George Wallace said:
What is the legal age of conscent in this country?GW
Horribly worded part of section 151 of Criminal Code:
Sexual Offences
Consent no defence
150.1 (1) Where an accused is charged with an offence under section 151 or 152 or subsection 153(1), 160(3) or 173(2) or is charged with an offence under section 271, 272 or 273 in respect of a complainant under the age of fourteen years, it is not a defence that the complainant consented to the activity that forms the subject-matter of the charge.
Exception
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where an accused is charged with an offence under section 151 or 152, subsection 173(2) or section 271 in respect of a complainant who is twelve years of age or more but under the age of fourteen years, it is not a defence that the complainant consented to the activity that forms the subject-matter of the charge unless the accused
(a) is twelve years of age or more but under the age of sixteen years;
(b) is less than two years older than the complainant; and
(c) is neither in a position of trust or authority towards the complainant nor is a person with whom the complainant is in a relationship of dependency.
Much clearer wording from the Interpol site:
Canada - Canadá
Ottawa
I. Ages for legal purposes
Age of simple majority
There is no set age of majority throughout Canada. The age of majority is generally fixed by each province. According to section 1 of the 'Age of Majority and Accountability Act' in Ontario and to section 153 f the Quebec Civil Code, the age of majority is of eighteen (18) years. In Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba, the age of majority is also eighteen (18) years. In Newfoundland, the age of majority is seventeen (17) years and in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest territories and Yukon, the age of majority is nineteen (19).
Age of consent for sexual activity
According to section 151 of the Criminal Code, the legal age for consenting to a sexual activity is fourteen (14) years
'Every person who, for a sexual purpose, touches, directly or indirectly, with a part of the body or with an object, any part of the body a person under the age of fourteen (14) years is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.'
Age of consent for marriage
The age of consent for marriage can differ from one province to another. In Ontario, according to subsection 5(1) of the 'Marriage Act', any person who is eighteen (18) years or older can obtain a licence or be married under the authority of the publication of banns. Furthermore, subsection 5(2) maintains that a minor cannot be married except if the minor is of the age of sixteen (16) years or more and has the consent in writing of both parents. The federal 'Marriage Act' was repealed.
I am surprised to see the age of consent for sexual activity is 14. Would have thought it was 16.