Bill C-3 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Status

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.

Similar bills

C-5 (43rd Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code

C-337 (42nd Parliament, 1st session) Judicial Accountability through Sexual Assault Law Training Act

Elsewhere

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 (2025) An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025)

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

C-3 (2015) Law Appropriation Act No. 4, 2015-16

Votes

Nov. 23, 2020 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code

Oct. 19, 2020 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code

Debate Summary

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 judges to undergo training on sexual assault law and provide written reasons for related decisions.

Liberal

Supports bill C-3 for justice system confidence: Liberals strongly support Bill C-3 to enhance public confidence, especially among sexual assault survivors, in the criminal justice system and ensure fair and respectful treatment.
Requires judicial training and reasons: The bill requires superior court candidates to commit to training on sexual assault law and social context, and judges to provide reasons for decisions in these cases.
Counters myths and stereotypes: A key goal of the training and reason requirements is to ensure judges avoid relying on harmful myths and stereotypes about survivors when applying sexual assault law.
Part of gender-based violence strategy: The bill is part of the government's broader "It's Time" strategy to prevent and address gender-based violence, focusing on responsive legal systems.

Conservative

Supports bill C-3: Conservatives strongly support Bill C-3, originally introduced by former MP Rona Ambrose, recognizing the justice system often fails sexual assault victims.
Mandatory training and reasons: The bill mandates continuing education for superior court judges on sexual assault law and requires written reasons for decisions to improve handling of sensitive cases.
Increase trust for victims: A key goal is to build and maintain trust in the judicial system, ensuring that victims of sexual assault are respected and encouraged to come forward.
Criticizes government delays: Conservatives criticize the government for causing delays in passing this crucial bill, highlighting broader concerns about the justice system and government priorities.

NDP

Supports bill intent: The NDP supports the intent of Bill C-3 to address the lack of trust in the justice system, particularly among marginalized communities, by requiring training for judges.
Send bill to committee: The party wants the bill sent quickly to committee for important witness testimony and debate on the specific wording, building on previous work on similar bills.
Addresses limited scope: While supporting the bill, the NDP notes its narrow focus and calls for broader systemic changes, increased supports for complainants, and training for other justice system actors.
Need for social context training: Emphasizes that judges need training on social context to avoid being influenced by stereotypes and myths, stressing consultation with marginalized groups.

Bloc

Supports bill C-3: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-3, which aims to improve the handling of sexual assault cases in the justice system.
Addresses judicial bias: The bill requires judges to receive training on sexual assault law and social context to combat decisions based on myths and stereotypes about victims.
Calls for quick passage: Members stress the urgency of passing the bill quickly, noting it has failed in previous parliamentary sessions and needs to come into force.
Potential for broader impact: The mandatory training for superior court judges, including in areas like family law, may help judges better understand sexual assault issues in various cases.

Green

Supports bill C-3: The Green Party unequivocally supports Bill C-3, which requires judges to receive mandatory education on sexual assault law and social context.
Addresses judicial bias and myths: The bill is needed because some judges have demonstrated a lack of understanding of sexual assault, making harmful comments based on myths and stereotypes.
Systemic issues require more action: While necessary, the bill is insufficient to fix systemic racism and failures in the justice system, especially regarding police investigations of cases involving marginalized and Indigenous women.

Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Judges ActGovernment Orders

October 8th, 2020 / 5:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

Judges ActGovernment Orders

October 8th, 2020 / 5:05 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

I want to remind members that there is still some business left in the House. For those individuals who are leaving, I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving weekend.

The House resumed from October 8 consideration of the motion that Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Judges ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2020 / 3:10 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

It being 3:10 p.m., pursuant to order made on Wednesday, September 23, the House will now proceed with the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at the second reading stage of Bill C-3.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #9

Judges ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2020 / 3:55 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)

Judges ActGovernment Orders

October 19th, 2020 / 3:55 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I want to draw attention to our Clerk, Jean-Philippe Brochu, for his first vote. I think he did a pretty good job. Congratulations.

Before we go on, I want to remind hon. members the rules that apply in the House also apply when voting remotely. To the men who wore a jacket or a blazer for the vote, which is all except for two, I want to thank them for following the rules of the House.

I want to remind hon. members that we are not to be eating in the House, so not eating when voting either. Also, it is up to individual members to make sure they have sufficient bandwidth to get their message across. It just makes it so much easier for everyone.