Section 117 — Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: Organizing entry into Canada

No person shall organize, induce, aid or abet the coming into Canada of one or more persons knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, their coming into Canada is or would be in contravention of this Act. A person who contravenes subsection (1) with respect to fewer than 10 persons is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction on indictment for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000 or to a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or to both, or for a subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000,000 or to a term of imprisonment of not more than 14 years, or to both;

and on summary conviction, to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to a term of imprisonment of not more than two years, or to both. A person who contravenes subsection (1) with respect to a group of 10 persons or more is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction by way of indictment to a fine of not more than $1,000,000 or to life imprisonment, or to both. A person who is convicted on indictment of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) with respect to fewer than 50 persons is also liable to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of three years, if either the person, in committing the offence, endangered the life or safety of, or caused bodily harm or death to, any of the persons with respect to whom the offence was committed, or the commission of the offence was for profit, or was for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization or terrorist group; or five years, if both the person, in committing the offence, endangered the life or safety of, or caused bodily harm or death to, any of the persons with respect to whom the offence was committed, and the commission of the offence was for profit, or was for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization or terrorist group. A person who is convicted of an offence under subsection (3) with respect to a group of 50 persons or more is also liable to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of five years, if either the person, in committing the offence, endangered the life or safety of, or caused bodily harm or death to, any of the persons with respect to whom the offence was committed, or the commission of the offence was for profit, or was for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization or terrorist group; or 10 years, if both the person, in committing the offence, endangered the life or safety of, or caused bodily harm or death to, any of the persons with respect to whom the offence was committed, and the commission of the offence was for profit, or was for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization or terrorist group. No proceedings for an offence under this section may be instituted except by or with the consent of the Attorney General of Canada.