Mr. Speaker, on October 28, 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down two elements of the Criminal Code relating to the obligation to comply with Canada’s sex offender registry. At that time, the Minister of Justice indicated that he would look at the options responsibly and was clear that victims and the safety of Canadians would always be priorities in this matter.
Officials from Justice Canada and Public Safety Canada have engaged with provincial and territorial officials and law enforcement through existing fora to discuss the implications of the judgment and possible avenues for a potential legislative response. Specifically, the issue was discussed on October 31 and November 14, 2022, by the Coordinating Committee of Senior Officials, CCSO, High-Risk Offenders Working Group, membership in which is open to all jurisdictions.
The minister’s office has consulted the following organizations: Action Canada for Sexual Health & Rights; Association Québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes; Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic; Benjamin Roebuck, Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime; Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police; Canadian Association of Crown Counsel; Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies; Canadian Centre for Child Protection; Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity; Canadian Federation of University Women Circles of Support and Accountability; Ottawa Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association; DisAbled Women’s Network Canada; Egale Canada; Ending Violence Association of Canada; Fédération des femmes du Québec; Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes; National Council of Women of Canada; Native Women's Association of Canada; Newfoundland Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre; Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service; Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (National Alliance for Racialized, Refugee, and Immigrant Women); South Asian Women’s Community Centre; The Criminal Lawyers’ Association; The National Association of Women And The Law; West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund; and Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund.