Canadian crooks beware: even the final frontier is no longer safe from the long arm of the law.
Under a bill that passed the Canadian Parliament this month, a crime committed by a Canadian in space – including on the International Space Station, or even on the moon – can now be prosecuted as if it took place on Canadian soil.
“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,” the bill reads.
Additionally, any foreign astronaut who “threatens the life or security” of a Canadian crew member on a mission supported by Canada could also find themselves in the space slammer. The move comes as space flights increase, with the Artemis II lunar flyby – the first manned moon mission in more than half a century – to launch in May 2024.
Frankly, in our humble opinion, it’s about time someone imposed some order on the lawless hotbed of crime that is the moon. Now can we see about getting the Mounties to look for Major Tom?
