Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Police Enforcement) Regulations

Contents

His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Solicitor General of Canada, pursuant to subsection 55(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, hereby makes the annexed Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Police Enforcement) Regulations.^note

Interpretation

1Definitions#

The definitions in this section apply in these Regulations.

Act means the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. (Loi)

appropriate police officer means

(a)in the case of the RCMP, the Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP in charge of drug enforcement; and

(b)in the case of any other police force, the member of the police force who is the most senior officer responsible for operations. (agent de police compétent)

chief means, in respect of a police force other than the RCMP, the senior police officer in charge of the police force. (chef)

particular investigation means a primary investigation conducted under the Act or any other Act of Parliament and includes any investigation that arises from the primary investigation. (enquête particulière). (enquête particulière)

police force means a police force that is designated pursuant to section 2. (corps policier)

proceeding means a preliminary inquiry, trial or other proceeding under the Act or any other Act of Parliament. (procédure)

provincial minister means the provincial minister responsible for policing in a province. (ministre provincial)

RCMP means the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (GRC)

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Designations of Police Forces

2Authority to designate#

The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and every provincial minister are authorized to designate any police force within the jurisdiction of that Minister or the provincial minister for the purposes of these Regulations or any of its provisions.^note

General Exemption

Sections 5 to 7.1 of the Act

3Street drugs#

A member of a police force is exempt from the application of any of sections 5 to 7.1 of the Act if the member engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in any of those sections that involves a substance other than a substance referred to in any of subsections 8(1), 11(1) and 13(1) of these Regulations, of which the member has come into possession during a particular investigation, if the member

(a)is an active member of the police force; and

(b)is acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of the particular investigation.

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4Direction and control#

A person is exempt from the application of any of section 5 to 7.1 of the Act if the person engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in any of those sections that involves a substance, other than a substance referred to in any of subsections 8(1), 11(1) and 13(1) of these Regulations, of which the person has come into possession, if the person

(a)acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who meets the conditions set out in paragraphs 3(a) and (b); and

(b)acts to assist the member referred to in paragraph (a) in the course of the particular investigation.

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5RCMP notification#

A member who is exempt, under section 3 of these Regulations, from the application of section 6 of the Act shall notify, in written or electronic format, the Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP in charge of drug enforcement of the importation or exportation of a substance by the member in accordance with section 3 of these Regulations, or by a person under the member's direction or control pursuant to section 4 of these Regulations, before the substance is imported or exported or, if it is not practicable to do so before the substance is imported or exported, as soon as practicable after that time.^note

Section 5 of the Act — Holding Out

5.1Holding out#

A member of a police force who engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in section 5 of the Act by representing or holding out a substance to be a substance included in any of Schedules I to V to the Act is exempt from the application of that section if the member

(a)is an active member of the police force; and

(b)is acting in the course of the member's responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation.

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5.2Direction and control#

A person who engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in section 5 of the Act by representing or holding out a substance to be a substance included in any of Schedules I to V to the Act is exempt from the application of that section if the person

(a)acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who meets the conditions set out in paragraphs 5.1(a) and (b); and

(b)acts to assist the member referred to in paragraph (a) in the course of the particular investigation.

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Subsection 4(2) of the Act

6Double-doctoring#

A member of a police force is exempt from the application of subsection 4(2) of the Act where the member engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in that subsection, if the member

(a)is an active member of the police force; and

(b)is acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation.

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7Direction and control#

A person is exempt from the application of subsection 4(2) of the Act where the person engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in that subsection, if the person

(a)acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who meets the conditions set out in paragraphs 6(a) and (b); and

(b)acts to assist the member referred to in paragraph (a) in the course of the particular investigation.

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Provisions of the Precursor Control Regulations

7.1Member of police force#

A member of a police force is exempt from the application of subsections 6(1) and (2) and 9(1), section 10, subsections 47(1) and 57(1) and section 88 of the Precursor Control Regulations if the member engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in any of those provisions and

(a)is an active member of the police force; and

(b)is acting in the course of the member's responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation.

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7.2Direction and control#

A person is exempt from the application of subsections 6(1) and (2) and 9(1), section 10, subsections 47(1) and 57(1) and section 88 of the Precursor Control Regulations if the person engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in any of those provisions and the person acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who meets the conditions set out in paragraphs 7.1(a) and (b).^note

Exemption with Certificate

Section 5 of the Act — Trafficking

8State drugs#

(1)Subject to section 15, a member of a police force is exempt from the application of section 5 of the Act where the member engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in that section that involves a substance that has been forfeited to Her Majesty, that is imported in accordance with section 11 of these Regulations or that is produced in accordance with section 13 of these Regulations, if the member has been issued a certificate.

(2)The appropriate police officer may issue a certificate for a period not exceeding six months for the purposes of subsection (1) to a member of a police force where the member

(a)is an active member of the police force; and

(b)is acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation.

