It is now illegal for adults in Canada to have sex with a partner under the age of 16, one of the new provisions of the Tories' violent crime law that came into effect on Thursday.
The Tackling Violent Crime Act raises the legal age of sexual consent in Canada to 16 from 14, the first time it has been raised since 1892.
But the law includes a "close-in-age exception," meaning 14- and 15-year-olds can have sex with someone who is less than five years older.
The Tories said they raised the age, in part, to deal with internet predators. The new law puts Canada's age of consent in line with those in Britain, Australia and most of the United States.
Gun crime punishment increased
The act also includes higher mandatory prison sentences for those committing serious gun crimes.
Those convicted of using a gun while committing a violent crime such as attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping will be automatically sentenced to five years for a first offence and seven years for a second offence.
As well, those accused of gun crimes will find it tougher to get bail. The new law places "reverse onus" bail conditions on those accused of gun crimes.
Previously, the Crown had to prove to a judge that those accused of gun crimes should be detained. The new legislation now requires the accused to prove to a judge why they should be released from jail while awaiting trial.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Old Age Security untouched until 2020, Flaherty says
- Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says Canadians should expect no changes to Old Age Security benefits before 2020 or 2025, and details about reform would be outlined over more than one budget. more »
- Emailed rave rape pictures earn teen probation
- A teen convicted of emailing pictures of an alleged rape at a rave in Pitt Meadows, B.C., that were eventually posted by others on Facebook has been sentenced to 12 months probation for distributing obscene material. more »
- Prayer service held for Ontario van crash victims
- More than 300 people gather at a church in Stratford, Ont., to remember and support those affected by the collision that killed 11 people in Hampstead, Ont., earlier this week. more »
- SNC-Lavalin probe sought by Vanier's parents
- The parents of Cyndy Vanier — an Ontario woman jailed in Mexico amid allegations she tried to smuggle in members of Libya's Gadhafi family — want the RCMP to probe the actions of SNC-Lavalin, the company she was working for at the time of her arrest. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Bus rolls near Redwater, Alberta, injuring dozens
- At least 30 people were injured, three critically, when a Red Arrow passenger bus enroute from Fort McMurray rolled over Friday afternoon near Redwater, Alta. more »
- Emailed rave rape pictures earn teen probation
- A teen convicted of emailing pictures of an alleged rape at a rave in Pitt Meadows, B.C., that were eventually posted by others on Facebook has been sentenced to 12 months probation for distributing obscene material. more »
- Prayer service held for Ontario van crash victims
- More than 300 people gather at a church in Stratford, Ont., to remember and support those affected by the collision that killed 11 people in Hampstead, Ont., earlier this week. more »
- Attawakpiskat modular homes ready for delivery
- The remote northern Ontario First Nations community of Attawapiskat will be receiving the first two modular homes promised by the federal government, CBC News has confirmed. more »
On Tonight's National
Top stories
Shafia Jury Deliberations
- Dan Halton
- The jury in the Shafia murder trial begun deliberations today. Mohammad Shafia, his wife and his son are accused of killing four of their family members. They are charged with four counts of first-degree murder and have all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Watch the Best of the Show
- Get Connected
- Syria cracks down on protesters, one day before an Arab League delegation arrives.
Stay Connected
- Carolyn Dunn
- An English soccer captain is facing racial abuse charges after an on-field exchange with another player.
The Current
- Panda Diplomacy Feb. 10, 2012 2:43 PM Zoos in Canada are getting ready to welcome two giant pandas despite concerns about whether this will actually generate revenue and awareness about conservation.
- RCMP shooting suspect hoped to surrender before arrest
- Quebec man, 76, shot and killed in Florida
- Crane drops section of Port Mann bridge into B.C. river
- Emailed rave rape pictures earn teen probation
- Shafia daughter's boyfriend wishes he 'stood up' to family
- Family of 4 and friend killed in fiery B.C. crash
- Sex in police car costs RCMP officer 10 days pay
- Cause of fatal B.C. crash may never be known
- Bus rolls near Redwater, Alberta, injuring dozens
