Financing Terrorist Activity (Offence)

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed July 2023. (Rev. # 96379)

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Financing Terrorist Activity
s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04 of the Crim. Code
Election / Plea
Crown Election	Indictment
Jurisdiction	Prov. Court Sup. Court w/ Jury (*) Sup. Court w/ Judge-alone (*) * Must be indictable.
Indictable Dispositions
Avail. Disp.	Discharge (730) Suspended Sentence (731(1)(a)) Fine (734) Fine + Probation (731(1)(b)) Jail (718.3, 787) Jail + Probation (731(1)(b)) Jail + Fine (734) Conditional Sentence (742.1)
Minimum	None
Maximum	10 years incarceration
Reference
Offence Elements Sentence Digests

Overview

Offences relating to financing terrorist activity are found in Part II.1 of the Criminal Code relating to "Terrorism".

Pleadings

Offence Section	Offence Type	Crown Election	Defence Election s. 536(2)	Preliminary Inquiry
s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities], s. 83.03 [providing property or services for terrorist purposes], and s. 83.04 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities]	Indictable Offence(s)			(under 14 years max)

Offences under s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities], s. 83.03 [providing property or services for terrorist purposes], and s. 83.04 [using or possessing property for terrorist purposes] are straight indictable. There is a Defence election of Court under s. 536(2) to trial in provincial court, superior court with a judge-alone or superior court with judge-and-jury.

Release

Offence(s)	Appearance Notice by Peace Officer s. 497	Summons by Judge or Justice s. 508(1), 512(1), or 788	Release by Peace Officer on Undertaking s. 498, 499, and 501	Release By a Judge or Justice on a Release Order s. 515 to 519	Direct to Attend for Fingerprints, etc. Identification of Criminals Act s. 2 ID Crim. Act
s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities], s. 83.03 [providing property or services for terrorist purposes], and s. 83.04 [using or possessing property for terrorist purposes]

When charged under s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities], 83.03 [providing property or services for terrorist purposes], and 83.04 [using or possessing property for terrorist purposes], the accused can be given a judicial summons without arrest. If arrested, he can be released by the arresting officer under s. 498 or 499 on an undertaking with or without conditions. He can also be released by a justice under s. 515.

Reverse Onus Bail

If police decide to bring the accused before a Justice pursuant to s. 503, there will be a presumption against bail (i.e. a reverse onus) if the offence, prosecuted by indictment, was committed:

• while at large under s. 515 [bail release], 679 or 680 [release pending appeal or review of appeal] (s. 515(6)(a)(i));
• "for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association" with a criminal organization (s. 515(6)(a)(ii));
• where the offence involved a weapon, being a firearm, cross-bow, prohibited weapon restricted weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive substance, while the accused was subject to a prohibition order preventing possession of these items (s. 515(6)(a)(viii)); or
• where the accused is not "ordinarily a resident in Canada" (s. 515(6)(b)).

And, regardless of Crown election, if the offence alleged was one:

• where the offence was an allegation of violence against an "intimate partner" and the accused had been previously convicted of an offence of violence against an "intimate partner" (s. 515(6)(b.1));
• where the offence alleged is a breach under s. 145(2) to (5) while (s. 515(6)(c));
• where the offence committed (or conspired to commit) was an offence under s. 5 to 7 of the CDSA that is punishable by life imprisonment (s. 515(6)(d));

Publication Bans

For all criminal or regulatory prosecutions, there is a discretionary general publication ban available on application of the Crown, victim or witness to prohibit the publishing of "any information that could identify the victim or witness" under s. 486.5(1) where it is "necessary" for the "proper administration of justice". Other available publication bans include prohibitions for publishing evidence or other information arising from a bail hearing (s. 517), preliminary inquiry (s. 539) or jury trial (s. 648). There is a mandatory publication ban in all youth prosecutions on information tending to identify young accused under s. 110 of the YCJA or young victims under s. 111 of the YCJA.

Offence Designations

Offence(s)	Wiretap Eligible s. 183	Dangerous Offender Designated Offence s. 752	Serious Personal Injury Offence s. 752	AG Consent Required	Serious Criminality Offence s. 36 IRPA
s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities], s. 83.03 [providing property or services for terrorist purposes], and s. 83.04 [using or possessing property for terrorist purposes]			(varies)

Offences under s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities],
s. 83.03 [providing property or services for terrorist purposes], and
s. 83.04 [using or possessing property for terrorist purposes] are designated offences eligible for wiretap under s. 183.

