Vol. 147, No. 22 — October 23, 2013

Registration

SI/2013-113 October 23, 2013

STRENGTHENING MILITARY JUSTICE IN THE DEFENCE OF CANADA ACT

Order Fixing October 18, 2013 as the Day on which Certain Sections of the Act Come into Force

P.C. 2013-1062 October 9, 2013

His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of National Defence, pursuant to subsection 135(1) of the Strengthening Military Justice in the Defence of Canada Act, chapter 24 of the Statutes of Canada, 2013, fixes October 18, 2013 as the day on which sections 17, 97 and 104 of that Act come into force.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order.)

Proposal

Pursuant to subsection 135(1) of the Strengthening Military Justice in the Defence of Canada Act, chapter 24 of the Statutes of Canada, 2013 (“Bill C-15”), assented to on June 19, 2013, that sections 17, 97 and 104 of the Act come into force on October 18, 2013. These three sections amend subsection 118(1), section 251.2 and paragraph 302(d) of the National Defence Act (NDA).

Objective

To fix October 18, 2013 as the coming-into-force date of sections 17, 97 and 104 of Bill C-15.

Background

Bill C-15 amends the NDA by implementing the majority of the recommendations of the 2003 Lamer Report related to military justice, the grievance process and military police issues, and responds to a number of recommendations made by the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

Section 41 of Bill C-15 came into force upon the Bill receiving Royal Assent. It contains amendments to section 165.21 of the NDA. In order for the NDA provisions amended by sections 17, 97 and 104 of Bill C-15 to remain consistent with the changes made to section 165.21 of the NDA, these sections of Bill C-15 must come into force to ensure the required clarity of the reference found in subsection 118(1), section 251.2 and paragraph 302(d) of the NDA.

Consultation

Officials of the Department of National Defence led the legislative and regulatory initiatives surrounding the proposed amendments. These initiatives have been undertaken in consultation with the Department of Justice and the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

Departmental contact

For more information, please contact

Colonel M. Gibson
Deputy Judge Advocate General — Military Justice
Office of the Judge Advocate General
National Defence Headquarters
Constitution Building, 11th Floor
305 Rideau Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K2
Telephone: 613-995-2478