The respondents, owners of a second-hand store, purchased goods from an undercover police officer who hinted the goods were stolen.
They were charged with laundering proceeds of crime under s. 462.31 of the Criminal Code, specifically for transferring the possession of property.
The Supreme Court of Canada held that the French version of s. 462.31, which is narrower than the English version, must be favoured under the rules of bilingual statutory interpretation.
Under the French version, the act of purchasing property does not constitute a 'transfer of possession'.
The Court also clarified that the term 'convert' does not require an intent to conceal.
The appeal by the Crown was dismissed.
