Canada takes action to strengthen the National Sex Offender Registry and the National DNA Data Bank

Summary of Amendments adopted at Committee Stage for the former Bill C-34 - Protecting Victims From Sex Offenders Act

Clause 11, Criminal Code (Government Motion)

• Technical amendment to ensure that RCMP officials at the National Sex Offender Registry would receive a copy of all registration orders directly from the courts so they are apprised of all new orders. Currently, a copy of the order only goes to the local police service and not Registry officials.

Clause 34 (2), Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Government Motion)

• The proposed amendment will obligate registered sex offenders to provide vehicle registration information (licence plate number, make, model, body type, year of manufacture and colour) for every vehicle registered in their name or that they use regularly, for inclusion on the National Sex Offender Registry. This amendment will further contribute to the effectiveness of police investigations in crimes of a sexual nature when witnesses to an offence are able to provide a partial vehicle description.

Clause 35, Sex Offender Information Registration Act (NDP Motion)

• This amendment will require registered sex offenders to notify Registry officials, within seven days, regarding changes in employment or volunteer work and address/location where they work.

Clause 36, Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Government Motion)

• The former Bill C-34 included a provision to require registered sex offenders to notify Registry officials in advance of any absence of seven days or more from their main or secondary residences. A further technical amendment was required to correct a gap in the legislation to ensure that registered sex offenders still have a legal obligation to notify Registry officials about an absence if they did not do so in advance of their departure. The amendment also ensured concordance between the English and French provisions.

Clause 37, Sex Offender Information Registration Act (NDP Motion)

• Consequential amendment to Clause 35 in the Sex Offender Information Registration Act in order to clarify the designated Registration Centres with respect to where registered sex offenders may provide updates to employment or volunteer information.

Clause 38 (1), Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Government Motion)

• Consequential amendment required as a result of amendment made to the Criminal Code at Clause 11. This amendment would ensure that RCMP officials at the National Sex Offender Registry are authorized to enter information from Registration orders into the database.

Clause 38 (2), 39 (3), 40 (1) (2) Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Bloc/Government Motions)

• Amendments would authorize Registry officials to enter information in the database regarding a registered sex offender’s method of operating in relation to their offence(s), if available, including for Canadians convicted abroad for a sex offence who return to Canada (under the International Transfer of Offenders Act or at end of sentence in the foreign jurisdiction); those who were registered under the retrospective scheme when the legislation first came into force in 2004; and Canadian Forces personnel convicted at Court Martial.

Clause 43, Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Government Motion)

• Technical amendment to ensure it is clear that federal and provincial Correctional authorities and Canadian Forces’ officials are authorized to share the release date for offenders for those on temporary release and those released at end of sentence.