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
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 Apr 16, 202645th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Pierre Moreau
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 1 December 2021, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Judges Act in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-3 amends the Judges Act to replace the process through which the conduct of federally appointed judges is reviewed by the Canadian Judicial Council. It establishes a new process for reviewing allegations of misconduct that are not serious enough to warrant a judge’s removal from office and makes changes to the process by which recommendations regarding removal from office can be made to the Minister of Justice. As with the provisions it replaces, this new process also applies to persons, other than judges, who are appointed under an Act of Parliament to hold office during good behaviour.
Updated Dec 15, 202144th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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 November 2021, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-2 amends the Parliament of Canada Act and makes consequential and related amendments to other Acts to, among other things, (a) change the additional annual allowances that are paid to senators who occupy certain positions so that the government’s representatives and the Opposition in the Senate are eligible for the allowances for five positions each and the three other recognized parties or parliamentary groups in the Senate with the greatest number of members are eligible for the allowances for four positions each; (b) provide that the Leader of the Government in the Senate or Government Representative in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and the Leader or Facilitator of every other recognized party or parliamentary group in the Senate are to be consulted on the appointment of certain officers and agents of Parliament; and (c) provide that the Leader of the Government in the Senate or Government Representative in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and the Leader or Facilitator of every other recognized party or parliamentary group in the Senate may change the membership of the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Updated Dec 7, 202144th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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 3 November 2020, the Minister of Canadian Heritage introduced Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-10 amends amends the Broadcasting Act to, among other things, (a) add online undertakings — undertakings for the transmission or retransmission of programs over the Internet — as a distinct class of broadcasting undertakings; (b) update the broadcasting policy for Canada set out in section 3 of that Act by, among other things, providing that the Canadian broadcasting system should serve the needs and interests of all Canadians — including Canadians from racialized communities and Canadians of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds — and should provide opportunities for Indigenous persons, programming that reflects Indigenous cultures and that is in Indigenous languages, and programming that is accessible without barriers to persons with disabilities; (c) specify that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (the “Commission”) must regulate and supervise the Canadian broadcasting system in a manner that (i) takes into account the different characteristics of Indigenous language broadcasting and the different conditions under which broadcasting undertakings that provide Indigenous language programming operate, (ii) is fair and equitable as between broadcasting undertakings providing similar services, (iii) facilitates the provision of programs that are accessible without barriers to persons with disabilities, and (iv) takes into account the variety of broadcasting undertakings to which that Act applies and avoids imposing obligations on a class of broadcasting undertakings if doing so will not contribute in a material manner to the implementation of the broadcasting policy; (d) amend the procedure relating to the issuance by the Governor in Council of policy directions to the Commission; (e) replace the Commission’s power to impose conditions on a licence with a power to make orders imposing conditions on the carrying on of broadcasting undertakings; (f) provide the Commission with the power to require that persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings make expenditures to support the Canadian broadcasting system; (g) authorize the Commission to provide information to the Minister responsible for that Act, the Chief Statistician of Canada and the Commissioner of Competition, and set out in that Act a process by which a person who submits certain types of information to the Commission may designate the information as confidential; (h) amend the procedure by which the Governor in Council may, under section 28 of that Act, set aside a decision of the Commission to issue, amend or renew a licence or refer such a decision back to the Commission for reconsideration and hearing; (i) specify that a person shall not carry on a broadcasting undertaking, other than an online undertaking, unless they do so in accordance with a licence or they are exempt from the requirement to hold a licence; (j) harmonize the punishments for offences under Part II of that Act and clarify that a due diligence defence applies to the existing offences set out in that Act; and (k) allow for the imposition of administrative monetary penalties for violations of certain provisions of that Act or of the Accessible Canada Act. The enactment also makes related and consequential amendments to other Acts.
Updated Jun 29, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Steven Guilbeault
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 1 October 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-6, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-6 amends the Criminal Code to, among other things, create the following offences: (a) causing a person to undergo conversion therapy against the person’s will; (b) causing a child to undergo conversion therapy; (c) doing anything for the purpose of removing a child from Canada with the intention that the child undergo conversion therapy outside Canada; (d) advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy; and (e) receiving a financial or other material benefit from the provision of conversion therapy. It also amends the Criminal Code to authorize courts to order that advertisements for conversion therapy be disposed of or deleted.
Updated Jun 28, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: David Lametti
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 25 May 2021, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Judges Act, in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-45 amends the Judges Act to replace the process through which the conduct of federally appointed judges is reviewed by the Canadian Judicial Council. It establishes a new process for reviewing allegations of misconduct that are not serious enough to warrant a judge’s removal from office and makes changes to the process by which recommendations regarding removal from office can be made to the Minister of Justice. As with the provisions it replaces, this new process also applies to persons, other than judges, who are appointed under an Act of Parliament to hold office during good behaviour.
