The Criminal Code of Canada is going to include the prosecution of crimes committed on the moon as well. The lawmakers of Canada took a vote in this regard on 29 April 2022.
The proposed addition to the criminal law of Canada was presented in the 443-page budget implementation bill, which was expected to be passed after its presentation in the parliament.
Ottawa has already extended its jurisdiction over criminal acts committed by Canadian astronauts during space travel to the International Space Station.
Under the proposed change the crimes on the moon will be treated on par with the crimes in Canada. The update was introduced as a result of the increasing number of space flights.
Also, the update is launched as the first crewed mission to the moon, which will be launched in May 2024. A Canadian astronaut is expected to be part of the Artemis II lunar flyby.
Under the subheading Lunar Gateway, the Criminal Code amendment reads, “A Canadian crew member who, during a space flight, commits an act or omission outside Canada that if committed in Canada would constitute an indictable offence is deemed to have committed that act or omission in Canada.”
This would include crimes en route to or on the Lunar Gateway station currently in the works to orbit the Moon, and also “on the surface of the Moon,” the document states.
Foreign astronauts who “threaten the life or security of a Canadian crew member” on a Canadian-supported space mission could also be prosecuted, the draft bill states.
The Canadian Space Agency will participate in the Nasa-led Lunar Gateway project, along with the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The project will take place in 2026, and it will act as a staging point for robotic and crewed exploration of the lunar surface, as well as travel to Mars.
In the Lunar Gateway, which is a NASA-backed orbiting space platform, Canada will be one of the participants.
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA have signed a treaty in December 2020 which happens to be a commitment to participate in the Lunar Gateway.
The agreement also confirmed that a Canadian will be part of the Artemis II mission. It is the first crewed mission to the moon since 1972.
In the light of these missions, the government of Canada intends to add a few provisions in the Criminal code of the country with respect to future possible crimes.
Canada will be heading to the moon alongside NASA. The Canadian Space Agency will participate in the project by building robotics for the Lunar Gateway. It will also develop artificial intelligence for the station.
