BG–11.008 - May 20, 2011
Section 96 of Statutes of Canada 1998, c.35 (“Bill C-25”), requires the Minister of National Defence to cause an independent review of the provisions and operation of Bill C-25 to be undertaken, and to have the report of the review laid before each House of Parliament, within five years after the day that Act was assented to, and within every five-year period following the tabling of a report. The Honourable Patrick J. LeSage, former Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court has been appointed by the Minister to conduct the second five-year review of Bill C-25. In the conduct of the review, the Honourable Patrick J. LeSage has also been asked to consider amendments contained in Statutes of Canada 2008, c.29 (“Bill C-60”). These two legislative initiatives amended the National Defence Act. The legislation can be consulted at the following hyperlinks:
Bill C-25
Bill C-60
Bill C-25, which received Royal Assent in 1998, made significant amendments to the military justice system and the Canadian Forces grievance process, as well as establishing the military police complaints process. Bill C-60, which received Royal Assent in 2008, implemented a number of recommendations contained in the report of the first independent review authority.
The statutorily mandated review will contribute to the evolution of a fair military justice system that meets the unique needs of the Canadian Forces in promoting operational effectiveness. It also provides an opportunity to consider the military police complaints process and the Canadian Forces grievance process.
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