CRM 200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Absolute Liability, Mens Rea, Independent Contractor
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What"is"a"public"welfare"offence"and"is"it"a"strict"liability"offence?
He defines three types of offences:
True crimes: offences that require mens rea.
1.
Offences of strict liability: offences in which there is no necessity for the
Crown to prove the existence of mens rea but the defendant can get off by
proving that they acted reasonably in the circumstances. Public welfare
offences tend to fall in this category, as they are not in the Code, but have
the risk of large fines or imprisonment associated with them.
2.
Offences of absolute liability – The Crown does not need to prove mens rea,
and the defendant has no chance to exculpate himself by showing he was
acting reasonably. These are generally only offences with very minor fines as
punishment.
3.
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under& s.&146(1)&of&the&Code& was&an&absolute& liability&offence& which&expressly&
removed& the& due& diligence& defence& that& the& accused& bona&fide&believed&the&female& to&
be&14&years&old&or&older.&
8
As&the&offence& did¬&require& the& accused&to&have&any&mens&rea&and& was&punishable&
by&a&maximum& term&of&life&imprisonment,& the&accused’s&right& to&liberty&enshrined& in&
s.&7&of&the&Charter& had& been&infringed.&
8
They&held&that& s.&146(1)& could¬&be&justified& under& s.&1&as&a&reasonable& limit&on&an&
accused’s&rights.&
8
Also&it&was&held&that& s.&15&was¬&infringed& by&s.&146(1)& which&provides&that& only&
men&can&be&charged& under& the§ion&as&the&offence&involves&an&act&that& as&a&
biological&fact&only&men&are&able&to&commit.&
8
However,&s.&146&was&justified& by&s.&1&as&it&protected& females&from&harm&which&might&
result& from& premature& sexual& activity&and& protected& young& females& from&pregnancy.&
It&protected& society&from& the&impact&of&social&problems& arising&thereof.&
8
There& was&a&rational&connection& between& the& imposition&of&absolute& liability&and&its&
objective& and&that& infringement& did¬& extend& beyond& what&was&reasonably&
necessary&to& achieve& the&objective.&
8
S.15& involves&discrimination& on&the& basis& of&sex
8
146(1)& R&v.Oakes&applied;&S.
Is&there& a&rational& connetion&between& the& imposition&of&strict&liability&and&
deterrence& of&men&from&intercourse& with&young& girls?&There& is.&A&man&could& escape&
conviction&simply&by&saying&that& he&believed&the&girl&to&be&older;&however& the&
defence& of&due&diligence& would&require& him&to&make&enquiries& to& avoid&conviction&
Strict& liability&eliminates& these& defences& and& puts& men& on&guard
8
8
The&only&way&of&avoiding&the&infringmenet& of&the&accused's&rights& in&the&absence& of&a&
guilty&mind& would& be&by&introducing& a&defence& of&due& diligence.&
8
Elimination& of&mens& rea& from&s.146(1)& of&the& CC& may&be& viewed& as&less&offensive&
than& the& elimination& of&mens& rea& from& the& offence& of&murder
8
BC&Motor&vehicle&act&
Complete& offence,& even&though& the& offender& did& not& know&that& his&or&her&
licence&had& been&suspended.& No&reason& to&consider&the&validity&of&ones&licence&
before& driving.&
8
In&the&way&that& one&is&likely&to&consider& the& age&of&the& girl&with&whom&one&is&
contemplating& sexual&intercourse
8
8
CONCLUSION:& S.146& (1)& of&the& cc,&WHILE& it&violates&s.7&and& 15&of&the& charter,& is&
reasonable& measure& demonstrably& justified& in&a&free& and& democratic& society
8
R"v."Pontes"(1995)
The accused was charged with driving a motor vehicle at a time when he
was prohibited from driving under s. 92 of the British Columbia Motor
Vehicle Act, contrary to s. 94(1) of that Act.
8
Section 94(1) provides that a person who drives a motor vehicle on a
highway while he is prohibited from driving under certain sections of the
Act, including s. 92, commits an offence and is liable to a fine and to
imprisonment.
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++;(f^>?@(-',(f=("/(%6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(%6-%(-(4*)+"'(."'5&.%*,("/(%6*(
$',*)#:&'0("//*'.*(&+(J-$%"3-%&.-##:(-',(2&%6"$%('"%&.*J(4)"6&1&%*,(/)"3(,)&5&'0(
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8
A6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(4$1#&.(2*#/-)*(")()*0$#-%"):(#*0&+#-%&"';(A6*(&34$0'*,(
4)"5&+&"'+(-)*(-&3*,(-%(7**4&'0(1-,(,)&5*)+("//(%6*()"-,I(%6*:(-)*('"%(
4)"6&1&%&"'+(26&.6(-)*(J.)&3&'-#(&'(%6*(%)$*(+*'+*J;
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8
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7'"2(%6*(/-.%+(26&.6(."'+%&%$%*(%6*("//*'.*G(")(%6*(/-&#$)*(%"(1*(,$#:(,&#&0*'%(%"(
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."',$.%(&+(4)"6&1&%*,(&+(&%+*#/(4-)%("/(%6* mens reaG(%6*(-1+*'.*("/(7'"2#*,0*(
4)"5&,*+(-(0"",(,*/*'.*;
8
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)*#-%&"'(%"(-':("/(%6*(*#*3*'%+("/(%6* actus reusG(1$%('"%(&'()*#-%&"'(%"(%6*(
*L&+%*'.*("/(%6&+(+%-%$%"):(4)"6&1&%&"'(")(&%+(&'%*)4)*%-%&"'G(+&'.*(%6-%(2"$#,(1*(
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8
A6*(4)"5&+&"'("/(+"3*(/")3("/('"%&.*("/(%6*(#-2(2"$#,(."'5*)%(%6*("//*'.*(&'%"(
"'*("/(/$## mens reaG(+&'.*(%6*(-..$+*,(2"$#,(%6*'(1*(,)&5&'0(2&%6(-.%$-#(
+$1B*.%&5*(7'"2#*,0*(%6-%(6*(2-+(4)"6&1&%*,($',*)(4)"5&'.&-#(#*0&+#-%&"';(S-%6*)(
%6-'(-'("//*'.*("/(/$## mens reaG(%6*(4)"5&'.*(.6"+*(-(+"#$%&"'(-44)"4)&-%*#:(
%-&#")*,(%"(%6*()*0$#-%"):(."'%*L%N(-'("//*'.*("/(+%)&.%(#&-1&#&%:;
8
R"v."Transport"Robert
that so long as there is no risk of imprisonment, the stigma
associated with a contravention and even the severity of the
penalty may not invoke the protection of the security of the person
extended under section 7 of the Charter.
