This Act lets a person who objects to an oath use a solemn affirmation instead, and it makes false swearing or false affirmations an offence.
RSNL1990 CHAPTER O-1 OATHS ACT Amended: CHAPTER O-1 AN ACT RESPECTING OATHS Analysis 1. Short title 2. Oath 3. Affirmation 4. Validity of oath 5. Form of affirmation Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Oaths Act. RSN1970 c277 s1 Back to Top Oath 2. (1) Where, by law, a person is required to take an oath and that person does take it, he or she is bound by that oath. (2) A person who intentionally swears falsely to an oath is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to the punishment that that person would have been liable to if he or she had been convicted of the crime of perjury. RSN1970 c277 s2 Back to Top Affirmation 3. (1) A person who objects to taking an oath may instead make a solemn affirmation. (2) A person who intentionally makes a false affirmation is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to the punishment that that person would have been liable to if he or she had been convicted of the crime of perjury. (3) An affirmation made under this section shall be in the following form: "I, A.B., solemnly affirm" and then proceed with the words of the oath prescribed by law omitting words of imprecation or calling to witness. RSN1970 c277 ss3&4 Back to Top Validity of oath 4. Where an oath has been administered and taken, the fact that the person to whom the oath was administered had, at the time of taking it, no religious belief, shall not affect the validity of the oath. RSN1970 c277 s5 Back to Top Form of affirmation 5. A written affirmation shall start: "I, . . . . . . . . . . . ., of . . . . . . . . . . . ., solemnly affirm," and the form shall be: "Affirmed at . . . . . . . . . ., this . . . . . day of . . . . . . . ., 19 . . . ., before me.". RSN1970 c277 s6