Military police directed to stop accepting sexual offence complaints

Minister of National Defence David McGuinty rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — Starting today, military police will no longer accept Criminal Code sexual offence complaints, in anticipation of passage of the Liberal government’s military justice system reform bill.

Bill C-11 will strip the military of its jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute sexual offences involving Canadian Armed Forces members committed within the country, and hand those cases over to the civilian justice system.

The legislation follows on past recommendations from former Supreme Court justices Morris Fish and Louise Arbour, the current Governor General.

Arbour concluded in a 2022 report that Canadian Armed Forces members do not trust their own military justice system to handle these cases.

But some survivors of military sexual misconduct told Parliament they want victims to be able to choose which justice system will take on their cases, and feel the government did not listen to their pleas.

Opposition MPs modified the legislation to allow them the choice between either system — but the Liberals removed those amendments after gaining a majority in the House of Commons.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2026.

Canadian Press Staff, The Canadian Press

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling. 
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.