears to the court martial that an offence has been committed, the court martial may order that any property obtained by the commission of the offence shall be restored to the person apparently entitled to it if, at the time of the trial, the property is before the court martial or has been detained so that it can be immediately restored under the order to the person so entitled.

  • Marginal note:Exceptions

    (3) An order shall not be made in respect of

    • (a) property to which an innocent purchaser for value has acquired lawful title;

    • (b) a valuable security that has been paid or discharged in good faith by a person who was liable to pay or discharge it; or

    • (c) a negotiable instrument that has, in good faith, been taken or received by transfer or delivery for valuable consideration by a person who had no notice and no reasonable cause to suspect that an offence had been committed.

  • Marginal note:Execution of order for restitution

    (4) An order made under this section shall be executed by the persons by whom the process of the court martial is ordinarily executed.

Reference to Ranks

Marginal note:Reference to ranks

 Every reference in this Part to the rank of an officer or non-commissioned member includes a person who holds any equivalent relative rank, whether that person is attached, seconded or on loan to the Canadian Forces.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Criminal Record

Marginal note:Convictions for certain offences

  •  (1) A person who is convicted of any of the following offences, or who has been convicted of any of them before the coming into force of this section, has not been convicted of a criminal offence:

    • (a) an offence described in section 85, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91, 95, 96, 97, 99, 101, 101.1, 102, 103, 108, 109, 112, 116, 117, 118, 118.1, 120, 121, 122, 123, 126 or 129 for which the offender is sentenced to one or more of the following punishments:

      • (i) a severe reprimand,

      • (ii) a reprimand,

      • (iii) a fine not exceeding basic pay for one month, or

      • (iv) a minor punishment;

    • (b) an offence under section 130 that constitutes a contravention within the meaning of the Contraventions Act.

  • Marginal note:Criminal Records Act

    (2) An offence referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) does not constitute an offence for the purposes of the Criminal Records Act.

PART IVComplaints About or by Military Police

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

 The definitions in this section apply in this Part.

Chairperson

Chairperson means the Chairperson of the Complaints Commission. (président)

Complaints Commission

Complaints Commission means the Military Police Complaints Commission established by subsection 250.1(1). (Commission)

conduct complaint

conduct complaint means a complaint about the conduct of a member of the military police made under subsection 250.18(1). (plainte pour inconduite)

interference complaint

interference complaint means a complaint about interference with a military police investigation made under subsection 250.19(1). (plainte pour ingérence)

military police

military police[Repealed, 2013, c. 24, s. 76]

Provost Marshal

Provost Marshal[Repealed, 2007, c. 5, s. 10]

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 250
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2007, c. 5, s. 10
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 76

DIVISION 1Military Police Complaints Commission

Establishment and Organization

Marginal note:Commission established

  •  (1) There is established a commission, called the Military Police Complaints Commission, consisting of a Chairperson and not more than four other members to be appointed by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Full- or part-time

    (2) Each member holds office as a full-time or a part-time member.

  • Marginal note:Tenure of office and removal

    (3) Each member holds office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding five years but may be removed by the Governor in Council for cause.

  • Marginal note:Re-appointment

    (4) A member is eligible to be re-appointed on the expiration of a first or subsequent term of office.

  • Marginal note:Duties of full-time members

    (5) Full-time members shall devote the whole of their time to the performance of their duties under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Conflict of interest — part-time members

    (6) Part-time members may not accept or hold any office or employment during their term of office that is inconsistent with their duties under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Eligibility

    (7) An officer, a non-commissioned member or an employee of the Department is not eligible to be a member of the Complaints Commission.

  • Marginal note:Remuneration

    (8) The members are entitled to be paid for their services the remuneration and allowances fixed by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Travel and living expenses

    (9) The members are entitled to be paid reasonable travel and living expenses incurred by them in the course of their duties while absent from their ordinary place of work, if full-time members, or their ordinary place of residence, if part-time members, subject to any applicable Treasury Board directives.

  • Marginal note:Status of members

    (10) The members are deemed

  • Marginal note:Oath of office

    (11) Every member shall, before commencing the duties of office, take the following oath of office:

    I, blank line, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and honestly fulfil my duties as a member of the Military Police Complaints Commission in conformity with the requirements of the National Defence Act, and of all rules and instructions under that Act applicable to the Military Police Complaints Commission, and that I will not disclose or make known to any person not legally entitled to it any knowledge or information obtained by me by reason of my office. (And in the case of an oath: So help me God.)

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2003, c. 22, ss. 224(E), 225(E)
  • 2010, c. 12, s. 1755
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 77(F)

Chairperson

Marginal note:Chief executive officer

  •  (1) The Chairperson is the chief executive officer of the Complaints Commission and has supervision over and direction of its work and staff.

  • Marginal note:Absence or incapacity

    (2) In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson or if the office of Chairperson is vacant, the Minister may authorize any member of the Complaints Commission to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Chairperson.

  • Marginal note:Delegation

    (3) The Chairperson may delegate to a member of the Complaints Commission any of the Chairperson’s powers, duties or functions under this Act, except the power to delegate under this subsection and the duty to submit an annual report under subsection 250.17(1).

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Head Office

Marginal note:Head Office

 The head office of the Complaints Commission shall be at the place in Canada designated by the Governor in Council.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Staff

Marginal note:Staff

  •  (1) The employees that are necessary for the proper conduct of the work of the Complaints Commission shall be appointed in accordance with the Public Service Employment Act.

  • Marginal note:Experts

    (2) The Complaints Commission may, with the approval of the Treasury Board, engage on a temporary basis the services of counsel and other persons having technical or specialized knowledge to assist the Complaints Commission in its work, establish the terms and conditions of their engagement and fix and pay their remuneration and expenses.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Duty to Act Expeditiously

Marginal note:Duty to act expeditiously

 The Complaints Commission shall deal with all matters before it as informally and expeditiously as the circumstances and the considerations of fairness permit.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Rules

Marginal note:Rules

 The Chairperson may make rules respecting

  • (a) the manner of dealing with matters and business before the Complaints Commission, including the conduct of investigations and hearings by the Complaints Commission;

  • (b) the apportionment of the work of the Complaints Commission among its members and the assignment of members to review complaints; and

  • (c) the performance of the duties and functions of the Complaints Commission.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Immunity

Marginal note:Protection of members

 No criminal or civil proceedings lie against any member of the Complaints Commission, or against any person acting on behalf of the Complaints Commission, for anything done, reported or said in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of a power or in the performance or purported performance of a duty or function of the Complaints Commission.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Annual Report

Marginal note:Annual Report

  •  (1) The Chairperson shall, within three months after the end of each year, submit to the Minister a report of the Complaints Commission’s activities during that year and its recommendations, if any.

  • Marginal note:Tabling in Parliament

    (2) The Minister shall have a copy of the report laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen days on which that House is sitting after the Minister receives it.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

DIVISION 2Complaints

SUBDIVISION 1Right to Complain

Conduct Complaints

Marginal note:Complaints about military police

  •  (1) Any person, including any officer or non-commissioned member, may make a complaint under this Division about the conduct of a member of the military police in the performance of any of the policing duties or functions that are prescribed for the purposes of this section in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Complainant need not be affected

    (2) A conduct complaint may be made whether or not the complainant is affected by the subject-matter of the complaint.

  • Marginal note:No penalty for complaint

    (3) A person may not be penalized for exercising the right to make a conduct complaint so long as the complaint is made in good faith.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 78
Interference Complaints

Marginal note:Complaints by military police

  •  (1) Any member of the military police who conducts or supervises a military police investigation, or who has done so, and who believes on reasonable grounds that any officer or non-commissioned member or any senior official of the Department has improperly interfered with the investigation may make a complaint about that person under this Division.

  • Marginal note:Improper interference

    (2) For the purposes of this section, improper interference with an investigation includes intimidation and abuse of authority.

  • Marginal note:No penalty for complaint

    (3) A person may not be penalized for exercising the right to make an interference complaint so long as the complaint is made in good faith.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 79
Time Limit

Marginal note:Time limit

 No complaint may be made more than one year after the event giving rise to the complaint unless the Chairperson, at the request of the complainant, decides that it is reasonable in the circumstances to extend the time.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
To Whom Complaint May be Made

Marginal note:To whom complaint may be made

  •  (1) A conduct complaint or an interference complaint may be made, either orally or in writing, to the Chairperson, the Judge Advocate General or the Provost Marshal. A conduct complaint may also be made to any member of the military police.

