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Current bill summaries

Current Canadian bills explained

Track current Canadian federal and provincial bills with plain-English summaries, status updates, timelines, votes, sponsors, and official sources.

Bill S-6FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-6 explained: A fourth Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law

A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 24 February 2026, Sen. Pierre Moreau introduced Bill S-6, A fourth Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law (Federal Law–Civil Law Harmonization Act, No. 4) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-6 is the fourth in a series of enactments drafted in the course of the harmonization of federal statutes by the Department of Justice of Canada as a result of the coming into force of the Civil Code of Québec in 1994, which substantially changed the concepts, institutions and terminology of civil law. It amends 51 statutes, including the Acts governing financial institutions — the Bank Act, the Cooperative Credit Associations Act, the Insurance Companies Act and the Trust and Loan Companies Act — and other Acts including the Access to Information Act, the Financial Administration Act, the Interpretation Act and the Official Languages Act, in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law.

Updated Jun 17, 202645th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Pierre Moreau
Bill S-5FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-5 explained: An Act respecting the interoperability of health information technology and to prohibit data blocking by health information technology vendors

Bill S-5 establishes rules for health information technology interoperability, prohibits data blocking by vendors, and gives federal authority to create regulations for provinces/territories lacking similar laws.

Updated May 28, 202645th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Pierre Moreau
Bill S-214FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-214 explained: An Act to amend the Special Economic Measures Act (disposal of foreign state assets)

Bill S-214 expands the Canadian government's authority to seize and forfeit property owned or controlled by foreign states, shifting liability for seizure costs to the property owner and allowing the Governor in Council to issue forfeiture orders without judicial review.

Updated May 26, 202645th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Donna Dasko
Bill S-3FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-3 explained: An Act to amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations

A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 28 October 2025, Sen. Pierre Moreau introduced Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Weights and Measures Act, the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-3 amends the Weights and Measures Act to, among other things, clarify existing powers, duties and functions of the Minister of Industry and inspectors, provide the Minister with certain powers, including with respect to sampling when devices are examined and with respect to corrective and preventive measures, and provide inspectors with certain powers. It also amends the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act to, among other things, broaden the definition of “meter”, provide the president with the authority to grant certain exemptions, clarify the steps required to put a device into service, clarify existing powers, duties and functions of the Minister and inspectors, provide the Minister with certain powers, including with respect to sampling when meters are examined and with respect to corrective and preventive measures, and provide inspectors with certain powers. It also repeals certain provisions in the Weights and Measures Regulations and the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations. Finally, it includes transitional provisions.

Updated Apr 29, 202645th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Pierre Moreau
Bill S-229FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-229 explained: An Act to amend the National Capital Act (Gatineau Park)

Bill S-229 amends the National Capital Act to formally establish Gatineau Park's boundaries, prioritize its ecological integrity, restrict land sales, strengthen consultation with Indigenous peoples and municipalities, authorize regulations for park management, and empower the National Capital Commission to prepare a master plan.

Updated Apr 15, 202645th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Rosa Galvez
Bill S-2FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-2 explained: An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements)

A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 29 May 2025, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-2 amends the Indian Act to provide, among other things, new entitlements to registration in the Indian Register in response to the challenge of certain provisions of the Act under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Nicholas v. Canada (Attorney General) and that the persons who have become so entitled also have the right to have their names entered in a Band List maintained in the Department of Indigenous Services.

Updated Feb 27, 202645th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
Bill S-240FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-240 explained: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (declaration of exception pursuant to subsection 33(1) of the Charter for mandatory minimum sentences for child sexual abuse and exploitation material offences)

Bill S-240 amends the Criminal Code to permit mandatory minimum sentences for child sexual abuse and exploitation material offences by declaring these provisions valid under the Charter despite potential conflicts with section 12.

