Neutral
An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts
This bill modernizes the military justice system in response to independent reviews, clarifying independence, appointments, and oversight of key justice actors like the Provost Marshal General, the Director of Military Prosecutions, and the Director of Defence Counsel Services. It transfers investigations of specified sexual offences committed in Canada by service members to civilian authorities, requires handover of ongoing files within 60 days, and lets military police arrest and preserve evidence until civilian police take over. It harmonizes sex-offender registry (SOIRA) and publication-ban rules with recent Criminal Code reforms and creates clear processes to seek exemptions, variations, and terminations, including RCMP data removal when exemptions are granted. It removes military judges from the summary hearing system, strengthens victim supports (victim liaison officer on request and third‑party interference complaints), and updates tenure, discipline, and acting arrangements for prosecution and defence leadership in the military justice system.
This legislation strengthens safety, accountability, and rule of law in the Canadian Armed Forces by moving serious sexual offences to civilian jurisdiction, enhancing victim supports, and clarifying independent roles—improving service delivery and public trust. While it has minimal direct economic effects, it advances efficient, transparent governance and security foundations that support long-term wellbeing.
What is the estimated fiscal impact of establishing the Provost Marshal General, the new inquiry mechanisms, and the SOIRA exemption/variation regimes, and what measurable savings will result from transferring sexual offence investigations to civilian authorities rather than duplicating efforts within the CAF?
How many ongoing sexual offence files will be transferred within the 60-day window, what agreements with provincial and municipal police services are in place to absorb the caseload without creating new backlogs, and what concrete supports will victims receive during the handover to keep them safe?
Given the Minister’s expanded power to issue instructions and guidelines affecting military policing and prosecutions, what safeguards will ensure operational independence and prevent political interference in sensitive investigations?
Primarily a justice and governance reform; any link to broad national prosperity is indirect and unquantified.
Clarifies institutional roles and processes within military justice but does not materially affect economic freedom or entrepreneurship.
No direct effects on productivity or competitiveness; impacts are confined to military justice operations.
No relation to trade or export growth.
Does not target investment or innovation policy; it is a justice system modernization.
Consolidates serious sexual-offence investigations in the civilian system, mandates public guidelines and annual reporting, and clarifies independence—steps that can improve efficiency, accountability, and trust, though cost impacts are not quantified.
No tax policy changes.
Significant within defence justice but not aimed at economy-wide prosperity.
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