Intervener Canada`s-National-Firearms

S.C.C. File No. 35678
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA
(ON APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO)
BETWEEN:
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
APPELLANT
(Respondent)
-andATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA
APPELLANT
(Party Intervener)
AND:
HUSSEIN JAMA NUR
RESPONDENT
(Appellant)
AND:
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF QUEBEC, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ALBERTA, PIVOT LEGAL SOCIETY,
JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY OF CANADA, CANADIAN CIVIL LIBERTIES
ASSOCIATION, BRITISH COLUMBIA CIVIL LIBERTIES ASSOCIATION, THE
ADVOCATES’ SOCIETY, THE CANADIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, CANADA’S
NATIONAL FIREARMS ASSOCIATION, CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR
COMMUNITY LIVING, AFRICAN CANADIAN LEGAL CLINIC
INTERVENERS
FACTUM OF THE INTERVENER
CANADA’S NATIONAL FIREARMS ASSOCIATION
Pursuant to Rule 42 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Canada
SOLOMON FRIEDMAN
Edelson Clifford D’Angelo Friedman LLP
200 Elgin St., Suite 600
Ottawa, ON, K2P 1L5
Tel: 613-237-2290
Fax: 613-237-0071
Email: [email protected]
Counsel for the Intervener, Canada’s National Firearms Association
RIUN SHANDLER
ANDREEA BAIASU
Attorney General of Ontario
10th floor, 720 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2K1
Tel: (416) 326-2353
Fax: (416) 326-4656
E-Mail: [email protected]
Counsel for the Appellant, Her Majesty the
Queen
ROBERT E. HOUSTON, Q.C.
Burke-Robertson, Barristers & Solicitors
Suite 200 - 441 MacLaren Street
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 2H3
Tel: (613) 236-9665
Fax: (613) 235-4430
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Appellant, Her
Majesty the Queen
NANCY DENNISON
RICHARD KRAMER
Attorney General of Canada
Suite 3400, Box 36
130 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario V5X 1K6
Tel: (416) 954-8032
Fax: (416) 973-8253
Email : [email protected]
Counsel for the Appellant, Attorney General
of Canada
ROBERT J. FRATER
Attorney General of Canada
50 O’Connor Street, 5th Floor, Room 556
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L2
Tel: (613) 670-6289
Fax: (613) 954-1920
Email: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Appellant, Attorney
General of Canada
DIRK DERSTINE
JANANI SHANMUGANATHAN
Derstine, Penman
302 – 559 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M6G 1A9
Tel: (416) 304-1414
Fax: (416) 304-1345
Email: [email protected]
Counsel for the Respondent, Hussein Jama
Nur
MARIE-FRANCE MAJOR
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100 – 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0R3
Tel: (613) 695-8855 (ext. 102)
Fax: (613) 695-8580
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Respondent, Hussein
Jama Nur
JOSHUA B. HAWKES, Q.C.
Attorney General of Alberta, Appeals Branch
300, 332 – 6th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0B2
Tel: (403) 297-6005
Fax: (403) 297-3453
Email: [email protected]
Counsel for the Intervener, Attorney General
of Alberta
D. LYNNE WATT
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
2600 – 160 Elgin St.
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1C3
Tel: (613) 786-8695
Fax: (613) 788-3509
Email: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, Attorney
General of Alberta
SYLVAIN LEBOEUF
JULIE DASSYLVA
Procureur general du Québec
1200, Roue de l’Église, 2éme étage
Québec, Québec G1V 4M1
Tel: (418) 643-1477 (ext. 21010)
Fax: (418) 644-7030
E-Mail: [email protected]
Counsel for the Intervener, Attorney General
of Québec
PIERRE LANDRY
Noël & Associés
111, rue Champlain
Gatineau, Québec J8X 3R1
Tel: (819) 771-7393
Fax: (819) 771-5397
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, Attorney
General of Québec
MICHAEL A. FEDER
ADRIENNE SMITH
McCarthey Tétrault LLP
Suite 1300, 777 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1K2
Tel: (604) 643-5983
Fax: (604) 622-5614
E-Mail: [email protected]
Counsel for the Intervener, Pivot Legal
Society
NADIA EFFENDI
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
World Exchange Plaza
Suite 1300, 100 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J9
Tel: (613) 237-5160
Fax: (613) 230-8842
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, Pivot Legal
Society
JENNIFER McALEER
KIMBERLY POTTER
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Suite 2400, 333 Bay Street
Bay Adelaide Centre, Box 20
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2T6
Tel: (416) 865-4413
Fax: (416) 364-7813
E-Mail: [email protected]
Counsel for the Intervener, Canadian Civil
Liberties Association
YAEL WEXLER
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Suite 1300, 55 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L5
Tel: (613) 236-3882
Fax: (613) 230-6432
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, Canadian
Civil Liberties Association
NADER R. HASAN
GERALD CHAN
Ruby Shiller Chan Hasan
11 Prince Arthur Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5R 1B2
Tel: (416) 964-9664
Fax: (416) 964-8305
Counsel for the Intervener, British Columbia
Civil Liberties Association
COLLEEN BAUMAN
Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP
500 – 30 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5L4
Tel: (613) 235-5327
Fax: (631) 235-3041
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, British
Columbia Civil Liberties Association
JOANNA L. BIRENBAUM
SUSAN CHAPMAN
Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund
703 – 60 St. Clair Ave. E.
