Bill C-208

1st Session, 40th Parliament,

57 Elizabeth II, 2008

house of commons of canada

BILL C-208

An Act to prohibit the sale of Canadian military and police medals

Whereas the integrity of the Canadian Honours System, under which the Government of Canada awards medals to members of the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and to police officers in respect of service outside Canada, has been eroded as a result of the auctioning off of such medals to the highest bidder;

And whereas the Parliament of Canada wishes to preserve the integrity of the Canadian Honours System;

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

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Sale of Medals Prohibition Act.

INTERPRETATION

2. The following definitions apply in this Act.

“police officer” means any officer, constable or other person ordinarily employed in Canada for the preservation and maintenance of the public peace.

“sell” includes offering for sale, causing to be sold, exporting for sale and trading for other goods.

OFFENCE AND PUNISHMENT

3. (1) No person shall sell any medal that has been awarded by the Government of Canada in respect of service

(a) with the Canadian Forces or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; or

(b) as a police officer outside Canada on behalf of the Government of Canada.

(2) Every person who contravenes subsec-tion (1) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.