Legislative Summary of Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Judges Act

 The Library of Parliament has published a Legislative Summary of Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code.

Among other things, the bill would require that judges appointed to superior courts (i.e. under federal jurisdiction) in any Canadian province would have to undertake to participate in continuing education on matters related to sexual assault law.

The summary points out:

"The provinces are responsible for appointing provincial court judges. The majority of criminal cases in Canada – including sexual assault cases – are heard in the provincial courts. The provisions of Bill C‑3 amending the Judges Act apply only to judges of superior courts, because it is outside Parliament’s jurisdiction to legislate in relation to provincially and territorially appointed judges."