8
The Court of Appeal in the flying tire case upheld as constitutional
the Ontario Highway Traffic Act26 prohibition against the owner or
operator of a commercial vehicle whose wheel became detached
while on the roadway, even though the maximum penalty was a
fine of $50,000, and the owner or operator was denied any defence
of due diligence in avoiding or preventing the detaching of the
wheel.
8
8
R"v."Commander"Furniture"
BC" Motor" vehicle"act"
Complete" offence," even"though"the"offender" did"not"know" that"his"or" her"
licence"had"been"suspended."No"reason"to"consider" the"validity"of"ones"licence"
before"driving."
8
A6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(4$1#&.(2*#/-)*(")()*0$#-%"):(#*0&+#-%&"';(A6*(&34$0'*,(
4)"5&+&"'+(-)*(-&3*,(-%(7**4&'0(1-,(,)&5*)+("//(%6*()"-,I(%6*:(-)*('"%(
4)"6&1&%&"'+(26&.6(-)*(J.)&3&'-#(&'(%6*(%)$*(+*'+*J;
8
Case%Study%Essay%Notes%
F-%$),-:G(V-).6(=^G(=g?Z
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R"v."Sault"Ste"Marie
!"##$%&"'()*+$#%*,(-+(-(.-$+*("/(0-)1-0*(-',(2-+%*+(,$34*,("5*)(&'%"(%6*(.)**7(8
9"34-':(2-+(&'(1)-.6("+(+;<=(>?@("/(The$Ontario$Water$Resources$Commission$
Act
8
A)&-#(B$,0*(/"$',(%6-%(.&%:(6-,('"%6&'0(%"(,"(2&%6(%6*(-.%$-#("4*)-%&"'8
9"34-':(2-+(-'(&',*4*',*'%(."'%)-.%")8
Strict"Liability""//*'.*(-',(2-+(."'5&.%*,
C*#,(%6-%(&%()*D$&)*,(3*'+()*-(2&%6()*+4*.%(%"(.-$+&'0(")(4*)3&%%&'0(%6*(
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8
Absolute"liability"*'%-&#+(."'5&.%&"'("'(3*)*(4)""/("/(%6*(4)"6&1&%*,(-.%(2&%6"$%(
-':()*#*5-'%(3*'%-#(*#*3*'%
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The"Duplicity"Point
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8
What"is"a"public"welfare"offence"and"is"it"a"strict"liability"offence?
He defines three types of offences:
True crimes: offences that require mens rea.
1.
Offences of strict liability: offences in which there is no necessity for the
Crown to prove the existence of mens rea but the defendant can get off by
proving that they acted reasonably in the circumstances. Public welfare
offences tend to fall in this category, as they are not in the Code, but have
the risk of large fines or imprisonment associated with them.
2.
Offences of absolute liability – The Crown does not need to prove mens rea,
and the defendant has no chance to exculpate himself by showing he was
acting reasonably. These are generally only offences with very minor fines as
punishment.
3.
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8
The"Mens"Rea"Point
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8
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8
``````````
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T99YFWH(T(HYW(HU\UeWE9W(HWKWE9W(UEKSUEeWF(ACW(SUeCA(AR(\UMWSAd(
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8
8
under& s.&146(1)&of&the&Code& was&an&absolute& liability&offence& which&expressly&
removed& the& due& diligence& defence& that& the& accused& bona&fide&believed&the&female& to&
be&14&years&old&or&older.&
8
As&the&offence& did¬&require& the& accused&to&have&any&mens&rea&and& was&punishable&
by&a&maximum& term&of&life&imprisonment,& the&accused’s&right& to&liberty&enshrined& in&
s.&7&of&the&Charter& had& been&infringed.&
8
They&held&that& s.&146(1)& could¬&be&justified& under& s.&1&as&a&reasonable& limit&on&an&
accused’s&rights.&
8
Also&it&was&held&that& s.&15&was¬&infringed& by&s.&146(1)& which&provides&that& only&
men&can&be&charged& under& the§ion&as&the&offence&involves&an&act&that& as&a&
biological&fact&only&men&are&able&to&commit.&
8
However,&s.&146&was&justified& by&s.&1&as&it&protected& females&from&harm&which&might&
result& from& premature& sexual& activity&and& protected& young& females& from&pregnancy.&
It&protected& society&from& the&impact&of&social&problems& arising&thereof.&
8
There& was&a&rational&connection& between& the& imposition&of&absolute& liability&and&its&
objective& and&that& infringement& did¬& extend& beyond& what&was&reasonably&
necessary&to&achieve& the&objective.&
8
S.15& involves&discrimination& on&the& basis& of&sex
8
146(1)& R&v.Oakes&applied;&S.
