Christopher's Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000, S.O. 2000, c. 1

CONTENTS Preamble 1. Definitions 2. Sex offender registry 3. Offender required to report in person 4. Information submitted to ministry 4.1 Reports of unescorted temporary absence passes, leaves 5. Information recorded in registry 6. Offender’s right to review own record 7. Reporting period 8. Application of Act 9. Proof of pardon 9.0.1 Conviction or finding overturned 9.1 Offender deleted from registry 10. Disclosure prohibited 10.1 Disclosure exception, Change of Name Act 11. Offences by offenders 12. Protection from personal liability 13. Freedom of information, protection of privacy legislation 14. Regulations Preamble The people of Ontario believe that there is a need to ensure the safety and security of all persons in Ontario and that police services require access to information about the whereabouts of sex offenders in order to assist them in the important work of maintaining community safety. The people of Ontario further believe that a registry of sex offenders will provide the information and investigative tools that their police services require in order to prevent and solve crimes of a sexual nature. Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows: Definitions 1 (1) In this Act, “child” means a person who is under 18 years of age; (“enfant”) “Minister” means the Solicitor General or such other member of the Executive Council as may be assigned the administration of this Act under the Executive Council Act; (“ministre”) “ministry” means the Ministry of the Minister; (“ministère”) “offender” means a person, (a) who has been convicted of a sex offence, or (b) who has been found not criminally responsible of a sex offence on account of mental disorder; (“délinquant”) “pardon” means, (a) a free pardon granted under His Majesty’s royal prerogative of mercy, (b) a free pardon granted under section 748 of the Criminal Code (Canada), or (c) a pardon granted, or a record suspension ordered, under the Criminal Records Act (Canada); (“réhabilitation”) “police service” means a police service as defined under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019; (“service de police”) “prescribed” means prescribed by regulation made under this Act; (“prescrit”) “sex offence” means, (a) an offence under section 151 (sexual interference), 152 (invitation to sexual touching), subsection 153 (1) (sexual exploitation), 155 (1) (incest), 160 (1), (2) or (3) (bestiality), 163.1 (2), (3) or (4) (child pornography), section 170 (parent or guardian procuring sexual activity), subsection 173 (2) (exposure), section 271 (sexual assault), subsection 272 (1) (sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm) or section 273 (aggravated sexual assault) of the Criminal Code (Canada), (b) an offence under a predecessor or successor to a provision set out in clause (a), (b.1) an offence under section 162 (voyeurism) of the Criminal Code (Canada), but only in respect of persons who, on or after December 5, 2008 are serving a sentence for such offence or are convicted or found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder of such offence, (b.1.1) an offence referred to in paragraph (b) or (f) of the definition of “designated offence” in subsection 490.011 (1) of the Criminal Code (Canada), as it read on October 25, 2023, in respect of which an order in Form 52 was made under subsection 490.012 (2) of that Act as it read on that date, (b.1.2) an offence, other than an offence mentioned in clause (b.1), referred to in the definition of “secondary offence” in subsection 490.011 (1) of the Criminal Code (Canada), for which an order has been made under section 490.012 of that Act, (b.2) an offence in respect of which a person is subject to an obligation under section 490.02901 of the Criminal Code (Canada) to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Canada), (b.3) an offence in respect of which a person is subject to an obligation under section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act (Canada) to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Canada), or (c) an offence under a provision of the Criminal Code (Canada) that is prescribed; (“infraction sexuelle”) “sex offender registry” means the registry established under section 2. (“registre des délinquants sexuels”) 2000, c. 1, s. 1 (1); 2008, c. 3, s. 1 (1, 2); 2009, c. 33, Sched. 9, s. 2 (1); 2011, c. 8, s. 1; 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (2); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 2 (1, 2); 2025, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 1. First Nation policing (2) Where an offender resides in an area where policing is provided by First Nation Officers, references in this Act to a police service shall be read as references to the First Nation Officers who provide policing, with necessary modifications, and references to a police officer in this Act shall be read as references to a First Nation Officer. 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (3). Custodial portion of a sentence (3) For the purposes of this Act, the custodial portion of a sentence does not include the portion of the sentence served on parole. 2008, c. 3, s. 1 (3). Same (4) For the purposes of this Act, if an offender is released from custody as a result of being credited with remission within the meaning of the Ministry of Correctional Services Act, the custodial portion of the sentence ends as of the day of the offender’s release as a result of the remission. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 2 (5). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2008, c. 3, s. 1 (1-3) - 05/12/2008 2009, c. 33, Sched. 9, s. 2 (1) - 15/12/2009 2011, c. 8, s. 1 (1, 2) - 20/06/2011 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (2, 3) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (1-3) - 01/04/2024 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 2 (1, 2, 5) - 01/04/2026; 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 2 (3, 4) - no effect - see 2025, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 4 - 05/06/2025 CTS 6 FE 25 - 1 2025, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 1 (1, 2) - 01/04/2026 Sex offender registry 2 The ministry shall establish and maintain a registry containing the names, dates of birth and addresses of offenders, the sex offences for which, on or after the day section 3 comes into force, they are serving or have served a sentence or of which they have been convicted or found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder and such additional information as may be prescribed. 