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9Direction and control#

Subject to section 16, a person is exempt from the application of section 5 of the Act where the person engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in that section that involves a substance that has been forfeited to Her Majesty, that is imported in accordance with section 11 of these Regulations or that is produced in accordance with section 13 of these Regulations, if the person

(a)acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who meets the conditions set out in paragraphs 8(2)(a) and (b); and

(b)acts to assist the member referred to in paragraph (a) in the course of the particular investigation.

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Section 6 of the Act — Importation or Exportation

10Controlled deliveries#

For the purposes of subsection 11(1) and section 12, a substance requested of and obtained directly from a foreign state does not include a substance that has, for the purpose of identifying any person involved in the commission of an offence under the Act or any other Act of Parliament or a conspiracy to commit such an offence, been allowed to pass out of or through a foreign state, with the knowledge and under the supervision of that state's competent authorities.^note

11State drugs#

(1)A member of a police force is exempt from the application of section 6 of the Act where the member engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in that section that involves a substance that has been forfeited to Her Majesty, that is produced in accordance with section 13 of these Regulations or that has been requested of and obtained directly from a foreign state, if the member has been issued a certificate.

(2)The Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP in charge of drug enforcement may issue a certificate for a period not exceeding six months for the purposes of subsection (1) where the member

(a)is an active member of the police force; and

(b)is acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation in which the RCMP participates.

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12Direction and control#

A person is exempt from the application of section 6 of the Act where the person engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in that section that involves a substance that has been forfeited to Her Majesty, that is produced in accordance with section 13 of these Regulations or that has been requested of and obtained directly from a foreign state, if the person

(a)acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who meets the conditions set out in paragraphs 11(2)(a) and (b); and

(b)acts to assist the member referred to in paragraph (a) in the course of the particular investigation.

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Section 7 of the Act — Production

13State drugs#

(1)Subject to section 15, a member of a police force is exempt from the application of section 7 of the Act where the member engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in that section that involves a substance that has been forfeited to Her Majesty or that is imported in accordance with section 11 of these Regulations, if the member has been issued a certificate.

(2)The appropriate police officer may issue a certificate for a period not exceeding one year for the purposes of subsection (1) to a member of a police force where the member

(a)is an active member of the police force; and

(b)is acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation.

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14Direction and control#

Subject to section 16, a person is exempt from the application of section 7 of the Act where the person engages or attempts to engage in conduct referred to in that section that involves a substance that has been forfeited to Her Majesty or that is imported in accordance with section 11 of these Regulations, if the person

(a)acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who meets the conditions set out in paragraphs 13(2)(a) and (b); and

(b)acts to assist the member referred to in paragraph (a) in the course of the particular investigation.

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Section 5 or 7 of the Act in Respect of Offering to Engage

15Offering to engage#

A member of a police force who engages in conduct referred to in section 5 or 7 of the Act by offering to engage in that conduct is exempt, in respect of offering to engage in that conduct, from the application of section 5 or 7 of the Act, if the member

(a)is an active member of the police force; and

(b)is acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation.

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16Direction and control#

A person who engages in conduct referred to in section 5 or 7 of the Act by offering to engage in that conduct is exempt, in respect of offering to engage in that conduct, from the application of section 5 or 7 of the Act, if the person

(a)acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who meets the conditions set out in paragraphs 15(a) and (b); and

(b)acts to assist the member referred to in paragraph (a) in the course of the particular investigation.

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Certificate

17Information in certificate#

A certificate issued under section 8, 11 or 13 shall identify the member of the police force to which it applies, the duration of the exemption and the particular investigation to which it relates.

Revocation of Certificate

18Revocation#

(1)A certificate issued under section 8, 11 or 13 is revoked on the earliest of

(a)the date on which the appropriate police officer who issued the certificate revokes it,

(b)the date on which the member to whom it was issued is no longer an active member of the police force,

(c)the date on which the member to whom it was issued is no longer acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of the particular investigation to which the certificate relates,

(d)the date on which the particular investigation to which the certificate relates has been completed, or

(e)the date on which the certificate expires.

(2)The appropriate police officer shall notify the member to whom a certificate was issued of the revocation on the day on which the certificate is revoked pursuant to paragraph (1)(a), (c) or (d).

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Other General Exemptions

18.1 and 18.2 #

[Repealed, SOR/2005-72, s. 11] (repealed)

19Conspiracy#

A member of a police force is exempt from the application of the provisions that create the offence of conspiracy to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence under subsection 4(2) or section 5, 6 or 7 of the Act if the member

(a)is an active member of the police force;

(b)is acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation; and

(c)engages in conduct that, but for the application of this section, would constitute a conspiracy to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence under subsection 4(2) or section 5, 6 or 7 of the Act.