  • Marginal note:Acknowledgement and notice of complaint

    (2) The person who receives a complaint shall

    • (a) if the complaint is not in writing, put it in writing;

    • (b) ensure that an acknowledgement of its receipt is sent as soon as practicable to the complainant; and

    • (c) ensure that notice of the complaint is sent as soon as practicable

      • (i) in the case of a conduct complaint, to the Chairperson and the Provost Marshal,

      • (ii) in the case of an interference complaint concerning an officer or a non-commissioned member, to the Chairperson, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Judge Advocate General and the Provost Marshal, and

      • (iii) in the case of an interference complaint concerning a senior official of the Department, to the Chairperson, the Deputy Minister, the Judge Advocate General and the Provost Marshal.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 80(F), 107(F)

Marginal note:Notice to subject of conduct complaint

 As soon as practicable after receiving or being notified of a conduct complaint, the Provost Marshal shall send a written notice of the substance of the complaint to the person whose conduct is the subject of the complaint unless, in the Provost Marshal’s opinion, to do so might adversely affect or hinder any investigation under this Act.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 81(F)

Marginal note:Notice to subject of interference complaint

 As soon as practicable after receiving or being notified of an interference complaint, the Chairperson shall send a written notice of the substance of the complaint to the person who is the subject of the complaint unless, in the Chairperson’s opinion, to do so might adversely affect or hinder any investigation under this Act.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 108(F)
Withdrawal of Complaint

Marginal note:Withdrawal

  •  (1) A complainant may withdraw a complaint by sending a written notice to the Chairperson.

  • Marginal note:Notice of withdrawal

    (2) The Chairperson shall send a notice in writing of the withdrawal to the Provost Marshal and the person who was the subject of the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 82(F)
Record of Complaints

Marginal note:Record of complaints

 The Provost Marshal shall establish and maintain a record of all complaints received under this Division and, on request, make available any information contained in that record to the Complaints Commission.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Subdivision 2

Disposal of Conduct Complaints

Marginal note:Provost Marshal responsible

  •  (1) The Provost Marshal is responsible for dealing with conduct complaints.

  • Marginal note:Complaint about Provost Marshal

    (2) If a conduct complaint is about the conduct of the Provost Marshal, the Chief of the Defence Staff is responsible for dealing with the complaint and has all the powers and duties of the Provost Marshal under this Division.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Deadline for resolving or disposing of complaint

 The Provost Marshal shall resolve or dispose of a conduct complaint — other than a complaint that results in an investigation of an alleged criminal or service offence — within one year after receiving or being notified of it.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 83

Marginal note:Informal resolution

  •  (1) On receiving or being notified of a conduct complaint, the Provost Marshal shall consider whether it can be disposed of informally and, with the consent of the complainant and the person who is the subject of the complaint, the Provost Marshal may attempt to resolve it informally.

  • Marginal note:Restriction

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the complaint is of a type prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • Marginal note:Statements not admissible

    (3) No answer given or statement made by the complainant or the person who is the subject of the complaint in the course of attempting to resolve a complaint informally may be used in any disciplinary, criminal, civil or administrative proceedings, other than a hearing or proceeding in respect of an allegation that, with intent to mislead, the complainant or the person who is the subject of the complaint gave an answer or made a statement knowing it to be false.

  • Marginal note:Right to refuse or end informal resolution

    (4) The Provost Marshal may direct that no attempt at informal resolution be started or that an attempt be ended if, in the opinion of the Provost Marshal,

    • (a) the complaint is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith; or

    • (b) the complaint is one that could more appropriately be dealt with according to a procedure provided under another Part of this Act or under any other Act of Parliament.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (5) If a direction is made under subsection (4), the Provost Marshal shall send to the complainant and the person who is the subject of the complaint a notice in writing setting out

    • (a) the direction and the reasons why it was made; and

    • (b) the right of the complainant to refer the complaint to the Complaints Commission for review if the complainant is not satisfied with the direction.

  • Marginal note:Record of informal resolution

    (6) If a conduct complaint is resolved informally,

    • (a) the details of its resolution must be set out in writing;

    • (b) the complainant and the person who is the subject of the complaint must give their written agreement to the resolution of the complaint; and

    • (c) the Provost Marshal must notify the Chairperson of the resolution of the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 84(F), 107(F), 108(F)

Marginal note:Duty to investigate

  •  (1) Subject to any attempts at informal resolution, the Provost Marshal shall investigate a conduct complaint as soon as practicable.

  • Marginal note:Right to refuse or end investigation

    (2) The Provost Marshal may direct that no investigation of a conduct complaint be started or that an investigation be ended if, in the opinion of the Provost Marshal,

    • (a) the complaint is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith;

    • (b) the complaint is one that could more appropriately be dealt with according to a procedure provided under another Part of this Act or under any other Act of Parliament; or

    • (c) having regard to all the circumstances, investigation or further investigation is not necessary or reasonably practicable.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (3) If a direction is made under subsection (2), the Provost Marshal shall send to the complainant and, if the person who is the subject of the complaint was notified of the complaint under section 250.22, to that person, a notice in writing setting out

    • (a) the direction and the reasons why it was made; and

    • (b) the right of the complainant to refer the complaint to the Complaints Commission for review if the complainant is not satisfied with the direction.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 85(F), 107(F)

Marginal note:Report on investigation

 On the completion of an investigation into a conduct complaint, the Provost Marshal shall send to the complainant, the person who is the subject of the complaint and the Chairperson a report setting out

  • (a) a summary of the complaint;

  • (b) the findings of the investigation;

  • (c) a summary of any action that has been or will be taken with respect to disposition of the complaint; and

  • (d) the right of the complainant to refer the complaint to the Complaints Commission for review if the complainant is not satisfied with the disposition of the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 86(F)

Marginal note:Status reports

  •  (1) Within sixty days after receiving or being notified of a conduct complaint, the Provost Marshal shall, if the complaint has not been resolved or disposed of before that time, and then each thirty days afterwards until the complaint is dealt with, send to the following persons a report on the status of the complaint:

    • (a) the complainant;

    • (b) the person who is the subject of the complaint; and

    • (c) the Chairperson.

  • Marginal note:Six-month report

    (2) If a conduct complaint has not been resolved or disposed of within six months, the Provost Marshal shall in each report sent after that period explain why not.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (3) No report shall be sent to the person who is the subject of a conduct complaint if, in the opinion of the Provost Marshal, sending the report might adversely affect or hinder any investigation under this Act.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 87(F), 108(F)
Review by Complaints Commission

Marginal note:Reference to Complaints Commission

  •  (1) A complainant who is dissatisfied with a direction under subsection 250.27(4) or 250.28(2) in respect of a conduct complaint or the disposition of a conduct complaint as set out in a report under section 250.29 may refer the complaint in writing to the Complaints Commission for review.

  • Marginal note:Information to be provided

    (2) If a complainant refers a complaint to the Complaints Commission under subsection (1),

    • (a) the Chairperson shall send to the Provost Marshal a copy of the complaint; and

    • (b) the Provost Marshal shall provide the Chairperson with a copy of the notice sent under subsection 250.27(5) or 250.28(3), or of the report sent under section 250.29, in respect of the complaint and all information and materials relevant to the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Review by Chairperson

  •  (1) The Chairperson shall review the complaint to which a request for review relates as soon as practicable after receiving the request.

  • Marginal note:Chairperson may investigate

    (2) In conducting a review of a complaint, the Chairperson may investigate any matter relating to the complaint.

  • Marginal note:Report

    (3) At the completion of the review, the Chairperson shall send a report to the Minister, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Provost Marshal setting out the Chairperson’s findings and recommendations with respect to the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Status reports

  •  (1) Within sixty days after a complaint is referred to the Commission for a review, the Chairperson shall, if the review has not been completed, and then each thirty days afterwards until it is completed, send a report on the status of the complaint to the complainant and the person who is the subject of the complaint.

  • Marginal note:Six-month report

    (2) If the review has not been completed within six months, the Chairperson shall in each report sent after that period explain why not.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (3) No report shall be sent to the person who is the subject of a conduct complaint if, in the Chairperson’s opinion, sending the report might adversely affect or hinder any investigation under this Act.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 108(F)

SUBDIVISION 3Disposal of Interference Complaints

Marginal note:Responsibility

  •  (1) The Chairperson is responsible for dealing with interference complaints.

  • Marginal note:Investigation may be by Provost Marshal

    (2) If the Chairperson considers it appropriate to do so, the Chairperson may ask the Provost Marshal to investigate an interference complaint.

  • Marginal note:Reasons for refusal

    (3) If the Provost Marshal does not consent to investigate, the Provost Marshal shall notify the Chairperson in writing of the reason why the consent was not given.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Duty to investigate

  •  (1) The Chairperson or the Provost Marshal, as the case may be, shall investigate an interference complaint as soon as practicable.