Toronto, Ontario M4T 1N5
Tel: (416) 595-7170 (ext. 223)
Fax: (416) 595-7191
E-Mail: [email protected]
Counsel for the Intervener, Canadian
Association for Community Living
MARIE-FRANCE MAJOR
Supreme Advocacy LLP
100 – 340 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0R3
Tel: (613) 695-8855 (ext. 102)
Fax: (613) 695-8580
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, Canadian
Association for Community Living
BRUCE F. SIMPSON
Barnes Sammon LLP
400 – 200 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1L5
Tel: (613) 594-8000
Fax: (613) 235-7578
Counsel for the Intervener,
John Howard Society of Canada
ANIL K. KAPOOR
Kapoor Barristers
2nd Floor, 235 King Street East
Toronto, Ontario M5A 1J9
Tel: (416) 363-2700
Fax: (416) 363-2787
E-Mail: [email protected]
Counsel for the Intervener, The Advocates’
Society
VIRGINIA A. NELDER
ANTHONY MORGAN
African Canadian Legal Clinic
811 – 8 King Street East
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1B5
Tel: (416) 214-4747
Fax: (416) 214-4748
E-Mail: [email protected]
Counsel for the Intervener, African
Canadian Legal Clinic
NADIA EFFENDI
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
World Exchange Plaza
Suite 1300, 100 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1J9
Tel: (613) 237-5160
Fax: (613) 230-8842
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, The
Advocates’ Society
BRUCE F. SIMPSON
Barnes Sammon LLP
400 – 200 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1L5
Tel: (613) 594-8000
Fax: (613) 235-7578
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, African
Canadian Legal Clinic
ERIC V. GOTTARDI
NIKOS HARRIS
Peck and Company
610 – 744 West Hastings
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1A5
Tel: (604) 669-0208
Fax: (604) 669-0616
Counsel for the Intervener, The Canadian
Bar Association
JEFFREY W. BEEDELL
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
Suite 2600, 160 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1C3
Tel: (613) 786-0171
Fax: (613) 788-3587
E-Mail: [email protected]
Ottawa Agent for the Intervener, The
Canadian Bar Association
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I: OVERVIEW AND STATEMENT OF FACTS ........................................................................ 1
A.
OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................... 3
B.
STATEMENT OF FACTS ............................................................................................................... 2
PART II: INTERVENER’S POSITION ON CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS .............................. 2
PART III: STATEMENT OF ARGUMENT ........................................................................................... 2
A.
THE COURT OF APPEAL’S REASONABLE HYPOTHETICAL ................................................ 2
B.
OTHER REASONABLE HYPOTHETICALS ................................................................................ 4
i.
Transportation that is not “reasonably direct” .............................................................................. 4
ii.
The wayward and ignorant American ........................................................................................... 6
iii. The mistaken gun owner ............................................................................................................... 7
iv. The effect of inaction – the expired license .................................................................................. 8
C.
THE JURISPRUDENCE .................................................................................................................. 9
PART IV: SUBMISSIONS ON COSTS.................................................................................................. 10
PART V: ORDER SOUGHT ................................................................................................................... 10
PART VI: TABLE OF AUTHORITIES………………………………………………………………..11
PART VII: STATUTES………………………………………………………………………………….12
PART I: OVERVIEW AND STATEMENT OF FACTS
A. OVERVIEW
1. Canada’s National Firearms Association (“the NFA”) supports the position of the
Respondent, Hussein Jama Nur, in the present appeal.
2. Accordingly, the NFA respectfully submits that s. 95(2)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code,1
infringes s. 12 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.2
3. Specifically, it is the position of the NFA that the reasonable hypothetical set out by the
Court of Appeal in the case at bar is indeed a reasonable hypothetical and serves to
demonstrate that the punishment provided by the Code for this offence is grossly
disproportionate.
4. Moreover, the NFA will demonstrate that, given the complex regulatory scheme set out by
the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act, there are numerous other reasonable hypotheticals
that can arise, which could subject an otherwise law-abiding gun owner to a three year
mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment for the commission of what amounts to a
regulatory offence.
5. Finally, the NFA will present jurisprudence that will take these cases out of the realm of
the hypothetical and demonstrate that these very instances are coming before the court and,
subject to the Crown’s discretion with respect to election, such persons would otherwise
be subject to mandatory minimum sentences.
1
R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46.
The NFA also supports the Respondent’s position with respect to s. 95(2)(a)(i) of the Code’s infringement of s. 7
of the Charter but does not wish to supplement the Respondent’s arguments in that regard.
2
1
6. The NFA submits that, should this provision survive constitutional scrutiny, otherwise lawabiding firearms owners will be subject to cruel and unusual punishment, out of all
proportion to their moral blameworthiness.