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20Direction and control#

A person is exempt from the application of the provisions that create the offence of conspiracy to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or any counselling in relation to, an offence under subsection 4(2) or section 5, 6 or 7 of the Act if the person

(a)acts under the direction and control of a member of a police force who

(i)is an active member of the police force, and

(ii)is acting in the course of the member’s responsibilities for the purposes of a particular investigation;

(b)acts to assist the member in the course of the particular investigation; and

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Detention of Forfeited Substances

21Forfeited substances#

(1)The chief or appropriate officer shall, as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after a forfeited controlled substance or precursor is no longer required for the proceeding in respect of which it was seized, where the controlled substance or precursor is required for the purposes of conducting investigations under the Act or any other Act of Parliament, inform the Minister in writing of that requirement.

(2)Every controlled substance or precursor referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept in a secure location while not being used for the purposes of conducting investigations under the Act or any other Act of Parliament.

(3)The chief or appropriate police officer of a police force is exempt from the application of section 5 of the Act if that person transfers any controlled substance or precursor referred to in subsection (1) to the chief or appropriate police officer of another police force and if the chief or appropriate police officer of that other police force requests the transfer for the purposes of a particular investigation.

(4)Where a transfer is conducted pursuant to subsection (3), the chief or appropriate police officer who

(a)makes the transfer shall inform the Minister of the transfer, as soon as practicable after the request for the transfer has been received; and

(b)receives the controlled substance or precursor shall inform the Minister of its receipt, as soon as practicable after the receipt.

(5)If a controlled substance or precursor referred to in subsection (1) is no longer required for the purposes of conducting investigations under the Act or any other Act of Parliament, the chief or appropriate police officer shall seek the directions of the Minister and dispose of or otherwise deal with the controlled substance or precursor in accordance with the Minister's directions.

(6)If a forfeited controlled substance or precursor is no longer required for the proceeding in respect of which it was seized and is not required for the purposes of conducting investigations under the Act or any other Act of Parliament, the chief or appropriate police officer shall, as soon as practicable,

(a)in writing seek directions from the Minister respecting the disposal of or otherwise dealing with the controlled substance or precursor, unless the Minister has previously given such directions; and

(b)dispose of or otherwise deal with the controlled substance or precursor in accordance with the Minister's directions.

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Reports

22Annual report#

(1)The chief or appropriate police officer shall submit to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and to the Minister, within three months after the end of every calendar year, a report in written or electronic format containing the information set out in subsection (3), in respect of each of the following controlled substances or precursors that came into the possession of the police force in the course of a particular investigation completed during the calendar year, namely,

(a)a controlled substance or precursor imported or exported in accordance with section 11;

(b)a controlled substance produced in accordance with section 13; and

(c)a forfeited controlled substance or precursor referred to in section 21.

(2)The chief or appropriate police officer of a police force other than the RCMP shall also send a copy of the report referred to in subsection (1) to the provincial minister responsible for the police force.

(3)The report shall indicate the name and total quantity of each controlled substance or precursor and the quantity, in respect of each controlled substance or precursor, that was forfeited, imported, exported, produced or destroyed, as applicable.

(4)The chief or appropriate police officer of a police force shall also submit, on request, a report in written or electronic format to the Minister respecting the controlled substances or precursors referred to in subsection (1) as required for the following purposes:

(a)to ensure the protection of the public against potential public health risks caused by the potential misuse or diversion of those substances;

(b)to collect data required for studies and research;

(c)to meet international obligations of the Government of Canada; and

(d)for compliance with these Regulations.

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23Report of substances no longer in possession#

(1)The chief or appropriate police officer shall submit a report in written or electronic format to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Minister containing the information required by subsection (3), respecting every controlled substance or precursor referred to in subsection 21(1) that is lost, stolen or otherwise no longer in the possession of the police force, as soon as practicable after the substance is lost, stolen or no longer in the possession of the police force.

(3)The report shall include the following information:

(a)the name and quantity of each controlled substance or precursor;

(b)the date of forfeiture, importation or exportation of each controlled substance or precursor, or the production of each controlled substance, as applicable; and

(c)the date on which and an explanation of the circumstances in which the controlled substance or precursor was lost or stolen or ceased to be in the possession of the police force.

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Transitional Provision

24Transitional#

These Regulations apply in respect of every controlled substance or precursor that was forfeited to Her Majesty before the coming into force of these Regulations and that is in the possession of a police force, except that, in respect of subsection 21(1), the reference to 60 days shall be read as a reference to 120 days after the coming into force of these Regulations.

Coming into Force

*25Coming into force#

These Regulations come into force on the date on which the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act comes into force.

Related provisions

— 2026, c. 4, s. 24The validity of any of the provisions of the following regulations respecting conspiracy or attempt to commit, being an accessory after the fact in relation to, or counselling in relation to, an offence is confirmed as of the day on which those regulations were made and the effects produced by those provisions since the day on which they came into force are also confirmed:the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Police Enforcement) Regulations, made on April 22, 1997 and registered as SOR/97-234;the Cannabis Act (Police Enforcement) Regulations, made on June 26, 2018 and registered as SOR/2018-151; andany regulations, made before the day on which this Act receives royal assent, amending one or both of those Regulations.

Federal laws of Canada reproduced under the Reproduction of Federal Law Order (SI/97-5); not the official version. Source: Justice Laws Website.