With the current situation in the USA, where people are
taking the fifth and refusing to give evidence, invoking their constitutional right not to be required to give evidence that might incriminate themselves ...
it might be interesting to compare our rights in Canada, which are included in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as part of our Constitution Act.
Quote:
SELF-INCRIMINATION.
13. A witness who testifies in any proceedings has the right not to have any incriminating evidence so given used to incriminate that witness in any other proceedings, except in a prosecution for perjury or for the giving of contradictory evidence.
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Essentially, everyone in Canada can be compelled to testify as a witness (except in a criminal prosecution against that person in respect of the offence) and is entitled to the protection of the Charter that such testimony is inadmissable as evidence against that witness in other proceedings.
In a current situation such as Enron's Ken Lay's appearance before committees, he would be required to testify if subject to subpoena in Canada, but his own testimony could not be used as evidence against him in subsequent criminal proceedings against him.
Big difference from the Fifth Amendment protection of the Constitution of the USA.