R. v. Sharpe (J.R.), (1999) 127 B.C.A.C. 76 (CA)
Judge | McEachern, C.J.B.C., Southin and Rowles, JJ.A. |
Court | Court of Appeal (British Columbia) |
Case Date | June 30, 1999 |
Jurisdiction | British Columbia |
Citations | (1999), 127 B.C.A.C. 76 (CA);1999 BCCA 416 |
R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 127 B.C.A.C. 76 (CA);
207 W.A.C. 76
MLB headnote and full text
Temp. Cite: [1999] B.C.A.C. TBEd. AU.021
Regina (appellant) v. John Robin Sharpe (respondent)
(CA025488; 1999 BCCA 416)
Indexed As: R. v. Sharpe (J.R.)
British Columbia Court of Appeal
McEachern, C.J.B.C., Southin and Rowles, JJ.A.
June 30, 1999.
Summary:
The accused was charged with two counts of possession of child pornography for the purpose of distribution or sale, contrary to s. 163.1(3) of the Criminal Code, and two counts of possession of child pornography, contrary to s. 163.1(4) of the Code. The accused challenged the constitutional validity of ss. 163.1(3)(1)(b) and 163.1(4) of the Code.
The British Columbia Supreme Court, in a decision reported at 1 B.C.T.C. 138, ruled that s. 163.1(4) was inconsistent with the right to freedom of expression in s. 2(b) of the Charter, and was not saved by s. 1. The court dismissed the accused's attack on s. 163.1(3)(1)(b) of the Code. The Crown appealed respecting s. 163.1(4).
The British Columbia Court of Appeal, McEachern, C.J.B.C., dissenting, dismissed the Crown's appeal.
Civil Rights - Topic 1842.1
Freedom of expression - Limitations on - Pornography - Child pornography - Possession of - Section 163.1(4) of the Criminal Code prescribed the offence of possessing child pornography as defined in s. 163.1(1) - The British Columbia Court of Appeal affirmed that s. 163.1(4) violated the right to freedom of expression in s. 2(b) of the Charter of Rights, and was not justified under s. 1 - The legislation, although pursuing a valid objective, was disproportionate as between its salutary and deleterious effects - Further, the legislation overreached by criminalizing a vast range of conduct for which no reasoned apprehension of harm could be shown - The definition of child pornography captured a vast range of materials, a significant portion of which were not shown to pose a danger to children - See paragraphs 88 to 130, 136 to 218.
Civil Rights - Topic 8348
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Application - Exceptions - Reasonable limits prescribed by law - [See Civil Rights - Topic 1842.1 ].
Criminal Law - Topic 575.1
Sexual offences - Public morals and disorderly conduct - Public morals - Obscenity - Possession of child pornography - [See Civil Rights - Topic 1842.1 ].
Cases Noticed:
R. v. Butler and McCord, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 452; 134 N.R. 81; 78 Man.R.(2d) 1; 16 W.A.C. 1; 89 D.L.R.(4th) 449; 70 C.C.C.(3d) 129; 11 C.R.(4th) 137, refd to. [paras. 12, 147].
R. v. C.M. (1995), 82 O.A.C. 68; 41 C.R.(4th) 134 (C.A.), refd to v. [para. 17].
R. v. Brown et al., [1993] 2 All E.R. 75; 151 N.R. 321 (H.L.), refd to. [para. 17].
R. v. Paintings, Drawings and Photographic Slides of Paintings (1995), 97 C.C.C.(3d) 290 (Ont. Gen. Div.), leave to appeal refused (1995), 196 N.R. 79; 89 O.A.C. 320; 42 C.R.(4th) 410 (S.C.C.), refd to. [paras. 26, 203].
Ontario (Attorney General) v. Langer - see R. v. Paintings, Drawings and Photographic Slides of Paintings
R. v. Oakes, [1986] 1 S.C.R. 103; 65 N.R. 87; 14 O.A.C. 335; 26 D.L.R.(4th) 200; 50 C.R.(3d) 1; 24 C.C.C.(3d) 321; 19 C.R.R. 308, refd to. [paras. 26, 140].
Canadian Broadcasting Corp. v. Dagenais et al., [1994] 3 S.C.R. 835; 175 N.R. 1; 76 O.A.C. 81; 94 C.C.C.(3d) 289; 120 D.L.R.(4th) 12; 25 C.R.R.(2d) 1; 34 C.R.(4th) 269, refd to. [paras. 27, 209].
Osborne v. Ohio (1990), 495 U.S. 103; 109 L. Ed. 2d 98; 110 S. Ct. 1691, refd to. [para. 36].
