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Bill C-345

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First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

BILL C-345
An Act to protect firefighters, paramedics and other first responders
FIRST READING, June 19, 2023

Mr. Julian
441190


SUMMARY

This enactment amends the Criminal Code to provide that the murder of a first responder is automatically first degree murder, to increase the maximum term of imprisonment for the aggravated assault of certain persons, including first responders, and to create an offence of assaulting a first responder.

Available on the House of Commons website at the following address:
www.ourcommons.ca


1st Session, 44th Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

BILL C-345

An Act to protect firefighters, paramedics and other first responders

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

R.‍S.‍, c. C-46

Criminal Code

1 Section 2 of the Criminal Code is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

Start of inserted block

first responder means a person who is employed, or formally engaged on a volunteer basis, to be among the first on the scene of an accident, fire or other emergency to provide medical assistance or firefighting services, and includes an emergency medical technician, a paramedic and a firefighter; (premier répondant)

End of inserted block

2 Subparagraphs (a)‍(xliii.‍1) and (xliii.‍2) of the definition offence in section 183 of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (xliii.‍1) section 270.‍01 (assaulting peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end with weapon or causing bodily harm),

  • (xliii.‍2) section 270.‍02 (aggravated assault of peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end ),

3 Subsection 231(4) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of paragraph (b), by adding “or” at the end of paragraph (c) and by adding the following after paragraph (c):

  • Start of inserted block

    (d) a first responder acting in the course of their duties.

    End of inserted block

4 Subsection 268(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Punishment

(2) Every one who commits an aggravated assault is guilty of an indictable offence and liable
  • Start of inserted block

    (a) if the complainant is a person described in subsection 231(4), to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years; and

    End of inserted block

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

5 Paragraph 270(1)‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a) assaults a public officer, peace officer or Insertion start first responder Insertion end engaged in the execution of Insertion start their Insertion end duty or a person acting in aid of such an officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end ;

6 (1) Subparagraphs (a)‍(xi.‍1) and (xi.‍2) of the definition primary designated offence in section 487.‍04 of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (xi.‍1) section 270.‍01 (assaulting peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end with weapon or causing bodily harm),

  • (xi.‍2) section 270.‍02 (aggravated assault of peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end ),

(2) Subparagraph (c)‍(viii) of the definition secondary designated offence in section 487.‍04 of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (viii) section 270 (assaulting a peace officer Insertion start or a first responder Insertion end ),

7 Subparagraph (b)‍(xvii) of the definition designated offence in section 752 of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (xvii) paragraph 270(1)‍(a) (assaulting peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end ),

Consequential Amendments

R.‍S.‍, c. C-44; 1994, c. 24, s. 1(F)

Canada Business Corporations Act

8 Paragraphs 1(z.‍017) to (z.‍019) of the schedule to the Canada Business Corporations Act are replaced by the following:

  • (z.‍017) subsection 270(1) (assaulting a peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end );

  • (z.‍018) subsection 270.‍01(1) (assaulting peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end with weapon or causing bodily harm);

  • (z.‍019) section 270.‍02 (aggravated assault of peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end );

1992, c. 20

Corrections and Conditional Release Act

9 Paragraphs 1(x) to (x.‍2) of Schedule I to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act are replaced with the following:

  • (x) section 270 (assaulting a peace officer Insertion start or a first responder Insertion end );

  • (x.‍1) section 270.‍01 (assaulting peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end with weapon or causing bodily harm);

  • (x.‍2) section 270.‍02 (aggravated assault of peace officer Insertion start or first responder Insertion end );

Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons

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