Criminal Code of Canada - section 83.09(1) - Exemptions

section 83.09(1)

INTRODUCTION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The Minister of Public Safety can give permission for a person to carry out a prohibited activity or transaction.

SECTION WORDING

83.09 (1) The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, or a person designated by him or her, may authorize any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada to carry out a specified activity or transaction that is prohibited by section 83.08, or a class of such activities or transactions.

EXPLANATION

Section 83.09(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada grants the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, or a designated person, the authority to authorize individuals or entities to carry out activities that are typically prohibited by Section 83.08, which is focused on acts that are deemed terrorist activities, or a class of such activities. Section 83.08 of the Criminal Code of Canada outlines the offenses that constitute a terrorist activity, including but not limited to acts committed in or outside Canada with the intention of intimidating, coercing, or influencing a government or its citizens for a political, religious, or ideological purpose. To address the complexity of terrorism-related activities and to mitigate situations where certain actions may be necessary in pursuit of national security objectives, Section 83.09(1) provides a mechanism for authorizing persons to conduct activities or transactions that would be otherwise prohibited. This authorization must be given with respect to the circumstances and subject matter that the Minister or the authorized person considers necessary for national security purposes. The authorization process under Section 83.09(1) is a valuable tool for law enforcement agencies to mitigate national security risks while ensuring that human rights and civil liberties are maintained. The authorization must be narrowly tailored to ensure that the restricted activities are conducted only to achieve national security objectives and not for any other purpose. In conclusion, the ability to authorize individuals or entities to carry out specified activities or transactions due to national security concerns is a crucial provision under the Criminal Code of Canada. This provision ensures that appropriate persons have the necessary legal authority to act in the interest of national security while safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

COMMENTARY

Section 83.09(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada is a provision that authorizes certain individuals in Canada or Canadians outside of Canada to carry out specified activities or transactions that would otherwise be prohibited under section 83.08 or a class of such activities or transactions. This provision is an important tool for the government to combat terrorism and other security threats. The provision is designed to allow individuals who are trained and authorized to carry out certain activities or transactions in the context of counter-terrorism or national security to do so without facing criminal sanctions. This means that the government can engage experts, such as intelligence personnel or law enforcement officers, to carry out certain otherwise prohibited activities or transactions without fear of breaking the law. This provision is important because it allows for the government to act quickly and effectively in situations where national security is at risk. For example, if there is credible intelligence suggesting that a terrorist attack is imminent, the government can authorize law enforcement or intelligence personnel to engage in activities that might ordinarily be illegal, such as carrying out surveillance or intercepting communications. This can help prevent or mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack. However, the provision is not without its critics. Some civil liberties advocates have raised concerns that the provision could be used to infringe on the rights of Canadians. Specifically, they worry that the provision could be used to authorize activities that would violate privacy or other fundamental rights. For example, if the government were to authorize surveillance of a particular individual or group, it could be argued that this violates the Charter right to privacy. To address these concerns, the government has put in place certain safeguards to ensure that the provision is used appropriately. For example, the provision requires that the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness or a designate authorize the activity or transaction in question. This means that the decision to authorize an activity or transaction must be made at the highest levels of government, which helps to ensure that it is being done for a legitimate purpose. Moreover, the provision specifies that the authorization must be limited to a specified activity or transaction or a class of such activities or transactions. This means that the authorization cannot be open-ended, and must be tied to a specific purpose or objective. This helps to ensure that the authorization is not being used to engage in activities or transactions that would be otherwise prohibited under the law. Overall, section 83.09(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada is an important provision that allows for the government to act quickly and effectively in situations where national security is at risk. While there are concerns that the provision could be used to infringe on the rights of Canadians, the government has put in place safeguards to ensure that it is being used appropriately. As such, the provision strikes an appropriate balance between the need for effective national security measures and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

STRATEGY

Section 83.09(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada provides the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (or a designated person) with the authority to authorize a prohibited activity or transaction under section 83.08. This authorization process has strategic implications that must be considered by the authorities involved. The following discusses strategic considerations and potential strategies that could be employed when dealing with this Section. Strategic Considerations: 1. National Security: The primary consideration when authorizing an activity or transaction must be national security. The Minister or their delegate has to ensure that any authorized activity or transaction does not pose a threat to national security and public safety. 2. Accountability: The Minister is accountable to the public and the parliament for their decisions. Therefore, any authorization must have a robust accountability framework to ensure that the decision-making process is transparent, clear, and justifiable. 3. Threat Assessment: The Minister must have a robust threat assessment process to evaluate whether an activity or transaction poses a threat to national security. This assessment must be based on evidence, intelligence, and risk analysis. 4. Human Rights: Any authorization process must take into account the human rights of individuals. This means that the process should be fair, transparent, and ensure that individuals are not subject to arbitrary or discriminatory treatment. 5. Legal Framework: The authorization process must be based on a sound legal framework. The process must be consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Criminal Code. Any deviation from the legal framework may result in legal challenges and public scrutiny. Strategies 1. Risk Management: Develop a robust risk management framework that integrates intelligence, threat assessments, and risk analysis. The framework should ensure that the authorized activities or transactions do not pose a significant threat to national security. 2. Transparency: Ensure that the authorization process is transparent and that the public understands the decision-making process. This will improve accountability and reduce public scrutiny. 3. Consultation: Engage with stakeholders such as civil society, industry representatives, and affected individuals. Consultation will help build public trust and ensure that the authorization process respects human rights. 4. Quality Assurance: Develop a quality assurance framework that ensures that the authorization process is consistent with the legal framework. This will reduce the risk of legal challenges and increase public confidence. 5. Flexibility: The authorization process should be flexible to respond to changing security threats. This means that the process should be agile and be able to adapt to new challenges and emerging threats. In conclusion, Section 83.09(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada provides the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (or their delegate) authority to authorize prohibited activities or transactions under section 83.08. The authorization process requires strategic considerations and strategies to ensure national security, accountability, threat assessment, human rights, and comply with the legal framework. Developing a risk management framework, ensuring transparency, consultation, quality assurance, and flexibility are essential strategies to ensure an effective authorization process.

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