Plain-English summaries of Canadian federal bills, including what each bill changes, who it affects, current status, votes, sponsors, timelines, and Parliament sources.
Bill S-227 designates the month of April as Arab Heritage Month across Canada.
This bill proposes to amend the Department of Justice Act to require the Minister of Justice to table a statement with every government bill, outlining its potential impacts on Indigenous rights and consistency with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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.
Bill S-215 designates November as National Immigration Month in Canada each year.
Bill S-201 creates a national framework to improve care, research, and awareness for sickle cell disease in Canada.
Bill S-228 clarifies that sterilization procedures involving permanent infertility are considered acts of wounding or maiming under the Criminal Code.
Bill S-210 designates September as Ukrainian Heritage Month in Canada each year without creating new legal obligations beyond the designation.
Bill S-219 creates Judicial Independence Day on January 11th annually to recognize the importance of an independent judiciary.
Bill S-221 would recognize the Canada jay as Canada's national bird through the National Bird of Canada Act.
Bill S-223 amends the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act to define First Nation law and expand RCMP duties to include enforcing First Nation laws and executing related warrants.
Bill S-224 amends the Director of Public Prosecutions Act to assign the Director's responsibility for prosecuting summary conviction offences under First Nation laws, unless the First Nation has its own prosecutor or agreement with a provincial/territorial government.
Bill S-239 gives the Competition Commissioner authority to recommend to federal and provincial institutions about trade barriers within Canada, with specific procedures for responses and transparency.
Bill S-248 proposes to designate the month of July annually as Caribbean Heritage Month in Canada.
Bill S-246 establishes a national framework to define and recognize wartime service for Canadian military personnel through objective criteria, stakeholder consultations, and parliamentary reporting requirements.
The amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act strengthen compliance measures, expand regulatory powers, and clarify enforcement procedures while allowing limited exemptions and delayed application for certain sectors.
Bill S-213 requires political parties to disclose diversity-related information and mandates the Chief Electoral Officer to collect demographic data on candidates and leadership contestants.
Bill S-218 adds procedural requirements for Parliament to pass laws that override Charter rights, including judicial review, parliamentary origin, and supermajority support.
Bill S-202 amends the Food and Drugs Act to mandate warning labels on alcoholic beverages with 1.1% or more alcohol by volume, including health risk information and a statement about alcohol's link to fatal cancers.
Bill S-244 creates National Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Awareness Day on May 17th annually to promote awareness of this incurable brain tumor affecting children.
Bill S-205 modifies the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to enhance mental health support, restrict solitary confinement, expand community services, and provide mechanisms for reviewing and reducing sentences based on administrative errors.
Bill S-5 establishes rules for health information technology interoperability, prohibits data blocking by vendors, and gives federal authority to create regulations for provinces/territories lacking similar laws.
Bill S-217 requires the Canada Revenue Agency to report on tax evasion convictions and the 'tax gap' every three years, with data shared with the Parliamentary Budget Officer.
This bill adds a requirement for courts to treat assaults on health service providers and first responders as aggravating circumstances in sentencing under the Criminal Code.
Bill S-242 (Georgina's Law) requires the federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality to lead ongoing national efforts to prevent intimate partner violence and report to Parliament every two years on progress.
Bill S-214 expands the Canadian government's authority to seize and forfeit property owned or controlled by foreign states, shifting liability for seizure costs to the property owner and allowing the Governor in Council to issue forfeiture orders without judicial review.
Bill S-235 creates a federal framework to combat human trafficking through a national strategy requiring regular updates, annual reports, and alignment with international human rights standards.
Bill S-247 would establish a national framework to improve the management and prevention of food allergies in Canada through coordinated action by governments, healthcare providers, and stakeholders.
Bill S-209 creates legal obligations for organizations to prevent young persons from accessing pornographic material online, with penalties for non-compliance and mechanisms for enforcement.
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.
Bill S-226 creates Jury Duty Appreciation Week as a national observance to recognize the importance of jury duty in Canada's justice system.
