The federal government is moving ahead with major changes to the Criminal Code aimed at strengthening protections for victims of violence and cracking down on child predators.

BC Attorney General Niki Sharma says the Province welcomes the changes.

Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser introduced the Protecting Victims Act, which the government calls one of the most significant criminal-law updates in decades.

It follows earlier reforms on bail and sentencing and responds to concerns about cases being delayed or dismissed.

A major focus is intimate partner violence and femicide. The bill would classify murders linked to hate, coercive control, sexual violence, or exploitation as first-degree, even without planning - a move aimed at addressing rising intimate partner homicides, where women make up the majority of victims.

A new offence for coercive or controlling behaviour would also allow earlier intervention before violence escalates.

The legislation strengthens protections around sexual violence by targeting non-consensual sexual deepfakes, increasing penalties for distributing intimate images, and raising penalties for summary-conviction sexual assault.

The bill also cracks down on online sextortion by criminalizing threats to distribute child-abuse material and requiring online platforms to preserve data for up to a year.

Canada’s ability to prosecute offenders abroad would also be strengthened.

Another provision creates a new offence for recruiting or grooming youth into criminal activity, with tougher sentencing for those who encourage kids to commit crimes.

Overall, the government says the reforms aim to ensure abusers, violent offenders, and child predators face stronger consequences while victims receive better protection.

To learn more, visit Government of Canada.