  • Marginal note:Right to refuse or end investigation

    (2) The Chairperson may direct that no investigation of an interference complaint be started or that an investigation be ended if, in the Chairperson’s opinion,

    • (a) the complaint is frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith;

    • (b) the complaint is one that could more appropriately be dealt with according to a procedure provided under another Part of this Act or under any other Act of Parliament; or

    • (c) having regard to all the circumstances, investigation or further investigation is not necessary or reasonably practicable.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (3) If the Chairperson makes a direction, the Chairperson shall send to the complainant, the person who is the subject of the complaint, the Chief of the Defence Staff or the Deputy Minister, as the case may be, the Judge Advocate General and the Provost Marshal a notice in writing setting out the direction and the reasons why it was made.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 88(F), 107(F)

Marginal note:Report on investigation

 On the completion of an investigation into an interference complaint, the Chairperson shall prepare and send a report setting out a summary of the complaint and the Chairperson’s findings and recommendations to

  • (a) the Minister;

  • (b) the Chief of the Defence Staff, in the case of a complaint against an officer or a non-commissioned member;

  • (c) the Deputy Minister, in the case of a complaint against a senior official of the Department;

  • (d) the Judge Advocate General; and

  • (e) the Provost Marshal.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 89(F), 107(F)

Marginal note:Status reports

  •  (1) Within sixty days after being notified of an interference complaint, the Chairperson shall, if the complaint has not been resolved, disposed of or otherwise dealt with before that time, and then each thirty days afterwards until the complaint is dealt with, send a report on the status of the complaint to

    • (a) the complainant;

    • (b) the person who is the subject of the complaint;

    • (c) the Judge Advocate General; and

    • (d) the Provost Marshal.

  • Marginal note:Six-month report

    (2) If a complaint has not been dealt with within six months, the Chairperson shall in each report sent after that period explain why not.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (3) No report shall be sent to the person who is the subject of a complaint if, in the Chairperson’s opinion, sending the report might adversely affect or hinder any investigation under this Act.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 107(F), 108(F)

DIVISION 3Investigations and Hearings by Complaints Commission

Marginal note:Public interest

  •  (1) If at any time the Chairperson considers it advisable in the public interest, the Chairperson may cause the Complaints Commission to conduct an investigation and, if warranted, to hold a hearing into a conduct complaint or an interference complaint.

  • Marginal note:Withdrawn complaint

    (2) The Chairperson may cause an investigation to be held in respect of a complaint even if it has been withdrawn.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (3) If the Chairperson decides to cause an investigation to be held, the Chairperson shall send a notice in writing of the decision and the reasons for the decision to the complainant, the person who is the subject of the complaint, the Minister, the Chief of the Defence Staff or the Deputy Minister, as the case may be, the Judge Advocate General and the Provost Marshal.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (4) No notice shall be sent to the person who is the subject of the complaint if, in the Chairperson’s opinion, sending the notice might adversely affect or hinder any investigation under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Duties suspended

    (5) If the Chairperson acts in respect of a conduct complaint under subsection (1), the Provost Marshal is not required to investigate, report on or otherwise deal with the complaint until the Provost Marshal receives a report under section 250.53 with respect to the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 90(F), 107(F), 108(F)

Marginal note:Report on investigation

 On completion of an investigation under subsection 250.38(1), the Chairperson shall prepare and send to the Minister, the Chief of the Defence Staff or the Deputy Minister, as the case may be, the Judge Advocate General and the Provost Marshal a report in writing setting out the Chairperson’s findings and recommendations with respect to the complaint, unless the Chairperson has caused, or intends to cause, a hearing to be held to inquire into the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

Marginal note:Assignment of members to conduct hearing

  •  (1) If the Chairperson decides to cause a hearing to be held, the Chairperson shall

    • (a) assign one or more members of the Complaints Commission to conduct the hearing; and

    • (b) send a notice in writing of the decision and the reasons for the decision to the complainant, the person who is the subject of the complaint, the Minister, the Chief of the Defence Staff or the Deputy Minister, as the case may be, the Judge Advocate General and the Provost Marshal.

  • Marginal note:Deeming

    (2) For the purposes of this Part, the member or members of the Complaints Commission who conduct a hearing are deemed to be the Complaints Commission.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 91(F)

Marginal note:Powers

  •  (1) When conducting a hearing, the Complaints Commission has, in relation to the complaint before it, power

    • (a) to summon and enforce the attendance of witnesses and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce any documents and things under their control that it considers necessary to the full investigation and consideration of matters before it;

    • (b) to administer oaths; and

    • (c) to receive and accept any evidence and information that it sees fit, whether admissible in a court of law or not.

  • Marginal note:Restriction

    (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Complaints Commission may not receive or accept

    • (a) any evidence or other information that would be inadmissible in a court of law by reason of any privilege under the law of evidence;

    • (b) any answer given or statement made before a board of inquiry or summary investigation;

    • (c) any answer or statement that tends to criminate the witness or subject the witness to any proceeding or penalty and that was in response to a question at a hearing under this Division into another complaint;

    • (d) any answer given or statement made before a court of law or tribunal; or

    • (e) any answer given or statement made while attempting to resolve a conduct complaint informally under subsection 250.27(1).

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Marginal note:Hearing in public

 A hearing is to be held in public, except that the Complaints Commission may order the hearing or any part of the hearing to be held in private if it is of the opinion that during the course of the hearing any of the following information will likely be disclosed:

  • (a) information that, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to be injurious to the defence of Canada or any state allied or associated with Canada or the detection, prevention or suppression of subversive or hostile activities;

  • (b) information that, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to be injurious to the administration of justice, including law enforcement; and

  • (c) information affecting a person’s privacy or security interest, if that interest outweighs the public’s interest in the information.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2015, c. 3, s. 134(F)

Marginal note:Notice of hearing

  •  (1) As soon as practicable before the commencement of a hearing, the Complaints Commission shall serve a notice in writing of the time and place appointed for the hearing on the complainant and the person who is the subject of the complaint.

  • Marginal note:Convenience to be considered

    (2) If a person on whom a notice is served wishes to appear before the Complaints Commission, the Complaints Commission must consider the convenience of that person in fixing the time and the place for the hearing.

  • Marginal note:Delay of hearing

    (3) If the complaint relates to conduct that is also the subject of disciplinary or criminal proceedings before a court or tribunal of first instance, the hearing may not take place until the disciplinary or criminal proceedings are completed.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 92(F)

Marginal note:Rights of persons interested

 The Complaints Commission shall afford a full and ample opportunity, in person or by counsel, to present evidence, to cross-examine witnesses and to make representations at the hearing to

  • (a) the complainant and the person who is the subject of the complaint, if they wish to appear; and

  • (b) any other person who satisfies the Complaints Commission that the person has a substantial and direct interest in the hearing.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 93(F)

Marginal note:Witness not excused from testifying

  •  (1) In a hearing, no witness shall be excused from answering any question relating to the complaint before the Complaints Commission when required to do so by the Complaints Commission on the ground that the answer to the question may tend to criminate the witness or subject the witness to any proceeding or penalty.

  • Marginal note:Answer not receivable

    (2) No answer given or statement made by a witness in response to a question described in subsection (1) may be used or receivable against the witness in any disciplinary, criminal, administrative or civil proceeding, other than a hearing or proceeding in respect of an allegation that the witness gave the answer or made the statement knowing it to be false.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Marginal note:Expenses

 Travel and living expenses incurred in appearing before the Complaints Commission shall, in the discretion of the Complaints Commission, be paid in accordance with applicable Treasury Board directives, to the complainant and to the person who is the subject of the complaint, and to their counsel, if the Complaints Commission holds a hearing at a place in Canada that is not their ordinary place of residence.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 108(F)

Marginal note:Return of documents, etc.