B. STATEMENT OF FACTS
7. As intervener, the NFA does not seek to supplement the factual record in this appeal and
therefore adopts the facts as set out by the parties.
PART II: INTERVENER’S POSITION ON CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS
8. The position of the NFA is that s. 95(2)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code infringes s. 7 and s. 12
of the Charter and cannot be saved by s. 1.
PART III: STATEMENT OF ARGUMENT
A. THE COURT OF APPEAL’S REASONABLE HYPOTHETICAL
9. At the Court of Appeal, Doherty J.A. set out a reasonable hypothetical to be used in
assessing whether or not s. 95(2)(a)(i) of the Code violated s. 12 of the Charter.3
10. As Doherty J.A. explained, this hypothetical has three essential characteristics: (a) the
accused is knowingly in possession of an unloaded restricted or prohibited firearm with
useable ammunition stored nearby and readily accessible; (b) the accused has an
authorization to possess the firearm and has registered the firearm, but to his or her
knowledge the authorization does not permit possession of the firearm at the place or in
the manner in which the accused has possession; and (c) the possession of the firearm is
not connected to any unlawful purpose or activity and the offender is not engaged in any
3
R. v. Nur, 2013 ONCA 677 at para. 150 [Judgment of the Ontario Court of Appeal] [Appellant’s Record (“A.R.”)
Tab 2].
2
dangerous activity with the firearm.4
11. The NFA would like to address the issue of whether or not a safely stored restricted or
prohibited firearm, with ammunition stored together with it, can be considered to be
stored with “readily accessible to ammunition” within the meaning of s. 95(2).
12. This Court should not accept the Appellant Attorney-General of Canada’s argument that
safely stored ammunition cannot be considered “readily accessible.”5 With respect, the
Appellant has misapprehended the relevant Regulations regarding the storage of
prohibited firearms.
13. In fact, as s. 7 (“Storage of Prohibited Firearms”) of the Storage, Display, Transportation
and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations makes clear, a prohibited firearm
may be stored, unloaded, “readily accessible to ammunition”, provided that the
ammunition is stored “together with or separately from the firearm”, in: 6
a. a container or receptacle that is kept securely locked and that is constructed so
that it cannot readily be broken open or into, or
b. a vault, safe or room that has been specifically constructed or modified for the
secure storage of prohibited firearms and that is kept securely locked.
14. Indeed, the Regulations specifically refer to this state of storage with the phrase “readily
accessible to ammunition”, the same phrase which constitutes an element of the offence
under s. 95(2)(a)(i) of the Code.
15. Furthermore, the Appellant’s contention that improperly stored handguns have been
stolen and used by criminal offences does not rebut the essential nature of this reasonable
hypothetical.7 Here, the accused will be liable to a conviction under s. 95(2),
4
Ibid.
Factum of the Appellant Attorney General of Canada at para. 76.
6
SOR/98-209 at s. 7 [“The Storage, Display and Transportation Regulations”].
7
Factum of the Appellant Attorney General of Canada at para. 85.
5
3
notwithstanding the fact that his prohibited or restricted firearm is stored safely, within
the meaning of the Regulations.
16. If Parliament had meant to address the harm occasioned by improperly stored restricted
and prohibited firearms, it could very well have included unsafe or careless storage as an
element of the offence under s. 95(2). The legislature chose not to do so and the
Appellant should not be permitted to unduly narrow the reasonable hypothetical
accordingly.
B. OTHER REASONABLE HYPOTHETICALS
i.
Transportation that is not “reasonably direct”
17. The accused is a target shooter. He is licensed to possess prohibited and restricted
firearms. Those firearms are registered as required by law. He possesses the firearms for
a legislatively approved purpose.8
18. In order to transport his handgun (which is either a restricted firearm or a prohibited
firearm) from his home to the shooting range, the accused obtains, as required, an
authorization to transport, pursuant to s. 19 of the Firearms Act.
19. This authorization to transport is issued pursuant to the Authorizations to Transport
Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Firearms Regulations.9
20. As required by the Storage, Display and Transportation Regulations, the handgun and
ammunition are transported in the following state:10
a. The firearm is unloaded;
8
See s. 28 (“Permitted Purposes”) of the Firearms Act, (S.C. 1995, c. 39).
SOR/98-206 [“The Authorization to Transport Regulations”].
10
Storage, Display and Transportation Regulations at s. 11.
9
4
b. The firearm is secured with a trigger lock or other secure locking device;
c. The firearm is further secured in a locked container that is made of an opaque
material and is of such strength, construction and nature that it cannot readily be
broken open or into or accidentally opened during transportation;
d. The ammunition is placed in the same secure locked container; and
e. The secure locked container is locked in the trunk of the accused’s vehicle.
21. On his way to the shooting range, the accused takes a small detour and stops for gas. The
firearm and ammunition are never removed from the locked trunk of the accused’s
vehicle.
22. Section 4 of the Authorization to Transport Regulations provides as follows:11
A chief firearms officer who issues an authorization to transport shall attach to it
the condition that the firearm be transported by a route that, in all the
circumstances, is reasonably direct.