Is&there& a&rational& connetion&between& the& imposition&of&strict&liability&and&
deterrence& of&men&from&intercourse& with&young& girls?&There& is.&A&man&could& escape&
conviction&simply&by&saying&that& he&believed&the&girl&to&be&older;&however& the&
defence& of&due&diligence& would&require& him&to&make&enquiries& to& avoid&conviction&
Strict& liability&eliminates& these& defences& and& puts& men& on&guard
8
8
The&only&way&of&avoiding&the&infringmenet& of&the&accused's&rights& in&the&absence& of&a&
guilty&mind& would& be&by&introducing& a&defence& of&due& diligence.&
8
Elimination& of&mens& rea& from&s.146(1)& of&the& CC& may&be& viewed& as&less&offensive&
than& the& elimination& of&mens& rea& from& the& offence& of&murder
8
BC&Motor&vehicle&act&
Complete& offence,& even&though& the& offender& did& not& know&that& his&or&her&
licence&had& been&suspended.& No&reason& to&consider&the&validity&of&ones&licence&
before& driving.&
8
In&the&way&that& one&is&likely&to&consider& the& age&of&the& girl&with&whom&one&is&
contemplating& sexual&intercourse
8
8
CONCLUSION:& S.146& (1)& of&the& cc,&WHILE& it&violates&s.7&and& 15&of&the& charter,& is&
reasonable& measure& demonstrably& justified& in&a&free& and& democratic& society
8
R"v."Pontes"(1995)
The accused was charged with driving a motor vehicle at a time when he
was prohibited from driving under s. 92 of the British Columbia Motor
Vehicle Act, contrary to s. 94(1) of that Act.
8
Section 94(1) provides that a person who drives a motor vehicle on a
highway while he is prohibited from driving under certain sections of the
Act, including s. 92, commits an offence and is liable to a fine and to
imprisonment.
8
O$,0*(/"$',(%6-%(+;f^>?@(-',(+;f=(.)*-%*,(-'(9)*-%*,(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:(
"//*'.*(/")(26&.6(&34)&+"'3*'%(2-+(-(4*'-#%:G(%6*)*1:(."'%)-5*'&'0 +; c"/(
%6*9-'-,&-'(96-)%*)("/(S&06%+(-',(K)**,"3+;
8
A6*("'#:(4"++&1#*(,*/*'.*(%6-%(%6*(-..$+*,(."$#,(4$%(/")2-),(&+(6&+(&0'")'-'.*(
"/(%6*(/-.%(%6-%(6&+(#&.*'.*(6-,(1**'(+$+4*',*,G(26&.6(."'+%&%$%*+(-(3&+%-7*("/(
#-2(-',(&+('"%(-5-&#-1#*(-+(-(,*/*'.*
8
^;?(-',(+;(c=>?@("/(%6*(M)&%&+6(9"#$31&-(R//*'.*(T.%(&',&.-%*(%6-%G(
'"%2&%6+%-',&'0(%6*(4)"5&+&"'+("/(-':("%6*)(-.%G('"(4*)+"'(&+(#&-1#*(%"(
&34)&+"'3*'%(/")(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:("//*'.*G((%6$+(%6*)*(&+('"(5&"#-%&"'("/(+;c(
"/(%6*(.6-)%*)(%"(%6*()&06%("/(#&/*G(#&5*)%:(-',(+*.$)&%:
F;
E*5*)%6*#*++(%6*(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:("//*'.*(.)*-%*,(1:(+;(f^>?@(-',(+;(f=(,"*+('"%(
."'%)-5*'*(%6* Charter;(A6&+(."'.#$+&"'(/#"2+(/)"3(%6*(-44#&.-%&"'("/(+;(^;?(-',(
"/(+;(c=>?@("/(%6*(M)&%&+6(9"#$31&- Offence Act;(A6*+*(+*.%&"'+()*+4*.%&5*#:(
&',&.-%*(%6-%G('"%2&%6+%-',&'0(%6*(4)"5&+&"'+("/(-':("%6*)(T.%G('"(4*)+"'(&+(
#&-1#*(%"(&34)&+"'3*'%(/")(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:( "//*'.*G(-',(%6-%(%6*('"'`
4-:3*'%("/(-(/&'*(2&##('"%()*+$#%(&'(&34)&+"'3*'%;(A6$+G(-'(-..$+*,(."'5&.%*,(
$',*)(++;(f^>?@(-',(f=(/-.*+('"()&+7("/(&34)&+"'3*'%(-',(%6*)*(&+G(-.."),&'0#:G(
'"(5&"#-%&"'("/(%6*()&06%(%"(#&/*G(#&1*)%:(-',(+*.$)&%:("/(%6*(4*)+"'($',*)(+;(c("/(
