The federal government is set to introduce sweeping Criminal Code reforms today aimed at strengthening protections for children and tackling gender-based violence, measures the Justice Department is characterizing as “generational reforms.” Justice Minister Sean Fraser will table the legislation, fulfilling a series of promises the Liberals made in their spring election platform to crack down on sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and emerging online threats.
The upcoming bill is expected to elevate hate-motivated killings — including cases of femicide — to first-degree murder, boost penalties for distributing intimate images without consent, and make it a crime to create or share non-consensual sexual deepfakes. The legislation will also contain new tools designed to protect children from online exploitation and sexual extortion, addressing what the government says are rapidly evolving digital dangers.
Women and Gender Equality Minister Rechie Valdez and Ruby Sahota, secretary of state for combating crime, will join Fraser at a news conference to outline the details of the reforms and underscore the government’s commitment to combating gender-based violence and safeguarding children across Canada.