This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.
Summary
This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.
This enactment amends the Judges Act to restrict eligibility for judicial appointment to persons who undertake to participate in continuing education on matters related to sexual assault law and social context. It also amends the Judges Act to provide that the Canadian Judicial Council should report on seminars offered for the continuing education of judges on matters related to sexual assault law and social context. Finally, it amends the Criminal Code to require that judges provide reasons for decisions in sexual assault proceedings.
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-3s:
C-3 (2021)Law
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Labour Code
C-3 (2020)
An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act and the Canada Border Services Agency Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-3 amends the Judges Act and Criminal Code, requiring judicial education on sexual assault law and social context, including systemic racism, and written reasons for sexual assault decisions.
Liberal
Bolster confidence for survivors: The bill aims to bolster public confidence, particularly among sexual assault survivors, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect and that proceedings are not influenced by myths or stereotypes.
Require judicial education: Amends the Judges Act to require candidates for superior courts to commit to education on sexual assault law and social context, including systemic racism and discrimination, after appointment.
Increase transparency and accountability: Requires judges to provide written or recorded reasons for decisions in sexual assault matters and mandates the Canadian Judicial Council report annually on related judicial education, developed in consultation with survivor groups.
Conservative
Supports bill C-3: Conservatives strongly support this bill, originally introduced by former interim leader Rona Ambrose, seeing it as vital legislation to support victims.
Requires judge training: The mandatory education for judges on sexual assault law and social context is crucial to combat harmful stereotypes and improve victim treatment.
Builds victim confidence: The bill aims to restore and strengthen confidence among sexual assault victims in the justice system, encouraging more people to come forward and report.
Requires written decisions: Requiring judges to provide written reasons for decisions in sexual assault cases increases transparency and ensures careful consideration of rulings.
NDP
Supports quick passage: The NDP supports Bill C-3 and hopes for its swift passage through the House and Senate to improve transparency and confidence in the justice system.
Addresses systemic issues: The party highlights the importance of amendments adding "systemic discrimination and systemic racism" to the bill's definition of social context, based on witness testimony and evidence.
An important step: While supporting the bill as a crucial step, the NDP acknowledges that fixing systemic problems in the justice system requires greater resources and commitment beyond this legislative change.
Bloc
Supports bill to train judges: The Bloc Québécois enthusiastically supports the bill, believing it essential for supporting victims of sexual assault and building trust in the judicial process through mandatory judge training.
Opposes unrelated additions: The party finds it unfortunate the government added notions like systemic racism and discrimination, which were not in previous versions and lack consensus or proper study in this context.
More action is needed: While the bill is a necessary step, the party emphasizes that more needs to be done to support victims throughout the legal process, potentially requiring significant federal investment.
Green
Supports bill C-3: The Green Party supports this important, non-partisan bill aimed at improving judicial training on sexual assault law.
Includes indigenous voices: The party successfully amended the bill to mandate consultation with Indigenous leaders in developing training seminars for judges.
Addresses systemic issues: The bill requires judicial training on sexual assault to include understanding systemic racism and discrimination.
It being 3:10 p.m., pursuant to order made on Wednesday, September 23, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill C-3.
Links & Sharing
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