23. Since the accused’s authorization to transport requires him to transport the firearm by a
route that is “reasonably direct”, this detour and stop puts the accused in breach of his
authorization’s conditions. The possession of the firearm, in his car, in the gas station, is
therefore unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with readily
accessible ammunition, within the meaning of s. 95(2).
24. Should the Crown choose to elect by indictment, the accused would be liable to a
mandatory minimum sentence of three years imprisonment, pursuant to s. 95(2)(a)(i).
11
The Authorization to Transport Regulations at s. 7.
5
ii.
The wayward and ignorant American12
25. The accused is an American citizen who resides in Washington State. He is moving to
Alaska. His transit route takes him through British Columbia.
26. Among his belongings is a handgun (either a restricted firearm or a prohibited firearm)
and ammunition. The handgun (disabled with a trigger lock) and the ammunition are
safely secured in a locked safe inside the locked cargo compartment of the accused’s
rented moving truck.
27. The accused is unaware of Canada’s laws respecting firearms and ammunition. In fact, he
wrongly believes that he is allowed to possess the handgun and ammunition in Canada,
so long as he intends to remain in Canada for less than 24 hours.
28. He is legally entitled to possess this firearm in both Washington State and Alaska.
29. Once again, despite the safe storage of both the firearm and ammunition, the accused is in
possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm, with readily accessible ammunition,
without being the holder of either a valid licence or authorization.
30. He could therefore be the subject of a charge – and conviction – of an offence contrary to
s. 95(2) of the Code.
31. Of course, the accused’s ignorance of the law is no excuse, pursuant to s. 19 of the
Criminal Code.13
32. Moreover, notwithstanding the decreased moral blameworthiness of the accused due to
this ignorance of the law,14 should the Crown choose to elect to proceed by indictment,
12
As explained below, these circumstances are quite similar to those of the accused in R. v. Mack, [2011] B.C.J. No.
2554 (B.C.P.C.).
13
See s. 19 of the Criminal Code: “Ignorance of the law by a person who commits an offence is not an excuse for
committing that offence.”
14
See for example R. v. Mahannah, [2013] O.J. No. 6330 (Ont. Sup. Ct. J.) (“The issue of Mr. Mahannah's moral
blameworthiness, or his degree of responsibility for the offence requires addressing. I agree with defence counsel
that because Mr. Mahannah was legally in possession of the animated child pornography pictures in California and
did not know it was a crime in Canada, he was not deliberately breaking Canadian law when he came to Canada.
6
the accused would be subject to mandatory minimum sentence of three years
imprisonment.
iii.
The mistaken gun owner
33. The accused is a target shooter. He is licensed to own restricted and prohibited firearms.
His firearms are properly registered.
34. The accused owns two homes – his year-round home located in the city and a recreational
property located in another province.
35. The accused also possesses an authorization to transport, which allows him to transport
his firearms to any range located in the province in which his year-round home is found.
36. However, the accused honestly believes that the terms of his license and authorization to
transport permit him to possess his restricted and prohibited firearms anywhere he
resides.
37. Unfortunately, the accused is mistaken on that point.
38. Accordingly, during the summer months, he transports his restricted and prohibited
firearms to his recreational property. He stores them safely, trigger locked and stored in a
safe, along with his ammunition in that property.
39. This Court, in its decision in R. v. MacDonald, 2014 SCC 3, held that such an individual
could not avail himself of the defence of mistake of fact. His misapprehension of the
terms of his authorization to transport amounts to a mistake of law.
This does not serve in any way to lessen the harm caused by the pictures, but it does serve to lower his degree of
moral culpability for possessing them.”)
7
40. The accused would therefore be liable to a mandatory minimum sentence of three years
imprisonment, should the Crown choose to elect by indictment.15
41. This reasonable hypothetical stands in stark contrast to the hypothetical set out by
Doherty J.A. in Nur. In Nur, the Court of Appeal, characterized the hypothetical accused
person as knowing the possession was not authorized at the place in question.16
42. In this reasonable hypothetical, according to this Court’s recent jurisprudence, the
mandatory minimum sentence could apply despite the accused’s honest and
uncontradicted belief that his possession of the restricted or prohibited firearm in question
was fully in accordance with the terms of his licence and authorization to transport.
iv.
The effect of inaction – the expired license
43. The three reasonable hypotheticals outlined above and the reasonable hypothetical set out
by Doherty J.A. at the Court of Appeal all require some active role on the part of the
accused.
44. In Doherty J.A.’s reasonable hypothetical, the accused must have taken active steps to
transport the restricted or prohibited firearm to an unauthorized location.
45. The same is true with respect to the three alternative reasonable hypotheticals offered for
the Court’s consideration above.
46. The NFA’s final hypothetical, however, requires no action on the part of the accused.
47. The accused is a licensed owner of restricted or prohibited firearms. The firearms are
registered in accordance with law.
15
R. v. MacDonald, 2014 SCC 3 at para. 57.
Judgment of the Ontario Court of Appeal at para. 150 (“…to his or her knowledge the authorization does not
permit possession of the firearm at the place or in the manner in which the accused has possession.”)
