Bill C-490 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Criminal Code (prohibited sexual acts)

This bill was last introduced in the 37th Parliament, 3rd Session, which ended in May 2004.

Sponsor

Art Hanger  Canadian Alliance

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Not active, as of March 9, 2004
(This bill did not become law.)

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Criminal CodeRoutine Proceedings

March 9th, 2004 / 3:20 p.m.
See context

Canadian Alliance

Art Hanger Canadian Alliance Calgary Northeast, AB

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-490, an act to amend the Criminal Code (prohibited sexual acts).

Mr. Speaker, I pleased to reintroduce my private member's bill which seeks to raise the age of sexual consent from age 14 to age 16.

Parents across the country are usually shocked to discover that the legal age of sexual consent in Canada is only 14, which by the way is the lowest in the western world.

In this country a 14 year old is not allowed to vote, drive, consume alcohol or for that matter, smoke, yet the laws allow for that 14 year old to legally consent to sexual relations. The age of consent is too low. I believe that by raising the age of consent to 16, it will help protect our children from sexual exploitation.

I therefore appeal to the member of the House to support the legislation.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)