Updated Jun 15, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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 30 April 2021, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-4, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts, in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-4 amends the Parliament of Canada Act and makes consequential and related amendments to other Acts to, among other things, (a) change the additional annual allowances that are paid to senators who occupy certain positions so that the government’s representatives and the Opposition in the Senate are eligible for the allowances for five positions each and the three other recognized parties or parliamentary groups in the Senate with the greatest number of members are eligible for the allowances for four positions each; (b) provide that the Leader of the Government in the Senate or Government Representative in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and the Leader or Facilitator of every other recognized party or parliamentary group in the Senate are to be consulted on the appointment of certain officers and agents of Parliament; and (c) provide that the Leader of the Government in the Senate or Government Representative in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and the Leader or Facilitator of every other recognized party or parliamentary group in the Senate may change the membership of the Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration.
Updated Jun 1, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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 17 November 2020, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry introduced Bill C-11, An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act and the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts (Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2020), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1 enacts the Consumer Privacy Protection Act to protect the personal information of individuals while recognizing the need of organizations to collect, use or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities. In consequence, it repeals Part 1 of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and changes the short title of that Act to the Electronic Documents Act. It also makes consequential and related amendments to other Acts. Part 2 enacts the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act, which establishes an administrative tribunal to hear appeals of certain decisions made by the Privacy Commissioner under the Consumer Privacy Protection Act and to impose penalties for the contravention of certain provisions of that Act. It also makes a related amendment to the Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada Act.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 27 October 2020, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-2 amends the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act by deleting the schedule to that Act and the references to that schedule in that Act, in order to avoid potential discrepancies between the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, as amended from time to time, and the portions of that Convention that are reproduced in that schedule.
Updated Feb 25, 202143rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Marc Gold
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 26 November 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (single event sport betting), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-13 amends paragraph 207(4)(b) of the Criminal Code to make it lawful for the government of a province or territory, or a licensed person or entity, to conduct and manage in the province or territory a lottery scheme that involves betting on a race — other than a horse-race — or fight, or on a single sport event or athletic contest.
Updated Nov 26, 202043rd Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: David Lametti
Bill C-2, An Act relating to economic recovery in response to COVID-19 (short title: COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act), was introduced in the House of Commons on 24 September 2020 by the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. Among other aspects, the bill enacts the Canada Recovery Benefits Act, amends the Canada Labour Code in connection with the leave related to COVID-19, and re-enacts a modified Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act. The text of Bill C-2 was incorporated into Bill C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19 (short title: COVID-19 Response Measures Act). However, Bill C-4’s provisions relating to the eligibility criteria for the Canada recovery sickness benefit, and the corresponding job-protected leave of absence, are broader than those contained in Bill C-2 as they include underlying conditions, ongoing treatments or other sicknesses that would make an employee more susceptible to COVID-19. Bill C-4 received Royal Assent on 2 October 2020.
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 10 March 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs introduced Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-9 amends the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act by deleting the schedule to that Act and the references to that schedule in that Act, in order to avoid potential discrepancies between the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, as amended from time to time, and the portions of that Convention that are reproduced in that schedule.
Updated Mar 10, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: François-Philippe Champagne
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 9 March 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-8, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-8 amends the Criminal Code to, among other things, create the following offences: (a) causing a person to undergo conversion therapy against the person’s will; (b) causing a child to undergo conversion therapy; (c) doing anything for the purpose of removing a child from Canada with the intention that the child undergo conversion therapy outside Canada; (d) advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy; and (e) receiving a financial or other material benefit from the provision of conversion therapy. It also amends the Criminal Code to authorize courts to order that advertisements for conversion therapy be disposed of or deleted.
Updated Mar 9, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: David Lametti
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 2020, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-7 amends the Criminal Code to, among other things, (a) repeal the provision that requires a person’s natural death be reasonably foreseeable in order for them to be eligible for medical assistance in dying; (b) specify that persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness are not eligible for medical assistance in dying; (c) create two sets of safeguards that must be respected before medical assistance in dying may be provided to a person, the application of which depends on whether the person’s natural death is reasonably foreseeable; (d) permit medical assistance in dying to be provided to a person who has been found eligible to receive it, whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable and who has lost the capacity to consent before medical assistance in dying is provided, on the basis of a prior agreement they entered into with the medical practitioner or nurse practitioner; and (e) permit medical assistance in dying to be provided to a person who has lost the capacity to consent to it as a result of the self-administration of a substance that was provided to them under the provisions governing medical assistance in dying in order to cause their own death.
Updated Feb 27, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: David Lametti
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 27 January 2020, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness introduced Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act and the Canada Border Services Agency Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-3 amends the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act to, among other things, rename the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as the Public Complaints and Review Commission. It also amends the Canada Border Services Agency Act to, among other things, grant to that Commission powers, duties and functions in relation to the Canada Border Services Agency, including the power to conduct a review of the activities of that Agency and to investigate complaints concerning the conduct of any of that Agency’s officers or employees. It also makes consequential amendments to other Acts.
Updated Feb 21, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Bill Blair
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 4 February 2020, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Judges Act and the Criminal Code, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-5 amends the Judges Act to restrict eligibility for judicial appointment to persons who undertake to participate in continuing education on matters related to sexual assault law and social context. It also amends the Judges Act to require that the Canadian Judicial Council report on seminars offered for the continuing education of judges on matters related to sexual assault law. Finally, it amends the Criminal Code to require that judges provide reasons for decisions in sexual assault proceedings.