Updated Nov 5, 202545th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Leo Housakos
Bill C-2FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill C-2 explained: An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures

A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information, Education and Research Services of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 3 June 2025, the Minister of Public Safety introduced Bill C-2, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures (Strong Borders Act) and it was given first reading. Part 1 amends the Customs Act to provide the Canada Border Services Agency with facilities free of charge for carrying out any purpose related to the administration or enforcement of that Act and other Acts of Parliament and to provide officers of that Agency with access at certain locations to goods destined for export. It also includes transitional provisions. Part 2 amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to create a new temporary accelerated scheduling pathway that allows the Minister of Health to add precursor chemicals to Schedule V to that Act. It also makes related amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Police Enforcement) Regulations and the Precursor Control Regulations. Part 3 amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Cannabis Act to confirm that the Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, make regulations exempting members of law enforcement from the application of any provision of the Criminal Code that creates drug-related inchoate offences when they are undertaking lawful investigations. Part 4 amends the Canada Post Corporation Act to permit the demand, seizure, detention or retention of anything in the course of post only in accordance with an Act of Parliament. It also amends that Act to expand the Canada Post Corporation’s authority to open mail in certain circumstances to include the authority to open letters. Part 5 amends the Oceans Act to provide that coast guard services include activities related to security and to authorize the responsible minister to collect, analyze and disclose information and intelligence. Part 6 amends the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act to authorize the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to disclose, for certain purposes and subject to any regulations, personal information under the control of the Department within the Department and to certain other federal and provincial government entities. It also amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to authorize the making of regulations relating to the disclosure of information collected for the purposes of that Act to federal departments and agencies. Part 7 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to, among other things, (a) eliminate the designated countries of origin regime; (b) authorize the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to specify the information and documents that are required in support of a claim for refugee protection; (c) authorize the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board to determine that claims for refugee protection that have not yet been referred to the Refugee Protection Division have been abandoned in certain circumstances; (d) provide the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration with the power to determine that claims for refugee protection that have not yet been referred to the Refugee Protection Division have been withdrawn in certain circumstances; (e) require the Refugee Protection Division and the Refugee Appeal Division to suspend certain proceedings respecting a claim for refugee protection if the claimant is not present in Canada; (f) clarify that decisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board must be rendered, and reasons for those decisions must be given, in the manner specified by its Chairperson; and (g) authorize regulations to be made setting out the circumstances in which the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration or the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness must designate, in relation to certain proceedings or applications, a representative for persons who are under 18 years of age or who are unable to appreciate the nature of the proceeding or application. It also includes transitional provisions. Part 8 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to, among other things, (a) authorize the Governor in Council to make an order specifying that certain applications made under that Act are not to be accepted for processing, or that the processing of those applications is to be suspended or terminated, when the Governor in Council is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so; (b) authorize the Governor in Council to make an order to cancel, suspend or vary certain documents issued under that Act, or to impose or vary conditions, when the Governor in Council is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so; (c) for the application of an order referred to in paragraph (b), require a person to appear for an examination, answer questions truthfully and produce all relevant documents or evidence that an officer requires; and (d) authorize the Governor in Council to make regulations prescribing circumstances in which a document issued under that Act can be cancelled, suspended or varied, and in which officers may terminate the processing of certain applications made under that Act. Part 9 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to add two new grounds of ineligibility for claims for refugee protection as well as powers to make regulations respecting exceptions to those new grounds. It also includes a transitional provision respecting the retroactive application of those new grounds. Part 10 amends the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to, among other things, (a) increase the maximum administrative monetary penalties that may be imposed for certain violations and the maximum punishments that may be imposed for certain criminal offences under that Act; (b) replace the existing optional compliance agreement regime with a new mandatory compliance agreement regime that, among other things, (i) requires every person or entity that receives an administrative monetary penalty for a prescribed violation to enter into a compliance agreement with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (the Centre), (ii) requires