2000, c. 1, s. 2. Offender required to report in person 3 (1) Every offender who is resident in Ontario shall appear in person at a designated bureau, police station or detachment of the police service that provides policing where the offender resides or at another place in the area where the police service provides policing designated by that police service, (a) within the prescribed period after the offender is released from custody after serving the custodial portion of a sentence in respect of a sex offence; (a.0.1) within the prescribed period after the offender is released from custody on parole in respect of a sex offence; (a.1) within the prescribed period after the offender is convicted of a sex offence, if the offender is not given a custodial sentence; (a.2) within the prescribed period after the offender is ordered to serve the custodial portion of the sentence in respect of a sex offence intermittently; (a.2.1) within the prescribed period after the offender is ordered to serve a conditional sentence; (a.3) within the prescribed period after the offender is released from custody pending the determination of an appeal in relation to a sex offence; (b) within the prescribed period after the offender receives an absolute or conditional discharge in respect of a sex offence, if the offender was found not criminally responsible of the offence on account of mental disorder; (c) within the prescribed period after the offender changes their address; (c.1) within the prescribed period after the offender changes their name; (c.2) within the prescribed period after the offender receives a driver’s licence; (c.3) within the prescribed period after the offender receives a passport; (c.4) within the prescribed period after the offender starts using a new email address or a new user name associated with a social media account or makes a change with respect to such an email address or user name; (c.5) within the prescribed period after the offender starts using a new prescribed digital identifier for the purpose of communicating through the internet or makes a change with respect to such a digital identifier; (d) within the prescribed period after the offender becomes resident in Ontario; (e) within the prescribed period before the offender ceases to be resident in Ontario; (e.1) within the prescribed period after the offender becomes subject to an obligation under section 490.02901 of the Criminal Code (Canada) to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Canada); (e.2) within the prescribed period after the offender becomes subject to an obligation under section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act (Canada) to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Canada); (e.3) subject to clause (e.4), at least 14 days before departing for travel if the offender expects not to be at their main residence or any of their secondary residences for a period of seven or more consecutive days; (e.4) in the case of an offender who is convicted of a sex offence against a child, at least 14 days before departing for travel to a location outside Canada, regardless of the expected duration of their absence; (e.5) subject to clause (e.6), within seven days after departing for travel if the offender decides after departing to not be at their main residence or any of their secondary residences for a period of seven or more consecutive days or if the offender has not appeared in person as required under clause (e.3); (e.6) in the case of an offender who is convicted of a sex offence against a child, without delay after departing for travel to a location outside of Canada if the offender decides after departing to extend their stay beyond the date of return that was indicated when appearing in person under clause (e.4) or if the offender did not appear in person as required under clause (e.4); (e.7) before departing for travel if there is a change in any information provided under clause (e.3) or (e.4) that occurs before departing; (e.8) if there is a change in any information provided under clause (e.3), (e.4), (e.5) or (e.6) after departing for travel, (i) within seven days after the date on which the change occurs, or (ii) in the case of an offender to whom clause (e.4) or (e.6) applies, without delay after the date on which the change occurs; (f) on a day that is not later than one year after and not earlier than 11 months after the offender last appeared in person at a police service under any of clauses (a) to (d) or under subsection 7 (2); and (g) on a day that is not later than one year after and not earlier than 11 months after the offender last appeared in person at a police service under clause (f). 2000, c. 1, s. 3 (1); 2000, c. 1, s. 3 (4, 5); 2008, c. 3, s. 2 (1-4); 2009, c. 33, Sched. 9, s. 2 (2); 2011, c. 8, s. 2 (1); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (4-6); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1, 3 (1-4); 2025, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 2. Exception (1.0.1) Despite a requirement under subsection (1) for an offender to appear in person at a location, an offender is not required to appear in person at a location if the following criteria are satisfied: 1. The clause of subsection (1) in respect of which the requirement applies to the offender is a prescribed provision in a regulation made under clause 14 (h.2). 2. The offender complies with the requirement prescribed in a regulation made under clause 14 (h.3) in respect of the prescribed provision. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 3 (5). Interpretation (1.0.2) In circumstances in which a clause of subsection (1) is a prescribed provision as described in paragraph 1 of subsection (1.0.1), any reference to appearing in person at a location shall be read to include complying with the applicable requirement prescribed as described in paragraph 2 of subsection (1.0.1). 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 3 (5). Transition (1.1) Clauses (1) (a) to (e.2) apply only if the event referred to in them occurs on or after the day this subsection came into force. 