Amanda Lord is a lawyer in the Criminal Law and International Assistance group at the Department of Justice of Canada. Her work involves court proceedings regarding Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance requests from foreign states and civil litigation on behalf of government agencies.
In this episode we discuss the current state of Extradition Law in Canada.
2:30 Amanda Lord clarifies the distinction between extradition and immigration deporting proceedings. It is a different process with a different set of principles that apply, so it is important that people understand what extradition entails.
6:30 She explains the conditions for which a country will extradite an individual, the international treaties that must have been ratified by the Parties as well as the concept of double criminality.
8:50 Amanda explains the second criteria for extradition which is that it be an indictable offence with a minimum prison sentence of two years.
13:00 We ask about the process of extradition from foreign countries to Canada. Amanda explains that her department is not responsible for these, and she describes the procedures to be followed in such scenarios.
14:45 Amanda explains the extradition treaties to which Canada abides to and the differences between them.
18:45 An overview of the committal process and Charter protections.
25:45 The question of where an individual can be prosecuted is one that is commonly misunderstood. Amanda explains that foreign states decide if they can prosecute a person for offences committed outside their boundaries. Persons who commit offences in Canada may still be at risk of extradition where the effect of the offence is felt in a foreign state. An example would be sexual exploitation of children over the Internet though explicit messaging and photos, or distribution of child pornography.
36:13 An overview of how to challenge the prosecutor’s evidence.
43:00 Amanda provides examples of cases that resolve by way of a voluntary agreement at the Committal stage.
49:20 Amanda and Peter discuss the surrender stage. Will a person be surrendered? If so, will there be conditions?
56:00 When should assurances be given? Would Canada extradite to countries that torture?