section 83.3(8)

INTRODUCTION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

A judge can order a person to enter into a recognizance to keep the peace and be of good behavior for up to 12 months if the peace officer has reasonable grounds for suspicion of the persons involvement in a terrorist activity.

SECTION WORDING

83.3(8) The judge before whom the person appears in accordance with subsection (3) (a) may, if satisfied by the evidence adduced that the peace officer has reasonable grounds for the suspicion, order that the person enter into a recognizance to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for any period that does not exceed 12 months and to comply with any other reasonable conditions prescribed in the recognizance, including the conditions set out in subsection (10), that the judge considers desirable for preventing the carrying out of a terrorist activity; and (b) if the person was not released under subparagraph (7)(b)(i), shall order that the person be released, subject to the recognizance, if any, ordered under paragraph (a).

EXPLANATION

Section 83.3(8) of the Criminal Code of Canada outlines the powers of a judge who is considering the case of an individual who has been arrested on suspicion of being involved in a terrorist activity. The judge may order that the person enter into a recognizance to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period of up to 12 months, as long as they are satisfied that the peace officer has reasonable grounds for their suspicion. A recognizance is a legal agreement between the individual and the court that the individual will comply with certain conditions in order to prevent the carrying out of a terrorist activity. These conditions may include things like staying away from certain places or people, or handing over any weapons or explosives they may have in their possession. The judge has the discretion to prescribe any other reasonable conditions that they see fit. If the person was not released under subparagraph (7)(b)(i), the judge must order that the person be released subject to the recognizance, if any, that was ordered. This means that the person may be released from custody, but they are required to comply with the conditions of the recognizance for the entire specified period. This section of the Criminal Code is aimed at preventing individuals from carrying out acts of terrorism and allows the judge to take swift action to address any potential threats. It is a measure that is considered essential in maintaining national security, and reflects Canada's commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens.

COMMENTARY

Section 83.3(8) of the Criminal Code of Canada is a provision that enables a judge to order individuals suspected of planning or participating in terrorist activities to enter into a recognizance to keep the peace and be of good behavior. This recognizance can be for a period of up to 12 months and it must involve reasonable conditions prescribed in the recognizance that the judge considers necessary to prevent the carrying out of a terrorist activity. The purpose of this section is to prevent individuals from engaging in terrorist activities in Canada. It helps the law enforcement officers to identify suspect individuals and take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of Canadians. By requiring individuals to enter into a recognizance to keep the peace and be of good behavior, the government is sending a clear message that any activities related to terrorism are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. The language used in the provision is quite detailed. It specifies that a judge can only order a person to enter into a recognizance if they are satisfied by the evidence presented that the peace officer has reasonable grounds for their suspicion. This means that there must be a credible reason for suspecting that an individual is planning or participating in a terrorist activity before the judge can take any action. Furthermore, the provision also specifies that the conditions prescribed in the recognizance must be reasonable and necessary to prevent the carrying out of a terrorist activity. This ensures that the conditions imposed on individuals do not violate their rights or liberties unnecessarily. Some of the conditions that a judge may prescribe include reporting to a designated person at certain intervals, providing a surety, and refraining from communicating with certain individuals or organizations. The provision also requires judges to release individuals who have been ordered to enter into a recognizance, subject to the recognizance itself. This ensures that individuals are not held in custody unnecessarily and that their rights are protected. Overall, section 83.3(8) of the Criminal Code of Canada is an important provision that helps to prevent terrorist activities in Canada. Its detailed language ensures that only individuals who are reasonably suspected of planning or participating in terrorist activities are subject to the provision and that any conditions prescribed in the recognizance are reasonable and necessary. By using this provision, the government is demonstrating its commitment to protecting the safety and security of its citizens and is sending a clear message that terrorist activities will not be tolerated in Canada.

STRATEGY

Section 83.3(8) of the Criminal Code of Canada provides Canadian law enforcement officials with the authority to detain individuals suspected of being involved in terrorist activities. There are several strategic considerations that must be taken into account when dealing with this section of the Criminal Code of Canada, including interagency coordination, intelligence gathering, and public relations. One strategy that law enforcement officials may employ when dealing with this section of the Criminal Code is to coordinate closely with other agencies, such as intelligence agencies, to obtain as much information as possible about the individual in question. This may involve sharing information across jurisdictional boundaries and working with other agencies to develop a comprehensive picture of the individual's activities, associations, and potential motives. Another key strategic consideration is to gather as much evidence as possible before making an arrest or seeking a recognizance order. Law enforcement officials must be able to demonstrate to a judge that they have reasonable grounds to suspect the individual of being involved in terrorist activities, and this requires a carefully managed investigative process that is supported by strong, credible evidence. Public relations is also an important strategic consideration when dealing with this section of the Criminal Code. Law enforcement officials must carefully balance the need to protect the public with the need to respect civil liberties and protect individual rights. This requires clear communication with the public, as well as a willingness to engage in dialogue and respond to concerns raised by civil liberties groups and other stakeholders. There are several strategies that law enforcement officials can employ when dealing with this section of the Criminal Code. One strategy is to establish a multi-agency task force that is responsible for investigating suspected terrorist activities. This task force should include representatives from law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and non-governmental organizations, and should be supported by robust information sharing mechanisms. Another strategy is to invest in intelligence gathering capabilities, such as signals intelligence and human intelligence. This requires a significant investment in resources, including skilled analysts and technical personnel, but can provide law enforcement officials with a more complete picture of suspected terrorists' activities and motives. Finally, law enforcement officials can work to build strong relationships with communities that are at risk of being radicalized. This requires a community-based approach that involves working closely with community leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders to identify and address the root causes of extremism and radicalization. In conclusion, Section 83.3(8) of the Criminal Code of Canada provides Canadian law enforcement officials with an important tool for detaining individuals suspected of terrorist activities. However, this tool must be used carefully and strategically, taking into account a range of factors, including interagency coordination, intelligence gathering, and public relations. By employing these strategies, law enforcement officials can effectively protect the public from the threat of terrorism while respecting civil liberties and protecting individual rights.