 Documents and things presented to the Complaints Commission at a hearing shall, on request, be returned to the person who presented them within a reasonable time after completion of the Complaints Commission’s report on the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Marginal note:Report

 On completion of a hearing, the Complaints Commission shall prepare and send to the Minister, the Chief of the Defence Staff or the Deputy Minister, as the case may be, the Judge Advocate General and the Provost Marshal a report in writing setting out its findings and recommendations with respect to the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 107(F)

DIVISION 4Review and Final Report

Marginal note:Review — conduct complaint

  •  (1) On receipt of a report under subsection 250.32(3) or section 250.39 or 250.48 in respect of a conduct complaint, the Provost Marshal shall review the complaint in light of the findings and recommendations set out in the report.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) If the Provost Marshal is the subject of the complaint, the review shall be conducted by the Chief of the Defence Staff.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 94(F), 107(F)

Marginal note:Review — interference complaint

  •  (1) On receipt of a report under section 250.36, 250.39 or 250.48 in respect of an interference complaint, the complaint shall be reviewed in light of the findings and recommendations set out in the report by

    • (a) the Chief of the Defence Staff, if the person who is the subject of the complaint is an officer or a non-commissioned member; and

    • (b) the Deputy Minister, if the person who is the subject of the complaint is a senior official of the Department.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) If the Chief of the Defence Staff or the Deputy Minister is the subject of the complaint, the review shall be conducted by the Minister.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 95(F)

Marginal note:Notice of action

  •  (1) The person who reviews a report under section 250.49 or 250.5 shall notify in writing the Minister and the Chairperson of any action that has been or will be taken with respect to the complaint.

  • Marginal note:Reasons

    (2) If the person decides not to act on any findings or recommendations set out in the report, the reasons for not so acting must be included in the notice.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Marginal note:Notice of action

  •  (1) If the Minister reviews a report by reason of subsection 250.5(2), the Minister shall notify the Chairperson in writing of any action that has been or will be taken with respect to the complaint.

  • Marginal note:Reasons

    (2) If the Minister decides not to act on any findings or recommendations set out in the report, the reasons for not so acting must be included in the notice.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Marginal note:Final report by Chairperson

  •  (1) After receiving and considering a notice sent under section 250.51 or 250.52, the Chairperson shall prepare a final report in writing setting out the Chairperson’s findings and recommendations with respect to the complaint.

  • Marginal note:Recipients of report

    (2) A copy of the final report shall be sent to the Minister, the Deputy Minister, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Judge Advocate General, the Provost Marshal, the complainant, the person who is the subject of the complaint and all persons who have satisfied the Complaints Commission that they have a substantial and direct interest in the complaint.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 96(F)

PART VMiscellaneous Provisions Having General Application

Oaths

Marginal note:Oaths

 At summary hearings and courts martial, and at proceedings before a military judge, board of inquiry or commissioner taking evidence under this Act, an oath must be taken by or administered to the following persons in the manner and in the forms prescribed in regulations made by the Governor in Council:

  • (a) the officer conducting the summary hearing;

  • (b) the judge presiding at the court martial;

  • (c) each member of the panel of the court martial;

  • (d) each member of the board of inquiry;

  • (e) the commissioner;

  • (f) court reporters;

  • (g) interpreters; and

  • (h) subject to section 16 of the Canada Evidence Act, witnesses.

Marginal note:Solemn affirmation instead of oath

  •  (1) A person who is required to take an oath under this Act may, instead of taking an oath, make a solemn affirmation.

  • Marginal note:Effect

    (2) A solemn affirmation has the same force and effect as an oath.

  • Marginal note:Prosecutions under the Criminal Code

    (3) An oath or a solemn affirmation under this Act has, in respect of any prosecution under the Criminal Code, the same force and effect as an oath taken before a civil court.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82

Witness Fees and Allowances

Marginal note:Witness fees and allowances

 A person, other than an officer or non-commissioned member or an officer or employee of the Department, summoned or attending to give evidence before a court martial, the Grievances Committee, the Military Judges Inquiry Committee, the Military Police Complaints Commission, a board of inquiry, a commissioner taking evidence under this Act or any inquiry committee established under the regulations is entitled in the discretion of that body to receive the like fees and allowances for so doing as if summoned to attend before the Federal Court.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 82
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 97, 106(E)

Disposal by Civil Authorities of Deserters and Absentees without Leave

Marginal note:Definition of justice

  •  (1) For the purposes of this section and sections 253 and 254, justice means a justice as defined in the Criminal Code.

  • Marginal note:Powers of arrest on reasonable grounds

    (2) Any peace officer who on reasonable grounds believes or, if no peace officer is immediately available, any officer or non-commissioned member who believes on reasonable grounds that a person is a deserter or an absentee without leave may apprehend that person and forthwith bring the person before a justice.

  • Marginal note:Issue of warrant

    (3) A justice, if satisfied by evidence on oath that a deserter or an absentee without leave is, or is believed on reasonable grounds to be, within the jurisdiction of that justice, may issue a warrant authorizing the deserter or absentee without leave to be apprehended and brought forthwith before that or any other justice.

  • Marginal note:Justice’s power to examine into case

    (4) Where a person is brought before a justice charged with being a deserter or absentee without leave under this Act, the justice may examine into the case in like manner as if that person were brought before the justice accused of an indictable offence.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 252
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 58

Marginal note:Disposal of person brought before justice

  •  (1) A justice, if satisfied either by evidence on oath or by the admission of a person brought before the justice under section 252 that the person is a deserter or absentee without leave, shall cause him to be delivered into service custody in such manner as the justice may deem most expedient and, until the person can be so delivered, the justice may cause the person to be held in civil custody for such time as appears to the justice reasonably necessary for the purpose of delivering the person into service custody.

  • Marginal note:Verification of admission

    (2) Where a person has admitted to being a deserter or absentee without leave and evidence of the truth or falsehood of the admission is not then forthcoming, the justice before whom the person is brought shall remand him for the purpose of obtaining information respecting the truth or falsehood of the admission and, for that purpose, the justice shall transmit a report, which shall contain the particulars and be in the form prescribed by the Minister, to such authorities of the Canadian Forces as the Minister may prescribe.

  • Marginal note:Remands

    (3) A justice before whom a person is brought under section 252 may from time to time remand him for a period not exceeding eight days on each appearance before the justice, but the whole period during which a person is so remanded shall not be longer than appears to the justice reasonably necessary for the purpose of obtaining the information referred to in subsection (2).

  • Marginal note:Report following disposal

    (4) Where a justice before whom a person is brought under section 252 causes him to be delivered into service custody or to be held in civil custody, the justice shall transmit a report, which shall contain the particulars and be in the form prescribed by the Minister, to such authorities of the Canadian Forces as the Minister may prescribe.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 214

Marginal note:Delivery by constable into service custody

  •  (1) Where a person surrenders himself to a constable and admits desertion or absence without leave, the constable in charge of the police station to which the person is brought shall forthwith inquire into the case and, if from the admission it appears to the constable on inquiring into the case that the person is a deserter or absentee without leave, the constable may cause the person to be delivered into service custody, without bringing the person before a justice.

  • Marginal note:Report where person delivered into service custody

    (2) Where a constable causes a person to be delivered into service custody pursuant to subsection (1), the constable shall transmit a report, which shall contain the particulars and be in the form prescribed by the Minister, to such authorities of the Canadian Forces as the Minister may prescribe.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 214

Certificate of Civil Courts

Marginal note:Transmission of certificate where person tried civilly

 Where any person subject to the Code of Service Discipline has at any time been tried by a civil court, the clerk of that court or other authority having custody of the records of the court shall, if required by any officer of the Canadian Forces, transmit to that officer a certificate setting out the offence for which that person was tried, together with the judgment or order of the court thereon, and shall be allowed for that certificate the fee authorized by law.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 215

Duties respecting Incarceration

Marginal note:Execution of warrants

  •  (1) Every warden, governor, jailer, commanding officer, commandant or other keeper of a penitentiary, civil prison, service prison or detention barrack shall take cognizance of any warrant of committal purporting to be signed by a committing authority referred to in section 219 or 220, shall receive and detain, according to the exigency of that warrant, the person referred to therein and delivered into the custody of that warden, governor, jailer, commanding officer, commandant or other keeper, as the case may be, and shall confine that person until discharged or delivered over in due course of law.

  • (2) [Repealed, 1991, c. 43, s. 30]

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 256
  • 1991, c. 43, s. 30

Manoeuvres

Marginal note:Authorization by Minister

  •  (1) For the purpose of training the Canadian Forces, the Minister may authorize the execution of military exercises or movements, referred to in this section as “manoeuvres”, over and on such parts of Canada and during such periods as are specified.

  • Marginal note:Notice

    (2) Notice of manoeuvres shall, by appropriate publication, be given to the inhabitants of any area concerned.

  • Marginal note:Powers

    (3) Units and other elements of the Canadian Forces may execute manoeuvres on and pass over such areas as are specified under subsection (1), stop or control all traffic thereover whether by water, land or air, draw water from such sources as are available, and do all things reasonably necessary for the execution of the manoeuvres.

  • Marginal note:Interference

    (4) Any person who wilfully obstructs or interferes with manoeuvres authorized under this section and any animal, vehicle, vessel or aircraft under the person’s control may be forcibly removed by any constable or by any officer, or by any non-commissioned member on the order of any officer.