%6* Charter;
8
++;(f^>?@(-',(f=("/(%6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(%6-%(-(4*)+"'(."'5&.%*,("/(%6*(
$',*)#:&'0("//*'.*(&+(J-$%"3-%&.-##:(-',(2&%6"$%('"%&.*J(4)"6&1&%*,(/)"3(,)&5&'0(
-(3"%")(5*6&.#*;(A6*(2"),+(J-$%"3-%&.-##:(-',(2&%6"$%('"%&.*J(&'(+;(f=(0"(/-)(
%"2-),+(*+%-1#&+6&'0(%6-%(%6&+(&+(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:( "//*'.*;
8
A6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(4$1#&.(2*#/-)*(")()*0$#-%"):(#*0&+#-%&"';(A6*(&34$0'*,(
4)"5&+&"'+(-)*(-&3*,(-%(7**4&'0(1-,(,)&5*)+("//(%6*()"-,I(%6*:(-)*('"%(
4)"6&1&%&"'+(26&.6(-)*(J.)&3&'-#(&'(%6*(%)$*(+*'+*J;
F%)&.%(#&-1&#&%:(8
8
T(+%)&.%(#&-1&#&%:("//*'.*()*D$&)*+(%6*(3&'&3-#(3*'%-#(*#*3*'%("/('*0#&0*'.*(&'(
"),*)(%"(0)"$',(-(."'5&.%&"';(E*0#&0*'.*(."'+&+%+(&'(-'($')*-+"'-1#*(/-&#$)*(%"(
7'"2(%6*(/-.%+(26&.6(."'+%&%$%*(%6*("//*'.*G(")(%6*(/-&#$)*(%"(1*(,$#:(,&#&0*'%(%"(
%-7*(+%*4+(26&.6(-()*-+"'-1#*(4*)+"'(2"$#,(%-7*;(F&'.*(&0'")-'.*("/(%6*(#-2(&+(
'"%(-'(*L.$+*(/")(1)*-7&'0(%6*(#-2G(,$*(,&#&0*'.*(."'+&+%+(&'(%-7&'0(+%*4+(%"(/$#/&#(
-(,$%:(&34"+*,(1:(#-2(-',('"%(&'(%6*(-+.*)%-&'3*'%("/(%6*(*L&+%*'.*( "/(-(
+%-%$%"):(4)"6&1&%&"'(")(&%+(&'%*)4)*%-%&"';(WL.*4%&"'-##:G(26*)*(7'"2#*,0*(%6-%(
."',$.%(&+(4)"6&1&%*,(&+(&%+*#/(4-)%("/(%6* mens reaG(%6*(-1+*'.*("/(7'"2#*,0*(
4)"5&,*+(-(0"",(,*/*'.*;
8
A6*(/-.%$-#(*#*3*'%(."34)&+&'0(%6* actus reus ."'+&+%+(&'(%6*(,)&5&'0("/(-(3"%")(
5*6&.#*(6-5&'0(4)*5&"$+#:(1**'(."'5&.%*,("/("'*("/(%6*($',*)#:&'0("//*'.*+;(
F&'.*(%6*)*(&+('" mens rea +4*.&/&*,G(&%(3$+%(1*(&'/*))*,(/)"3(%6* actus reus-',G(
1*.-$+*(%6&+(&+(-()*0$#-%"):("//*'.*G(%6* mens rea ."'+&+%+(&'('*0#&0*'.*(&'(
)*#-%&"'(%"(-':("/(%6*(*#*3*'%+("/(%6* actus reusG(1$%('"%(&'()*#-%&"'(%"(%6*(
*L&+%*'.*("/(%6&+(+%-%$%"):(4)"6&1&%&"'(")(&%+(&'%*)4)*%-%&"'G(+&'.*(%6-%(2"$#,(1*(
&0'")-'.*(")(3&+%-7*("/(#-2;
8
A6*(4)"5&+&"'("/(+"3*(/")3("/('"%&.*("/(%6*(#-2(2"$#,(."'5*)%(%6*("//*'.*(&'%"(
"'*("/(/$## mens reaG(+&'.*(%6*(-..$+*,(2"$#,(%6*'(1*(,)&5&'0(2&%6(-.%$-#(
+$1B*.%&5*(7'"2#*,0*(%6-%(6*(2-+(4)"6&1&%*,($',*)(4)"5&'.&-#(#*0&+#-%&"';(S-%6*)(
%6-'(-'("//*'.*("/(/$## mens reaG(%6*(4)"5&'.*(.6"+*(-(+"#$%&"'(-44)"4)&-%*#:(
%-&#")*,(%"(%6*()*0$#-%"):(."'%*L%N(-'("//*'.*("/(+%)&.%(#&-1&#&%:;
8
R"v."Transport"Robert
that so long as there is no risk of imprisonment, the stigma
associated with a contravention and even the severity of the
penalty may not invoke the protection of the security of the person
extended under section 7 of the Charter.
8
The Court of Appeal in the flying tire case upheld as constitutional
the Ontario Highway Traffic Act26 prohibition against the owner or
operator of a commercial vehicle whose wheel became detached
while on the roadway, even though the maximum penalty was a
fine of $50,000, and the owner or operator was denied any defence
of due diligence in avoiding or preventing the detaching of the
wheel.
8
8
R"v."Commander"Furniture"
BC" Motor" vehicle"act"
Complete" offence," even"though"the"offender" did"not"know" that"his"or" her"
licence"had"been"suspended."No"reason"to"consider" the"validity"of"ones"licence"
before"driving."
