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Bill S-212

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 09, 2024
  • This bill, called S-212, aims to amend the Criminal Records Act in Canada. The main change proposed is to provide for the expiry of criminal records. This means that after a certain period of time, criminal records of individuals will no longer be held against them. The bill also includes consequential amendments to other Acts and repeals a regulation. The purpose of these changes is to promote rehabilitation and give individuals a fresh start after they have completed their sentences.
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  • Yea (60)
  • Nay (20)
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • One steelman argument in favor of this bill could be the following: The amendment to the Criminal Records Act, which provides for the expiry of criminal records, is a necessary step towards promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals who have been convicted of offences. By allowing criminal records to expire after a certain period of time, the legislation recognizes that individuals can change and rehabilitate themselves over time. This is in line with the principles of justice and fairness, as it prevents individuals from being permanently stigmatized by their past actions. The legislation also takes into account the overall goal of reducing recidivism rates by providing individuals with a fresh start and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Additionally, by keeping the judicial record of the conviction separate from other criminal records, the legislation ensures that individuals are not unfairly disadvantaged by th

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Steelman argument opposing Bill S-212: One potential argument against the amendment proposed by Bill S-212 is that it undermines the value of criminal records as a means of protecting public safety. Criminal records serve as a crucial tool for law enforcement and employers to make informed decisions about individuals' history of criminal behavior. By introducing the expiry of criminal records, it could lead to a lack of transparency in assessing an individual's potential risk, especially in situations where public safety is at stake, such as employment in sensitive sectors or positions of trust. Critics argue that this amendment may limit the ability of employers, organizations, and individuals to make informed decisions about the potential risks associated with individuals who have a history of criminal behavior. Without access to comprehensive criminal records, decisions made in relation to employment, volunteer opportunities, or ot

Senate Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
September 26, 2023
  • The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has the honour to present its

    SIXTEENTH REPORT

    Your committee, to which was referred Bill S-212, An Act to amend the Criminal Records Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation, has, in obedience to the order of reference of November 3, 2022, examined the said bill and now reports the same with the following amendments:

    1.Clause 11, pages 6 and 7:

    (a) On page 6,

    (i) replace line 31 with the following:

    (3) The prior approval of the Minister is not required

    (a) for”, and

    (ii) replace line 35 with the following:

    “that has been imposed for an offence; and

    (b) to disclose the existence of the record to a police force in prescribed circumstances when that police force considers the disclosure to be desirable in the interest of the administration of justice or for any purpose related to the safety or security of Canada or any state allied or associated with Canada.”; and

    (b) on page 7, delete lines 28 to 34.

    2.Clause 21, page 10: Add the following after line 14:

    (c.12) prescribing circumstances for the purposes of paragraph 6.1(3)(b);”.

    3.Clause 24, page 11: Replace line 6 with the following:

    “(Subsection 6.3(2) and sections 7 and 7.2)”.

    4.Clause 25, page 11: Replace line 10 with the following:

    “(Subsection 6.3(2) and sections 7 and 7.2)”.

    Respectfully submitted,

    BRENT COTTER

    Chair

  • Hear!
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  • Hear!
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  • Hear!
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  • Hear!
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  • Nov. 3, 2022, 2 p.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read
  • Nov. 24, 2021, midnight
  • Passed