2011, c. 8, s. 2 (2). Same (1.2) Clauses (1) (a) to (e), as they read before the day this subsection came into force, continue to apply if the event referred to in them occurred before the day this subsection came into force. 2011, c. 8, s. 2 (2). Same (1.3) Clauses (1) (a.2.1), (c.2) and (c.3) apply only if the event referred to in them occurs on or after the day this subsection came into force. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 3 (5). Exception (1.4) If a member of a police service is satisfied that there was a reasonable excuse for an offender failing to comply with clause (1) (e.3) or (e.4), the offender is exempt from the requirement to comply within 14 days with the applicable clause and the offender shall instead comply as soon as feasible before departing for travel. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 3 (5). Offender to provide information (2) Upon appearing in person under subsection (1), the offender shall provide the police service with satisfactory proof of their identity, their name, date of birth and address, and such other information as may be prescribed. 2000, c. 1, s. 3 (2); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (7); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1, 3 (6). Designated places, times, days (3) Every police service shall designate one or more bureaus, police stations, detachments or other places in the area where the police service provides policing at which offenders may appear in person for the purposes of subsections (1), 7 (2), 9 (1) and 9.0.1 (1), and may also designate the days and times when offenders may appear in person for those purposes. 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (8); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 3 (7). Notice of obligation to report (4) Every police service shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that it gives written notice of the obligation to report under subsection (1) to every person charged by the police service with a sex offence, at the time the person is so charged. 2008, c. 3, s. 2 (5); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (9); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 3 (8). Same (5) The ministry shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that it, or another person or entity, gives written notice of the obligation to report under subsection (1) to every person convicted of a sex offence or found not criminally responsible of a sex offence on account of mental disorder, after the person is so convicted or found. 2008, c. 3, s. 2 (5). Same (6) The notice required by subsections (4) and (5) shall be in a form approved by the ministry. 2008, c. 3, s. 2 (5). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2000, c. 1, s. 3 (4, 5) - 23/04/2001 2008, c. 3, s. 2 (1-5) - 05/12/2008 2009, c. 33, Sched. 9, s. 2 (2) - 15/12/2009 2011, c. 8, s. 2 (1, 2) - 20/06/2011 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (4-9) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (4-9) - 01/04/2024 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1, 3 (1-8) - 01/04/2026 2025, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 2 - 01/04/2026 Information submitted to ministry 4 (1) The police service shall cause the information provided by the offender under section 3 to be recorded and, if the person authorized by the police service to record the information is satisfied that the information provided by the offender is correct, shall submit the information to the ministry in a manner approved by the ministry. 2000, c. 1, s. 4; 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (10). Verification of address (2) Subject to the regulations, the police service shall make reasonable efforts to verify an offender’s address, as provided to the police service by the offender, at least once after the offender last appeared in person at the police service under subsection 3 (1). 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 4. Same – unescorted release from designated hospitals (3) When a police service is notified by a hospital, as defined in subsection 672.1 (1) of the Criminal Code (Canada), that the person in charge of the hospital has given an offender who has been found not criminally responsible of a sex offence on account of mental disorder and who has been detained in the hospital pursuant to a disposition made under Part XX.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada) permission to be released unescorted from the hospital, the police service shall forthwith submit the information to the ministry in a manner approved by the ministry. 2008, c. 3, s. 3 (2); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (10). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2008, c. 3, s. 3 (1, 2) - 05/12/2008 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (10) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (10) - 01/04/2024 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 4 - 01/04/2026 Reports of unescorted temporary absence passes, leaves 4.1 (1) If an offender who is an inmate of a correctional institution is authorized to be released from the institution on an unescorted temporary absence pass, the correctional institution shall, within 24 hours before the inmate is released, notify the ministry, (a) that an unescorted temporary absence pass has been granted to the offender; (b) of the proposed dates of the offender’s release under the pass and of their return to the institution; and (c) of any relevant information about the offender’s proposed activities and whereabouts for the duration of their release under the pass. 2008, c. 3, s. 4; 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1. Same – young persons (2) If an offender who is a young person serving any portion of their sentence in a youth custody facility is authorized under section 91 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) to be released from the facility on an unescorted leave, the facility shall, within 24 hours before the young person is released, notify the ministry, (a) that an unescorted leave has been granted to the offender; (b) of the proposed dates of the offender’s release under the leave and of their return to the facility; and (c) of any relevant information about the offender’s proposed activities and whereabouts for the duration of their release under the leave. 