  • Marginal note:Bar of action

    (5) No action lies by reason only of the execution of manoeuvres authorized under this section.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 257
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

 [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 22 (4th Supp.), s. 74]

Marginal note:Compensation

 Any person who suffers loss, damage or injury by reason of the exercise of any of the powers conferred by section 257 shall be compensated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 260
  • R.S., 1985, c. 22 (4th Supp.), s. 74

Exemption from Tolls

Marginal note:Duties or tolls on roads, bridges, etc.

  •  (1) No duties or tolls, otherwise payable by law in respect of the use of any pier, wharf, quay, landing-place, highway, road, right-of-way, bridge or canal, shall be paid by or demanded from any unit or other element of the Canadian Forces or any officer or non-commissioned member when on duty or any person under escort or in respect of the movement of any materiel, except that the Minister may authorize payment of duties and tolls in respect of that use.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) Nothing in this section affects the liability for payment of duties or tolls lawfully demandable in respect of any vehicles or vessels other than those belonging to or in the service of Her Majesty.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 261
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Ships in Convoy

Marginal note:Master of merchant ship to obey convoying officer

 Every master or other person in command of a merchant or other vessel under the convoy of any of Her Majesty’s Canadian ships shall obey the directions of the commanding officer of the convoy or the directions of the commanding officer of any of Her Majesty’s Canadian ships in all matters relating to the navigation or security of the convoy and shall take such precautions for avoiding the enemy as may be directed by any such commanding officer and, if the master or other person fails to obey the directions, that commanding officer may compel obedience by force of arms, without being liable for any loss of life or property that may result from the use of that force.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 222

Salvage

Marginal note:Crown may claim for salvage services

 Where salvage services are rendered by or with the aid of a vessel or aircraft belonging to or in the service of Her Majesty and used in the Canadian Forces, Her Majesty may claim salvage for those services and has the same rights and remedies in respect of those services as any other salvor would have had if the vessel or aircraft had belonged to that other salvor.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 223

Marginal note:Consent of Minister to salvage claim

  •  (1) No claim for salvage services by the commander or crew or part of the crew of a vessel or aircraft belonging to or in the service of Her Majesty and used in the Canadian Forces shall be finally adjudicated on unless the consent of the Minister to the prosecution of the claim is proved.

  • Marginal note:Time for giving consent

    (2) For the purpose of this section, the consent of the Minister may be given at any time before final adjudication.

  • Marginal note:Evidence of consent

    (3) Any document purporting to give the consent of the Minister for the purpose of this section is evidence of that consent.

  • Marginal note:Claim dismissed if no consent

    (4) Where a claim for salvage services is prosecuted and the consent of the Minister is not proved, the claim shall be dismissed with costs.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 223

Marginal note:Minister may accept offers of settlement

  •  (1) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Attorney General of Canada, accept, on behalf of Her Majesty and the commander and crew or part of the crew, offers of settlement made with respect to claims for salvage services rendered by vessels or aircraft belonging to or in the service of Her Majesty and used in the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Distribution

    (2) The proceeds of any settlement made under subsection (1) shall be distributed in such manner as the Governor in Council may prescribe.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 223

 [Repealed, 2001, c. 26, s. 311]

Limitation or Prescription Periods, Liability and Exemptions

Marginal note:Restriction of execution against officers and non-commissioned members

 No judgment or order given or made against an officer or non-commissioned member by any court in Canada shall be enforced by the levying of execution on any arms, ammunition, equipment, instruments or clothing used by that officer or non-commissioned member for military purposes.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 267
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Exemption from jury service

 Every officer and non-commissioned member of the reserve force on active service and every officer and non-commissioned member of the regular force and special force is exempt from serving on a jury.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 268
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Limitation or prescription period

  •  (1) Unless an action or other proceeding is commenced within two years after the day on which the act, neglect or default complained of occurred, no action or other proceeding lies against Her Majesty or any person for

    • (a) an act done in pursuance or execution or intended execution of this Act or any regulations or military or departmental duty or authority;

    • (b) any neglect or default in the execution of this Act or any regulations or military or departmental duty or authority; or

    • (c) an act or any neglect or default that is incidental to an act, neglect or default described in paragraph (a) or (b).

  • Marginal note:Prosecutions

    (1.1) A prosecution in respect of an offence — other than an offence under this Act, the Geneva Conventions Act or the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act — relating to an act, neglect or default described in subsection (1) may not be commenced after six months from the day on which the act, neglect or default occurred.

  • Marginal note:Saving provision

    (2) Nothing in subsection (1) is in bar of proceedings against any person under the Code of Service Discipline.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 269
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 99

Marginal note:Actions barred

 No action or other proceeding lies against any officer or non-commissioned member in respect of anything done or omitted by the officer or non-commissioned member in the execution of his duty under the Code of Service Discipline, unless the officer or non-commissioned member acted, or omitted to act, maliciously and without reasonable and probable cause.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 270
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Compensation

Marginal note:Compensation to certain public service employees

  •  (1) Compensation may, to such extent, in such manner and to such persons as the Governor in Council may by regulation prescribe, be paid in respect of disability or death resulting from injury or disease or aggravation thereof incurred by any person while

    • (a) employed in the federal public administration,

    • (b) employed under the direction of any part of the federal public administration, or

    • (c) engaged, with or without remuneration, in an advisory, supervisory or consultative capacity in or on behalf of the federal public administration,

    and performing any function in relation to the Canadian Forces or any forces cooperating with the Canadian Forces, if the injury or disease or aggravation thereof arose out of or was directly connected with the performance of that function.

  • Marginal note:Restriction

    (2) No compensation shall be paid under subsection (1) in respect of any disability or death for which a pension is paid or payable by virtue of any of the provisions of the Pension Act.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 271
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 83
  • 2003, c. 22, s. 224(E)

Dependants

Marginal note:Arrest of dependants

 The dependants, as defined by regulation, of officers and non-commissioned members on service or active service in any place out of Canada who are alleged to have committed an offence under the laws applicable in that place may be arrested by a member of the military police and may be handed over to the appropriate authorities of that place.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 272
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 100

Jurisdiction of Civil Courts

Marginal note:Offences committed outside Canada

 Where a person subject to the Code of Service Discipline does any act or omits to do anything while outside Canada which, if done or omitted in Canada by that person, would be an offence punishable by a civil court, that offence is within the competence of, and may be tried and punished by, a civil court having jurisdiction in respect of such an offence in the place in Canada where that person is found in the same manner as if the offence had been committed in that place, or by any other court to which jurisdiction has been lawfully transferred.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 231

Inspections

Marginal note:Regulations

 The Governor in Council may make regulations

  • (a) authorizing the inspection, in accordance with the custom or practice of the service, of any person or thing in, on or about

    • (i) any defence establishment, work for defence or materiel, or

    • (ii) any quarters under the control of the Canadian Forces or the Department; and

  • (b) respecting the access to, exclusion from and safety and conduct of persons in, on or about any defence establishment, work for defence or materiel, including, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, regulations

    • (i) respecting the inspection of persons and property entering, exiting or on any such place or materiel, and

    • (ii) requiring any person, as a condition of being given access to that place or materiel, to submit, on demand, to a search of the person and the person’s personal or movable property while entering or exiting that place or materiel or any restricted area within that place or materiel.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 59
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 84

Searches

Marginal note:Searches

 Except as provided for by regulations made pursuant to section 273.1, the following, namely,

  • (a) quarters under the control of the Canadian Forces or the Department and occupied for residential purposes by any person subject to the Code of Service Discipline either alone or with that person’s dependants, as well as any locker or storage space located in those quarters and exclusively used by that person or those dependants for personal purposes, and

  • (b) the personal or movable property of any person subject to the Code of Service Discipline located in, on or about any defence establishment, work for defence or materiel,

may be searched only if a warrant for that purpose has been issued or the search is otherwise authorized by law.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 59
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 85

Marginal note:Warrant by commanding officer

 Subject to sections 273.4 and 273.5, a commanding officer who is satisfied by information on oath that there is in any quarters, locker, storage space or personal or movable property referred to in section 273.2

  • (a) anything on or in respect of which any offence against this Act has been or is believed on reasonable grounds to have been committed,

  • (b) anything that there are reasonable grounds to believe will afford evidence with respect to the commission of an offence against this Act, or

  • (c) anything that there are reasonable grounds to believe is intended to be used for the purpose of committing any offence against the person for which a person may be arrested without warrant,

may issue a warrant authorizing any officer or non-commissioned member named in the warrant, assisted by such other officers and non-commissioned members as are necessary, or a peace officer, to search the quarters, locker, storage space or personal or movable property for any such thing, and to seize and carry it before that commanding officer.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 59
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 86

Marginal note:Investigating commanding officer

 The commanding officer who carries out or directly supervises the investigation of any matter may issue a warrant pursuant to section 273.3 in relation to that investigation only if that commanding officer believes on reasonable grounds that

  • (a) the conditions for the issuance of the warrant exist; and

  • (b) no other commanding officer is readily available to determine whether the warrant should be issued.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 59

Marginal note:Military police

 Section 273.3 does not apply to a commanding officer of a military police unit.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 59

Public Service

Marginal note:Public service

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Governor in Council or the Minister may authorize the Canadian Forces to perform any duty involving public service.