Updated Feb 19, 202043rd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: David Lametti
The pre-release version of this Legislative Summary is now available. Parliamentarians and their staff can obtain a copy by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Members of the public can obtain a copy by contacting the Information Service at the Library of Parliament at Info@parl.gc.ca. On 31 October 2017, Senator Salma Ataullahjan introduced Bill S-240, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-240 amends the Criminal Code to create new offences in relation to trafficking in human organs. It also amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to provide that a permanent resident or foreign national is inadmissible to Canada if the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration is of the opinion that they have engaged in any activities relating to trafficking in human organs.
Updated May 14, 201942nd Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Salma Ataullahjan
The pre-release version of this Legislative Summary is now available. Parliamentarians and their staff can obtain a copy by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Members of the public can obtain a copy by the contacting the Information Service at the Library of Parliament.
Updated Jun 12, 201441st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Maria Chaput
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 7 November 2013, the Minister of Veteran Affairs introduced Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Public Service Employment Act (priority hiring for injured veterans) (Priority Hiring for Injured Veterans Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Every year, many military members transition out of the Canadian Armed Forces. For those Canadian Armed Forces members who cannot deploy and meet the demands of operations, finding meaningful employment is a key factor in making a successful transition to civilian life. Bill C-11 amends the Public Service Employment Act to establish a right of appointment, in priority to all other persons, for certain members of the Canadian Forces who are released for medical reasons that are attributable to service.
Updated Nov 20, 201341st Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Erin O'Toole
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 6 December 2011, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-6, An Act respecting the election and term of office of chiefs and councillors of certain First Nations and the composition of council of those First Nations (First Nations Elections Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. In October 2010, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and the leaders of these organizations launched a national engagement exercise on electoral reform. These organizations met with other First Nation leaders across the country between October 2010 and March 2011 to present their recommendations and seek advice on improving the election process for First Nations. Bill S-6 establishes a regime, alternative to the one under the Indian Act, to govern the election of chiefs and councillors of certain First Nations. Among other things it • provides that chiefs and councillors hold office for four years; • provides that the election of a chief or councillor may be contested before a competent court; and • sets out offences and penalties in relation to the election of a chief or councillor. This enactment also allows First Nations to withdraw from the regime by adopting a written code that sets out the rules regarding the election of the members of their council.
Updated Jun 17, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
A Legislative Summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. A pre-release version of this publication is available to parliamentarians and their staff, and can be obtained by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 5 March 2013, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-16, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in contraband tobacco) (Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-16 amends the Criminal Code to create a new offence of trafficking in contraband tobacco and to provide for minimum penalties of imprisonment for repeat offenders. Trafficking would involve any of the following actions: • sale; • offer for sale; • possession for the purpose of sale; • transportation; • distribution; or • delivery. Under Bill S-16, the maximum penalty for a first offence would be 6 months imprisonment on summary conviction and 5 years imprisonment if prosecuted on indictment. It also proposes mandatory minimum penalties of imprisonment for repeat offenders where a high volume of tobacco products is involved. The threshold to be considered “high volume” would be 10,000 cigarettes or 10 kilograms of other tobacco products. The mandatory minimum penalties on indictment would be as follows: • 90 days incarceration on a second conviction; • 180 days incarceration on third conviction; and • 2 years less a day on subsequent convictions.
Updated Jun 13, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
On 25 April 2012, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-10, An Act to implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions (Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-10 implements Canada’s commitments under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. In particular, it establishes prohibitions and offences for certain activities involving cluster munitions, explosive submunitions and explosive bomblets.
Updated Jun 12, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 8 November 2012, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act (Port State Measures Agreement Implementation Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-13 amends the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to implement the Port State Measures Agreement, to prohibit the importation of fish caught and marine plants harvested in the course of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and to clarify certain powers in respect of the administration and enforcement of the Act.
Updated May 24, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
A Legislative Summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. A pre-release version of this publication is available to parliamentarians and their staff, and can be obtained by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 17 October 2012, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-12, An Act to amend the Statutory Instruments Act and to make consequential amendments to the Statutory Instruments Regulations (Incorporation by Reference in Regulations Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-12 amends the Statutory Instruments Act to provide for the express power to incorporate by reference in regulations. It imposes an obligation on regulation-making authorities to ensure that a document, index, rate or number that is incorporated by reference is accessible. It also provides that a person is not liable to be found guilty of an offence or subjected to an administrative sanction for a contravention relating to a document, index, rate or number that is incorporated by reference unless certain requirements in relation to accessibility are met. Finally, it makes consequential amendments to the Statutory Instruments Regulations.
Updated May 23, 201341st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 21 June 2011, the Minister of State (Democratic reform) introduced Bill C-7, Senate Reform Act, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Part 1, along with the schedule, establishes a framework for electing nominees for Senate appointments from the provinces and territories. The Prime Minister would be required to consider names from a list of nominees submitted by the provincial or territorial government in recommending Senate nominees to the Governor General. The list would be determined by an election held in accordance with provincial or territorial laws, enacted to implement the framework. Part 2 replaces section 29 of the Constitution Act, 1867, to modify the tenure of senators who are summoned after October 14, 2008. These senators would serve a term which expires nine years after the coming into force of this Bill.
