As part of the Tackling Violent Crime Act that received Royal Assent in late February of this year, Canada’s age of consent has now been raised two years to the age of 16.
The Canadian Press reports:
The legislation was brought in by the Conservative government in part to deal with older internet predators who troll the web looking for younger victims.This is the first change in Canada’s age of consent since 1892.
Canada's age of consent will now be in line with other countries, such as Britain and Australia, and most American states.
The intent of the new law is not to criminalize teenage sex, but to crackdown on adults who prey on youth, former justice minister Vic Toews said when the bill making the change was introduced.
The law includes a "close-in-age" provision of five years, which means it would be legal for a 15-year-old to have relations with a 19-year-old provided the relationship is not exploitive and the older party is not in a position of authority or trust.
- Annie Noa Kenet, Toronto
Visit our Toronto Law Firm website: www.wiselaw.net
EMPLOYMENT LAW • CIVIL LITIGATION • WILLS AND ESTATES • FAMILY LAW & DIVORCE
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT WISE LAW BLOG • SUBSCRIBE TO WISE LAW BLOG
1 comment:
We are a group of social work students who have created a blog to examine this change and the policy more closely, and if you or anyone who reads this would like to come and check it out, we would really appreciate your input and feedback on the blog. Here is the link:
http://whatsinanage.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Post a Comment