C-370Bringing Home Justice for Victims of Serious Crimes Act
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (unlocking of electronic device)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on December 7, 2023
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since December 7, 2023
What it does
Creates a Criminal Code order that can compel someone to unlock an electronic device for certain criminal investigations.
What it does
- Creates a Criminal Code order that can compel a person to unlock an electronic device, including giving access to specified data, after a peace officer with lawful authority applies ex parte.
- Limits the order to listed offences, and only if a judge finds reasonable grounds that the device may hold evidence, the person uses it, other methods have failed or are unlikely to work, and the order serves the administration of justice.
- Lets a judge add terms and conditions to make the order reasonable, and allows it to be executed anywhere in Canada by a peace officer with authority there.
- Allows the order to be made by telephone or other telecommunications if appearing in person would be impractical.
- Makes it an offence to fail without reasonable excuse to comply, punishable on indictment by up to 10 years in prison or by summary conviction, and says unlocking cannot be used to prove ownership or knowledge.
Who it affects
- People with electronic devices
- People investigated for listed offences
- Peace officers
- Judges
- People accused of serious offences
Background
The bill adds a new section to the Criminal Code after section 487.092.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
ConservativeArnold Viersen· December 7, 2023
“Moved for leave to introduce Bill C-370, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (unlocking of electronic device). I want to thank the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo for seconding my bill today.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Outside the Order of Precedence. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.