Bill C-60 · 40th Parliament · Stephen Harper
Citizen's Arrest and Self-defence Act
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (citizen's arrest and the defences of property and persons)
Government bill. Died when Parliament ended.
- IntroducedFeb. 17, 2011
- Debated in principleMarch 22, 2011
- Studied by a committeeNot reached
- Passed its first chamberNot reached
- Passed the second chamberNot reached
- Became lawNot reached
Leading supporters
Ranked by the part each played: who is responsible for the bill, who carried it, and who spoke for it most.
- Stephen HarperPrime Minister
- Don Daviesstates New Democrats are happy to support the bill's expansion of citizen's arrest authority within a reasonable time.
- Bob Dechertspeaks in favour of the bill's reforms to citizen's arrest and self-defence
- Scott Simmsexplicitly states full support for the bill as righting a wrong from the David Chen case.
- Rob NicholsonPresents bill as responsible expansion and simplification of laws.
- Steven Fletcherdefends the bill as tough on crime to protect citizens and property from harm.
- Jeff WatsonDefends the bill's timing and criticizes opposition for delaying similar measures.
- Cathy McLeodThanks colleague for articulating this important piece of legislation positively.
Who carries this bill
Arrows run from the person responsible to those who answer to them on this bill. The critic leads the Senate’s scrutiny and answers to no one on it.
What it set out to do
On 17 February 2011, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-60, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (citizen's arrest and the defences of property and persons) (Citizen’s Arrest and Self-defence Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-60 amends section 494(2) of the Criminal Code to enable a private citizen who owns or has lawful possession of property, or persons authorized by them, to arrest within a reasonable time a person whom they find committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property. This power of arrest would only be authorized when there are reasonable grounds to believe that it is not feasible in the circumstances for the arrest to be made by a peace officer. It also amends the Criminal Code to simplify the provisions relating to the defences of property and persons.
Summary by the Library of Parliament.
Where members stand
How it changed on the way
Only laws are compared, introduced against passed.
How precisely it is written
The drafting has not been read yet.
Did it work?
Only laws in force for two years or more are checked.
Who lobbied on it
No lobbying registration naming this bill is loaded.
Stages and dates from LEGISinfo.