R. v. Feeney (M.), [1997] 2 S.C.R. 13; 212 N.R. 83; 91 B.C.A.C. 1; 148 W.A.C. 1; 146 D.L.R.(4th) 609, refd to. [para. 36].
R. v. Keegstra, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 697; 117 N.R. 1; 114 A.R. 81; 1 C.R.(4th) 129; 77 Alta. L.R.(2d) 193; [1991] 2 W.W.R. 1; 61 C.C.C.(3d) 1; 3 C.R.R.(2d) 193, refd to. [paras. 71; 146].
Regulation and Control of Aeronautics in Canada, Re, [1932] A.C. 54; [1932] 1 D.L.R. 58, refd to. [para. 73].
Canadian Council of Churches v. Canada et al., [1992] 1 S.C.R. 236; 132 N.R. 241; 88 D.L.R.(4th) 193, refd to. [para. 75].
R. v. Bridges (1990), 54 B.C.L.R.(2d) 273; 62 C.C.C.(3d) 455 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 80].
Everywoman's Health Centre Society (1988) v. Bridges - see R. v. Bridges.
Entick v. Carrington, [1558 - 1774] All E.R. Rep. 41; 19 State Tr. 1029; 2 Wils 275, refd to. [para. 93].
R. v. Heywood (R.L.), [1994] 3 S.C.R. 761; 174 N.R. 81; 50 B.C.A.C. 161; 82 W.A.C. 161; 94 C.C.C.(3d) 481; 120 D.L.R.(4th) 348, refd to. [para. 133].
Egan and Nesbit v. Canada, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 513; 182 N.R. 161; 12 R.F.L.(4th) 201; 124 D.L.R.(4th) 609, refd to. [para. 140].
Eldridge et al. v. British Columbia (Attorney General), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 624; 218 N.R. 161; 96 B.C.A.C. 81; 155 W.A.C. 81; 151 D.L.R.(4th) 577, refd to. [para. 140].
Vriend et al. v. Alberta, [1998] 1 S.C.R. 493; 224 N.R. 1; 212 A.R. 237; 168 W.A.C. 237; 156 D.L.R.(4th) 385, refd to. [para. 140].
R. v. Lucas (J.D.) et al., [1998] 1 S.C.R. 439; 224 N.R. 161; 163 Sask.R. 161; 165 W.A.C. 161; 123 C.C.C.(3d) 97, refd to. [para. 149].
Hill v. Church of Scientology of Toronto and Manning, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 1130; 184 N.R. 1; 84 O.A.C. 1; 126 D.L.R.(4th) 129, refd to. [para. 152].
Reference Re ss. 193 and 195.1(1)(c) of the Criminal Code, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 1123; 109 N.R. 81; 68 Man.R.(2d) 1; 56 C.C.C.(3d) 65; 77 C.R.(3d) 1; [1990] 4 W.W.R. 481, refd to. [para. 155].
Irwin Toy Ltd. v. Québec (Procureur général), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 927; 94 N.R. 167; 24 Q.A.C. 2; 58 D.L.R.(4th) 577; 25 C.P.R.(3d) 417, refd to. [para. 155].
R. v. Smith (E.D.), [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1045; 75 N.R. 321; 34 C.C.C.(3d) 97, refd to. [para. 165].
R. v. Goltz, [1991] 3 S.C.R. 485; 131 N.R. 1; 5 B.C.A.C. 161; 11 W.A.C. 161; 8 C.R.(4th) 82; 67 C.C.C.(3d) 481, refd to. [para. 165].
R. v. Zundel (No. 2), [1992] 2 S.C.R. 731; 140 N.R. 1; 56 O.A.C. 161; 75 C.C.C.(3d) 449, refd to. [para. 166].
Taylor and Western Guard Party v. Canadian Human Rights Commission, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 892; 117 N.R. 191; 75 D.L.R.(4th) 577, refd to. [para. 170].
R. v. Dyment, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 417; 89 N.R. 249; 73 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 13; 229 A.P.R. 13; 45 C.C.C.(3d) 244; 10 M.V.R.(2d) 1; 66 C.R.(3d) 348; 55 D.L.R.(4th) 503, refd to. [para. 172].
Thomson Newspapers Ltd. v. Director of Investigation and Research, Combines Investigation Act et al., [1990] 1 S.C.R. 425; 106 N.R. 161; 39 O.A.C. 161; 54 C.C.C.(3d) 417; 76 C.R.(3d) 129; 67 D.L.R.(4th) 161; 29 C.P.R.(3d) 97; 47 C.R.R. 1, refd to. [para. 173].