  • Marginal note:Law enforcement assistance

    (2) The Governor in Council, or the Minister on the request of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness or any other Minister, may issue directions authorizing the Canadian Forces to provide assistance in respect of any law enforcement matter if the Governor in Council or the Minister, as the case may be, considers that

    • (a) the assistance is in the national interest; and

    • (b) the matter cannot be effectively dealt with except with the assistance of the Canadian Forces.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (3) Subsection (2) does not apply in respect of assistance that is of a minor nature and limited to logistical, technical or administrative support.

  • Marginal note:Restriction

    (4) The authority of the Minister under this section is subject to any directions issued by the Governor in Council.

  • 1998, c. 35, s. 87
  • 2005, c. 10, s. 34

Independent Review

Marginal note:Review

  •  (1) The Minister shall cause an independent review of the following provisions, and their operation, to be undertaken:

    • (a) sections 18.3 to 18.6;

    • (b) sections 29 to 29.28;

    • (c) Parts III and IV; and

    • (d) sections 251, 251.2, 256, 270, 272, 273 to 273.5 and 302.

  • Marginal note:Report to Parliament

    (2) The Minister shall cause a report of a review to be laid before each House of Parliament within seven years after the day on which this section comes into force, and within every seven-year period after the tabling of a report under this subsection.

  • Marginal note:Amending legislation

    (3) However, if an Act of Parliament amends this Act based on an independent review, the next report shall be tabled within seven years after the day on which the amending Act is assented to.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 101

PART V.1[Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 68]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

 [Repealed, 2019, c. 13, s. 84]

PART VIAid of the Civil Power

Marginal note:Definition of attorney general

 For the purposes of this Part, attorney general means the attorney general of any province, the acting attorney general of a province or any minister of a government of a province who performs for the time being the duties of a provincial attorney general.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 232

Marginal note:Riot or disturbance

 The Canadian Forces, any unit or other element thereof and any officer or non-commissioned member, with materiel, are liable to be called out for service in aid of the civil power in any case in which a riot or disturbance of the peace, beyond the powers of the civil authorities to suppress, prevent or deal with and requiring that service, occurs or is, in the opinion of an attorney general, considered as likely to occur.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 275
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Exception in case of certain reserves

 Nothing in this Part shall be deemed to impose liability to serve in aid of the civil power, without his consent, on an officer or non-commissioned member of the reserve force who is, by virtue of the terms of his enrolment, liable to perform duty on active service only.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 276
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Attorney general of province may requisition aid

 Where a riot or disturbance occurs or is considered as likely to occur, the attorney general of the province in which the place where the riot or disturbance occurs or is considered as likely to occur is situated, on the initiative of the attorney general or on the receipt of notification from a judge of a superior, county or district court having jurisdiction in the place that the services of the Canadian Forces are required in aid of the civil power, may, by requisition in writing addressed to the Chief of the Defence Staff, require the Canadian Forces, or such part thereof as the Chief of the Defence Staff or such officer as the Chief of the Defence Staff may designate considers necessary, to be called out on service in aid of the civil power.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 235

Marginal note:Call out of Canadian Forces

 On receiving a requisition in writing made by an attorney general under section 277, the Chief of the Defence Staff, or such officer as the Chief of the Defence Staff may designate, shall, subject to such directions as the Minister considers appropriate in the circumstances and in consultation with that attorney general and the attorney general of any other province that may be affected, call out such part of the Canadian Forces as the Chief of the Defence Staff or that officer considers necessary for the purpose of suppressing or preventing any actual riot or disturbance or any riot or disturbance that is considered as likely to occur.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 278
  • 2004, c. 15, s. 79

Marginal note:Form of requisition

 A requisition of an attorney general under this Part may be in the following form, or to the like effect, and the form may, subject to section 280, be varied to suit the facts of the case:

Province of

To Wit

Whereas information has been received by me from responsible persons (or a notification has been received by me from a judge of a (superior) (county) (district) court having jurisdiction in blank line) that a riot or disturbance of the peace beyond the powers of the civil authorities to suppress (or to prevent or to deal with) and requiring the aid of the Canadian Forces to that end has occurred and is in progress (or is considered as likely to occur) at blank line;

And whereas it has been made to appear to my satisfaction that the Canadian Forces are required in aid of the civil power;

Now therefore I, blank line, the Attorney General of blank line, under and by virtue of the powers conferred by the National Defence Act, do hereby require you to call out the Canadian Forces or such part thereof as you consider necessary for the purpose of suppressing (or preventing or dealing with) the riot or disturbance.

Dated at blank line, this blank line day of blank line, 19blank line.

Attorney General

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 279
  • R.S., 1985, c. 22 (4th Supp.), s. 75

Marginal note:What requisition must state

  •  (1) In a requisition made under this Part, it shall be stated that

    • (a) information has been received by the attorney general from responsible persons, or a notification has been received by the attorney general from a judge, that a riot or disturbance beyond the powers of the civil authorities to suppress or to prevent or to deal with, as the case may be, has occurred or is considered as likely to occur and that the Canadian Forces are required in aid of the civil power; and

    • (b) it has been made to appear to the satisfaction of the attorney general that the Canadian Forces are so required.

  • (2) [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 22 (4th Supp.), s. 76]

  • Marginal note:Province bound by statements, undertakings and promises in requisition

    (3) Every statement of fact contained in a requisition made under this Part is conclusive and binding on the province on behalf of which the requisition is made, and every undertaking or promise in the requisition is binding on the province and not open to question or dispute by reason of alleged incompetence or lack of authority on the part of the attorney general or for any other reason.

  • Marginal note:Statement not open to dispute

    (4) A statement of fact contained in a requisition made under this Part is not open to dispute by the Chief of the Defence Staff.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 280
  • R.S., 1985, c. 22 (4th Supp.), s. 76

Marginal note:Inquiry and report by attorney general

 Where a requisition is made under this Part, the attorney general of the province concerned shall, within seven days after the making of the requisition, cause an inquiry to be made into the circumstances that occasioned the calling out of the Canadian Forces or any part thereof, and the attorney general shall send a report on the circumstances to such member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada as is designated by the Governor in Council for the purpose of this section.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 281
  • 1995, c. 11, s. 44

Marginal note:When officers and non-commissioned members have powers of constables

 Officers and non-commissioned members when called out for service in aid of the civil power shall, without further authority or appointment and without taking oath of office, be held to have, in addition to their powers and duties as officers and non-commissioned members, all of the powers and duties of constables, so long as they remain so called out, but they shall act only as a military body and are individually liable to obey the orders of their superior officers.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 282
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Duration, increase and diminution of aid of civil power

 The Canadian Forces or any part thereof called out in aid of the civil power shall remain on duty, in such strength as the Chief of the Defence Staff or such officer as the Chief of the Defence Staff may designate deems necessary or orders, until notification that the Canadian Forces are no longer required in aid of the civil power is received from the attorney general of the province concerned and, from time to time as in the opinion of the Chief of the Defence Staff the exigencies of the situation require, the Chief of the Defence Staff may increase or diminish the number of officers and non-commissioned members called out.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 283
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

 [Repealed, R.S., 1985, c. 22 (4th Supp.), s. 77]

Marginal note:Advances

 The moneys required to meet the expenses and costs occasioned by the calling out of the Canadian Forces as provided for in this Part and for the services rendered by them shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund by the authority of the Governor in Council.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 285
  • R.S., 1985, c. 22 (4th Supp.), s. 77

PART VIIOffences Triable by Civil Courts

Application

Marginal note:Liability to civil trial

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), every person, including an officer or non-commissioned member, is liable to be tried in a civil court in respect of any offence prescribed in this Part.