2008, c. 3, s. 4; 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1. Cancellation, suspension of passes, leaves (3) The correctional institution or youth custody facility shall also notify the ministry forthwith if an unescorted temporary absence pass or leave is cancelled or suspended, or if the offender is declared unlawfully at large. 2008, c. 3, s. 4. Manner of notification (4) The notification required by subsections (1), (2) and (3) must be given in a manner approved by the ministry. 2008, c. 3, s. 4. Definitions (5) In this section, “correctional institution” and “inmate” have the same meanings as in section 1 of the Ministry of Correctional Services Act; (“établissement correctionnel”, “détenu”) Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, the definition of ““correctional institution” and “inmate”” in subsection 4.1 (5) of the Act is repealed. (See: 2018, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 5 (1)) Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, subsection 4.1 (5) of the Act is amended by adding the following definitions: (See: 2018, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 5 (2)) “correctional institution” has the same meaning as in the Correctional Services and Reintegration Act, 2018; (“établissement correctionnel”) “inmate” has the same meaning as in the Correctional Services and Reintegration Act, 2018; (“détenu”) “youth custody facility” means a place of open custody or a place of secure custody, as defined in subsection 2 (1) of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017. (“lieu de garde”) 2008, c. 3, s. 4; 2017, c. 14, Sched. 4, s. 5. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2008, c. 3, s. 4 - 05/12/2008 2017, c. 14, Sched. 4, s. 5 - 30/04/2018 2018, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 5 (1, 2) - not in force 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1 - 01/04/2026 Information recorded in registry 5 (1) Upon receipt by the ministry of information submitted by a police service in accordance with section 4 or by a correctional institution or youth custody facility in accordance with section 4.1, the information shall be recorded in the sex offender registry. 2000, c. 1, s. 5 (1); 2008, c. 3, s. 5; 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (11). Other information recorded in registry (2) The ministry may at any time obtain information about an offender from any other record of information available to the ministry, or from any other source that is not a record, and may record such information in the sex offender registry. 2000, c. 1, s. 5 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2008, c. 3, s. 5 - 05/12/2008 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (11) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (11) - 01/04/2024 Offender’s right to review own record 6 (1) Upon receiving a written request from an offender, a police service shall cause to be disclosed to the offender the information about the offender that is contained in the sex offender registry and cause the offender to be provided with a copy of that information. 2000, c. 1, s. 6 (1); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (12); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 5 (1). Identification required (2) The police service shall require satisfactory proof of the identity of the offender before a disclosure is made under subsection (1). 2000, c. 1, s. 6 (2); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (12). Offender may correct information (3) If the offender believes that any information about the offender in the sex offender registry is incorrect, the offender shall provide the police service with the correct information and, if the person authorized by the police service to record this information is satisfied that the information provided by the offender is correct, the police service shall submit the information to the ministry in a manner approved by the ministry and the sex offender registry shall be corrected accordingly. 2000, c. 1, s. 6 (3); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (12); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 5 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (12) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (12) - 01/04/2024 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 5 (1, 2) - 01/04/2026 Reporting period 7 (1) Subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), an offender shall comply with section 3, (a) for 10 years after the offender first reports under section 3, if the maximum sentence for the sex offence of which the offender was convicted or found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder is not more than 10 years; (b) for the rest of their life, if the maximum sentence for the sex offence of which the offender was convicted or found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder is more than 10 years; (c) for the rest of their life, if, on or after the day section 3 comes into force, the offender is serving a sentence for, or is convicted or found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder of, more than one sex offence. 2000, c. 1, s. 7 (1); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1, 6 (1). Reporting requirement in abeyance while in custody (2) Subject to any regulations made under clause 14 (h.4), an offender who is resident in Ontario is not required to comply with section 3 while the offender is serving the custodial portion of a sentence for any offence or is detained in custody in hospital as part of a disposition under Part XX.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada), but must appear in person at a designated bureau, police station or detachment of the police service that provides policing where the offender resides or at another place in the area where the police service provides policing designated by that police service and comply with subsection 3 (2), (a) within the prescribed period after their release from custody on an offence other than a sex offence; (b) within the prescribed period after the offender receives an absolute or conditional discharge, if the offender was found not criminally responsible of an offence other than a sex offence on account of mental disorder. 2000, c. 1, s. 7 (2); 2011, c. 8, s. 3 (1); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (13); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1, 6 (1, 2). Exception (2.0.1) Despite the requirement under subsection (2) for an offender to appear in person at a location, an offender is not required to appear in person at a location if the following criteria are satisfied: 1. Subsection (2) is a prescribed provision in a regulation made under clause 14 (h.2). 