the Director of the Centre to make a compliance order if the person or entity refuses to enter into a compliance agreement or fails to comply with such an agreement, and (iii) designates the contravention of a compliance order as a new violation under that Act; (c) require persons or entities referred to in section 5 of that Act, other than those already required to register, to enroll with the Centre; and (d) authorize the Centre to disclose certain information to the Commissioner of Canada Elections, subject to certain conditions. It also makes consequential and related amendments to other Acts and the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations and includes transitional provisions. Part 11 amends the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to prohibit certain entities from accepting cash deposits from third parties and certain persons or entities from accepting cash payments, donations or deposits of $10,000 or more. It also makes a related amendment to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations. Part 12 amends the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Act to make the Director of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada a member of the committee established under subsection 18(1) of that Act. It also amends the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to enable the Director to exchange information with the other members of that committee. Part 13 amends the Sex Offender Information Registration Act to, among other things, (a) make certain changes to a sex offender’s reporting obligations, including the circumstances in which they are required to report, the information that must be provided and the time within which it is to be provided; (b) provide that any of a sex offender’s physical characteristics that may assist in their identification may be recorded when they report to a registration centre; (c) clarify what may constitute a reasonable excuse for a sex offender’s non-compliance with the requirement to give at least 14 days’ notice prior to a departure from their residence for seven or more consecutive days; (d) authorize the Canada Border Services Agency to disclose certain information relating to a sex offender’s arrival in and departure from Canada to law enforcement agencies for the purposes of the administration and enforcement of that Act; (e) authorize, in certain circumstances, the disclosure of information collected under that Act if there are reasonable grounds to believe that it will assist in the prevention or investigation of a crime of a sexual nature; and (f) clarify that a person who discloses information under section 16 of that Act with the belief that they are acting in accordance with that section is not guilty of an offence under section 17 of that Act. It also makes a related amendment to the Customs Act. Part 14 amends various Acts to modernize certain provisions respecting the timely gathering and production of data and information during an investigation. It, among other things, (a) amends the Criminal Code to, among other things, (i) facilitate access to basic information that will assist in the investigation of federal offences through an information demand or a judicial production order to persons who provide services to the public, (ii) clarify the response time for production orders and the ability of peace officers and public officers to receive and act on certain information that is voluntarily provided to them and on certain information that is publicly available, (iii) specify certain circumstances in which peace officers and public officers may obtain evidence, including subscriber information, in exigent circumstances, (iv) allow a justice or judge to authorize, in a warrant, a peace officer or public officer to obtain tracking data or transmission data that relates to any thing that is similar to a thing in relation to which data is authorized to be obtained under the warrant and that is unknown at the time the warrant is issued, (v) provide and clarify authorities by which computer data may be examined, and (vi) allow a justice or judge to authorize a peace officer or public officer to make a request to a foreign entity that provides telecommunications services to the public to produce transmission data or subscriber information that is in its possession or control; (b) makes a consequential amendment to the Foreign Publishers Advertising Services Act; (c) amends the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act to allow the Minister of Justice to authorize a competent authority to make arrangements for the enforcement of a decision made by an authority of a state or entity that is empowered to compel the production of transmission data or subscriber information that is in the possession or control of a person in Canada; (d) amends the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act to, among other things, (i) facilitate access to basic information that will assist the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in the performance of its duties and functions under section 12 or 16 of that Act through information demands given to persons or entities that provide services to the public and judicial information orders against such persons and entities, and (ii) clarify the response time for production orders; and (e) amends the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Cannabis Act to provide and clarify authorities by which computer data may be examined. Part 15 enacts the Supporting Authorized Access to Information Act. That Act establishes a framework for ensuring that electronic service providers can facilitate the exercise, by authorized persons, of authorities to access information conferred under the Criminal Code or the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act. Part 16 amends the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to permit a person or entity referred to in section 5 of that Act to collect and use an individual’s personal information without that individual’s knowledge or consent if (a) the information is disclosed to the person or entity by a government department, institution or agency or law enforcement agency; and (b) the collection and use are for the purposes of detecting or deterring money laundering, terrorist activity financing or sanctions evasion or for a consistent purpose. It also makes related amendments to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

