FederalBill C-258First Reading

Bill C-258: An Act to amend the Criminal Code to address the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Jordan

Sponsor: Rhéal Éloi FortinIntroduced December 3, 2025Last checked August 30, 2026

Read the official text on parl.caOfficial version — LEGISinfo, Parliament of Canada

What this bill does

This bill amends the Criminal Code to codify the Supreme Court's R. v. Jordan framework requiring trials to conclude within 30 months in superior courts and 18 months in provincial courts, or proceedings must be stayed, while creating an exception for serious designated offences (such as murder and sexual offences) using the Charter's notwithstanding clause.

Plain-language summary by Legisail.

Business impact

This bill primarily affects the criminal justice system rather than businesses directly. However, businesses involved in criminal proceedings—such as those facing fraud, regulatory, or white-collar crime charges—could benefit from codified timelines that ensure their cases are resolved within set periods, reducing prolonged legal uncertainty and associated costs. Legal firms, particularly criminal defence practices and prosecution services across all provinces, would need to adapt their case management to these codified timelines. The exception for primary designated offences (serious crimes like murder and sexual assault) using the notwithstanding clause could indirectly affect organizations in victim services or legal aid that deal with such cases.

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Where this bill is

First ReadingDecember 3, 2025

Next: Second Reading debate

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At a glance

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