Explain the regulatory Protection of Public Interest

Question

Explain the regulatory Protection of Public Interest?

Answer 1

Liability imposed under statutes and government regulations more closely resembles criminal liability than civil liability. “In addition to the exposure that directors face for breaching their general management duties, dozens of pieces of legislation place obligations on them.” Penalties for failure to comply include both fines and imprisonment. Statutes that impose a liability include provincial and federal revenue acts, provincial workplace health and safety legislation, the federal Competition Act, and environmental legislation.

A regulatory offence imposes a broader definition of means (“guilty mind”) than under criminal law; it may be sufficient to show that the accused should have known that his or her conduct would result in the commission of the offence.