2. The offender complies with the requirement prescribed in a regulation made under clause 14 (h.3) in respect of subsection (2). 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 6 (3). Interpretation (2.0.2) In circumstances in which subsection (2) is a prescribed provision as described in paragraph 1 of subsection (2.0.1), the reference in subsection (2) to appearing in person at a location shall be read to include complying with the applicable requirement prescribed as described in paragraph 2 of subsection (2.0.1). 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 6 (3). Transition (2.1) Clauses (2) (a) and (b) apply only if the event referred to in them occurs on or after the day this subsection came into force. 2011, c. 8, s. 3 (2). Same (2.2) Clauses (2) (a) and (b), as they read before the day this subsection came into force, continue to apply if the event referred to in them occurred before the day this subsection came into force. 2011, c. 8, s. 3 (2). Reporting requirement in abeyance while residing outside Ontario (3) An offender who is not resident in Ontario is not required to comply with section 3 but shall comply with section 3 or resume complying with section 3, as the case may be, as provided in clause 3 (1) (d), upon becoming or again becoming resident in Ontario. 2000, c. 1, s. 7 (3). Reporting requirement ceases to apply (4) An offender is no longer required to comply with section 3 in relation to a sex offence for which this Act would be made applicable to the offender under section 8 if one of the following circumstances applies: 1. The offender provides, in accordance with section 9, proof of a pardon in respect of the offence. 2. The offender provides, in accordance with section 9.0.1, proof of one of the following being overturned, as the case may be: i. The conviction in respect of the offence. ii. The finding of not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder in respect of the offence. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 6 (1, 4). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2011, c. 8, s. 3 (1, 2) - 20/06/2011 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (13) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (13) - 01/04/2024 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1, 6 (1-4) - 01/04/2026 Application of Act 8 (1) This Act applies to every offender anywhere in Canada who, (a) is serving a sentence for a sex offence on the day section 3 comes into force; (b) is convicted of a sex offence on or after the day section 3 comes into force; or (c) is found not criminally responsible of a sex offence on account of mental disorder on or after the day section 3 comes into force. 2000, c. 1, s. 8 (1). Application of new reporting requirement (1.1) Despite subsection (1), clause 3 (1) (a.2) applies to every offender anywhere in Canada who is ordered, on or after the day this subsection comes into force, to serve a sentence described in that clause. 2008, c. 3, s. 6. Same (1.2) Despite subsection (1), clauses 3 (1) (a.0.1) and (a.3) apply to every offender anywhere in Canada who is released from custody as described in clause 3 (1) (a.0.1) or (a.3), as the case may be, on or after the day this subsection comes into force. 2008, c. 3, s. 6. Same (1.3) Despite subsection (1), clause 3 (1) (c.1) applies to every offender anywhere in Canada who changes their name on or after the day this subsection comes into force. 2008, c. 3, s. 6; 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1. Same (1.3.1) Despite subsection (1), clauses 3 (1) (a.2.1), (c.2) and (c.3) apply to every offender anywhere in Canada who, on or after the day subsection 7 (2) of Schedule 3 to the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024 comes into force, (a) received a conditional sentence order for a sex offence, in the case of clause 3 (1) (a.2.1); (b) received a driver’s licence, in the case of clause 3 (1) (c.2); or (c) received a passport, in the case of clause 3 (1) (c.3). 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 7 (2). Same (1.3.2) Despite subsection (1), clauses 3 (1) (c.4) and (c.5) apply in accordance with the regulations. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 7 (2). Same (1.3.3) Despite subsection (1), clauses 3 (1) (e.3) to (e.8) apply to every offender anywhere in Canada who, on or after the fourteenth day after subsection 7 (2) of Schedule 3 to the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024 comes into force, departs for travel. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 7 (2). Same (1.4) Despite subsection (1) and section 7, and subject to any other reporting requirement under this Act, this Act applies to an offender anywhere in Canada who, on or after May 12, 2008, becomes subject to an order in Form 52 made under subsection 490.012 (2) of the Criminal Code (Canada), as it read on or before October 25, 2023, for as long as the order is in force. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 7 (3). Same (1.5) Despite subsection (1) and section 7, and subject to any other reporting requirement under this Act, this Act applies to an offender anywhere in Canada who, on or after the day this subsection comes into force, becomes subject to an obligation under section 490.02901 of the Criminal Code (Canada) to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Canada), for as long as the offender remains subject to that obligation. 2011, c. 8, s. 4; 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 7 (1). Same (1.6) Despite subsection (1) and section 7, and subject to any other reporting requirement under this Act, this Act applies to an offender anywhere in Canada who, on or after the day this subsection comes into force, becomes subject to an obligation under section 36.1 of the International Transfer of Offenders Act (Canada) to comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (Canada), for as long as the offender remains subject to that obligation. 