8
A6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(4$1#&.(2*#/-)*(")()*0$#-%"):(#*0&+#-%&"';(A6*(&34$0'*,(
4)"5&+&"'+(-)*(-&3*,(-%(7**4&'0(1-,(,)&5*)+("//(%6*()"-,I(%6*:(-)*('"%(
4)"6&1&%&"'+(26&.6(-)*(J.)&3&'-#(&'(%6*(%)$*(+*'+*J;
8
Case%Study%Essay%Notes%
F-%$),-:G(V-).6(=^G(=g?Z ?=Nbg(!V
R"v."Sault"Ste"Marie
!"##$%&"'()*+$#%*,(-+(-(.-$+*("/(0-)1-0*(-',(2-+%*+(,$34*,("5*)(&'%"(%6*(.)**7(8
9"34-':(2-+(&'(1)-.6("+(+;<=(>?@("/(The$Ontario$Water$Resources$Commission$
Act
8
A)&-#(B$,0*(/"$',(%6-%(.&%:(6-,('"%6&'0(%"(,"(2&%6(%6*(-.%$-#("4*)-%&"'8
9"34-':(2-+(-'(&',*4*',*'%(."'%)-.%")8
Strict"Liability""//*'.*(-',(2-+(."'5&.%*,
C*#,(%6-%(&%()*D$&)*,(3*'+()*-(2&%6()*+4*.%(%"(.-$+&'0(")(4*)3&%%&'0(%6*(
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2-+(4"##$%&'0
8
Absolute"liability"*'%-&#+(."'5&.%&"'("'(3*)*(4)""/("/(%6*(4)"6&1&%*,(-.%(2&%6"$%(
-':()*#*5-'%(3*'%-#(*#*3*'%
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+%-%$%*+((,"('"%(,*'"%*(.#*-)#:(*&%6*)(/$##(3*'+()*-(")(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:
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The"Duplicity"Point
Q6*%6*)(%6*(.&%:(2&##(1*(.6-)0*,(2&%6(+*5*)-#("//*'.*+(")("'*8
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8
What"is"a"public"welfare"offence"and"is"it"a"strict"liability"offence?
He defines three types of offences:
True crimes: offences that require mens rea.
1.
Offences of strict liability: offences in which there is no necessity for the
Crown to prove the existence of mens rea but the defendant can get off by
proving that they acted reasonably in the circumstances. Public welfare
offences tend to fall in this category, as they are not in the Code, but have
the risk of large fines or imprisonment associated with them.
2.
Offences of absolute liability – The Crown does not need to prove mens rea,
and the defendant has no chance to exculpate himself by showing he was
acting reasonably. These are generally only offences with very minor fines as
punishment.
3.
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8
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8
``````````
Levis"(City)"v."Tetreault"
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,"(26-%(&+('*.*++-):(%"(*'+$)*(%6-%(%6*&)(#&.*'.*+()*3-&'(5-#&,(-',(%"(,)&5*("'#:(
26&#*(%6*:(-)*(5-#&,
8
F-3*(/-.%")+(-44#:(-+(&'(%6*(.-+*("/(%6*("1#&0-%&"'(%"(6-5*(-(5-#&,(,)&5*)+(#&.*'.*(
26*'("4*)-%&'0(-(3"%")(5*6&.#*G(-',(%6*:(B$+%&/:(%6*(-5-&#-1&#&%:("/(-(,$*(
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8
A6*(."'.*4%("/(,&#&0*'.*(&+(1-+*,("'(%6*(-..*4%-'.*("/(-(.&%&a*'+(.&5&.(,$%:(%"(
%-7*(-.%&"'(%"(/&',("$%(26-%(6&+(")(6*)("1#&0-%&"'+(-)*(
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S*+4"',*'%+(6-5*(/-&#*,(%"(,*3"'+%)-%*(%6-%(%6*:(*L*).&+*,(,$*(,&#&0*'.*
T#%6"$06(%6*(,*/*'.*("/("//&.&-##:(&',$.*,(*))")(&+(-5-&#-1#*(&'(.)&3&'-#(
#-2G(%6*()*+4"',*'%(,&,('"%(3-7*(&%("$%(&'(%6*(3-%%*)("/(9&%:("/(\*5&+
○
8
A6*(."$)%(-##*0*,( %6-%(%6*("//*'.*+(1*#"'0(%"(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:("//*'.*+G(26&.6(
2"$#,(4)*.#$,*(%6*(,$*(,&#&0*'.*(,*/*'.*;
8
\*0&+#-%$)*+(*'-.%(+$.6("//*'.*+(-+(&'.&,*'%-#(+-'.%&"'+(26"+*(4$)4"+*(&+(%"(
*'/").*(%6*(4*)/")3-'.*("/(5-)&"$+(,$%&*+G(%6*)*1:(+-/*0-$),&'0(%6*(0*'*)-#(