  • Marginal note:Special provision

    (2) No charge against an officer or non-commissioned member in respect of any offence prescribed in this Part shall, if the complainant is any other officer or non-commissioned member, be tried by a civil court unless the consent thereto in writing of the commanding officer of the accused officer or non-commissioned member has first been obtained.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 286
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Limitation period

 No prosecution in a civil court shall be commenced against a person in respect of an offence prescribed in this Part, other than any of the offences referred to in section 298, except within six months after the date of commission of the offence charged.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 244

Offences

Marginal note:Breach of regulations respecting defence establishments, works and materiel

 Every person who contravenes regulations respecting the access to, exclusion from, and safety and conduct of any persons in, on or about any defence establishment, work for defence or materiel is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 245

Marginal note:False answer on enrolment

 Every person who appears before another person for the purpose of being enrolled and knowingly makes a false answer to any question relating to the enrolment put by or by direction of that other person to the person appearing for that purpose is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 246

Marginal note:False medical certificate

 Every medical practitioner who signs a false medical certificate or other document in respect of

  • (a) the examination of a person for the purpose of enrolment,

  • (b) the service or release of an officer or non-commissioned member, or

  • (c) the disability or alleged disability of a person, purported to have arisen or to have been contracted during, in the course of, or as a result of the service of that person as an officer or non-commissioned member,

is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 290
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Unlawful usage in advertising, trade or service

  •  (1) Every person who uses

    • (a) the words “Canadian Forces” or “Canadian Armed Forces” or the name of any component, unit or other element thereof or any abbreviation thereof or any words or letters likely to be mistaken therefor,

    • (b) any picture or other representation of a member of the Canadian Forces, or

    • (c) any uniform, mark, badge or insignia in use in the Canadian Forces,

    in any advertising or in any trade or service, having been requested in writing by the Minister to cease that usage, is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • Marginal note:Minister’s consent required for prosecution

    (2) No proceedings in respect of an offence under this section shall be instituted without the consent of the Minister.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 248

Marginal note:Personation

 Every person who falsely personates any other person in respect of any duty, act or thing required to be performed or done under this Act by that other person is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 249

Marginal note:False representation of desertion

 Every person who falsely represents himself to any military or civil authority to be a deserter from Her Majesty’s Forces is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 250

Marginal note:Failure to attend parade

  •  (1) Every officer or non-commissioned member of the reserve force who without lawful excuse neglects or refuses to attend any parade or training at the place and hour appointed therefor is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction for each offence, if an officer, to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars and, if a non-commissioned member, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars.

  • Marginal note:Each absence an offence

    (2) Absence from any parade or training referred to in subsection (1) is, in respect of each day on which the absence occurs, a separate offence.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 294
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Neglecting personal equipment

 Every officer or non-commissioned member of the reserve force who fails to keep in proper order any personal equipment or who appears on parade or on any other occasion with the personal equipment of that officer or non-commissioned member out of proper order, unserviceable or deficient in any respect is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding forty dollars for each offence.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 295
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Interruption or hindering of training or march

 Every person who without reasonable excuse interrupts or hinders the Canadian Forces while training or while on the march is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars and may be taken into custody and detained by any person by the order of an officer until the training or march is over for the day.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 253

Marginal note:Hampering manoeuvres

 Every person who without reasonable excuse obstructs or interferes with manoeuvres authorized under section 257 is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 254

Marginal note:Unlawful disposal, removal or possession of property

  •  (1) Every person who

    • (a) unlawfully disposes of or removes any property,

    • (b) when lawfully required, refuses to deliver up any property that is in the possession of that person, or

    • (c) without lawful cause, the proof of which lies on that person, has possession of any property,

    is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for each offence.

  • Marginal note:Definition of property

    (2) For the purposes of this section, property means any public property under the control of the Minister, non-public property and property of any of Her Majesty’s Forces or of any forces cooperating therewith.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 255

Marginal note:Accessories to desertion and absence without leave

  •  (1) Every person who

    • (a) procures, persuades, aids, assists or counsels an officer or non-commissioned member to desert or absent himself without leave, or

    • (b) in an emergency, aids, assists, harbours or conceals an officer or non-commissioned member who is a deserter or an absentee without leave and who does not satisfy the court that he did not know that the officer or non-commissioned member was a deserter or an absentee without leave,

    is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and not less than one hundred dollars or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

  • Marginal note:Certificate of Judge Advocate General

    (2) A certificate that appears to have been signed by the Judge Advocate General, or by any person whom the Judge Advocate General may appoint for that purpose, attesting that an officer or non-commissioned member was convicted or discharged absolutely under this Act of desertion or absence without leave or that the officer or non-commissioned member was or has been continuously absent without leave for six months or more, and setting out the date of commencement and, if applicable, the duration of the desertion, absence without leave or continuous absence without leave, is for the purposes of proceedings under this section evidence of the facts attested to in that certificate.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 299
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 2013, c. 24, s. 103

Marginal note:Aid to intending deserters or absentees

 Every person who, knowing that an officer or non-commissioned member is about to desert or absent himself without leave, aids or assists the officer or non-commissioned member in attempting to desert or absent himself without leave is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 300
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Miscellaneous offences

 Every person who

  • (a) wilfully obstructs, impedes or otherwise interferes with any other person in the execution of any duty that under this Act or regulations, the other person is required to perform,

  • (b) counsels any other person not to perform any duty that, under this Act or regulations, the other person is required to perform,

  • (c) does an act to the detriment of any other person in consequence of the other person having performed a duty that, under this Act or regulations, the other person is required to perform,

  • (d) interferes with or impedes, directly or indirectly, the recruiting of the Canadian Forces,

  • (e) wilfully produces any disease or infirmity in, maims or injures himself or any other person with a view to enabling himself or the other person to avoid service in the Canadian Forces,

  • (f) with intent to enable any other person to render himself, or to induce the belief that the other person is, permanently or temporarily unfit for service in the Canadian Forces, supplies to or for the other person any drug or preparation calculated or likely to render the other person, or lead to the belief that the other person is, permanently or temporarily unfit for that service, or

  • (g) gives or receives, or is in any way concerned in the giving or receiving, of any valuable consideration in respect of enrolment, release or promotion in the Canadian Forces,

is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 258

Marginal note:Offences of contempt

 Every person is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to both, where the person

  • (a) on being duly summoned as a witness under Part II, III or IV makes default in attending;

  • (b) being in attendance as a witness in any proceeding under Part II, III or IV,

    • (i) refuses to take an oath or make a solemn affirmation legally required of that person,

    • (ii) refuses to produce any document or thing under that person’s control and required to be produced by that person, or

    • (iii) refuses to answer any question that requires an answer;

  • (c) at any proceeding under Part II, III or IV, uses insulting or threatening language or causes any interference or disturbance;

  • (d) prints observations or uses words likely to bring a proceeding under Part II, III or IV into disrepute or likely to influence improperly a board of inquiry, the Grievances Committee, the Military Judges Inquiry Committee, a court martial, a military judge, an officer conducting a summary hearing, a commissioner taking evidence under this Act, the Military Police Complaints Commission, an inquiry committee established under the regulations or a witness at a proceeding under Part II, III or IV; or

  • (e) displays contempt, in any other manner whatever, at any proceeding under Part II, III or IV.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 302
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 90
  • 2013, c. 24, ss. 104, 106(E)
  • 2019, c. 15, s. 44

Marginal note:Publication prohibited

  •  (1) No person shall publish in any document, or broadcast or transmit in any way, any of the following:

    • (a) the contents of an application made under section 180.03;

    • (b) any evidence taken, information given or submissions made at a hearing under subsection 180.04(1) or 180.06(2);

    • (c) the determination of a military judge in respect of the making of an order under subsection 180.05(1) or 180.07(1) and the reasons provided under section 180.08, unless the military judge, after taking into account the interests of military justice and the right to privacy of the person to whom the record relates, orders that the determination and the reasons may be published, broadcast or transmitted.

  • Marginal note:Offence

    (2) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • Marginal note:Definition of record

    (3) In this section, record has the same meaning as in section 180.01.

Marginal note:Failure to comply — orders under sections 183.5 and 183.6

  •  (1) Every person who fails to comply with an order made under section 183.5 or 183.6 is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • Marginal note:Application of order

    (2) For greater certainty, an order referred to in subsection (1) applies to prohibit, in relation to proceedings taken against any person who fails to comply with the order, the publication in any document or the broadcasting or transmission in any way of information that could identify a victim, witness or military justice system participant whose identity is protected by the order.

Marginal note:Breach of regulations respecting quartering, billeting and encamping

 Every person who contravenes regulations respecting the quartering, billeting and encamping of a unit or other element of the Canadian Forces or of an officer or non-commissioned member is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars.