16
8
48. The restricted or prohibited firearms are stored safely, in a locked safe, alongside
ammunition.
49. Pursuant to s. 64 of the Firearms Act, a firearms licence issued to an individual expires,
“five years after the birthday of the holder next following the day on which it is issued”,17
50. The accused’s firearms licence expires and he fails to renew it.
51. He does absolutely nothing with his restricted or prohibited firearms. He does not remove
them from his residence. He does not remove them from their safely stored location.
52. Nonetheless, the accused is guilty of the offence of possession of a restricted or
prohibited firearm with readily accessible ammunition, without being the holder of a
valid licence. All without the accused taking a single active step.
53. Once again, depending on the Crown’s election, this accused could very well face a
mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment for three years.
C. THE JURISPRUDENCE
54. The reasonable hypotheticals outlined above are not confined to the realm of the
hypothetical.
55. In R. v. Mack, the accused was an American citizen and Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army. He
was transiting Canada on his way to his next military posting in Alaska. He wrongly
believed that he could transport firearms through Canada so long as his trip lasted less
than 24 hours. He had two loaded handguns which were legal to possess in his home
jurisdiction. The court ultimately granted S/Sgt. Mack an absolute discharge, while the
Crown had sought six months in jail.18
17
S. 64 of the Firearms Act (“A licence that is issued to an individual who is eighteen years old or older expires on
the earlier of (a) five years after the birthday of the holder next following the day on which it is issued, and (b) the
expiration of the period for which it is expressed to be issued.”)
18
R. v. Mack, [2011] B.C.J. No. 2554 (B.C.P.C.)
9
56. In R. v. Vandyke, the accused was a licensed gun owner who had been cleaning his guns
in his garage. He placed one of the guns on the seat of his truck. He later drove to a bar,
forgetting about the firearm on the seat of the truck. When he arrived at the bar, and after
planning to leave his vehicle overnight, the accused decided to put the gun in his pants
and enter the bar. He showed the gun to someone in the bar for a few seconds. There was
no malicious or threatening intent or actions on the part of the accused.Another patron
saw this and called police. He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional sentence.19
PART IV: SUBMISSIONS ON COSTS
57. Canada’s National Firearms Association makes no submissions on costs.
PART V: ORDER SOUGHT
58. The intervener Canada’s National Firearms Associations respectfully requests permission
to make brief oral argument, for the purpose of answering questions regarding the above
arguments and/or providing assistance to the Court as required.
ALL OF WHICH IS RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED. THIS 23rd DAY OF OCTOBER, 2014
AT THE CITY OF OTTAWA, ONTARIO.
________________________________
Solomon Friedman
Counsel for the Intervener,
Canada’s National Firearms Association
19
R. v. Vandyke, 2013 ABPC 347.
10
PART VI: TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Case
R. v. Nur, 2013 ONCA 677
R. v. Mack, [2011] B.C.J. No. 2554 (B.C.P.C.)
R. v. Mahannah, [2013] O.J. No. 6330 (Ont. Sup. Ct. J.)
R. v. MacDonald, 2014 SCC 3
R. v. Vandyke, 2013 ABPC 347
Paragraph
10, 41
25, 55
32
39
56
11
PART VII: STATUTES
CRIMINAL CODE, 1985
CODE CRIMINEL, 1985
PARTIE I
Dispositions générales
PART I
GENERAL
Ignorance of the law
Ignorance de la loi
19. Ignorance of the law by a person who
commits an offence is not an excuse for
committing that offence.
19. L’ignorance de la loi chez une personne
qui commet une infraction n’excuse pas la
perpétration de l’infraction.
[…]
[…]
PART III
FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS
POSSESSION OFFENCES
Possession of prohibited or restricted
firearm with ammunition
95. (1) Subject to subsection (3), every person
commits an offence who, in any place,
possesses a loaded prohibited firearm or
restricted firearm, or an unloaded prohibited
firearm or restricted firearm together with
readily accessible ammunition that is capable
of being discharged in the firearm, without
being the holder of
(a) an authorization or a licence under which
the person may possess the firearm in that
place; and
(b) the registration certificate for the firearm.
(2) Every person who commits an offence
under subsection (1)
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10
years and to a minimum punishment of
imprisonment for a term of
(i) in the case of a first offence, three years,
and
(ii) in the case of a second or subsequent
offence, five years; or
PARTIE III
ARMES À AUTRES ARMES
INFRACTIONS RELATIVES À
POSSESSION
Possession d’une arme à feu prohibée ou à
autorisation restreinte avec des munitions
95. (1) Sous réserve du paragraphe (3),
commet une infraction quiconque a en sa
possession dans un lieu quelconque soit une
arme à feu prohibée ou une arme à feu à
autorisation restreinte chargées, soit une telle
arme non chargée avec des munitions
facilement accessibles qui peuvent être
utilisées avec celle-ci, sans être titulaire à la
fois :
a) d’une autorisation ou d’un permis qui l’y
autorise dans ce lieu;
b) du certificat d’enregistrement de l’arme.