2011, c. 8, s. 4; 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 7 (1). Same (1.7) Despite subsection (1) and section 7, and subject to any other reporting requirement under this Act, this Act applies to an offender anywhere in Canada who, on or after the day subsection 7 (4) of Schedule 3 to the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024 comes into force, becomes subject to an order made under section 490.012 of the Criminal Code (Canada) in respect of an offence referred to in the definition of “secondary offence” in subsection 490.011 (1) of that Act for as long as the order is in force. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 7 (4). Exception (2) Except as provided in subsection (3), this Act does not apply to a young person within the meaning of the Young Offenders Act (Canada), despite the repeal of that Act, or to a young person within the meaning of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada). 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 3 (1). Same (3) This Act does apply to, (a) a young person within the meaning of the Young Offenders Act (Canada) who has been convicted of a sex offence or found not criminally responsible of a sex offence on account of mental disorder in ordinary court as the result of an order made under section 16 of the Young Offenders Act (Canada); or (b) a young person within the meaning of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) who is found guilty of a sex offence and receives an adult sentence within the meaning of that Act for the offence. 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 3 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2006, c. 19, Sched. D, s. 3 (1, 2) - 22/06/2006 2008, c. 3, s. 6 - 05/12/2008 2011, c. 8, s. 4 - 20/06/2011 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1, 7 (1-4) - 01/04/2026 Proof of pardon 9 (1) An offender who receives a pardon for a sex offence may provide proof of the pardon to a police service by, (a) appearing in person at a designated bureau, police station or detachment of the police service that provides policing where the offender resides or at another place in the area where the police service provides policing designated by that police service; or (b) taking such other steps as may be prescribed by the regulations. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 8. Information submitted to ministry (2) If the person authorized by the police service to receive the proof of the pardon is satisfied that the pardon was granted to the offender, the police service shall advise the ministry of the pardon. 2000, c. 1, s. 9 (2); 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (15). (3) Repealed: 2011, c. 8, s. 5. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2011, c. 8, s. 5 - 20/06/2011 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (14, 15) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (14, 15) - 01/04/2024 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 8 - 01/04/2026 Conviction or finding overturned 9.0.1 (1) This section applies in respect of an offender if the offender’s conviction or the offender’s finding of not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder in respect of a sex offence is overturned. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 9. Proof (2) An offender to whom this section applies may provide proof of the conviction or finding being overturned to a police service by, (a) appearing in person at a designated bureau, police station or detachment of the police service that provides policing where the offender resides or at another place in the area where the police service provides policing designated by that police service; or (b) taking such other steps as may be prescribed by the regulations. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 9. Information submitted to ministry (3) If the person authorized by the police service to receive the proof mentioned in subsection (2) is satisfied that the conviction or finding, as the case may be, was overturned, the police service shall advise the ministry accordingly. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 9. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 9 - 01/04/2026 Offender deleted from registry Pardon 9.1 (1) If an offender receives a pardon of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “pardon” in subsection 1 (1) in respect of a sex offence for which this Act is made applicable to the offender, the ministry shall delete every reference to and record of the offender from the sex offender registry in respect of that sex offence. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 10. Conviction or finding overturned (2) If an offender’s conviction or finding in respect of a sex offence for which this Act is made applicable to the offender is overturned, the ministry shall delete every reference to and record of the offender from the sex offender registry in respect of that sex offence. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 10. Time limit (3) The ministry shall, 50 years after the death of an offender, delete every reference to and record of the offender from the sex offender registry. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 10. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2011, c. 8, s. 6 - 20/06/2011 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 10 - 01/04/2026 Disclosure prohibited 10 (1) Subject to subsections (2), (3), (3.0.2) and (3.1), no person shall disclose to another person information obtained from the sex offender registry in the course of their duties under this Act or received in the course of their duties under this Act except as provided by this Act. 2000, c. 1, s. 10 (1); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1, 11 (1); 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 1 (1). Exception (2) A member of a police service and an employee of or person authorized by the ministry for the purposes of this section shall have access to the sex offender registry at any time and may collect, retain and use information obtained from the sex offender registry for any purpose under this Act, under section 80 of the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 or for crime prevention or law enforcement purposes. 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (16). Same (3) A member of a police service and an employee of or person authorized by the ministry for the purposes of this section may disclose information contained in the sex offender registry to an entity mentioned in subsection (3.0.1) for crime prevention or law enforcement purposes and the entity may collect, retain and use the information for crime prevention or law enforcement purposes. 