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, s. 304
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60

Marginal note:Improper exaction of tolls

 Every person who receives or demands a duty or toll in contravention of section 261 is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 262

Marginal note:Failure to comply with convoy orders

 Every person who fails to comply with directions given under section 262 is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

  • R.S., c. N-4, s. 263

Marginal note:Applications for employment

 Every person who uses or authorizes the use of an application form, for or relating to any of the following matters, that contains a question that by its terms requires the applicant to disclose a conviction for an offence referred to in paragraph 249.27(1)(a) or (b) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $500 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both:

  • (a) employment in any department set out in Schedule I to the Financial Administration Act;

  • (b) employment by any Crown corporation, as defined in subsection 83(1) of the Financial Administration Act;

  • (c) enrolment in the Canadian Forces; or

  • (d) employment in or in connection with the operation of any work, undertaking or business that is within the legislative authority of Parliament.

  • 2013, c. 24, s. 105

SCHEDULE(Section 21)

OFFICERS
  • 1 General

  • 2 Lieutenant-General

  • 3 Major-General

  • 4 Brigadier-General

  • 5 Colonel

  • 6 Lieutenant-Colonel

  • 7 Major

  • 8 Captain

  • 9 Lieutenant

  • 10 Second Lieutenant

  • 11 Officer Cadet

NON-COMMISSIONED MEMBERS
  • 12 Chief Warrant Officer

  • 13 Master Warrant Officer

  • 14 Warrant Officer

  • 15 Sergeant

  • 16 Corporal

  • 17 Private

  • R.S., 1985, c. N-5, Sch.
  • R.S., 1985, c. 31 (1st Supp.), s. 60
  • 1998, c. 35, s. 91(F)
  • 2014, c. 20, s. 170

RELATED PROVISIONS

  • — 2008, c. 29, s. 28

    • Review
      • 28 (1) Within two years after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of this Act shall be undertaken by the committee of either the Senate or the House of Commons or of both Houses of Parliament that is designated or established by the Senate or the House of Commons or by both Houses of Parliament, as the case may be, for that purpose.

      • Report

        (2) Within one year after the review is undertaken, or within any longer period that the Senate or the House of Commons or both Houses of Parliament may authorize, the committee shall submit a report on the review to Parliament, including a statement of any changes that the committee recommends.

  • — 2008, c. 29, s. 29

    • Reference to General Court Martial

      29 For the purposes of paragraphs 239.1(1)(b) and 240.3(b) of the National Defence Act, any reference to a General Court Martial is also a reference to a Disciplinary Court Martial.

  • — 2012, c. 1, par. 163(b)

    • Pending applications — references in other legislation

      163 A reference to an application for a record suspension in the following provisions, as enacted by this Part, is deemed also to be a reference to an application for a pardon that is not finally disposed of on the day on which this section comes into force:

  • — 2012, c. 1, par. 165(e)

    • Pardons in effect — references in other legislation

      165 A reference to a record suspension in the following provisions, as enacted by this Part, is deemed also to be a reference to a pardon that is granted or issued under the Criminal Records Act:

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 109

    • Military judges continuing in office

      109 A person who, immediately before the coming into force of this section, held office as a military judge shall continue in office as if the person had been appointed under subsection 165.21(1) of the National Defence Act, as enacted by section 41.

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 110

    • Members of Inquiry Committee continuing in office

      110 A person who, immediately before the coming into force of this section, held office as a member of an Inquiry Committee established under subsection 165.21(2) of the National Defence Act, as it read before the coming into force of section 41, shall continue in office as if the person had been appointed under subsection 165.31(1) of the National Defence Act, as enacted by section 45.

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 111

    • Members of Compensation Committee continuing in office

      111 A person who, immediately before the coming into force of this section, held office as a member of a Compensation Committee established under subsection 165.22(2) of the National Defence Act, as it read before the coming into force of section 41, shall continue in office as if the person had been appointed under subsection 165.33(1) of the National Defence Act, as enacted by section 45.

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 112

    • Inquiry by Inquiry Committee

      112 An inquiry under subsection 165.21(2) of the National Defence Act, as it read before the coming into force of section 41, that, immediately before the coming into force of this section, had not been completed shall be continued as an inquiry under sections 165.31 and 165.32 of the National Defence Act, as enacted by section 45.

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 113

    • Review by Compensation Committee

      113 A review under subsection 165.22(2) of the National Defence Act, as it read before the coming into force of section 41, that, immediately before the coming into force of this section, had not been completed shall be continued as an inquiry under sections 165.33 to 165.37 of the National Defence Act, as enacted by section 45.

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 114

    • Limitation or prescription period

      114 The limitation or prescription period set out in subsection 269(1) of the National Defence Act, as enacted by section 99, applies only in respect of an act, neglect or default that occurs after the coming into force of section 99.

  • — 2014, c. 6, s. 31.1

    • Review
      • 31.1 (1) Within five years after sections 21 to 31 come into force, a comprehensive review of the operation of sections 197 to 233 of the National Defence Act is to be undertaken by a committee of the Senate, of the House of Commons or of both Houses of Parliament that may be designated or established by the Senate, the House of Commons or both Houses of Parliament, as the case may be, for that purpose.

      • Report

        (2) Within a year, or such further time as authorized by the Senate, the House of Commons or both Houses of Parliament, as the case may be, after the review is undertaken, the Committee referred to in subsection (1) must submit a report on that review to the Senate, the House of Commons or both Houses of Parliament, as the case may be, including a statement of any changes recommended by the Committee.

  • — 2014, c. 25, s. 45.1

    • Review
      • 45.1 (1) Within five years after this section comes into force, a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of this Act shall be undertaken by such committee of the House of Commons as may be designated or established by the House for that purpose.

      • 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.

  • — 2019, c. 15, ss. 63(1), (35)

    • 2013, c. 24
      • 63 (1) In this section, other Act means the Strengthening Military Justice in the Defence of Canada Act.

      • (35) If subsection (34) applies, the portion of paragraph 249.27(1)(a) of the National Defence Act before subparagraph (i), as enacted by that subsection (34), is deemed to have been enacted on the day on which section 75 of the other Act came into force.

  • — 2019, c. 15, s. 66

    • Proceedings

      66 The National Defence Act, as it read immediately before the coming into force of section 25 of this Act, applies

      • (a) in respect of proceedings against a person who is alleged to have committed a service offence that were commenced by the laying of a charge before the coming into force of that section 25; and

      • (b) in respect of all matters related to those proceedings.

  • — 2019, c. 15, s. 67

    • Section 203.1 of National Defence Act

      67 Paragraphs 203.1(2)(c) and (i) of the National Defence Act, as enacted, respectively, by paragraphs 63(21)(d) and (e), apply only in respect of sentences imposed in respect of conduct engaged in on or after the day on which those paragraphs 63(21)(d) and (e) produce their effects.

AMENDMENTS NOT IN FORCE

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 12

    • R.S., c. 31(1st Supp.), s. 60 (Sch. I, s. 13)

      12 Subsection 30(4) of the Act is replaced by the following:

      • Reinstatement

        (4) Subject to regulations made by the Governor in Council, the Chief of the Defence Staff may cancel the release or transfer of an officer or non-commissioned member if the officer or non-commissioned member consents and the Chief of the Defence Staff is satisfied that the release or transfer was improper.

      • Deeming provision

        (5) An officer or non-commissioned member whose release or transfer is cancelled is, except as provided in regulations made by the Governor in Council, deemed for the purpose of this Act or any other Act not to have been released or transferred.

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 13

    • 1998, c. 35, s. 10

      13 Subsection 35(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

      • Rates and conditions of pay
        • 35 (1) The rates and conditions of issue of pay of officers and non-commissioned members, other than those mentioned in paragraph 12(3)(a), shall be established by the Treasury Board.

  • — 2013, c. 24, s. 46

    • 46 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 165.37:

      • Costs payable

        165.38 If the military judges are represented at an inquiry of the Military Judges Compensation Committee, the costs of representation shall be paid in the amount and manner, and according to the terms and conditions, prescribed by regulations made by the Governor in Council.

  • — 2015, c. 23, s. 32

    • 2010, c. 17, s. 45(2)

      32 Subsection 119.1(3) of the National Defence Act is replaced by the following:

      • Proof of certain facts by certificate

        (3) In proceedings under subsection (1), a certificate of a person referred to in paragraph 16(2)(b.1) of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act stating that the person named in the certificate failed to report under section 4, 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 — or provide information under section 5 or notify a person under subsection 6(1) or (1.01) — of that Act is evidence of the statements contained in it without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed it.


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