Bill S-211 creates a national framework for regulating sports betting advertising, requiring the Minister of Sport to develop standards, consult stakeholders, and submit reports to Parliament.
Bill S-230 would establish a national soil health strategy requiring federal collaboration, public consultation, and regular reporting to Parliament.
The bill lowers the voting age to 16 and adjusts definitions in the Canada Elections Act.
Bill S-225 establishes February 5th as National Thanadelthur Day to commemorate the historical role of Thanadelthur in fostering peace between Indigenous groups during the fur trade, while explicitly stating it is not a legal holiday.
The Climate-Aligned Finance Act requires federal financial institutions to align their operations with Canada's climate goals through reporting, risk adjustments, and restrictions on carbon offsets, effective on the first anniversary of royal assent.
Bill S-229 amends the National Capital Act to formally establish Gatineau Park's boundaries, prioritize its ecological integrity, restrict land sales, strengthen consultation with Indigenous peoples and municipalities, authorize regulations for park management, and empower the National Capital Commission to prepare a master plan.
Bill S-232 restricts federal use of public funds for NDA-related settlements involving harassment/violence/discrimination, mandates reporting requirements, and establishes parliamentary oversight.
Bill S-243 establishes a federal framework for women's health requiring collaboration, reporting, and periodic reviews to improve health outcomes and equity for women.
Bill S-245 creates National Blanket Ceremony Day on June 30th annually to honor Indigenous cultural practices and promote reconciliation.
Bill S-212 establishes a national strategy for children and youth, requiring the government to address child poverty, mental health, international human rights obligations, and Indigenous perspectives through consultation, reporting, and parliamentary oversight.
Bill S-241 amends the Criminal Code and Indian Act to grant First Nations authority to regulate lotteries on reserves, requiring government notification and allowing third-party management with consent.
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.
Bill S-237 designates October 31st as 'Cities and Municipalities Day' in Canada without making it a legal holiday.
Bill S-216 designates the Chignecto Isthmus Dykeland System and related works as national assets and establishes administrative and regulatory frameworks for their development.
Bill S-203 prohibits most forms of alcohol promotion that could mislead consumers or appeal to young people, with exceptions for specific informational disclosures.
Bill S-208 gives Canadian courts greater discretion in sentencing by expanding judicial flexibility, requiring written reasons for minimum punishments, and allowing jury input on parole eligibility for murder convictions.
Bill S-204 establishes a federal framework for heart failure care, requiring the Minister of Health to develop a plan with stakeholder input, hold a conference within 12 months of enactment, and table a report within 18 months.
Bill S-220 designates March as Hellenic Heritage Month to honor the cultural and historical ties of Greek Canadians to Greece.
Bill S-234 would establish a national framework to support individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, their families, and caregivers by requiring the Minister of Health to develop guidelines, consult stakeholders, and report on progress.
Bill S-1001 authorizes Gore Mutual Insurance Company to apply to be continued as a body corporate under Quebec's laws, repeals specific federal acts related to the company, and ends its governance under the federal Insurance Companies Act.
A legislative summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information, Education and Research Services of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 5 June 2025, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship introduced Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025) and it was given first reading. Bill C-3 amends the Citizenship Act to, among other things, (a) ensure that citizenship by descent is conferred on all persons who were born outside Canada before the coming into force of this enactment to a parent who was a citizen; (b) confer citizenship by descent on persons born outside Canada after the first generation, on or after the coming into force of this enactment, to a parent who is a citizen and who had a substantial connection to Canada before the person’s birth; (c) allow citizenship to be granted under section 5.1 of that Act to all persons born outside Canada who were adopted before the coming into force of this enactment by a parent who was a citizen; (d) allow citizenship to be granted under section 5.1 of that Act to persons born outside Canada who are adopted on or after the coming into force of this enactment by a parent who is a citizen and who had a substantial connection to Canada before the person’s adoption; (e) restore citizenship to persons who lost their citizenship because they did not make an application to retain it under the former section 8 of that Act or because they made an application under that section that was not approved; and (f) allow certain persons who become citizens as a result of the coming into force of this enactment to access a simplified process to renounce their citizenship.