Updated Feb 27, 201241st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Tim Uppal
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 6 October 2011, the Minister of State (Agriculture) introduced Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Agreement on Internal Trade Implementation Act and the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act (Improving Trade Within Canada Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. The Agreement on Internal Trade, a national agreement that commits governments to reducing barriers to the free movement of goods, services, investments and persons within Canada, was signed by Canadian first ministers in 1994. Bill C-14 amends the Agreement on Internal Trade Implementation Act to reflect changes made to Chapter 17 of the Agreement on Internal Trade. It provides primarily for the enforceability of orders to pay tariff costs and monetary penalties made under Chapter 17 of the Agreement against the Government of Canada. It also repeals subsection 28(3) of the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act.
Updated Nov 24, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Christian Paradis
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 17 October 2011, the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities introduced Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Air Canada Public Participation Act (Air Canada and Its Associates Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-17 extends the application of the Official Languages Act to certain affiliates of Air Canada and deems the articles of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. to include provisions respecting the location of its head office and the right of persons to communicate with that corporation in both official languages. It also exempts Air Canada from the application of section 25 of the Official Languages Act with respect to air services provided or made available by air carriers with which it has only code-sharing arrangements.
Updated Oct 17, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Denis Lebel
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 16 June 2011, the Minister of Public Safety introduced Bill C-4, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Balanced Refugee Reform Act and the Marine Transportation Security Act (Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada’s Immigration System Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-4 amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Among other things it • authorizes the Minister to designate as an irregular arrival the arrival in Canada of a group of persons, the result of which is that some of the foreign nationals in the group become designated foreign nationals; • authorizes an officer or the Minister to refuse to consider an application for permanent residence; • provides that a person may not become a permanent resident as long as an application by the Minister for cessation of that person’s refugee protection is pending; • adds, as grounds for the detention of a permanent resident or foreign national, the existence of reasonable grounds to suspect that the person concerned is inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality, criminality or organized criminality; • provides that the Immigration Division must impose any prescribed conditions on the release of certain designated foreign nationals; • provides for detention rules and a review procedure that are specific to the detention of certain designated foreign nationals; • clarifies the authority of the Governor in Council to make regulations in respect of conditions of release from detention; • provides that certain designated foreign nationals may not apply to become permanent residents until the expiry of a certain period; • requires certain designated foreign nationals on whom refugee protection has been conferred to report to an officer; • authorizes the Governor in Council to make regulations respecting the reporting requirements imposed on certain designated foreign nationals; • provides that the offence of human smuggling is committed when a person organizes the coming into Canada of another person and knows, or is reckless as to whether, the entry into Canada is or would be in contravention of the Act; • provides for minimum punishments for the offence of human smuggling in certain circumstances; • in respect of the determination of the penalty to be imposed for certain offences, adds as an aggravating factor the endangerment of the life or safety of any person as a result of the commission of the offence; • changes the definition of “criminal organization” in Part 3 to give it the same meaning as in subsection 467.1(1) of the Criminal Code; and • extends the time for instituting proceedings by way of summary conviction from six months to five years. The enactment also amends the Balanced Refugee Reform Act to provide that a refugee protection claimant whose claim is rejected is not prevented from applying for protection earlier than 12 months after the day on which the claim is rejected, if it is rejected as a result of a vacation of the initial decision to allow the claim. The enactment also amends the Marine Transportation Security Act to increase the penalties for persons who fail to provide information required to be reported before a vessel enters Canadian waters or to comply with ministerial directions and for persons who provide false or misleading information. It creates a new offence for vessels that fail to comply with ministerial directions. It also amends the Act to authorize regulations respecting the disclosure of certain information for the purpose of protecting the safety or security of Canada or Canadians.
Updated Oct 3, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Vic Toews
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 September 2011, the Minister Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture) introduced Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Safeguarding Canadians’ Personal Information Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Among other things, it • outlines what constitutes valid consent for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information; • proposes additional exceptions permitting the disclosure of personal information without the knowledge or consent of the individual in order to allow for the release of personal information to help protect victims of financial abuse, to help locate missing persons and to identify injured, ill or deceased individuals; • clarifies the meaning of lawful authority for the purpose of disclosures to government institutions of personal information without the knowledge or consent of the individual; • permits organizations, for certain purposes, to collect, use and disclose, without the knowledge or consent of the individual, personal information contained in witness statements related to insurance claims, or produced by the individual in the course of their employment, business or profession; • permits organizations, for certain purposes, to use and disclose, without the knowledge or consent of the individual, personal information related to prospective or completed business transactions; • permits federal works, undertakings and businesses to collect, use and disclose personal information without the knowledge or consent of the individual to establish, manage or terminate employment relationships; • provides a framework for organizations to notify individuals proactively about disclosures of their personal information made in certain circumstances to government institutions; and • requires organizations to report material breaches of security safeguards to the Privacy Commissioner and to notify certain individuals and organizations of breaches that create a real risk of significant harm.
