<P> The Criminal Code contains some defences, but most are part of the common law rather than statute . Important Canadian criminal laws not forming part of the code include the Firearms Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Canada Evidence Act, the Food and Drugs Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and the Contraventions Act . </P> <P> One of the conveniences of the criminal code was that it constituted the principle that no person would be able to be convicted of a crime unless otherwise specifically outlined and stated in a statute . This legal document has played a major part in Canada's history and has also helped form other legal acts and laws, For example the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act . </P> <P> The Criminal Code was first enacted in July 1892 after being a pet project of the Minister of Justice of the time, Sir John Sparrow David Thompson . It was based on a drafted code called "the Stephen Code", written by Sir James Fitzjames Stephen as part of a Royal Commission in England in 1879, and influenced by the writings of Canadian Jurist George Burbidge . Canada's criminal code followed much of England's 1878 bill . However Canada wanted to have a more precise legal document that outlined all criminal laws . </P> <P> The main body of the Criminal Code is divided into the following major components: </P>

When was the criminal code of canada created