Offences under s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities],
s. 83.03 [providing property or services for terrorist purposes], and
s. 83.04 [using or possessing property for terrorist purposes] require the consent of the Attorney General to prosecute.

Offences under s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain terror-related activities], 83.03 [providing property or services for terrorist purposes], and 83.04 [using or possessing property for terrorist purposes] are designated "serious personal injury" offences under s. 752(a) only if it has a maximum penalty of 10 years incarceration or more and involves "use or attempted use of violence against another person" or "conduct endangering or likely to endanger the life or safety of another person or inflicting or likely to inflict severe psychological damage on another person".

See below in Ancillary Sentencing Orders for details on designations relating to sentencing orders.

Offence Wording

Part II.1 of the Code outlines terrorism related offences, including those related to financing terrorism.

Providing or collecting property for certain activities

83.02 Every person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years who, directly or indirectly, wilfully and without lawful justification or excuse, provides or collects property intending that it be used or knowing that it will be used, in whole or in part, in order to carry out

(a) an act or omission that constitutes an offence referred to in subparagraphs (a)(i) to (ix) of the definition of terrorist activity in subsection 83.01(1) [terrorism offences – definitions], or

(b) any other act or omission intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to a civilian or to any other person not taking an active part in the hostilities in a situation of armed conflict, if the purpose of that act or omission, by its nature or context, is to intimidate the public, or to compel a government or an international organization to do or refrain from doing any act.

2001, c. 41, s. 4; 2019, c. 25, s. 15(E).
[annotation(s) added]

– CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)

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Providing, making available, etc., property or services for terrorist purposes

83.03 (1) Every person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years who, directly or indirectly, wilfully and without lawful justification or excuse, collects property or provides, invites a person to provide or makes available property or financial or other related services, intending that they be used, or knowing that they will be used, in whole or in part, for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out any terrorist activity, or for the purpose of benefiting any person who is facilitating or carrying out such an activity.

Providing, making available, etc., property or services — use by terrorist group

(2) Every person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years who, directly or indirectly, wilfully and without lawful justification or excuse, collects property or provides, invites a person to provide or makes available property or financial or other related services, knowing that, in whole or part, they will be used by or will benefit a terrorist group.

Exception — authorization

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a person who carries out any of the acts referred to in that subsection under and in accordance with an authorization granted under section 83.032 .

Exception — humanitarian assistance activities

(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a person who carries out any of the acts referred to in those subsections for the sole purpose of carrying out humanitarian assistance activities conducted under the auspices of impartial humanitarian organizations in accordance with international law while using reasonable efforts to minimize any benefit to terrorist groups.

2001, c. 41, s. 42; 2019, c. 25, s. 16(E); 2023, c. 14, s. 1.

– CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)

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Using or possessing property for terrorist purposes

83.04 Every person is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years who

(a) uses property, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out a terrorist activity, or

(b) possesses property intending that it be used or knowing that it will be used, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out a terrorist activity.

2001, c. 41, s. 4; 2019, c. 25, s. 17(E).

– CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)

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Draft Form of Charges

		Pre-ambles
		"THAT [accused full name] stands charged that, between the <DATE> day of <MONTH>, <YEAR> and <DATE> day of <MONTH>, <YEAR>***, at or near <COMMUNITY/TOWN/CITY>, <PROVINCE>, he [or she]..." OR
		"THAT [accused full name] stands charged that, on or about the <DATE> day of <MONTH>, <YEAR>, at or near <COMMUNITY/TOWN/CITY>, <PROVINCE>, he [or she]..." OR
		"AND FURTHER at the same time and place aforesaid, he [or she]..."
Code Section	Subject of Offence	Draft Wording
83.02		"..., wilfully and without lawful justification or excuse, provided or collected property intending that it be used or knowing that it will be used in order to carry out a terrorist activity, to wit: [particulars], contrary to section 83.02 of the Criminal Code."
83.02		"..., wilfully and without lawful justification or excuse, provided or collected property intending that it be used or knowing that it will be used in order to carry out an act or omission intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to [name1], a civilian, or to a person taking an active part in the hostilities in a situation of armed conflict, for the purpose to intimidate the public, or to compel a government or an international organization to do or refrain from doing any act, to wit: [particulars], contrary to section 83.02 of the Criminal Code."
83.03		"..., did collect or did provide or did invite [name1] to provide or make available property or financial services or services intending that they be used or knowing that they will be used for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out a terrorist activity or for the purpose of benefiting [name1], a person who is facilitating or carrying out a terrorist activity, to wit: [particulars], contrary to section 83.03 of the Criminal Code."
83.03		"..., did collect or did provide or did invite [name1] to provide or make available property or financial services or services knowing that they will be used by or will benefit a terrorist group, to wit: [particulars], contrary to section 83.03 of the Criminal Code."
83.04		"..., did possess property intending that it be used or knowing the at will be used for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out a terrorist activty, to wit: [particulars], contrary to section 83.04 of the Criminal Code."
83.04		"..., did use property for the purpose of facilitating or carrying you a terrorist activity, to wit: [particulars], contrary to section 83.04 of the Criminal Code."