(2) Quiconque commet l’infraction prévue au
paragraphe (1) est coupable :
a) soit d’un acte criminel passible d’un
emprisonnement maximal de dix ans, la peine
minimale étant :
(i) de trois ans, dans le cas d’une première
infraction,
(ii) de cinq ans, en cas de récidive;
12
(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on
summary conviction and liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding one
year.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person
who is using the firearm under the direct and
immediate supervision of another person who
is lawfully entitled to possess it and is using
the firearm in a manner in which that other
person may lawfully use it.
b) soit d’une infraction punissable, sur
déclaration de culpabilité par procédure
sommaire, d’un emprisonnement maximal de
un an.
FIREARMS ACT (S.C. 1995, c. 39)
Loi sur les armes à feu (L.C. 1995, ch. 39)
AUTHORIZED TRANSPORTATION OF
FIREARMS
Transporting and using prohibited
firearms or restricted firearms
19. (1) An individual who holds a licence
authorizing the individual to possess
prohibited firearms or restricted firearms may
be authorized to transport a particular
prohibited firearm or restricted firearm
between two or more specified places for any
good and sufficient reason, including, without
restricting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) for use in target practice, or a target
shooting competition, under specified
conditions or under the auspices of a shooting
club or shooting range that is approved under
section 29;
(a.1) to provide instructions in the use of
firearms as part of a restricted firearms safety
course that is approved by the federal
Minister; or
(b) if the individual
(i) changes residence,
(ii) wishes to transport the firearm to a peace
officer, firearms officer or chief firearms
officer for registration or disposal in
accordance with this Act or Part III of the
Criminal Code,
(iii) wishes to transport the firearm for repair,
storage, sale, exportation or appraisal, or
(3) Le paragraphe (1) ne s’applique pas à
quiconque utilise une arme à feu sous la
surveillance directe d’une personne qui en a la
possession légale, de la manière dont celle-ci
peut légalement s’en servir.
TRANSPORT D’ARMES À FEU
Transport et usage d’armes à feu prohibées
ou d’armes à feu à autorisation restreinte
19. (1) Le particulier titulaire d’un permis de
possession d’armes à feu prohibées ou
d’armes à feu à autorisation restreinte peut
être autorisé à en transporter une en
particulier entre des lieux précis pour toute
raison valable, notamment :
a) pour le tir à la cible, la participation à une
compétition de tir ou l’usage à des conditions
précisées ou sous les auspices d’un club de tir
ou d’un champ de tir agréé conformément à
l’article 29;
a.1) pour offrir un entraînement au maniement
des armes à feu dans le cadre d’un cours sur
la sécurité des armes à feu à autorisation
restreinte agréé par le ministre fédéral;
b) s’il :
(i) change de résidence,
(ii) désire la présenter à l’agent de la paix, au
préposé aux armes à feu ou au contrôleur des
armes à feu pour enregistrement ou
disposition en conformité avec la présente loi
ou la partie III du Code criminel,
(iii) désire la transporter aux fins de
réparation, d’entreposage, de vente,
d’exportation ou d’évaluation,
13
(iv) wishes to transport the firearm to a gun
show.
(iv) désire l’apporter à une exposition d’armes
à feu.
[…]
[…]
Permitted purposes
Finalité de l’acquisition
28. A chief firearms officer may approve the
transfer to an individual of a restricted firearm
or a handgun referred to in subsection 12(6.1)
(pre-December 1, 1998 handguns) only if the
chief firearms officer is satisfied
(a) that the individual needs the restricted
firearm or handgun
(i) to protect the life of that individual or of
other individuals, or
(ii) for use in connection with his or her
lawful profession or occupation; or
(b) that the purpose for which the individual
wishes to acquire the restricted firearm or
handgun is
(i) for use in target practice, or a target
shooting competition, under conditions
specified in an authorization to transport or
under the auspices of a shooting club or
shooting range that is approved under section
29, or
(ii) to form part of a gun collection of the
individual, in the case of an individual who
satisfies the criteria described in section 30.
28. Le contrôleur des armes à feu ne peut
autoriser la cession à un particulier d’une
arme à feu à autorisation restreinte ou d’une
arme de poing visée au paragraphe 12(6.1)
(armes de poing : 1er décembre 1998) que s’il
est convaincu que :
a) celui-ci en a besoin pour :
(i) protéger sa vie ou celle d’autrui,
(ii) usage dans le cadre de son activité
professionnelle légale;
b) celui-ci désire l’acquérir pour l’une ou
l’autre des fins suivantes :
(i) tir à la cible, participation à une
compétition de tir ou usage conforme à une
autorisation de transport ou sous les auspices
d’un club de tir ou d’un champ de tir agréé
conformément à l’article 29,
(ii) collection d’armes à feu par le particulier,
lorsque les conditions énoncées à l’article 30
sont remplies.
[…]
[…]
Term of licences
Permis
64. (1) A licence that is issued to an
individual who is eighteen years old or older
expires on the earlier of
(a) five years after the birthday of the holder
next following the day on which it is issued,
and
(b) the expiration of the period for which it is
expressed to be issued.
