An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Identification of Criminals Act and to make related amendments to other Acts (COVID-19 response and other measures)
Sponsor: Sen. Marc Gold | Type: Senate Government Bill | Introduced: 2022-09-23 | Royal Assent: 2022-12-15
Critical Analysis — What This Bill Actually Does
Framed as a COVID-19 response modernization of the Criminal Code, this bill made permanent several temporary measures: expanded use of remote court appearances, electronic document filing, and telewarrants. While presented as pandemic adaptations, these changes fundamentally altered how criminal proceedings operate, reducing in-person court requirements that historically served as safeguards for the accused.