On June 18, 2026, Bill C-11, An Act to amend the National Defence Act and other Acts (Military Justice System Modernization Act) received Royal Assent.
Royal Assent marks an important milestone, bringing the Military Justice System Modernization Act into law and advancing long-standing efforts for the continued evolution of the military justice system. This legislation will implement a series of targeted measures, responding directly to key recommendations made in independent and external reviews.
With Royal Assent of the Military Justice System Modernization Act, all 48 recommendations from the Report of the Independent External Comprehensive Review of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (IERC) are deemed addressed by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
The legislative amendments include four key areas:
- Removing the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Criminal Code sexual offences alleged to have been committed in Canada. This change results in the exclusive jurisdiction over these offences resting with civilian authorities. An independent review of this change will occur within three years after the day on which the amendment comes into force, and will be tabled in both Houses of Parliament;
- Changing to the appointment processes and tenure of key military justice authorities: the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, now the Provost Marshal General, the Director of Military Prosecutions and the Director of Defence Counsel Services;
- Excluding military judges from summary hearings and enhancing Victim's Liaison Officer access; and
- Aligning sex offender information and publication ban provisions with amendments made to the Criminal Code.
Combined, these amendments aim to bolster the trust and confidence of Defence Team members and Canadians in the military justice system.
