Justice Minister David Lametti will introduce a new bill that is expected to address a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada that found unconstitutional the law banning the use of extreme poisoning as a defense against certain crimes.
Lametti has notified a law that will amend the Penal Code with regard to extreme self-induced intoxication. The bill, “A Law to Amend the Penal Code (Extreme Self-Induced Poisoning)” will be introduced to lawmakers on Friday, and the Liberals are already making plans to speed up its passage.
The Minister of Justice will have the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien, to offer a press conference on the incoming proposal on Friday afternoon. On Thursday, House Speaker Mark Holland said next week the government would focus on “finding a way to speed up” the bill.
With the May decision, the Supreme Court ruled that automatism — claiming to be in a state of extreme intoxication leading to a loss of self-control — could be used as a defense in the commission of certain violent crimes. .
The Court held that the article of the Penal Code prohibiting it infringed the Charter because the decision of a person to become intoxicated should not be construed as an intention to commit a violent crime and therefore the ‘defendant could be convicted without the prosecution having to prove that the person who intends to commit the crime.
In overturning part of the Penal Code, the Canadian Supreme Court suggested that Parliament could apply new legislation to fill the gap in the law. Conservatives also called on the Liberals to introduce a bill to address the ruling, soon.
At the time of sentencing, Lametti said that while such cases are extremely rare, as a legislator he felt a “duty to protect” victims and support their families.
“I share your disappointment, and I share your concern. Whenever there is a gap in the Penal Code, there is a sense of urgency. So yes, we will analyze [the ruling] but I can assure you that we will do it quickly, “Lametti said.