Updated Sep 29, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Christian Paradis
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills debated under urgency and emergency. The following is a short summary: On 16 June 2011, the Minister of Labour introduced Bill C-5, the Continuing Air Service for Passengers Act, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-5 provides for the resumption and continuation of air service operations, prohibits strikes and lockouts and imposes a final offer selection process to resolve matters remaining in dispute between the parties. The arbitrator’s decision will be use has the new collective agreement.
Updated Jun 16, 201141st Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Lisa Raitt
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 1 April 2010, the Minister of State (Democratic Reform) introduced Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic Representation) (Democratic Representation Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-12 is designed to address a distortion in the manner in which population growth is reflected by growth in the number of elected representatives assigned to each province. The bill seeks to remedy this distortion by enacting a new formula for seat readjustments in the House of Commons. As with the formula presently employed to readjust the number of members seated in the House, Bill C-12 prescribes a formula that readjusts seats after each decennial census, while also apportioning any newly created seats to the province or provinces that experienced population growth from one decennial census to the next. The effect that the proposed formula would have on a readjustment to the number of members seated in the House of Commons would be to enlarge the increases experienced as a result of growth in the total population of the provinces, as compared to the formula presently used for seat readjustments.
Updated Mar 22, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Steven Fletcher
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 27 April 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-8, An Act respecting the selection of senators (Senatorial Selection Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-8 establishes a framework for electing nominees for Senate appointments from the provinces and territories. The following principles apply to the selection process: • The Prime Minister, in recommending Senate nominees to the Governor General would be required to consider names from a list of nominees submitted by the provincial or territorial government. The Act would not be binding on the Prime Minister or the Governor General when making appointments to the Senate. • The bill provides a voluntary schedule, based on Alberta’s Senatorial Selection Act, which would set out a basis for provinces to enact democratic processes for electing nominees for Senate appointments.
Updated Mar 10, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 26 October 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-13, An Act to implement the Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America (Keeping Canadians Safe (Protecting Borders) Act, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill S-13 implements the Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America signed on May 26, 2009. The coming to force of this legislation will permit specially designated Canadian and American law enforcement personnel to jointly work on marine law enforcement vessels in boundary waters, such as the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, and off both east and west coasts.
Updated Mar 10, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 23 April 2010, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-17, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (investigative hearing and recognizance with conditions) (Combating Terrorism Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Criminal Code • to provide for an investigative hearing where individuals with information about a terrorism offence that has been or will be committed would be compelled to appear before a judge and answer questions. Numerous safeguards would be attached to this power, including an annual report with opinions by the Attorney General of Canada and the Minister of Public Safety on whether these provisions should be extended. • to provide for the imposition of a recognizance with conditions on a person to prevent them from carrying out a terrorist activity. A peace officer with reasonable grounds to believe that a terrorist activity will be carried out and that the imposition of a recognizance with conditions on a particular person is necessary to prevent a terrorist activity from being carried out, then the peace officer could apply to a judge to have the person compelled to appear before him or her. • It also provides for those sections to cease to have effect or for the possible extension of their operation. The investigative hearings and recognizance with conditions provisions were subject to a sunset clause. These provisions expired on 1 March 2007.
Updated Mar 2, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Rob Nicholson
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 21 April 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-7, An Act to deter terrorism, and to amend the State Immunity Act (Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-7 creates a cause of action for victims of terrorism allowing them to sue perpetrators and supporters of terrorism. It also amends the State Immunity Act to lift the immunity of those states that the Government believes are supporters of terrorism through a listing mechanism. The proposed legislation will allow any person who can demonstrate a real and substantial connection between their cause of action and Canada to sue in a Canadian court the foreign states that perpetrate and support terrorism. Plaintiffs can seek redress for terrorist acts committed anywhere in the world on, or after, 1 January 1985.
Updated Feb 8, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 18 March 2010, the Minister of Public Safety introduced Bill C-5, An Act to amend the International Transfer of Offenders Act (Keeping Canadians Safe (International Transfer of Offenders) Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-5 amends International Transfer of Offenders Act to provide additional factors in deciding whether an offender would be granted a transfer back to Canada. These factors would include, whether, in the opinion of the Minister, an offender would upon return to Canada: • Endanger public safety; • Continue to engage in criminal activities following his or her transfer; and • Endanger the safety of any child, particularly in cases of offenders who have been convicted of sexual abuse; The Minister may also consider any other factor that he or she considers relevant. Decisions would also factor whether a criminal has been participating in his or her rehabilitation, and cooperating with law enforcement.
Updated Feb 7, 201140th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Vic Toews
On 20 October 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-12, A third 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. 3) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-12 seeks to make harmonization changes to 12 statutes, including the Canada Business Corporations Act and the Expropriation Act. This is the third harmonization bill to be tabled by the Government and it is part of the harmonization work that was begun by the Department of Justice Canada after the Civil Code of Québec came into force in 1994. The coming into force in 1994 of the Civil Code of Québec, which replaced the Civil Code of Lower Canada, 1866, had a significant impact on the application of federal statutes and regulations that refer to the province's private law. Harmonization of federal legislation with the civil law of Quebec was undertaken in order to prevent difficulties in applying federal legislation arising from the reform of the Civil Code of Québec. Harmonization involves reviewing all federal legislation the application of which requires reliance on provincial private law. Where necessary, harmonization changes ensure that federal legislation integrates the terminology, concepts and institutions of Quebec civil law. French common law terminology is also taken into account in this process.