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 1 (2). Same, entities (3.0.1) The entities to which information may be disclosed under subsection (3) are the following: 1. Police services. 2. Entities that provide policing under the laws of other jurisdictions. 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 1 (2). Same, prescribed entities (3.0.2) An employee of or person authorized by the ministry for the purposes of this section may disclose information contained in the sex offender registry to an entity prescribed for the purposes of this subsection for crime prevention or law enforcement purposes and the entity may collect, retain and use the information for crime prevention or law enforcement purposes. 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 1 (3). Disclosure to prescribed entities, agreement required (3.0.3) Before a person discloses information under subsection (3.0.2) to a prescribed entity, the Ministry shall, in accordance with the regulations, if any, enter into an agreement with the prescribed entity respecting the disclosure of the information. 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 1 (3). Same, research (3.1) The Minister may authorize a person to consult information contained in the sex offender registry, compare the information with other information or, by electronic means, combine the information with, or link it to, any other information contained in a computer system for research or statistical purposes. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 11 (2). Conditions (3.2) The Minister shall not provide the authorization under subsection (3.1) unless the Minister, (a) is satisfied that the research or statistical purposes cannot reasonably be accomplished without consulting the information or without comparing or combining the information with, or linking it to, the other information, as the case may be; and (b) obtains from the person a written undertaking that no subsequent disclosure of the information or of any information resulting from the comparison or combination of the information with, or the linking of the information to, other information will be made, or be allowed to be made, in a form that could reasonably be expected to identify any individual to whom it relates. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 11 (2). Same (4) Any disclosure of personal information made under subsection (2), (3), (3.0.2) or (3.1) shall be deemed to be in compliance with clauses 42 (1) (e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and 32 (e) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. 2000, c. 1, s. 10 (4); 2006, c. 34, Sched. C, s. 22; 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 11 (3); 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 1 (4). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2006, c. 34, Sched. C, s. 22 - 01/04/2007 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (16) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (16) - 01/04/2024 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 1 – 01/04/2026; 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 11 (1-3) - 04/12/2024 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 1 (2) - 11/12/2025; 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 1 (1, 3, 4) – 01/04/2026 Disclosure exception, Change of Name Act 10.1 (1) An employee of or person authorized by the ministry for the purposes of this section shall have access to the sex offender registry at any time and may collect, retain and use information obtained from the sex offender registry for the purposes of section 7.1 of the Change of Name Act. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 2, s. 4. Same (2) An employee of or person authorized by the ministry for the purposes of this section may disclose information contained in the sex offender registry to the Registrar General, as defined in section 1 of the Change of Name Act, for the purposes of section 7.1 of that Act, and the Registrar General may collect, retain and use the information for the purposes of that Act. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 2, s. 4. Same (3) Any disclosure of personal information made under subsection (1) or (2) shall be deemed to be in compliance with clauses 42 (1) (e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and 32 (e) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. 2024, c. 27, Sched. 2, s. 4. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2024, c. 27, Sched. 2, s. 4 - 01/07/2026 Offences by offenders 11 (1) Every offender who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with this Act or provides false information under this Act is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable, (a) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both; (b) for a subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years less a day, or to both. 2000, c. 1, s. 11 (1). Offences by other persons (2) Every person who wilfully contravenes section 10 is guilty of an offence. 2000, c. 1, s. 11 (2). Warrant for arrest (3) If a provincial judge or justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath that an offender is required to and has failed to comply with section 3 or 7, the provincial judge or justice of the peace may issue a warrant for the arrest of the offender for the purpose of complying with section 3 or 7. 2000, c. 1, s. 11 (3). Same (4) After being brought, pursuant to the warrant, to a place described in subsection 3 (1) for the purpose of complying with section 3 or 7, the offender shall be released forthwith unless the offender is arrested for an offence under subsection (1) and detained for a bail hearing under the Provincial Offences Act. 2000, c. 1, s. 11 (4); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 12. Telewarrant (5) Where a police officer believes that it would be impracticable to appear personally before a provincial judge or justice of the peace to make application for a warrant under subsection (3), the offender may, in accordance with the regulations, seek the warrant by telephone or other means of telecommunication, and the provincial judge or justice of the peace may, in accordance with the regulations, issue the warrant by the same means. 2000, c. 1, s. 11 (5); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 12. