C-392An Act to amend the Criminal Code to address the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Jordan
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on May 30, 2024
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since May 30, 2024
What it does
Sets trial time limits in the Criminal Code and requires courts to stop cases that run too long, with some exceptions.
What it does
- Sets a 30 month ceiling for trials in superior court and an 18 month ceiling for trials in provincial court, measured from when a charge is laid to the expected or actual end of trial.
- Requires judges to stay proceedings if those limits are exceeded, unless the prosecutor shows exceptional circumstances that make the delay reasonable.
- Excludes delay caused solely by the defence, or delay the defence waives, from the time limit calculation.
- Exempts primary designated offences, as defined in the Criminal Code, from the new time limit rules.
- Declares that the exemption for primary designated offences applies despite the Charter right to be tried within a reasonable time.
Who it affects
- People charged with criminal offences
- Accused people in superior court
- Accused people in provincial court
- Prosecutors
- Judges
- Defence lawyers
Background
The bill says it codifies the Supreme Court of Canada’s framework in R. v. Jordan on the right of an accused to be tried within a reasonable time. It adds a new Part XVI.1 to the Criminal Code.
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
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At second reading in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.