Updated Dec 15, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 5 May 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-10, An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts (Penalties for Organized Drug Crime Act)in the Senate and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Criminal Code by: • making murders connected to organized crime activity automatically first-degree murders, regardless of whether it is planned and deliberate. First-degree murder is subject to a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without eligibility for parole for 25 years; • creating offences for intentionally discharging a firearm while being reckless about endangering the life or safety of another person (meant to punish “drive-by” and other reckless shootings). • creating an offence for assaulting a peace officer with a weapon or causing bodily harm and of aggravated assault of a peace officer. This offence would carry a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison, with a maximum of 14 years. The minimum sentence would increase if the offence was committed for a criminal organization or with a prohibited or restricted firearm such as a handgun; and • to extend the duration of a recognizance to up to two years for a person who it is suspected will commit a criminal organization offence, a terrorism offence or an intimidation offence if they were previously convicted of such an offence, and to clarify that the recognizance may include conditions such as electronic monitoring.
Updated Dec 14, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 26 May 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-11, An Act respecting the safety of drinking water on first nation lands (Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-11 addresses health and safety issues on reserve lands and certain other lands by providing for regulations to govern drinking water and waste water treatment in first nations communities. Among other things, it • provides First Nation communities with drinking water and wastewater standards comparable to provincial or territorial standards off reserves; • establishes a common base to evaluate the effectiveness of the operation, design and maintenance of water and wastewater systems; and • allows for regional flexibility, as federal regulations could vary from province to province and territory to territory.
Updated Dec 14, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 29 March 2010, the Minister of State (Democratic Reform) introduced Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate term limits) (Constitution Act, 2010 (Senate term limits)), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-10 limits the tenure of senators appointed after the bill becomes law to one non-renewable eight-year term. At the same time it preserves the existing retirement age of 75 for current senators. It further allows a senator whose term has been interrupted to return to the Senate and complete his or her term. The bill also contains a provision for senators summoned to Senate after 14 October 2008 but before the coming into force of the Act; they remain a senator for one term, which expires eight years after the coming into force of this Act.
Updated Nov 19, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Steven Fletcher
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 24 March 2010, The Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway introduced Bill C-8, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Agreement on the Environment between Canada and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Agreement on Labour Cooperation between Canada and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Canada-Jordan Free Trade Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-8 implements a free trade agreement between Canada and Jordan that was signed in June 2009. Among other things, it: • eliminates tariffs on over 99 percent of recent Canadian exports (by value) to Jordan. • eliminates all non-agricultural tariffs, numerous agricultural tariffs and tariffs on many Canadian exports, including pulse crops, frozen french fries, animal feed, various prepared foods, certain forestry products and machinery. • eliminates all tariffs on Jordanian goods, with the exception of over-quota tariffs on dairy, poultry and eggs, which are excluded from tariff reductions. • commits Canada and Jordan to ensuring that their laws respect the International Labour Organization’s (ILO’s) 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. • commits Canada and Jordan to protecting occupational health and safety, maintaining acceptable minimum employment standards and providing compensation for occupational injuries and illnesses. Migrant workers will have the same legal protection as nationals in respect of working conditions. • stipulates that failure to respect ILO principles and enforce domestic laws could result in an independent review panel assessing a monetary penalty, as a last resort. • commits Canada and Jordan to pursuing high levels of environmental protection and to striving to develop and improve their environmental laws and policies. • commits Canada and Jordan to ensuring environmental assessment processes are in place, and to providing remedies for violations of environmental laws.
Updated Nov 2, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Peter Van Loan
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 31 March 2010, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-4, An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves (Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act), in the Senate and it was given first reading. The bill addresses issues relating to family real property on reserves by providing that a First Nation has the power to enact laws relating to “the use, occupation and possession of family homes on its reserves and the division of the value of any interests or rights held by spouses or common-law partners in or to structures and lands on its reserves” (clause 7(1)). Where a First Nation does not have such laws in force, whether established under the bill, under the First Nations Land Management Act, or under a self-government agreement, provisional federal rules established in the bill will apply.
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 16 April 2010, the Minister of Natural Resources introduced Bill C-15, An Act respecting civil liability and compensation for damage in case of a nuclear incident (Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-15 establishes a specific civil liability regime with respect to nuclear incidents and repeals the Nuclear Liability Act, which previously provided for such a regime. Like that Act, it makes the operators of nuclear installations exclusively liable, but increases significantly (from $75 million to $650 million) the extent of their liability and the financial security that they are required to maintain. It also provides for the establishment of a special Tribunal to hear and decide claims. The establishment of a form of civil liability and of a requirement to pay compensation in respect of damage caused by a nuclear incident is in line with efforts to manage and minimize the risks involved in the use of nuclear material. These efforts include measures for mitigation, preparation, response and reparation. The bill is chiefly concerned with the last of these measures. The idea of a specific regime governing civil liability and compensation in case of a nuclear incident is based on the observation that private insurers have systematically and consistently refused to provide coverage for damage resulting from nuclear incidents. The establishment of such a regime makes it possible to fill this gap and provide coverage for such risks.
