NCJ Number
62681
Date Published
1979
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THIS ANNUAL REPORT DESCRIBES ACTIVITIES OF THE LAW REFROM COMMISSION OF CANADA FROM JUNE 1978 THROUGH MAY 1979.
Abstract
THE COMMISSION STUDIES AND REVIEWS CANADA'S FEDERAL LAW IN ORDER TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ITS IMPROVEMENT, THEREBY INFLUENCING PARLIAMENT, THE COURTS, THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, AND PUBLIC OPINION. RECENT BILLS BEFORE PARLIAMENT WHICH HAVE ARISEN FROM COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS ARE LISTED. THE COMMISSION'S REPORT TO PARLIAMENT ON SEXUAL OFFENSES ADVISES THAT RAPE LAWS ARE UNDULY COMPLEX AND RECOMMENDS THAT RAPE OR ATTEMPTED RAPE BE DESCRIBED IN LAW AS SEXUAL INTERFERENCE, SEXUAL AGGRESSION, OR ATTEMPTED MURDER (IN THE MOST BRUTAL CASES). OTHER REPORTS TO PARLIAMENT DICUSS INCEST, SPOUSE IMMUNITY TO RAPE CHARGES, THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF BANK CHECKS, AND SIMPLIFICATIONS IN THEFT AND FRAUD LAWS. AN ONGOING STUDY OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW INCLUDES VARIOUS GOVERNMENT REPORTS ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND THE FEDERAL COURT ACT. A LIST OF CANADIAN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CONFERENCES IS GIVEN. A CRIMINAL LAW PROJECT AIMED AT PRODUCING NEW CANADIAN CRIMINAL CODES CONTINUES, AND OTHER STUDIES ARE BEING CONDUCTED IN SEARCH POLICY AND PROCEDURE, ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE, POWERS OF PRIVATE SECURITY POLICE, JURIES, SENTENCING AND SELF-INCRIMINATION. A PROTECTION OF LIFE PROJECT HAS PRODUCED PAPERS ON VARIOUS ISSUES INVOLVING MEDICINE AND HUMAN RIGHTS. RELATIONS WITH OTHER LAW REFORM AGENCIES ARE DISCUSSED, AND A LIST PROVIDED OF FOREIGN VISITORS TO THE COMMISSION. APPENDIXES CONTAIN COMMISSION REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, PUBLICATIONS, AND CONSULTANTS. --IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH. (PAP)