Proof of the Offence

Proving providing or collecting property for certain activities under s. 83.02 should include: ☐ identity of accused as culprit ☐ date and time of the incident ☐ jurisdiction (incl. region and province) ☐ the culprit "provides or collects property" ☐ the culprit does the prohibited act "intending that it be used or knowing that it will be used, in whole or in part, in order to carry out" either: ☐ "an act or omission that constitutes an offence referred to in subparagraphs (a)(i) to (ix) of the definition of “terrorist activity” in subsection 83.01(1)", or ☐ "any other act or omission intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to a civilian or to any other person not taking an active part in the hostilities in a situation of armed conflict, if the purpose of that act or omission, by its nature or context, is to intimidate the public, or to compel a government or an international organization to do or refrain from doing any act"; and ☐ the culprit did the prohibited conduct "wilfully and without lawful justification or excuse".

Proving providing, making available, etc., property or services for terrorist purposes under s. 83.03 should include: ☐ identity of accused as culprit ☐ date and time of the incident ☐ jurisdiction (incl. region and province) ☐ the culprit "collects property, provides or invites a person to provide, or makes available property or financial or other related services"; ☐ the culprit did the prohibited act while either: ☐ "intending that they be used, or knowing that they will be used, in whole or in part, for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out any terrorist activity, or for the purpose of benefiting any person who is facilitating or carrying out such an activity," or ☐ "knowing that, in whole or part, they will be used by or will benefit a terrorist group".

Proving Using or possessing property for terrorist purposes under s. 83.04(a) should include: ☐ identity of accused as culprit ☐ date and time of the incident ☐ jurisdiction (incl. region and province) ☐ the culprit "uses property"; ☐ the prohibited act was "for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out a terrorist activity"

Proving Using or possessing property for terrorist purposes under s. 83.04(b) should include: ☐ identity of accused as culprit ☐ date and time of the incident ☐ jurisdiction (incl. region and province) ☐ the culprit "possesses property intending that it be used or knowing that it will be used" ☐ the prohibited act was "for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out a terrorist activity".

Interpretation

"Terrorist Activity", "terrorist group", "terrorism offence"

See Terrorism Definitions

Authorization to Assist

• Authorization to Provide Property or Services to Terrorist Group

Participation of Third Parties

Testimonial Aids

Certain persons who testify are entitled to make application for the use of testimonial aids: Exclusion of Public (s. 486), Use of a Testimonial Screen (s. 486), Access to Support Person While Testifying (s. 486.1), Close Proximity Video-link Testimony (s. 486.2), Self-Represented Cross-Examination Prohibition Order (s. 486.3), and Witness Security Order (s. 486.7).

A witness, victim or complainant may also request publication bans (s. 486.4, 486.5) and/or a Witness Identity Non-disclosure Order (s. 486.31). See also, Publication Bans, above.

On Finding of Guilt

Offence(s)	Victim Notice of Agreement s. 606(4.1) [SPIO]	Victim Queried for Interest in Agreement s. 606(4.2) [5+ years]	Victim Notice for Restitution s. 737.1	Victim Notice of Impact Statement s. 722(2)
s. x [x]

For serious personal injury offences or murder, s. 606(4.1) requires that after accepting a guilty plea, the judge must inquire whether "any of the victims had advised the prosecutor of their desire to be informed if such an agreement were entered into, and, if so, whether reasonable steps were taken to inform that victim of the agreement". Failing to take reasonable steps at guilty plea requires the prosecutor to "as soon as feasible, take reasonable steps to inform the victim of the agreement and the acceptance of the plea" (s. 606(4.3)).

Under s. 738, a judge must inquire from the Crown before sentencing whether "reasonable steps have been taken to provide the victims with an opportunity to indicate whether they are seeking restitution for their losses and damages".

Under s. 722(2), the judge must inquire "[a]s soon as feasible" before sentencing with the Crown "if reasonable steps have been taken to provide the victim with an opportunity to prepare" a victim impact statement. This will include any person "who has suffered, or is alleged to have suffered, physical or emotional harm, property damage or economic loss" as a result of the offence. Individuals representing a community impacted by the crime may file a statement under s. 722.2.