Updated May 14, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Christian Paradis
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 22 April 2010, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-16, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Ending House Arrest for Property and Other Serious Crimes by Serious and Violent Offenders Act) in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Criminal Code to eliminate the reference, in section 742.1, to serious personal injury offences, and to restrict the availability of conditional sentences for all offences for which the maximum term of imprisonment is 14 years or life and for specified offences, prosecuted by way of indictment, for which the maximum term of imprisonment is 10 years.
Updated May 6, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Rob Nicholson
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 16 March 2010, the Minister of Justice introduced Bill C-4, An Act to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Sébastien’s Law (Protecting the Public from Violent Young Offenders)) and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Among other things, it • makes protection of society a primary goal of the act; • adds denunciation and deterrence to sentencing principles; • requires the Crown to consider seeking adult sentences for youth convicted of certain violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault. The Crown would also be required to inform the court should they chose not to apply for an adult sentence; • requires that offenders under the age of 18 who are sentenced to custody will be placed in youth facilities only, even if they receive an adult sentence; • defines the terms “violent offence” and “serious offence”, amends the definition “serious violent offence” and repeals the definition “presumptive offence”; • allows the custody of young persons where they have committed an indictable offence for which an adult would be liable to imprisonment for a term of more than two years and has a history that indicates a pattern of extrajudicial sanctions; • in respect of pre-trial detention rules, detains youths charged with a “serious offence” while he or she awaits trial; and • requires the courts to consider lifting the publication ban on the names of young offenders convicted of “violent offences,” when youth sentences are given. The bill also requires police forces to keep records of extrajudicial measures used to deal with young persons, in order to make it easier to identify patterns of re-offending.
Updated May 3, 201040th Parliament, 3rd SessionSponsor: Rob Nicholson
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 18 November 2009, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-7, An Act to implement conventions and protocols concluded between Canada and Colombia, Greece and Turkey for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income (Tax Conventions Implementation Act, 2009) in the Senate and it was given first reading. This enactment implements the most recent tax treaties that Canada has concluded with Colombia, Greece and Turkey. Since a tax treaty contains taxation rules that are different from the provisions of the Income Tax Act, it becomes effective only after being given precedence over domestic legislation by an Act of Parliament such as this one. The treaties implemented reflect efforts to expand Canada’s tax treaty network. Those treaties are generally patterned on the Model Double Taxation Convention prepared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Updated Dec 15, 200940th Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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 January 2009, the Minister of Health introduced Bill C-6, An Act respecting the safety of consumer products (the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. This bill is designed to repeal and replace Part I of the Hazardous Products Act, creating a new system to regulate consumer products that pose, or might reasonably be expected to pose, a danger to human health and safety. Bill C-6: • prohibits the sale, manufacture, import and advertisement of certain listed products and provides for testing and evaluation of consumer products; • makes it mandatory for manufacturers, importers, and sellers of consumer products to report dangerous incidents associated with these products to the Minister of Health; • obliges manufacturers, importers and sellers of consumer products to report product or labelling defects that result, or might reasonably be expected to result, in death or serious adverse effects on health, including serious injury, to the Minister of Health; • requires manufacturers, importers and sellers of consumer products to report recalls of consumer products initiated by governments and government institutions in Canada or elsewhere to the Minister of Health; • provides for the inspection and seizure of consumer products for the purpose of verifying compliance or non-compliance with the bill’s provisions; • empowers the federal government to institute interim and permanent recalls of products that pose, or might reasonably be expected to pose, a danger to human health or safety; and • establishes both criminal and administrative penalties for those who violate the CCPSA or orders made under it.
Updated Dec 15, 200940th Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Leona Aglukkaq
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 28 April 2009, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-6, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (accountability with respect to political loans), in the Senate and it was given first reading. The bill amends the Canada Elections act as follows: • all loans to political entities, including mandatory disclosure of terms, and the identity of all lenders and loan guarantors, must be uniform and transparent; • unions and corporations are prohibited from making loans to political parties, associations, and candidates; • limiting the amount of loans and loan guarantees that individuals can make within the framework of the permitted individual annual contribution; • limiting to financial institutions and political entities the ability to make loans beyond the annual contribution limit for individuals, and only at commercial rates of interest; and • tighter rules for the treatment of unpaid loans to ensure candidates cannot walk away from unpaid loans.
Updated Nov 26, 200940th Parliament, 2nd SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 28 May 2009, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-7, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate term limits) (Constitution Act, 2009 (Senate term limits)), in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-7 limits the tenure of senators appointed after the bill becomes law to one non-renewable eight-year term. At the same time it preserves the existing retirement age of 75 for current senators. It further allows a senator whose term has been interrupted to return to the Senate and complete his or her term. The bill also contains a provision for senators summoned to Senate after 14 October 2008 but before the coming into force of the Act; they remain a senator for one term, which expires eight years after the coming into force of this Act.