2*#/-)*("/(+".&*%:(
8
A6*(+:+%*3("/(.)&3&'-#(#&-1&#&%:( &'(.-'-,&-'(.)&3&'-#( #-2(&+(/"$',*,("'(%6*(
)*."0'&%&"'(-',(-44#&.-%&"'("/(%6*(."'.*4%("/(/-$#%
U'%*'%&"'(%"(."33&%(-(0&5*'(-.%(")(&'(+*)&"$+(/")3+("/('*0#&0*'.*(")(
.-)*#*++'*++
○
!)"+*.$%&"'(3$+%(4)"5*(-.%$+()*$+(-',(%6*(3*'+()*-(
○
8
R"V."Hess"(1990)
96-)0*,(2&%6(+*L$-#(&'%*)."$)+*(2&%6(-(/*3-#*($',*)(%6*(-0*("/(?^($',*)(F;(
?^]>?@("/(%6*(9)&3&'-#(9",*
8
F;?^]>?@(&'/)&'0*,(+;?b("/(%6*(9-'-,&-'(96-)%*)("/(S&06%+(-',(K)**,"3+G(%6*'(
."$)%(6*#,('"(5&"#-%&"'("/(+;?b(-',(-#%6"$06(&%(1)*-.6*,(+;(c("/(%6*(.6-)%*)(%6*(
1)*-.6(2-+(+-5*,(1:(+;?;
8
F;?^](3-7*+(&%(4$'&+6-1#*(1:(-(3-L&3$3("/(#&/*(&34)&+"'3*'*%(8
TE(RKKWE9W(!YEUFCTM\W(Md(UV!SUFREVWEA(ACTA(HRWF(ERA(T\\RQ(ACW(
T99YFWH(T(HYW(HU\UeWE9W(HWKWE9W(UEKSUEeWF(ACW(SUeCA(AR(\UMWSAd(
WEFCSUEWH(UE(F;c
8
Q6&#*(4)"%*.%&'0(/*3-#*(.6&#,)*'(/)"3(%6*(6-)3+(%6-%(3-:()*+$#%(/)"3(
4)*3-%$)*(+*L$-#(&'%*)."$)+*(-',(4)*0'-'.:(-,,)*++*+(-(4)*++&'0(-',(
+$1+%-'%&-#(."'.*)'G(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:("//*'.*(&+()-%&"'-##:(."''*.%*,(%"(%6&+(
."'.*)'
8
Y',*)(+;c("/(%6*(.6-)%*)G(%6-%(-(#-2()*+%)&.%&'0(-'(&',&5&,$-#+(#&1*)%:(1:(3*-'+(
+$.6(-+(&34)&+"'3*'%(3$+%(6-5*(-+(-'(*++*'%&-#(*#*3*'%(%6-%(%6*(-..$+*,(
4"++*+*+(-(0$&#%:(3&',(")(3*'+()*-;(
?^]>?@("/(%6*(.",*(&+(%6-%(%6*(5&.%&3(1*($',*)(%6*(-0*("/(?^(:*-)+("#,F;
F&'.*(-'(-..$+*,(.-'(1*(."'5&.%*,($',*)(+;?^]>?@(-#%6"$06(6*(#-.7+(-(
0$&#%:(3&',G(%6*(+*.%&"'(5&"#-%*+(+;c("/(%6*(.6-)%*)
8
8
A2"()*D$&)*3*'%+(3$+%(1*(3*%(%"(*+%-1#&+6(&'/)&'0*3*'%("/(+;?b("/(%6*(96-)%*)N
K&)+%(-'(&'*D$-#&%:(")(,&+%&'.%&"'(&'(%6*(%)*-%3*'%("/(3*31*)+("/(0)"$4+(
3$+%(1*(*+%-1#&+6*,
8
A6&+(,&+%&'.%&"'(3$+%(."'+&+%$%*(,&+.)&3&'-%&"'8
F;?^](99(3**%+(%6*(%*+%8
8
S-%&"'-#(."''*.%&"'(1*%2**'(%6*(&34"+&%&"'("/(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:(&'(+;(?^]>?@(-',(
&%+("1B*.%&5*(
C-+(-'(-,,&%&"'-#(,*%*))*'%(*//*.%("'(3*'(."'%*34#-%&'0(&'%*)."$)+*(2&%6(
:"$'0(0&)#+
8
8
under& s.&146(1)&of&the&Code& was&an&absolute& liability&offence& which&expressly&
removed& the& due& diligence& defence& that& the& accused& bona&fide&believed&the&female& to&
be&14&years&old&or&older.&
8
As&the&offence& did¬&require& the& accused&to&have&any&mens&rea&and& was&punishable&
by&a&maximum& term&of&life&imprisonment,& the&accused’s&right& to&liberty&enshrined& in&
s.&7&of&the&Charter& had& been&infringed.&
8
They&held&that& s.&146(1)& could¬&be&justified& under& s.&1&as&a&reasonable& limit&on&an&
accused’s&rights.&
8
Also&it&was&held&that& s.&15&was¬&infringed& by&s.&146(1)& which&provides&that& only&
men&can&be&charged& under& the§ion&as&the&offence&involves&an&act&that& as&a&
biological&fact&only&men&are&able&to&commit.&
8
However,&s.&146&was&justified& by&s.&1&as&it&protected& females&from&harm&which&might&
result& from& premature& sexual& activity&and& protected& young& females& from&pregnancy.&
It&protected& society&from& the&impact&of&social&problems& arising&thereof.&
8
There& was&a&rational&connection& between& the& imposition&of&absolute& liability&and&its&
objective& and&that& infringement& did¬& extend& beyond& what&was&reasonably&
necessary&to&achieve& the&objective.&
8
S.15& involves&discrimination& on&the& basis& of&sex
8
146(1)& R&v.Oakes&applied;&S.