Sentencing Principles and Ranges

see also Terrorism Sentencing for further principles

Maximum Penalties

Offence(s)	Crown Election	Maximum Penalty
s. 83.02 [providing or collecting property for certain activities], s. 83.03 [providing, making available, etc., property or services for terrorist purposes], and s. 83.04 [using or possessing property for terrorist purposes]	N/A	10 years incarceration

Offences under s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04 are straight indictable. The maximum penalty is 10 years incarceration.

Minimum Penalties

Offences under s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04 have no mandatory minimum penalties.

Available Dispositions

Offence(s)	Crown Election	Discharge s. 730	Suspended Sentence s. 731(1)(a)	Stand-alone Fine s. 731(1)(b)	Custody s. 718.3, 787	Custody and Probation s. 731(1)(b)	Custody and Fine s. 734	Conditional Sentence (CSO) s. 742.1
s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04	N/A

Offences under s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04 are ineligible for a conditional sentence order under s. 742.1(c), when prosecuted by indictment, as the maximum period of incarceration is 14 years or life.

Consecutive Sentences

Under s. 83.26, all sentences for convictions under s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04 are to be served consecutively.

Ranges

see also: Financing Terrorist Activity (Sentencing Cases)

Ancillary Sentencing Orders

Offence-specific Orders

Order	Conviction	Description
DNA Orders	s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04	For conviction under s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04, a DNA order is discretionary as a secondary designated offence listed under s. 487.04 (a) or (b).

General Sentencing Orders

Order	Conviction	Description
Non-communication order while offender in custody (s. 743.21)	any	The judge has the discretion to order that the offender be prohibited "from communicating...with any victim, witness or other person" while in custody except where the judge "considers [it] necessary" to communicate with them.
Restitution Orders (s. 738)	any	A discretionary Order is available for things such as the replacement value of the property; the pecuniary damages incurred from harm, expenses fleeing a domestic partner; or certain expenses arising from the commission of an offence under s.402.2 or 403.
Victim Fine Surcharge (s. 737)	any	A discretionary surcharge under s. 737 of 30% of any fine order imposed, $100 per summary conviction or $200 per indictable conviction. If the offence occurs on or after October 23, 2013, the order has smaller minimum amounts (15%, $50, or $100).

General Forfeiture Orders

Forfeiture	Conviction	Description
Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime (s. 462.37(1) or (2.01))	any	Where there is a finding of guilt for an indictable offence under the Code or the CDSA in which property is "proceeds of crime" and offence was "committed in relation to that property", the property shall be forfeited to His Majesty the King on application of the Crown. NB: does not apply to summary offences.
Fine in Lieu of Forfeiture (s. 462.37(3))	any	Where a Court is satisfied an order for the forfeiture of proceeds of crime under s. 462.37(1) or (2.01) can be made, but that property cannot be "made subject to an order", then the Court "may" order a fine in "an amount equal to the value of the property". Failure to pay the fine will result in a default judgement imposing a period of incarceration.
Forfeiture of Weapons or Firearms (s. 491)	any	Where there is finding of guilt for an offence where a "weapon, an imitation firearm, a prohibited device, any ammunition, any prohibited ammunition or an explosive substance was used in the commission of [the] offence and that thing has been seized and detained", or "that a person has committed an offence that involves, or the subject-matter of which is, a firearm, a cross-bow, a prohibited weapon, a restricted weapon, a prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or an explosive substance has been seized and detained, that the item be an enumerated weapon or related item be connected to the offence", then there will be a mandatory forfeiture order. However, under s. 491(2), if the lawful owner "was not a party to the offence" and the judge has "no reasonable grounds to believe that the thing would or might be used in the commission of an offence", then it should be returned to the lawful owner.
Forfeiture of Offence-related Property (s. 490.1)	any	Where there is a finding of guilt for an indictable offence, "any property is offence-related property" where (a) by means or in respect of which an indictable offence under this Act or the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act is committed, (b) that is used in any manner in connection with the commission of such an offence, or (c) that is intended to be used for committing such an offence". Such property is to be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of the province. NB: does not apply to summary offences.

Record Suspensions and Pardons

Convictions under s. 83.02, 83.03, and 83.04 are eligible for record suspensions pursuant to s. 3 and 4 of the Criminal Records Act after 5 years after the expiration of sentence for summary conviction offences and 10 years after the expiration of sentence for all other offences. The offender may not have the record suspended where the offender was (1) convicted of 3 or more offences with a maximum penalty of life, and (2) for each 3 offences he "was sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more".

See Also

References

• Pre-Trial and Trial Motions Checklist