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Criminal Code

Version of section 163.1 from 2003-01-01 to 2005-10-31:


Marginal note:Definition of “child pornography”

  •  (1) In this section, child pornography means

    • (a) a photographic, film, video or other visual representation, whether or not it was made by electronic or mechanical means,

      • (i) that shows a person who is or is depicted as being under the age of eighteen years and is engaged in or is depicted as engaged in explicit sexual activity, or

      • (ii) the dominant characteristic of which is the depiction, for a sexual purpose, of a sexual organ or the anal region of a person under the age of eighteen years; or

    • (b) any written material or visual representation that advocates or counsels sexual activity with a person under the age of eighteen years that would be an offence under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Making child pornography

    (2) Every person who makes, prints, publishes or possesses for the purpose of publication any child pornography is guilty of

    • (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or

    • (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • Marginal note:Distribution, etc. of child pornography

    (3) Every person who transmits, makes available, distributes, sells, imports, exports or possesses for the purpose of transmission, making available, distribution, sale or exportation any child pornography is guilty of

    • (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or

    • (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • Marginal note:Possession of child pornography

    (4) Every person who possesses any child pornography is guilty of

    • (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or

    • (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • Marginal note:Accessing child pornography

    (4.1) Every person who accesses any child pornography is guilty of

    • (a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or

    • (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.

  • Marginal note:Interpretation

    (4.2) For the purposes of subsection (4.1), a person accesses child pornography who knowingly causes child pornography to be viewed by, or transmitted to, himself or herself.

  • Marginal note:Defence

    (5) It is not a defence to a charge under subsection (2) in respect of a visual representation that the accused believed that a person shown in the representation that is alleged to constitute child pornography was or was depicted as being eighteen years of age or more unless the accused took all reasonable steps to ascertain the age of that person and took all reasonable steps to ensure that, where the person was eighteen years of age or more, the representation did not depict that person as being under the age of eighteen years.

  • Marginal note:Defences

    (6) Where the accused is charged with an offence under subsection (2), (3), (4) or (4.1), the court shall find the accused not guilty if the representation or written material that is alleged to constitute child pornography has artistic merit or an educational, scientific or medical purpose.

  • Marginal note:Other provisions to apply

    (7) Subsections 163(3) to (5) apply, with such modifications as the circumstances require, with respect to an offence under subsection (2), (3), (4) or (4.1).

  • 1993, c. 46, s. 2
  • 2002, c. 13, s. 5

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