What is the current state of the law on the interpretation of substantive statutory provisions?

I do not need to cite authority for the well-established principle that penal statutes must ordinarily be interpreted strictly and, where there is any uncertainty or ambiguity in the legislation, it must be interpreted in favour of the accused. However, the principle of strict interpretation may be relaxed in favour of a more liberal interpretation in at least two situations, both of which obtain here, namely: (1) where the statutory provision in question relates to a procedural issue, as opposed to creating a substantive offence; and (2) where the statute in question relates to regulatory, as opposed to purely criminal, proceedings. Procedural v. Substantive Statutory Provisions