64. (1) Les permis délivrés aux particuliers
âgés d’au moins dix-huit ans sont valides
pour la période mentionnée, qui ne peut
dépasser cinq ans après le premier
anniversaire de naissance du titulaire suivant
la date de délivrance.
14
Authorizations to Transport Restricted
Firearms and Prohibited Firearms
Regulations
Règlement sur les autorisations de
transport d’armes à feu à autorisation
restreinte et d’armes à feu prohibées
SOR/98-206
DORS/98-206
CONDITION
CONDITION
4. A chief firearms officer who issues an
authorization to transport shall attach to it the
condition that the firearm be transported by a
route that, in all the circumstances, is
reasonably direct.
4. Le contrôleur des armes à feu assortit
l’autorisation de transport qu’il délivre de la
condition selon laquelle les armes à feu
doivent être transportées selon un itinéraire
qu’il est raisonnable, dans toutes les
circonstances, de considérer comme direct.
Storage, Display, Transportation and
Handling of Firearms by Individuals
Regulations
Règlement sur l’entreposage, l’exposition,
le transport et le maniement des armes à
feu par des particuliers
SOR/98-209
DORS/98-209
STORAGE OF RESTRICTED
FIREARMS
ENTREPOSAGE DES ARMES À FEU À
AUTORISATION RESTREINTE
6. An individual may store a restricted firearm
only if
(a) it is unloaded;
(b) it is
(i) rendered inoperable by means of a secure
locking device and stored in a container,
receptacle or room that is kept securely
locked and that is constructed so that it cannot
readily be broken open or into, or
(ii) stored in a vault, safe or room that has
been specifically constructed or modified for
the secure storage of restricted firearms and
that is kept securely locked; and
(c) it is not readily accessible to ammunition,
unless the ammunition is stored, together with
or separately from the firearm, in
6. Le particulier ne peut entreposer une arme
à feu à autorisation restreinte que si les
conditions suivantes sont respectées :
a) elle est non chargée;
b) elle est, selon le cas :
(i) rendue inopérante par un dispositif de
verrouillage sécuritaire et entreposée dans un
contenant, un compartiment ou une pièce qui
sont gardés bien verrouillés et qui sont
construits de façon qu'on ne peut les forcer
facilement,
(ii) entreposée dans une chambre forte, un
coffre-fort ou une pièce qui ont été construits
ou modifiés expressément pour l'entreposage
sécuritaire des armes à feu à autorisation
restreinte et qui sont gardés bien verrouillés;
15
(i) a container or receptacle that is kept
securely locked and that is constructed so that
it cannot readily be broken open or into, or
(ii) a vault, safe or room that has been
specifically constructed or modified for the
secure storage of restricted firearms and that
is kept securely locked.
c) elle ne se trouve pas à proximité de
munitions, à moins que celles-ci ne soient
entreposées, avec ou sans l'arme à feu :
(i) soit dans un contenant ou un compartiment
qui sont gardés bien verrouillés et qui sont
construits de façon qu'on ne peut les forcer
facilement,
(ii) soit dans une chambre forte, un coffre-fort
ou une pièce qui ont été construits ou
modifiés expressément pour l'entreposage
sécuritaire des armes à feu à autorisation
restreinte et qui sont gardés bien verrouillés.
STORAGE OF PROHIBITED
FIREARMS
ENTREPOSAGE DES ARMES À FEU
PROHIBÉES
7. An individual may store a prohibited
firearm only if
(a) it is unloaded;
(b) it is
(i) rendered inoperable by means of a secure
locking device and stored in a container,
receptacle or room that is kept securely
locked and that is constructed so that it cannot
readily be broken open or into, and, if the
prohibited firearm is an automatic firearm that
has a removable bolt or bolt-carrier, the bolt
or bolt-carrier is removed and stored in a
room that is different from the room in which
the automatic firearm is stored, that is kept
securely locked and that is constructed so that
it cannot readily be broken open or into, or
(ii) stored in a vault, safe or room that has
been specifically constructed or modified for
the secure storage of prohibited firearms and
that is kept securely locked; and
(c) it is not readily accessible to ammunition,
unless the ammunition is stored, together with
or separately from the firearm, in
(i) a container or receptacle that is kept
securely locked and that is constructed so that
it cannot readily be broken open or into, or
(ii) a vault, safe or room that has been
specifically constructed or modified for the
secure storage of prohibited firearms and that
is kept securely locked.