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 12 - 01/04/2026 Protection from personal liability 12 (1) No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against the Crown, any current or former member of the Executive Council, a First Nation, an entity that employs First Nation Officers, a municipality, a police service board, a correctional institution, any member of a police service or any person providing services to a police service or correctional institution or any person employed in or providing services to the ministry for any act or omission in the execution or intended execution of a duty or authority under this Act or for any alleged neglect or default in the execution in good faith of that duty or authority. 2008, c. 3, s. 7; 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (17); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 13. Crown liability (2) Despite subsection 8 (3) of the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act, 2019, subsection (1) does not relieve the Crown of liability in respect of a tort committed by a person described in that subsection to which it would otherwise be subject. 2000, c. 1, s. 12 (2); 2019, c. 7, Sched. 17, s. 45. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2008, c. 3, s. 7 - 05/12/2008 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (17) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (17) - 01/04/2024; 2019, c. 7, Sched. 17, s. 45 - 01/07/2019 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 13 - 01/04/2026 Freedom of information, protection of privacy legislation 13 (1) Personal information may be collected, retained, disclosed and used in accordance with this Act despite the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. 2000, c. 1, s. 13 (1). Same (2) Subsections 39 (2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and 29 (2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act do not apply in respect of information collected under this Act. 2000, c. 1, s. 13 (2). Regulations 14 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations, (a) prescribing provisions of the Criminal Code (Canada) for the purpose of the definition of “sex offence”; (a.1) prescribing the various periods of time referred to in subsections 3 (1) and 7 (2); (b) prescribing additional information to be maintained in the sex offender registry and to be provided by offenders under section 3, by a police service under subsection 4 (3) or by a correctional institution or youth custody facility under section 4.1, or added to the sex offender registry under subsection 5 (2); (c) prescribing the circumstances under which an offender shall be deemed to reside in Ontario or in an area in Ontario; (c.1) prescribing what constitutes a change in address for the purposes of clause 3 (1) (c); (c.2) for the purposes of clauses 3 (1) (c.4) and (c.5), governing the types of changes in respect of which those clauses apply; (c.3) prescribing digital identifiers for the purposes of clause 3 (1) (c.5); (c.4) governing the verification of addresses under subsection 4 (2); (d) prescribing limits to the number of requests for information that may be made by an offender under subsection 6 (1); (e) governing applications for and the issue of warrants by telephone or other means of telecommunication for the purpose of subsection 11 (3), prescribing rules for the execution of such warrants and prescribing evidentiary rules with respect to such warrants; (f) permitting the ministry and any other ministry or any agency, board or commission of the government of Ontario to share information in their possession or control for the purposes of adding such information to the sex offender registry; (g) permitting the ministry to enter into an agreement with the government of Canada or the government of any other province or territory or any agency, board or commission of such government to permit them to share information in their possession or control for the purposes of adding such information to the sex offender registry or to a similar registry maintained by the other government; (h) requiring that the sex offender registry be included in and form part of a specified existing record or registry of information; (h.1) prescribing circumstances in which an offender is not required to comply with section 3, either on a temporary or permanent basis, due to their physical or mental capacity; (h.2) prescribing provisions of this Act for the purposes of paragraph 1 of subsection 3 (1.0.1) and paragraph 1 of subsection 7 (2.0.1); (h.3) prescribing requirements in respect of prescribed provisions of this Act for the purposes of paragraph 2 of subsections 3 (1.0.1) and 7 (2.0.1); (h.4) with respect to an offender who is serving the custodial portion of a sentence intermittently in respect of an offence other than a sex offence, (i) providing that subsection 7 (2) does not apply, (ii) governing timing of compliance with subsection 3 (1), which may include requiring the offender to comply with subsection 3 (1) within a prescribed period instead of the applicable period prescribed under subsection 3 (1);

(h.5) for the purposes of subsection 8 (1.3.2), governing the application of clauses 3 (1) (c.4) and (c.5); (h.6) prescribing steps for the purposes of clauses 9 (1) (b) and 9.0.1 (2) (b); (h.7) prescribing entities for the purpose of subsection 10 (3.0.2); (h.8) governing agreements entered into for the purposes of subsection 10 (3.0.3); (i) respecting any matter that the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out effectively the intent and purpose of this Act. 2000, c. 1, s. 14; 2008, c. 3, s. 8; 2009, c. 33, Sched. 9, s. 2 (3); 2011, c. 8, s. 7; 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (18); 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 14; 2025, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 3; 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 2. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2008, c. 3, s. 8 - 05/12/2008 2009, c. 33, Sched. 9, s. 2 (3) - 15/12/2009 2011, c. 8, s. 7 - 20/06/2011 2018, c. 3, Sched. 5, s. 7 (18) - no effect - see 2019, c. 1, Sched. 3, s. 5 - 26/03/2019 2019, c. 1, Sched. 4, s. 6 (18) - 01/04/2024 2024, c. 27, Sched. 3, s. 14 - 01/04/2026 2025, c. 6, Sched. 3, s. 3 - 01/04/2026; 2025, c. 24, Sched. 3, s. 2 - 01/04/2026 15 Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of this Act). 2000, c. 1, s. 15. 16 Omitted (enacts short title of this Act). 2000, c. 1, s. 16. ______________