NCJ Number
88366
Journal
Criminologie Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (1982) Pages: 105-112
Date Published
1982
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The Law Reform Commission of Canada has been in existence for 10 years and was mandated to pursue continuous, systematic review and study of Canadian laws and make proposals for ameliorating, updating, and reforming them.
Abstract
It has issued a total of seven reports on various aspects of criminal law. Among these are recommendations for new laws of evidence and changes relating to criminal procedures on mental competence, as well as a treatise on the philosophy of criminal law, intended as a framework of reference for legislators. Other reports have concerned sexual assault and fraud offenses, medicolegal considerations, role of the jury, and disruptive conduct in the courtroom. The philosophical overview contained significant principles for approaching fundamental law reform. However, the Commission's efforts have had no effect on legislation and none of its proposals have been accepted by Parliament. Only justice agencies have responded on their own with some minimal operational and attitudinal changes. Reasons for this failure are difficult to pin down, but they may have to do with lack of coordination among the commission, the Ministry of Justice at the national level, and its numerous Provincial agencies. A total of 27 footnotes are provided.