By LegalMatters Staff • Generally speaking, the age of consent in Canada is sixteen. That is when a young person can legally agree to sexual activity, ranging from kissing and fondling to sexual intercourse. But there are some exceptions when it comes to consent. “Sexual activity without consent is a criminal offence, regardless of age,” […]
The age of consent in Canada is 16 in most instances Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • The legal age for firearm ownership across Canada is eighteen, even in situations where a shotgun or rifle is given as a gift or as part of an inheritance. But there is more flexibility in the law when it comes to using firearms for sport shooting. “Those under 18 can fire
Youths can legally use a firearm provided an adult is supervising Read More »
By LegalMatters Staff • Two common reasons for the non-consensual distribution of intimate images are revenge porn and cyberbullying, though some people may not know what those terms mean. “Revenge porn describes the act of receiving an intimate image or video from someone and then distributing it without their consent,” says Ottawa criminal lawyer Céline
What is the offence of sharing intimate pictures online? Read More »
Ottawa criminal lawyer Céline Dostaler, principal at Céline Dostler Criminal Defence Lawyer, opened the year by discussing what traits people should look for when choosing legal counsel. What qualities should you look for when choosing a lawyer Dostaler followed that up by noting that lawyers and their clients must develop trust in each other. The
Truckers’ protest and cybercrimes highlighted the year in criminal law Read More »
The decision by the nation’s highest court to uphold rape shield provisions that were ruled unconstitutional by two lower courts is disconcerting to many defence counsel as it limits our ability to defend clients. In June, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruled that the accused in a sexual assault trial does not have the
Third-party records ruling by the SCC is disappointing Read More »
Canadian criminal law stretches well beyond our borders, thanks to extradition agreements with other countries. But people may not know that the long arm of our law will soon extend all the way to the Moon. On June 23, MPs adopted legislation to implement a memorandum of understanding between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Canada may soon prosecute crimes on the moon Read More »
I am not surprised the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in June that people who don’t wear condoms during sex after their sexual partners told them to can be convicted of sexual assault. In Ontario, to the best of my knowledge, that was the way this situation was handled even before this judgment. To read
SCC ruling provides clarity about sexual assault and condoms Read More »
We need to acknowledge that everyone given a fixed-term sentence in Canada – even those who have committed horrific crimes – has the right to apply for parole after they have served two-thirds of their time. This is known as statutory release, but it is not the get-out-of-jail-free card that some believe it to be.
Parole: A carefully built bridge between prison and the community Read More »
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Canadians charged with offences related to child pornography shot up. Almost three times as many people were arrested in 2020 than in 2014. More than two-thirds of child pornography charges were for making or distributing child pornography and about one-third were for possessing or accessing child pornography. To
COVID-19 pandemic led to a spike in child porn charges Read More »
Cyberbullying takes place on digital devices such as cellphones, computers and tablets. It can be carried out through emails, texts and posts in forums on such social media sites as Facebook. It includes posting or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone that can cause embarrassment or humiliation. To read more, click here.
Cyberbullying can cross the line into criminal behaviour Read More »