Bill S-206 requires the federal government to create a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income, including consultation with stakeholders and regular reporting to Parliament.
Bill S-240 amends the Criminal Code to permit mandatory minimum sentences for child sexual abuse and exploitation material offences by declaring these provisions valid under the Charter despite potential conflicts with section 12.
Bill S-231 changes the Criminal Code to allow advance arrangements for MAID for individuals who lose capacity to consent, adds safeguards, and clarifies that resistance to MAID stops its provision.
The bill updates the rules for criminal record expiry, pardons, and eligibility for benefits by replacing old provisions with new ones that clarify how these processes interact with immigration, tax, and parole laws.
Bill S-236 enhances victims' rights under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights by expanding access to information, support services, and reparations, while requiring training and reporting on implementation.
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.
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.
Bill S-230 amends the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to enhance mental health support, define marginalized populations, and introduce new procedures for inmate transfers and sentence adjustments.
Bill S-218 requires the Minister for Women and Gender Equality to examine and report on the potential effects of bills and amendments on women, particularly Indigenous women, with specific deadlines for tabling and publishing these analyses.
This bill amends the Interpretation Act to ensure all federal laws are interpreted in a way that upholds Indigenous rights and removes similar clauses from other laws.
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 8 February 2024, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-16, An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation (Haida Nation Recognition Act), and it was given first reading. Bill S-16 implements certain sections of the agreement entitled “Nang K_’uula • Nang K_’úulaas Recognition Agreement.”
Bill S-235 provides a citizenship pathway for minors who were in Canadian child welfare care and suspends deportation orders for those applying for citizenship.
The bill amends the Criminal Code to enhance protections for victims of domestic violence and improve firearm safety measures.
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 2 June 2022, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-9, An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act and it was given first reading. Bill S-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.
Bill S-202 establishes the Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate position to promote arts in Canada through Parliament, with selection by the Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons from a committee including cultural officials.
The text outlines amendments to Canadian federal and provincial acts, primarily affecting definitions of 'hazardous substance' and reporting requirements, with most changes coming into effect on January 1, 2024, or the day the acts are passed.
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.
Bill S-224 amends the Criminal Code to redefine 'exploitation' in human trafficking cases as involving force, coercion, deception, or abuse of trust to compel labor or services, while repealing an existing subsection.
Bill S-210 creates legal restrictions on distributing sexually explicit material to minors online, includes age-verification defences, and establishes enforcement processes.
Bill S-201 would amend federal election laws to lower the voting age from 18 to 16, while updating definitions and procedures related to voter eligibility and election officer requirements.
This bill updates the rules for criminal record suspensions, pardons, and the use of criminal records in employment, taxation, and parole decisions, ensuring consistency with modern legal standards.
Bill S-226 proposed to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Parliament of Canada Act to allow the Senate to elect its Speaker and Deputy Speaker, grant them voting rights, and make related administrative and salary adjustments.
Bill S-216 amends the Income Tax Act to redefine charitable activities, strengthen resource usage requirements for charities, and establish review obligations.
This bill creates an annual national observance on March 11 to honor the pandemic's effects and promote reflection on pandemic preparedness.
Bill S-232 aims to decriminalize simple illegal substance possession by amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and establishing a national strategy development process.
The bill amends DNA sampling requirements, expands eligibility for DNA collection, revises legal frameworks for DNA record access, and updates data use rules.
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.
The Jane Goodall Act criminalizes the captivity and exploitation of great apes, elephants, and designated animals, while allowing exceptions for research, conservation, and breeding under strict permit conditions.
Bill S-242 (defeated) would have amended the Radiocommunication Act to require spectrum licence holders to provide service to at least 50% of their geographic area's population within three years, with penalties for non-compliance and rules for licence revocation and reissuance.