Is&there& a&rational& connetion&between& the& imposition&of&strict&liability&and&
deterrence& of&men&from&intercourse& with&young& girls?&There& is.&A&man&could& escape&
conviction&simply&by&saying&that& he&believed&the&girl&to&be&older;&however& the&
defence& of&due&diligence& would&require& him&to&make&enquiries& to& avoid&conviction&
Strict& liability&eliminates& these& defences& and& puts& men& on&guard
8
8
The&only&way&of&avoiding&the&infringmenet& of&the&accused's&rights& in&the&absence& of&a&
guilty&mind& would& be&by&introducing& a&defence& of&due& diligence.&
8
Elimination& of&mens& rea& from&s.146(1)& of&the& CC& may&be& viewed& as&less&offensive&
than& the& elimination& of&mens& rea& from& the& offence& of&murder
8
BC&Motor&vehicle&act&
Complete& offence,& even&though& the& offender& did& not& know&that& his&or&her&
licence&had& been&suspended.& No&reason& to&consider&the&validity&of&ones&licence&
before& driving.&
8
In&the&way&that& one&is&likely&to&consider& the& age&of&the& girl&with&whom&one&is&
contemplating& sexual&intercourse
8
8
CONCLUSION:& S.146& (1)& of&the& cc,&WHILE& it&violates&s.7&and& 15&of&the& charter,& is&
reasonable& measure& demonstrably& justified& in&a&free& and& democratic& society
8
R"v."Pontes"(1995)
The accused was charged with driving a motor vehicle at a time when he
was prohibited from driving under s. 92 of the British Columbia Motor
Vehicle Act, contrary to s. 94(1) of that Act.
8
Section 94(1) provides that a person who drives a motor vehicle on a
highway while he is prohibited from driving under certain sections of the
Act, including s. 92, commits an offence and is liable to a fine and to
imprisonment.
8
O$,0*(/"$',(%6-%(+;f^>?@(-',(+;f=(.)*-%*,(-'(9)*-%*,(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:(
"//*'.*(/")(26&.6(&34)&+"'3*'%(2-+(-(4*'-#%:G(%6*)*1:(."'%)-5*'&'0 +; c"/(
%6*9-'-,&-'(96-)%*)("/(S&06%+(-',(K)**,"3+;
8
A6*("'#:(4"++&1#*(,*/*'.*(%6-%(%6*(-..$+*,(."$#,(4$%(/")2-),(&+(6&+(&0'")'-'.*(
"/(%6*(/-.%(%6-%(6&+(#&.*'.*(6-,(1**'(+$+4*',*,G(26&.6(."'+%&%$%*+(-(3&+%-7*("/(
#-2(-',(&+('"%(-5-&#-1#*(-+(-(,*/*'.*
8
^;?(-',(+;(c=>?@("/(%6*(M)&%&+6(9"#$31&-(R//*'.*(T.%(&',&.-%*(%6-%G(
'"%2&%6+%-',&'0(%6*(4)"5&+&"'+("/(-':("%6*)(-.%G('"(4*)+"'(&+(#&-1#*(%"(
&34)&+"'3*'%(/")(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:("//*'.*G((%6$+(%6*)*(&+('"(5&"#-%&"'("/(+;c(
"/(%6*(.6-)%*)(%"(%6*()&06%("/(#&/*G(#&5*)%:(-',(+*.$)&%:
F;
E*5*)%6*#*++(%6*(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:("//*'.*(.)*-%*,(1:(+;(f^>?@(-',(+;(f=(,"*+('"%(
."'%)-5*'*(%6* Charter;(A6&+(."'.#$+&"'(/#"2+(/)"3(%6*(-44#&.-%&"'("/(+;(^;?(-',(
"/(+;(c=>?@("/(%6*(M)&%&+6(9"#$31&- Offence Act;(A6*+*(+*.%&"'+()*+4*.%&5*#:(
&',&.-%*(%6-%G('"%2&%6+%-',&'0(%6*(4)"5&+&"'+("/(-':("%6*)(T.%G('"(4*)+"'(&+(
#&-1#*(%"(&34)&+"'3*'%(/")(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:( "//*'.*G(-',(%6-%(%6*('"'`
4-:3*'%("/(-(/&'*(2&##('"%()*+$#%(&'(&34)&+"'3*'%;(A6$+G(-'(-..$+*,(."'5&.%*,(
$',*)(++;(f^>?@(-',(f=(/-.*+('"()&+7("/(&34)&+"'3*'%(-',(%6*)*(&+G(-.."),&'0#:G(
'"(5&"#-%&"'("/(%6*()&06%(%"(#&/*G(#&1*)%:(-',(+*.$)&%:("/(%6*(4*)+"'($',*)(+;(c("/(
%6* Charter;
8
++;(f^>?@(-',(f=("/(%6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(%6-%(-(4*)+"'(."'5&.%*,("/(%6*(
$',*)#:&'0("//*'.*(&+(J-$%"3-%&.-##:(-',(2&%6"$%('"%&.*J(4)"6&1&%*,(/)"3(,)&5&'0(
-(3"%")(5*6&.#*;(A6*(2"),+(J-$%"3-%&.-##:(-',(2&%6"$%('"%&.*J(&'(+;(f=(0"(/-)(
%"2-),+(*+%-1#&+6&'0(%6-%(%6&+(&+(-'(-1+"#$%*(#&-1&#&%:( "//*'.*;
8
A6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(4$1#&.(2*#/-)*(")()*0$#-%"):(#*0&+#-%&"';(A6*(&34$0'*,(
4)"5&+&"'+(-)*(-&3*,(-%(7**4&'0(1-,(,)&5*)+("//(%6*()"-,I(%6*:(-)*('"%(
4)"6&1&%&"'+(26&.6(-)*(J.)&3&'-#(&'(%6*(%)$*(+*'+*J;