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 1 April 2009, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and another Act, in the Senate and it was given first reading. Under Bill S-5, the Registrar of Firearms will no longer issue, or keep records of, registration certificates for non-restricted firearms. Provisions of the Firearms Act regarding the expiry and revocation of registration certificates are accordingly amended, as are provisions setting out the documentation that is involved when lending, importing or exporting non-restricted firearms. Although registration certificates will no longer be involved when transferring (i.e., selling or giving) a firearm, a person transferring a non-restricted firearm to an individual will be required to seek an authorization from the Chief Firearms Officer, who will verify that the recipient is entitled to possess the firearm. As a registration certificate will no longer be required to possess a non-restricted firearm, certain offences in the Firearms Act are amended or repealed. The Criminal Code is also amended so that failure to hold a registration certificate for a non-restricted firearm does not give rise to any of the offences relating to unauthorized possession of a firearm, and does not allow police to seize a firearm.
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 3 December 2008, Bill C-3, An Act to amend Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act was introduced and read a first time in the House of Commons. Bill C-3 amends the definition of “arctic waters” in the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act to extend the geographic application of the Act to the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone of Canada north of the 60th parallel of north latitude.
Updated Dec 3, 200840th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: John Baird
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 3 December 2008, the Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) introduced Bill C-4, An Act respecting not-for-profit corporations and certain other corporations, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-4 provides for the phased repeal of the Canada Corporations Act (CCA), while in particular replacing Part II of the statute that governs federally incorporated non-profit corporations. Certain provisions are designed to apply to entities currently subject to Part III of the CCA, which governs corporations without share capital incorporated by a special Act of Parliament. The bill also provides for the continuance of certain corporations with share capital that are currently subject to part IV of the CCA under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA). The bill’s primary purposes are to modernize and improve corporate governance in non-profit corporations, eliminate unnecessary regulation, and offer flexibility to meet the needs of the non-profit sector. The new corporate governance provisions found in Bill C-4, as well as many other provisions contained in the bill, are modelled on the corporate governance provisions contained in the CBCA, the statute that regulates federally incorporated for-profit corporations (business corporations).
Updated Dec 3, 200840th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Diane Ablonczy
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 3 December 2008, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act, was introduced and read a first time in the House of Commons. Indian Oil and Gas Canada is the special operating agency within Indian and Northern Affairs Canada mandated to fulfill the Crown’s fiduciary and statutory obligations related to the management of oil and gas resources in First Nations. The bill replaces almost all of the existing provisions of the existing six-section Indian Oil and Gas Act and includes a number of matters that are currently provided for in the Indian Oil and Gas Regulations, 1995. Bill C-5 expands the Governor-in-Council’s existing regulation-making powers and adds new ones, particularly with respect to licences, permits and leases for the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas on reserve lands. The bill also makes changes in respect of the limitation period for actions to collect amounts owing and the determination of royalty payments. It puts in place sanctions for contraventions of the Act as well as provisions for its enforcement comprised of fines and penalties, a remedy for trespass, environmental protection, and authority to issue replacement leases for lands added to reserve.
Updated Dec 3, 200840th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Chuck Strahl
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 2 December 2008, Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Customs Act, was introduced in the Senate by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Honourable Marjory Lebreton. This bill amends the Customs Act to clarify certain provisions of the French version of the Act and to make technical amendments to others. It also imposes additional requirements in customs controlled areas, grants the Minister the power to authorize entry, amends provisions concerning the determination of value for duty, and modifies advance commercial reporting requirements. The search powers of customs officers are expanded to include individuals and their goods that are in or are leaving a customs controlled area. The bill also provides that regulations may be enacted that describe the time frame and manner in which information about passengers may be provided by prescribed persons. Finally, it provides that regulations may incorporate material found in associated documents.
Updated Dec 2, 200840th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Marjory LeBreton
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. If you have any questions, please contact the Library of Parliament at (613) 995-1166. On 1 December 2008, the Minister of International Trade and Minister of the Asia-Pacific Gateway introduced Bill C-2, An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the States of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Republic of Iceland, the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Kingdom of Norway and the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Swiss Confederation, in the House of Commons and it was given first reading. Bill C-2 implements four treaties and their respective annexes signed by Canada. The first treaty implemented through the bill is a multilateral free trade agreement between Canada and the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), i.e., Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The other, bilateral treaties deal specifically with trade in agriculture. They involve Canada and the same EFTA states, with the exception of Liechtenstein. Bill C-2 implements these four treaties through a set of provisions that will form the core of a stand-alone piece of legislation, the Canada–EFTA Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. The Canada–EFTA and the bilateral agreements focus exclusively on the liberalization of trade in goods. They do not deal with other forms of economic exchange, such as trade in services or foreign investments. Bill C-2 also contains amendments to three existing pieces of legislation, i.e., the Canadian International Trade Tribunal Act, the Customs Act and the Customs Tariff.
Updated Dec 1, 200840th Parliament, 1st SessionSponsor: Stockwell Day