Preventing Persons from Concealing Their Identity during Riots and Unlawful Assemblies Act

The Preventing Persons from Concealing Their Identity during Riots and Unlawful Assemblies Act (French: Loi empêchant les participants à des émeutes ou des attroupements illégaux de dissimuler leur identité, Bill C-309) is a private member's bill, criminalising the actions of protesters who cover their faces during tumultuous demonstrations and introducing a five-year prison sentence for the offence,[1] introduced before the House of Commons of Canada in October 2011 during the 41st Parliament.

On February 15, 2012, a 190–97 vote confirmed that the bill would enter a second reading and be sent to the House Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

On June 19, 2013, Bill C-309 became law, banning the wearing of masks during a riot or unlawful assembly, carrying a maximum ten-year prison sentence with a conviction of the offence.

Richards stated that his bill allows courts to convict Canadians wearing masks at unlawful assemblies or riots, who have been preemptively arrested without evidence of conspiracy or crime.

[4] Critics agree that commonly one covers her face to avoid photographs being uploaded to the Internet and causing personal or professional problems.