New York v. Ferber (1982), 458 U.S. 747 (U.S.S.C.), consd. [para. 188].
Osborne v. Ohio (1990), 495 U.S. 103 (U.S.S.C.), consd. [para. 188].
United States v. Hilton, [1999] WL 44725 (U.S.C.A. lst. Cir. (Me.)), refd to. [para. 189].
R. v. Chase, [1987] 2 S.C.R. 293; 80 N.R. 247; 82 N.B.R.(2d) 229; 208 A.P.R. 229; 37 C.C.C.(3d) 97; 45 D.L.R.(4th) 98; 59 C.R.(3d) 193, refd to. [para. 197].
RJR-MacDonald Inc. et Imperial Tobacco Ltd. v. Canada (Procureur général), [1995] 3 S.C.R. 199; 187 N.R. 1; 127 D.L.R.(4th) 1, refd to. [para. 206].
R. v. Hess; R. v. Nguyen, [1990] 2 S.C.R. 906; 119 N.R. 353; 46 O.A.C. 13; 73 Man.R.(2d) 1; 3 W.A.C. 1; [1990] 6 W.W.R. 289; 79 C.R.(3d) 332; 59 C.C.C.(3d) 161, refd to. [para. 206].
Olmstead v. United States (1927), 277 U.S. 438, refd to. [para. 207].
Thomson Newspaper Co. et al. v. Canada (Attorney General), [1998] 1 S.C.R. 877; 226 N.R. 1; 109 O.A.C. 201; 159 D.L.R.(4th) 385, refd to. [para 211].
Statutes Noticed:
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 1 [para. 81]; sect. 2(b) [para. 137].
Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 163 [para. 15]; sect. 163.1(1), sect. 163.1(2), sect. 163.1(3), sect. 163.1(4), sect. 163.1(5), sect. 163.1(6), sect. 163.1(7) [para. 14].
Authors and Works Noticed:
Badgley Report - see Canada, Report of the Committee on Sexual Offences Against Children and Youths.
Blugerman, B., and May, L., The New Child Pornography Law: Difficulties of Bill C-128 (1993), 4 M.C.L.R. 17, p. 27 [para. 200].
Canada, Report of the Committee on Sexual Offences Against Children and Youths (Badgley Report) (1984), vol. 1, pp. 101 [para. 144]; 102, 103 [para. 184].
Canada, Special Committee on Pornography and Prostitution, Report of the Special Committee on Pornography and Prostitution (Fraser Commission Report), Ottawa (1985), vol. 2, pp. 584-85 [para. 184]; 629 [paras. 144, 184]; 630, 631, 632, 635, 636 [para. 184].
Fraser Commission Report - see Canada, Special Committee on Pornography and Prostitution, Report of the Special Committee on Pornography and Prostitution.
Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (3rd Ed. 1973), pp. 27 [para. 8]; 517 [para. 85].
Counsel:
John M. Gordon and Kate Ker, for the appellant;
Gil D. McKinnon, Q.C., Richard C.C. Peck, Q.C., and Nikos Harris, for the respondent;
Judith A. Bowers, Q.C., for the Attorney General of Canada;
John D. McAlpine, Q.C., and Andrew D. Gay, for the intervenor, B.C. Civil Liberties Association;
T.S. Danson, for the intervenors, Canadian Police Association; Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, and Caveat;
E. Gordon, for the intervenors, Beyond Borders and ECPAT International;
R.W. Staley and M. Hayward, for the intervenors, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and Focus on the Family (Canada) Association.
This appeal was heard in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 26 and 27, 1999, before McEachern, C.J.B.C., Southin and Rowles, JJ.A., of the British Columbia Court of Appeal. The decision of the court was delivered on June 30, 1999, and the following opinions were filed:
Southin, J.A. - see paragraphs 1 to 131;
Rowles, J.A. - see pagraphs 132 to 219;
McEachern, C.J.B.C., dissenting - see paragraphs 220 to 294.
To continue reading
Request your trial-
R. v. Sharpe (J.R.), (2001) 146 B.C.A.C. 161 (SCC)
...prescribed by law. The Crown appealed. The British Columbia Court of Appeal, McEachern, C.J.B.C., dissenting, in a judgment reported 127 B.C.A.C. 76; 207 W.A.C. 76, dismissed the appeal. The Crown The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal. Section 163.1(4) violated freedom of expressio......