7. Le particulier ne peut entreposer une arme
à feu prohibée que si les conditions suivantes
sont respectées :
a) elle est non chargée;
b) elle est, selon le cas :
(i) rendue inopérante par un dispositif de
verrouillage sécuritaire et entreposée dans un
contenant, un compartiment ou une pièce qui
sont gardés bien verrouillés et qui sont
construits de façon qu'on ne peut les forcer
facilement et, s'il s'agit d'une arme
automatique dont le verrou ou la glissière peut
être enlevé, le verrou ou la glissière est enlevé
et entreposé dans une pièce — distincte de
celle où l'arme est entreposée — qui est
gardée bien verrouillée et est construite de
façon qu'on ne peut la forcer facilement,
(ii) entreposée dans une chambre forte, un
coffre-fort ou une pièce qui ont été construits
ou modifiés expressément pour l'entreposage
sécuritaire des armes à feu prohibées et qui
sont gardés bien verrouillés;
c) elle ne se trouve pas à proximité de
munitions, à moins que celles-ci ne soient
entreposées, avec ou sans l'arme à feu :
(i) soit dans un contenant ou un compartiment
qui sont gardés bien verrouillés et qui sont
construits de façon qu'on ne peut les forcer
facilement,
16
(ii) soit dans une chambre forte, un coffre-fort
ou une pièce qui ont été construits ou
modifiés expressément pour l'entreposage
sécuritaire des armes à feu prohibées et qui
sont gardés bien verrouillés.
[…]
[…]
TRANSPORTATION OF RESTRICTED
FIREARMS
TRANSPORT DES ARMES À FEU À
AUTORISATION RESTREINTE
11. An individual may transport a restricted
firearm only if
(a) it is unloaded;
(b) it is rendered inoperable by means of a
secure locking device;
(c) it is in a locked container that is made of
an opaque material and is of such strength,
construction and nature that it cannot readily
be broken open or into or accidentally opened
during transportation; and
(d) if it is in a container described in
paragraph (c) that is in an unattended vehicle,
(i) when the vehicle is equipped with a trunk
or similar compartment that can be securely
locked, the container is in that trunk or
compartment and the trunk or compartment is
securely locked, and
(ii) when the vehicle is not equipped with a
trunk or similar compartment that can be
securely locked, the vehicle, or the part of the
vehicle that contains the container, is securely
locked and the container is not visible from
outside the vehicle.
11. Le particulier ne peut transporter une
arme à feu à autorisation restreinte que si les
conditions suivantes sont respectées :
a) elle est non chargée;
b) elle est rendue inopérante par un dispositif
de verrouillage sécuritaire;
c) elle se trouve dans un contenant verrouillé
qui est fait d'un matériau opaque et dont la
résistance, la construction et les
caractéristiques sont telles qu'on ne peut le
forcer facilement et qu'il ne peut s'ouvrir
accidentellement pendant le transport;
d) dans le cas où le contenant visé à l'alinéa c)
se trouve dans un véhicule non surveillé :
(i) si le véhicule est muni d'un coffre ou d'un
compartiment similaire pouvant être bien
verrouillés, le contenant se trouve dans le
coffre ou le compartiment, lequel est bien
verrouillé,
(ii) si le véhicule n'est pas muni d'un coffre ou
d'un compartiment similaire pouvant être bien
verrouillés, le véhicule — ou la partie de
celui-ci renfermant le contenant — est bien
verrouillé et le contenant n'est pas visible de
l'extérieur du véhicule.
TRANSPORTATION OF PROHIBITED
FIREARMS
TRANSPORT DES ARMES À FEU
PROHIBÉES
12. An individual may transport a prohibited
firearm only if
(a) it is unloaded;
(b) it is rendered inoperable by means of a
secure locking device;
12. Le particulier ne peut transporter une
arme à feu prohibée que si les conditions
suivantes sont respectées :
a) elle est non chargée;
b) elle est rendue inopérante par un dispositif
de verrouillage sécuritaire;
17
(c) if it is an automatic firearm that has a bolt
or bolt-carrier that is removable with
reasonable facility, the bolt or bolt-carrier is
removed;
(d) it is in a locked container that is made of
an opaque material and is of such strength,
construction and nature that it cannot readily
be broken open or into or accidentally opened
during transportation; and
(e) when it is in a container described in
paragraph (d) that is in an unattended vehicle,
(i) if the vehicle is equipped with a trunk or
similar compartment that can be securely
locked, the container is in that trunk or
compartment and the trunk or compartment is
securely locked, and
(ii) if the vehicle is not equipped with a trunk
or similar compartment that can be securely
locked, the vehicle, or the part of the vehicle
that contains the container, is securely locked
and the container is not visible from outside
the vehicle.
c) s'il s'agit d'une arme automatique dont le
verrou ou la glissière peut être enlevé avec
une facilité raisonnable, le verrou ou la
glissière est enlevé;
d) elle se trouve dans un contenant verrouillé
qui est fait d'un matériau opaque et dont la
résistance, la construction et les
caractéristiques sont telles qu'on ne peut le
forcer facilement et qu'il ne peut s'ouvrir
accidentellement pendant le transport;
e) dans le cas où le contenant visé à l'alinéa d)
se trouve dans un véhicule non surveillé :
(i) si le véhicule est muni d'un coffre ou d'un
compartiment similaire pouvant être bien
verrouillés, le contenant se trouve dans le
coffre ou le compartiment, lequel est bien
verrouillé,
(ii) si le véhicule n'est pas muni d'un coffre ou
d'un compartiment similaire pouvant être bien
verrouillés, le véhicule — ou la partie de
celui-ci renfermant le contenant — est bien
verrouillé et le contenant n'est pas visible de
l'extérieur du véhicule.
18