As your remarks indicated, the distinction between the NDP amendment, which would not provide the accused with the defence of a lawful excuse, and Bill C-309 is that the lawful excuse defence is provided for in the bill. I understand, from looking at the comments made in previous committee hearings, that examples have been given. Wearing a facial covering for religious purposes would be a lawful excuse. It could be for a health reason. It could be otherwise.
But the way it would work is that in the situation where it's made out that the accused was wearing a mask and the crown leads evidence to indicate that it's for the intent of concealing their identity, then the accused could point to evidence. The burden is not on the accused. All the accused has to do is to point to some credible evidence to show that there was reason, and then it shifts back to the crown to prove that it was not a lawful reason in the circumstances.