-
R. v. B.E., (1999) 126 O.A.C. 173 (CA)
...et al. (1998), 224 N.R. 161; 163 Sask.R. 161; 165 W.A.C. 161; 123 C.C.C.(3d) 97 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 45]. R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 127 B.C.A.C. 76; 207 W.A.C. 76; 136 C.C.C.(3d) 97 (C.A.), refd to. [para. R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., [1985] 1 S.C.R. 295; 58 N.R. 81; 60 A.R. 161; [198......
-
CFS v. Jordan, 2000 ABQB 976
...R. v. Butler and McCord, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 452; 134 N.R. 81; 78 Man.R.(2d) 1; 16 W.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 99]. R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 127 B.C.A.C. 76; 207 W.A.C. 76; 175 D.L.R.(4th) 1; 136 C.C.C.(3d) 97 (C.A.), refd to. [para. R. v. Tang (P.) (1997), 200 A.R. 70; 146 W.A.C. 70 (C.A.), r......
-
R. v. Trang (T.Q.) et al., 2001 ABQB 79
...R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (2001), 264 N.R. 201; 146 B.C.A.C. 161; 239 W.A.C. 161 (S.C.C.), refd to. [paras. 3, 22]. R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 127 B.C.A.C. 76; 207 W.A.C. 76 (C.A.), refd to. [para. R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 1 B.C.T.C. 138 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 3]. Metropolitan Stores (MTS) L......
-
R. v. Sharpe (J.R.), (2001) 146 B.C.A.C. 161 (SCC)
...prescribed by law. The Crown appealed. The British Columbia Court of Appeal, McEachern, C.J.B.C., dissenting, in a judgment reported 127 B.C.A.C. 76; 207 W.A.C. 76, dismissed the appeal. The Crown The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal. Section 163.1(4) violated freedom of expressio......
-
R. v. B.E., (1999) 126 O.A.C. 173 (CA)
...et al. (1998), 224 N.R. 161; 163 Sask.R. 161; 165 W.A.C. 161; 123 C.C.C.(3d) 97 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 45]. R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 127 B.C.A.C. 76; 207 W.A.C. 76; 136 C.C.C.(3d) 97 (C.A.), refd to. [para. R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., [1985] 1 S.C.R. 295; 58 N.R. 81; 60 A.R. 161; [198......
-
CFS v. Jordan, 2000 ABQB 976
...R. v. Butler and McCord, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 452; 134 N.R. 81; 78 Man.R.(2d) 1; 16 W.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 99]. R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 127 B.C.A.C. 76; 207 W.A.C. 76; 175 D.L.R.(4th) 1; 136 C.C.C.(3d) 97 (C.A.), refd to. [para. R. v. Tang (P.) (1997), 200 A.R. 70; 146 W.A.C. 70 (C.A.), r......
-
R. v. Trang (T.Q.) et al., 2001 ABQB 79
...R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (2001), 264 N.R. 201; 146 B.C.A.C. 161; 239 W.A.C. 161 (S.C.C.), refd to. [paras. 3, 22]. R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 127 B.C.A.C. 76; 207 W.A.C. 76 (C.A.), refd to. [para. R. v. Sharpe (J.R.) (1999), 1 B.C.T.C. 138 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 3]. Metropolitan Stores (MTS) L......
-
Table of cases
...296 –97, 302, 305 R v Shand, 2011 ONCA 5 ..................................................................... 132, 135, 171 R v Sharpe, 1999 BCCA 416, rev’d 2001 SCC 2 .................................... 155–56, 2 87 R v Sheng, 2010 ONCA 296 .....................................................
-
Table of cases
...R v Shand, 2011 ONCA 5.....................................................................167, 196, 215 R v Sharpe, 1999 BCCA 416, rev’d 2001 SCC 2.................................... 190–91, 349 R v Sheng, 2010 ONCA 296 ...........................................................................
-
Justifying Infringements of Section 7
...[1986] 1 SCR 103 at 135 [ Oakes ]. 3 See, for instance, R v Morgentaler , [1988] 1 SCR 30 at 183 [ Morgentaler ], Wilson J; R v Sharpe , 1999 BCCA 416 at paras 93–94 (BCCA), Southin JA, rev’d 2001 SCC 2. 4 Grégoire Webber, “La disposition limitative de la Charte canadienne: une invitation à......
-
Justifying Infringements of Section 7
...[1986] 1 SCR 103 at 135 [ Oakes ]. 3 See, for instance, R v Morgentaler , [1988] 1 SCR 30 at 183 [ Morgentaler ], Wilson J; R v Sharpe , 1999 BCCA 416 at paras 93–94 (BCCA), Southin JA, rev’d 2001 SCC 2. 4 Grégoire Webber, « La disposition limitative de la Charte canadienne : une invitation......