F%)&.%(#&-1&#&%:(8
8
T(+%)&.%(#&-1&#&%:("//*'.*()*D$&)*+(%6*(3&'&3-#(3*'%-#(*#*3*'%("/('*0#&0*'.*(&'(
"),*)(%"(0)"$',(-(."'5&.%&"';(E*0#&0*'.*(."'+&+%+(&'(-'($')*-+"'-1#*(/-&#$)*(%"(
7'"2(%6*(/-.%+(26&.6(."'+%&%$%*(%6*("//*'.*G(")(%6*(/-&#$)*(%"(1*(,$#:(,&#&0*'%(%"(
%-7*(+%*4+(26&.6(-()*-+"'-1#*(4*)+"'(2"$#,(%-7*;(F&'.*(&0'")-'.*("/(%6*(#-2(&+(
'"%(-'(*L.$+*(/")(1)*-7&'0(%6*(#-2G(,$*(,&#&0*'.*(."'+&+%+(&'(%-7&'0(+%*4+(%"(/$#/&#(
-(,$%:(&34"+*,(1:(#-2(-',('"%(&'(%6*(-+.*)%-&'3*'%("/(%6*(*L&+%*'.*( "/(-(
+%-%$%"):(4)"6&1&%&"'(")(&%+(&'%*)4)*%-%&"';(WL.*4%&"'-##:G(26*)*(7'"2#*,0*(%6-%(
."',$.%(&+(4)"6&1&%*,(&+(&%+*#/(4-)%("/(%6* mens reaG(%6*(-1+*'.*("/(7'"2#*,0*(
4)"5&,*+(-(0"",(,*/*'.*;
8
A6*(/-.%$-#(*#*3*'%(."34)&+&'0(%6* actus reus ."'+&+%+(&'(%6*(,)&5&'0("/(-(3"%")(
5*6&.#*(6-5&'0(4)*5&"$+#:(1**'(."'5&.%*,("/("'*("/(%6*($',*)#:&'0("//*'.*+;(
F&'.*(%6*)*(&+('" mens rea +4*.&/&*,G(&%(3$+%(1*(&'/*))*,(/)"3(%6* actus reus-',G(
1*.-$+*(%6&+(&+(-()*0$#-%"):("//*'.*G(%6* mens rea ."'+&+%+(&'('*0#&0*'.*(&'(
)*#-%&"'(%"(-':("/(%6*(*#*3*'%+("/(%6* actus reusG(1$%('"%(&'()*#-%&"'(%"(%6*(
*L&+%*'.*("/(%6&+(+%-%$%"):(4)"6&1&%&"'(")(&%+(&'%*)4)*%-%&"'G(+&'.*(%6-%(2"$#,(1*(
&0'")-'.*(")(3&+%-7*("/(#-2;
8
A6*(4)"5&+&"'("/(+"3*(/")3("/('"%&.*("/(%6*(#-2(2"$#,(."'5*)%(%6*("//*'.*(&'%"(
"'*("/(/$## mens reaG(+&'.*(%6*(-..$+*,(2"$#,(%6*'(1*(,)&5&'0(2&%6(-.%$-#(
+$1B*.%&5*(7'"2#*,0*(%6-%(6*(2-+(4)"6&1&%*,($',*)(4)"5&'.&-#(#*0&+#-%&"';(S-%6*)(
%6-'(-'("//*'.*("/(/$## mens reaG(%6*(4)"5&'.*(.6"+*(-(+"#$%&"'(-44)"4)&-%*#:(
%-&#")*,(%"(%6*()*0$#-%"):(."'%*L%N(-'("//*'.*("/(+%)&.%(#&-1&#&%:;
8
R"v."Transport"Robert
that so long as there is no risk of imprisonment, the stigma
associated with a contravention and even the severity of the
penalty may not invoke the protection of the security of the person
extended under section 7 of the Charter.
8
The Court of Appeal in the flying tire case upheld as constitutional
the Ontario Highway Traffic Act26 prohibition against the owner or
operator of a commercial vehicle whose wheel became detached
while on the roadway, even though the maximum penalty was a
fine of $50,000, and the owner or operator was denied any defence
of due diligence in avoiding or preventing the detaching of the
wheel.
8
8
R"v."Commander"Furniture"
BC" Motor" vehicle"act"
Complete" offence," even"though"the"offender" did"not"know" that"his"or" her"
licence"had"been"suspended."No"reason"to"consider" the"validity"of"ones"licence"
before"driving."
8
A6* Motor Vehicle Act &+(4$1#&.(2*#/-)*(")()*0$#-%"):(#*0&+#-%&"';(A6*(&34$0'*,(
4)"5&+&"'+(-)*(-&3*,(-%(7**4&'0(1-,(,)&5*)+("//(%6*()"-,I(%6*:(-)*('"%(
4)"6&1&%&"'+(26&.6(-)*(J.)&3&'-#(&'(%6*(%)$*(+*'+*J;
8
Case%Study%Essay%Notes%
F-%$),-:G(V-).6(=^G(=g?Z ?=Nbg(!V
Document Summary
Pollution resulted as a cause of garbage and wastes dumped over into the creek. Company was in brach os s. 32 (1) of the ontario water resources commission. Trial judge found that city had nothing to do with the actual operation. Held that it required mens rea with respect to causing or permitting the discharge. Section 32(1) concerned with only one matter, pollution, and generic offence was polluting. Absolute liability entails conviction on mere proof of the prohibited act without any relevant mental element. Defendant must prove that all due care was taken; on balance of probabilities. Prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant commited the prohibited act. The words cause and permit which are frequently found in public welfare statutes do not denote clearly either full mens rea or absolute liability. Doctrine of the guilty mind expressed in terms of intention or recklessness, but not negligence.
