Editorial Annotation
Gaming in stocks or merchandise
Introduction
Statutory Text
383(1) Every one is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years who, with intent to make gain or profit by the rise or fall in price of the stock of an incorporated or unincorporated company or undertaking, whether in or outside Canada, or of any goods, wares or merchandise, (a) makes or signs, or authorizes to be made or signed, any contract or agreement, oral or written, purporting to be for the purchase or sale of shares of stock or goods, wares or merchandise, without the bona fide intention of acquiring the shares, goods, wares or merchandise or of selling them, as the case may be, or (b) makes or signs, or authorizes to be made or signed, any contract or agreement, oral or written, purporting to be for the sale or purchase of shares of stock or goods, wares or merchandise in respect of which no delivery of the thing sold or purchased is made or received, and without the bona fide intention of making or receiving delivery thereof, as the case may be, but this section does not apply where a broker, on behalf of a purchaser, receives delivery, notwithstanding that the broker retains or pledges what is delivered as security for the advance of the purchase money or any part thereof.
Explanation
Section 383(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada criminalizes certain activities related to stock trading or commodity transactions that are done with the intention of making a profit on the rise or fall of prices. The section identifies two types of fraudulent activities: making or signing contracts without the intention of fulfilling them, and making contracts with no delivery of the purchased items.
Under the first category, if any person engages in making or authorizing oral or written contracts or agreements regarding the purchase or sale of stock without the intention of acquiring or selling the stock, goods, or merchandise, they are committing an indictable offense liable to a maximum term of 5 years imprisonment. The second category includes making or signing a contract related to the purchase or sale of stock or goods without receiving delivery of the items purchased or sold and without any intention of making such delivery. However, if a broker receives delivery on behalf of the purchaser, even if they retain or pledge it as security for the advance of purchase money, they are exempted from the section.
This section is an essential part of the Canadian criminal justice system as it controls the misuse of stock or goods trading to make unwarranted profits through fraudulent means. This section helps curtail false or misleading activities that lead to market distortion, fraud, and other criminal activities. By making it a felony offense, this section serves as a deterrent to such illegal activities and helps maintain the integrity of the Canadian economy.
Commentary
Section 383(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada aims to protect the financial market by penalizing fraudulent activities concerning stock prices and sale of merchandise. The section provides guidelines on what actions would constitute an indictable offence as per the criminal code of Canada, and what penalties would apply to the accused.
The section states that anyone who, with intent to make gain or profit by the rise or fall in price of a company's stock or other merchandise, makes or signs, or authorizes to be made or signed, any contract or agreement without a bona fide intention of acquiring or selling the shares or goods, is committing an indictable offence. The accused can be held liable of up to five years imprisonment. This provision is crucial as it prevents individuals from manipulating stock prices or merchandise sales for their own financial gain, which can lead to significant damage to the economy.
Subsection (a) of the section states that making or signing a contract or agreement purporting to be for the purchase or sale of stock or goods, without having the genuine intent of either buying or selling, is an indictable offence. This can include instances where a person enters into a contract with mal-intent, with the aim of artificially inflating or decreasing the stock prices of a company or the value of merchandise in the market. Such activities can destabilize the economy and harm investors and customers of the company.
Subsection (b) of the section prohibits the making or signing of a contract or agreement regarding the sale or purchase of stock or merchandise, where no delivery of the goods or stock happens and without the bona fide intention of receiving or making delivery. This situation arises when an individual enters into a contract without any intention of actual delivery or receipt of merchandise or stock, leading to artificially high or low valuations, causing harm to investors and customers.
However, the section provides a caveat by stating that the above provisions do not apply in cases where a broker, on behalf of a purchaser, receives delivery, despite retaining or pledging what is delivered as security for the purchase. This clause implies that brokers would not be liable for possible fraudulent activities in the market if they receive the stock on behalf of the purchaser and retain it as security.
In conclusion, Section 383(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada is critical in protecting the financial market and the general public from fraudulent activities concerning the sale of stock and merchandise. The section states what actions would be deemed as an indictable offence in the context of stock and merchandise sales, and what penalties would apply to the accused. It aims to maintain transparency in the financial market and punishes individuals who practice fraudulent activities that can destabilize the economy.
Strategy
One of the main strategic considerations when dealing with section 383(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada is to ensure that any actions taken with regards to purchasing or selling shares or goods are done with a bona fide intention. This means that any contracts or agreements entered into must be done with a genuine intent to actually acquire or sell the shares or goods, rather than with the sole purpose of making a profit from their price fluctuation.
One strategy that could be employed to ensure compliance with section 383(1) is to conduct thorough due diligence on any companies or undertakings being considered for investment. This includes reviewing financial reports, assessing the business model and market conditions, and analyzing any potential risks. By fully understanding the company or undertaking, investors can make informed decisions that are based on their genuine intention to invest, rather than on a desire to profit from price fluctuations.
Another strategy that could be employed is to carefully review any contracts or agreements before signing them, and to ensure that they accurately reflect the terms of the investment. It is important to ensure that contracts are not designed solely to facilitate price manipulation, and that they reflect legitimate transactions.
In addition, investors should take care to avoid any activities that could be perceived as market manipulation, such as spreading false rumors or misleading information in order to influence the price of a stock or commodity. Such activities are strictly prohibited under section 383(1) and can result in severe legal consequences.
Overall, the key strategy when dealing with section 383(1) is to act with honesty and transparency in all investment activities. By doing so, investors can avoid any potential legal issues and build a reputation as responsible and trustworthy market participants.