It will soon become unlawful to wear mask at riot
By Contributor
As of today, it’s a crime to wear a mask during a riot or unlawful assembly.
The private members bill, Bill C-309 and introduced by Conservative MP Blake Richards in 2011, recently passed third reading in the Senate and is expected to be passed into law Wednesday.
The bill creates a new Criminal Code offence that makes it illegal to wear a mask or otherwise conceal your identity during a riot or unlawful assembly.
The only exceptions are if someone can prove they have a “lawful excuse” for covering their face. Some exceptions that could wave law enforcement are religious or medical.
The original proposed bill wanted a penalty of up to five years.
However, the House of Commons justice committee amended it and doubled the penalty to up to 10 years in prison for committing the offence.
