NCJ Number
152150
Journal
Gazette Volume: 56 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1994) Pages: 20-22
Editor(s)
J L MacKinnon
Date Published
1994
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Effective August 1, 1993, the Canadian government passed a law making it a criminal offense for persons to import and/or possess child pornography.
Abstract
The law covers photographic, film, video, and other visual representations involving persons under 18 years of age who engage in or are depicted as engaging in explicit sexual activity. Anyone who makes, prints, publishes, imports, distributes, sells, or possesses child pornography is guilty of an indictable offense and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years. Canada Customs is authorized to seize child pornography under the Customs Act and the Customs Tariff Act. Based on referrals from Canada Customs, police agencies can initiate investigations and press charges under the Criminal Code of Canada against persons who import or possess child pornography. Most child pornography enters Canada through the postal system. Child pornography produced in foreign countries ranges from hard-core sexual rape of children to nudity and is available in many forms. In addition to traditional forms of child pornography, such as magazines, books, comics, coloring books, and photographs, child pornography distributors are increasingly using home computers. The extent of the child pornography trade in Canada is discussed.