S-4An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Identification of Criminals Act and to make related amendments to other Acts (COVID-19 response and other measures)
Government bill, introduced in the Senate on February 8, 2022
- Status
- Became law on December 15, 2022 · S.C. 2022, c. 17
- Sponsor
- Marc GoldSenator
- Senator
What it does
Updates criminal court and police procedures to allow more remote hearings, electronic jury selection, and new telewarrant rules.
What it does
- Allows electronic or other automated tools to be used in jury selection.
- Expands when accused people and offenders can appear by audioconference or videoconference.
- Lets prospective jurors take part in jury selection by videoconference in some cases.
- Expands court case management powers so court staff can handle some administrative matters for accused people without a lawyer.
- Lets courts order fingerprinting at interim release or later stages when fingerprints could not be taken earlier for exceptional reasons.
- Replaces the current telewarrant rules with a process for applying for and issuing many kinds of warrants, authorisations and orders by telecommunication.
Who it affects
- Accused people
- Offenders
- Prospective jurors
- Courts
- Court staff
- Police
- People seeking warrants or orders
Background
The bill also corrects minor technical errors in the Criminal Code and the Identification of Criminals Act, and includes transitional rules for how the changes apply.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Completed.
Third reading
Completed.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Completed.
Introduced by a cabinet minister on behalf of the government. Government bills get set time for debate, so they are the most likely to 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.
LiberalGary Anandasangaree· November 23, 2022
“Bill S-4 would reform the Criminal Code and other related legislation to respond to some of the practical challenges identified during or exacerbated by the pandemic. These reforms would modernize and enhance the flexibility and efficiency of the criminal justice system moving forward.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeFrank Caputo· November 23, 2022
“Bill S-4 is an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Identification of Criminals Act and to make related amendments to other acts, COVID-19 response and other measures.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocRhéal Fortin· November 23, 2022
“This bill proposes to allow for the use of electronic or other automated means for the purposes of the jury selection process.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPRandall Garrison· November 23, 2022
“I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill S-4, although I have to place it in the category of “better late than never”. This legislation responds primarily to what we learned as a result of court delays during the pandemic.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Royal assent received. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.