SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Bill

Bill C-334

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 31, 2023
An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Judges Act and the Director of Public Prosecutions Act (orders prohibiting publication of identifying information)
  • Bill C-334 aims to amend the Criminal Code, the Judges Act, and the Director of Public Prosecutions Act in relation to orders prohibiting the publication of identifying information. The bill seeks to improve communications with victims before and after a court makes an order to protect their identity. It prohibits such orders from being made without the victim's consent if the victim has been consulted beforehand. The bill also establishes a procedure for revoking or varying these orders. In cases of adult victims of sexual offenses, the court may revoke or vary the order if prompted by the victim's impact statement. Additionally, the bill mandates training for federally appointed judges and prosecutors on the impact of these orders on victims of sexual offenses.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • S1
  • S2
  • S3
  • RA
  • Yea
  • Nay
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 203 - May/31/23
Ms. Laurel Collins (Victoria, NDP)
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-334, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Judges Act and the Director of Public Prosecutions Act (orders prohibiting publication of identifying information). She said: Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to table my private member's bill on publication bans this afternoon. This bill is an act to amend the Criminal Code, the Judges Act and the Director of Public Prosecutions Act to better support survivors of sexualized violence. Tabling this bill was made possible by the phenomenal work of My Voice, My Choice, a group of women who courageously advocated to make sure that other survivors have a choice when it comes to publication bans. Currently, there is no obligation to get consent from victim complainants when a ban has been placed on their name, and if they choose to speak out about their own experiences, they can face criminal charges. This is appalling, and I strongly believe that, as MPs, we have a responsibility to reform these systems. I know that Bill S-12 was recently introduced in the Senate, which I was very happy to see. However, there are gaps in this government bill. I look forward to working with MPs from all parties when it comes to the House to make it better. I hope that my bill can act as an example of how Bill S-12 can and must be strengthened, to ensure that all survivors are given a choice.
244 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border