Bill C-2

SUMMARY

This enactment amends the Criminal Code to

(a) amend the child pornography provisions with respect to the type of written and audio material that constitutes child pornography, and with respect to the child pornography offences, defences and penalties;

(b) add a new category to the offence of sexual exploitation of young persons and make additional amendments to further protect children from sexual exploitation;

(c) increase the maximum penalty for child sexual offences, for failing to provide the necessaries of life and for abandoning a child;

(d) make child abuse an aggravating factor for the purpose of sentencing and direct the courts to give primary consideration to the objectives of denunciation and deterrence in sentencing for offences involving abuse of a child;

(e) amend and clarify the applicable test and criteria that need to be met for the use of testimonial aids, for excluding the public, for imposing a publication ban, for using video-recorded evidence or for appointing counsel for self-represented accused to conduct a cross-examination of certain witnesses; and

(f) create an offence of voyeurism and the distribution of voyeuristic material.

This enactment also amends the Canada Evidence Act to abolish the requirement for a competency hearing for children under 14 years of age.