Sexual abuse of children is a worldwide epidemic that must be
fought on a number of fronts including legislation. On March 27,
2015, the Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act was
passed. This legislation amends a number of other pieces of
legislation in an attempt to toughen laws against perpetrators who
prey on children. The Act amends the Criminal Code of
Canada to increase mandatory minimum penalties and maximum
penalties for certain sexual offences against children, to increase
maximum penalties for violation of probation orders and peace bonds
and to require courts to impose consecutive sentences on offenders
who commit sexual offences against children.
It also amends the Canada Evidence Act to ensure that
spouses of the accused can be forced to testify as witnesses for
the prosecution in cases involving child pornography. This
legislation amends the Sex Offender Information Registry
Act to increase reporting obligations of sex offenders who
travel outside
