Legal Resources

Prostitution is not defined in the Criminal Code which means that the definition of prostitution is understood through case law. Generally, prostitution is understood to be the exchange of sexual services for money or goods. Three elements must be met in order for someone to characterize an act as prostitution: Provision of sexual services; The indiscriminate nature of the act; and Some form of ...

What is parole? Parole is a conditional release that allows some offenders to continue to serve part of their sentence outside of the institution in the community under the supervision of a Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) parole officer, and subject to conditions. This means that some offenders are able to be released from jail early. However, it is important to note that ...

What is counterfeiting? Counterfeiting is covered under s.448, s.449, s.450, and s.452 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Counterfeiting is defined extensively in these sections and refers to the making, possession, or uttering of counterfeit money.  Uttering of counterfeit money includes selling, paying, tendering, and putting off a counterfeit. Counterfeiting is a straight indictable offence in Canada.  This means that the Crown can only ...

What is Defamatory Libel? Defamatory libel is covered under sections 297 to 317 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Defamation is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “[t]he action of impugning a person’s good name or reputation”.  Commonly, defamation occurs via “libel”, which entails written statements, or “slander”, which entails spoken statements. In Canada, defamation is referred to as “defamatory libel” and is ...

Criminal negligence causing death is covered under s.220 of the Criminal Code. Section s. 219 of the Criminal Code defines criminal negligence. Criminal negligence occurs when someone does a deliberate, unprovoked, or reckless action that disregards the lives or safety of other persons. For someone to be charged under section 220, they need to cause the death of a person while being criminally negligent ...