This enactment amends the Criminal Code to include a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of six months for cases of perjury before a House of Parliament. It also amends the Parliament of Canada Act to provide that a House of Parliament may impose a fine on a person who engages in conduct that amounts to contempt of Parliament.

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Punishment

132 Every person who commits perjury is guilty of an indictable offence and liable

• (a) if the offence is committed before a House of Parliament or one of its committees, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of six months; or

• (b) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.

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Fine for Contempt

Order to impose fine

6.‍1 (1) A House of Parliament may, by order, impose a fine of not more than $50,000 on a person who engages in conduct that amounts to contempt of Parliament, as determined by that House.

Effect of filing order

(2) The order becomes an order of the Federal Court when a certified copy of it is filed in that court, and it may subsequently be enforced as such.

Recovery of fine

(3) The recovery of the fine is not affected by a prorogation or dissolution of Parliament.

For greater certainty

(4) For greater certainty, nothing in this section is to be construed as limiting the privileges, immunities and powers of the Senate or the House of Commons and their members.

For greater certainty

(2) For greater certainty, the evidence referred to in subsection (1) is admissible against the witness for the purposes of proceedings under that subsection.