B.C. Supreme Court Upholds Anti-Polygamy Law

29.11.11

On November 23, 2011 Chief Justice Robert Bauman of the British Columbia Supreme Court issued his much anticipated Reasons for Judgment in Reference re Section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada (“the Reference”), 2011 BCSC 1588, the constitutional reference concerning the validity of Canada’s anti-polygamy law. Chief Justice Bauman found that the law is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, except to the extent that it subjects children to criminal prosecution.