Cybercrime in Canada


Computer crime, or cybercrime in Canada, is an evolving international phenomenon. People and businesses in
Canada and other countries may be affected by computer crimes that may, or may not originate within the borders of their country. From a Canadian perspective, 'computer crime' may be considered to be defined by the Council of Europe – Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. Canada contributed, and is a signatory, to this international of criminal offences involving the use of computers:
  • Offences against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and systems;
  • Computer-related offences;
  • Content-related offences;
  • Offences related to infringements of copyright and related rights; and
  • Ancillary liability.
Canada is also a signatory to the Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalization of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems. As of July 25, 2008 Canada had not yet ratified the Convention on Cybercrime or the Additional Protocol to the Convention on cybercrime, concerning the criminalization of acts of a Discriminatory nature committed through computer systems.

Canadian computer crime laws

The Criminal Code contains a set of laws dealing with computer crime issues.

Criminal Offences Contained in the Convention on Cybercrime (November 23, 2001)

As Canada has not yet ratified the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime its Criminal Code may not fully address the areas of criminal law set out in the Convention on Cybercrime.

Computer-related offences

  • Computer-related forgery
  • Computer-related fraud

Content-related offences

Ancillary liability

Criminal offences in the Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime

As Canada has not yet ratified this Additional Protocol to the Convention on cybercrime, its Criminal Code may not fully address the following criminal offences:

Laws

Canadian computer criminals