[andyt]

I support the law - what does it allow? I believe 2 years diff until age 16. Seems very reasonable to me.

You've actually changed your tune, Herbie, because the example you gave was with an older male and younger female. So now you seem to be saying you would have no problem with older male/younger female as well? If you were Harper dictator, what law would you pass about this issue?

[saturn_656]

herbie herbie:

And I'm sure you'll keep supporting it when there's tens of thousands of high school seniors who are registered sex offenders for sleeping with their gf/bfs who were high school juniors.
My ex was one of those in 1970. She wasn't quite 16 and her bf was almost 19. Fortunately they didn't have a registry in those days. Marry her and we'll let you out of jail.
Watch for the reruns, coming soon to a neighbourhood near you.

You're incorrect.

http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/dept-min/clp/faq.html

$1:

What is Canada's age of consent?

The age of consent for sexual activity is 16 years. It was raised from 14 years on May 1, 2008 by the Tackling Violent Crime Act.

However, the age of consent is 18 years where the sexual activity "exploits" the young person -- when it involves prostitution, pornography or occurs in a relationship of authority, trust or dependency (e.g., with a teacher, coach or babysitter). Sexual activity can also be considered exploitative based on the nature and circumstances of the relationship, e.g., the young person's age, the age difference between the young person and their partner, how the relationship developed (quickly, secretly, or over the Internet) and how the partner may have controlled or influenced the young person.

Are there any exceptions to this?

The Criminal Code provides "close in age" or "peer group" exceptions.

For example, a 14 or 15 year old can consent to sexual activity with a partner as long as the partner is less than five years older and there is no relationship of trust, authority or dependency or any other exploitation of the young person. This means that if the partner is 5 years or older than the 14 or 15 year old, any sexual activity will be considered a criminal offence unless it occurs after they are married to each other (in accordance with the "solemnization" of marriage requirements that are established in each province and territory, governing how and when a marriage can be performed, including the minimum age at which someone may marry).

There is also a "close-in-age" exception for 12 and 13 year olds: a 12 or 13 year old can consent to sexual activity with another young person who is less than two years older and with whom there is no relationship of trust, authority or dependency or other exploitation of the young person.

There will be no high school students going to jail for sleeping with their younger schoolmates.