Updated Sep 17, 202545th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Gary Anandasangaree
Bill S-15FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-15 explained: An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act

A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information, Education and Research Services of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 21 November 2023, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-15, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, and it was given first reading. Bill S-15 amends the Criminal Code to create offences related to keeping elephants and great apes in captivity, subject to certain exceptions. It also amends the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act to, among other things, specify the circumstances in which the importation or exportation of living elephants and great apes may be permitted as well as the circumstances in which the keeping of these animals in captivity may be authorized.

Updated Dec 17, 202444th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
Bill S-17FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-17 explained: An Act to correct certain anomalies, inconsistencies, out-dated terminology and errors and to deal with other matters of a non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the Statutes and Regulations of Canada and to repeal certain provisions that have expired, lapsed or otherwise ceased to have effect

The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for self-explanatory measures. The following is a short summary: On 19 March 2024, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-17, An Act to correct certain anomalies, inconsistencies, out-dated terminology and errors and to deal with other matters of a non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the Statutes and Regulations of Canada and to repeal certain provisions that have expired, lapsed or otherwise ceased to have effect (Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023), and it was given first reading. Bill S-17 is the 13th in a series of bills introduced under the Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment (MSLA) Program. It amends 58 Acts and three related regulations to correct errors in grammar, spelling, terminology and punctuation, erroneous cross-references, archaic wording and discrepancies between the English version and the French versions. It also updates the designation of professionals and the name of a tribunal. For example, it changes the name the Review Tribunal to the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal to reflect the operational name of that tribunal. Other amendments correct the names of courts in certain provinces to reflect changes resulting from the reorganization of the courts in question. Finally, it repeals three provisions from Acts that no longer have any application, for example, the repeal of section 12 of the Department of Transport Act. This enactment has been drafted based on the Twenty-First Report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights tabled in the House of Commons on February 12, 2024 and the Twenty-First Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs tabled in the Senate on December 12, 2023.

Updated Jun 19, 202444th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
Bill S-232FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-232 explained: An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the decriminalization of illegal substances, to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Bill S-232 aims to decriminalize simple illegal substance possession by amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and establishing a national strategy development process.

Updated Apr 11, 202444th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Gwen Boniface
Bill S-14FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-14 explained: An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, the Rouge National Urban Park Act and the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations

A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information, Education and Research Services of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 19 October 2023, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-14, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, the Rouge National Urban Park Act and the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations (Protecting Canada’s Natural Wonders Act), and it was given first reading. Bill S-14 amends the Canada National Parks Act to, among other things, (a) broaden and clarify offences in relation to the discharge or deposit of substances in a national park or national park reserve; (b) expand the boundaries of seven national parks and one national park reserve; (c) establish the Akami-Uapishk?–KakKasuak–Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve of Canada and enact provisions for its operation and administration; and (d) change the name of “Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve of Canada” to “Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site”. The enactment also amends the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act to establish the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area and the Rouge National Urban Park Act to broaden and clarify offences in relation to the discharge or deposit of substances in that Park and makes consequential amendments to the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations.

Updated Feb 27, 202444th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
Bill S-241FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-241 explained: An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals)

The Jane Goodall Act criminalizes the captivity and exploitation of great apes, elephants, and designated animals, while allowing exceptions for research, conservation, and breeding under strict permit conditions.

Updated Feb 12, 202444th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Martin Klyne
Bill S-11FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-11 explained: A fourth Act to harmonize federal law with the civil law of Quebec and to amend certain Acts in order to ensure that each language version takes into account the common law and the civil law

This text amends the Bank Act and establishes rules for when its sections and those of other laws take effect, with later sections being repealed if they conflict with earlier ones.

Updated Feb 7, 202344th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
Bill S-238FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-238 explained: An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (information about the victim)

Bill S-238 would amend Canadian criminal law to prohibit offenders from publishing, distributing, or sharing information about victims of crimes on the internet, through new provisions in the Criminal Code and Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

Updated Nov 3, 202244th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu
Bill S-7FederalIn Progress

Federal Bill S-7 explained: An Act to amend the Customs Act and the Preclearance Act, 2016

A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information, Education and Research Services of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 31 March 2022, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Customs Act and the Preclearance Act, 2016 and it was given first reading. Bill S-7 amends the Customs Act to (a) clarify the circumstances in which border service officers may examine documents stored on personal digital devices; (b) authorize the making of regulations in respect of those examinations; and (c) update certain provisions respecting enforcement, offences and punishment. The enactment also amends the Preclearance Act, 2016 to (a) clarify the circumstances in which preclearance officers may examine, search and detain documents stored on personal digital devices; (b) authorize the making of regulations and the giving of ministerial directions in respect of those examinations, searches and detentions; and (c) update the French version of that Act in respect of a traveller’s obligation to identify themselves.

Updated Oct 20, 202244th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold