Bill C-292 Victim Protection

C-292 An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Victim Protection)

Bill Type:  Private Member’s Bill

Bill Sponsor:  Anna Roberts (King—Vaughan)

Status:  Outside the Order of Precedence

Latest activity:  Introduction and First-Reading on Thursday, October 8, 2026 (House of Commons)

Estimated Read Time:  3 minutes

What is this Bill For?

Bill C-292 would amend the Criminal Code’s rules on human trafficking, witness testimony, preliminary inquiries and recorded statements from victims of specified sexual offenses.

It would add fines of up to $100,000 to specified trafficking-related offenses, change the definition of exploitation and require consecutive sentences for offenses under Sections 279.01 to 279.03.

It would also clarify that witnesses authorized to testify outside the courtroom can testify from another building, prohibit preliminary inquiries for listed offenses and allow certain recorded victim statements to be admitted under stated conditions.

WHO GAINS POWER

Courts would be authorized to impose fines of up to $100,000 for the trafficking-related offenses specified in the Bill, in addition to the applicable imprisonment provisions.

For material benefit and document withholding offenses involving adult trafficking, the fine Amendments apply to the indictable offense provisions.

Courts making an Order under Section 486.2 for testimony outside the courtroom could specify a location outside the courthouse building.

For the recorded statements covered by the Bill, Judges would retain authority to refuse admission where it would interfere with the proper administration of justice. They could also prohibit other uses of the recording.

WHO LOSES POWER

Sentences for offenses under Sections 279.01 to 279.03 would have to be served consecutively, not concurrently, with punishment for other offenses arising from the same event or series of events. They would also have to be served consecutively to any other sentence the person is subject to when sentenced. 

Accused people and Prosecutors could not obtain a Preliminary Inquiry for the listed offenses, even if they requested one. The list includes specified child sexual offenses, sexual assault offenses, trafficking in persons, material benefit from sexual services and procuring.

This restriction would also apply where people are jointly charged.

WHO GAINS MONEY

The Bill would authorize additional fines. It does not establish a victim compensation fund, direct those fines to victims or provide new funding for victim services.

WHO LOSES MONEY

People convicted under the specified trafficking provisions could face fines of up to $100,000 in addition to the applicable imprisonment provisions.

The Bill does not set a minimum fine or require a $100,000 fine in every case.

THE CATCH

⚠️ The exploitation definition would change.

For the purposes of Sections 279.01 to 279.03, the replacement definition would cover causing another person, through any form of coercion, to provide or offer labour or a service. The Bill’s introductory summary describes this as removing the requirement for a victim to demonstrate a reasonable apprehension of fear. The replacement still requires coercion.

⚠️ Consecutive sentences would be required.

The sentencing provision is not limited to multiple trafficking convictions. It also covers other punishment for offenses arising from the same event or series of events and any other sentence the person is subject to when the trafficking-related sentence is imposed.

⚠️ Preliminary inquiries would be prohibited for the listed offenses.

The prohibition would apply despite a request from either the accused or the Prosecutor. It concerns preliminary inquiries, not the trial itself.

⚠️ A recorded statement would not replace the victim’s testimony entirely.

The proposed video evidence provision would apply to offenses referred to in Section 278.2(1), where testifying could endanger the victim’s physical or mental health.

The recording must have been made within a reasonable time after the alleged offense. The victim must testify and adopt its contents. Admission remains subject to the Judge’s assessment of the proper administration of justice.