To his Chinese community in Toronto, David Chen was a hero, but according to Canada’s Criminal Code, he was an alleged criminal.
According to lawyer John Hale, Chen is the reason the Harper government has decided to introduce Bill C-26, an act to amend the Criminal Code provisions on citizen’s arrest and defences of property and persons. Bill C-26 was referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights prior to the Christmas break and will undergo a thorough committee study when Parliament resumes at the end of January.