In the recent case of R. v. Klassen, the B.C. Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of child-sex tourism charges laid against Canadians who commit illegal acts while overseas.[1] The first case to challenge the constitutionality of such charges dealt with Kenneth Klassen, who was accused of committing 35 sex crimes involving underage girls. The alleged crimes took place in Columbia, Cambodia, and the Philippines.[2] Mr. Klassen’s counsel argued that section 7(4.1) of Canada’s Criminal Code[3] (Offence in relation to sexual offences against children ) was unconstitutional as it violated sections 7, 8, 9, 10(a), 10(b), 15 and 32 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.[4]

The main issue before the court was whether it was constitutional to apply Canadian law to acts committed overseas by Canadians. All the alleged victims were foreign nationals victimized outside of Canada. Only the accused was a Canadian citizen. Counsel for the accused asserted that application of the Charter was limited to Canadian territory, arguing that the common law stressed the importance of sovereignty and that the basis for jurisdiction is territoriality.[5] It was also argued that there is no direct relation between the alleged acts outside of Canada and the Canadian public, which the Criminal Code is supposed to protect; therefore, the extension of the law to these acts is outside Parliament's jurisdiction.[6] Justice Cullen was not persuaded by the counsel for the accused.

Crown counsel cited section 132 of the Constitution Act, 1867 which gave Canada “all the Powers necessary or proper for performing the obligations of Canada . . . arising under Treaties.”[7] Canada, Columbia, Cambodia, and the Philippines have all signed and ratified the United Nation’s Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.[8]Justice Cullen ruled that section 7(4.1) of the Criminal Code was constitutional because Parliament has the power to enact extraterritorial legislation and the majority of the world’s countries have signed the Optional Protocol.[9] Furthermore, he dismissed the contention that the accused's rights under the Charter would be infringed, stating that the accused was still guaranteed a fair trial under section 11(d) of the Charter.[10]

This recent decision by the B.C. Supreme Court strengthens Canadian constitutional law as it pertains not only to child-sex tourism, but also to any conduct prohibited by Canadian criminal law if it is carried out by a Canadian in another country that, along with Canada, is party to an international agreement. This recent decision brings Canada in line with other common law jurisdictions such as Australia and the United States.[11]