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FederalDid not become law (session ended)40th Parliament, 3rd Session

Bill S-13 explained in plain English

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

Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

At a glance

Jurisdiction
Federal Parliament
Legislature / Parliament
Parliament of Canada
Session
40th Parliament, 3rd Session
Bill number
Bill S-13
Full title
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
Current status
Did not become law (session ended)
Latest event
Senate bill awaiting first reading in the House of Commons
Last updated
Mar 10, 2011

Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.

Chamber
Parliament of Canada
Current Stage
Senate bill awaiting first reading in the House of Commons
Latest Activity
Mar 10, 2011
Plain-language explanation
In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing
Short Version

Bill S-13 implements a Canada-U.S. agreement to allow joint maritime law enforcement operations in border waters by designating officers from both countries as peace officers with powers to conduct cross-border patrols and investigations.

What It Means

Bill S-13 creates a new law called the "Keeping Canadians Safe (Protecting Borders) Act" to allow Canadian and American law enforcement officers to work together on joint maritime patrols in border waters between Canada and the United States. The law implements a framework agreement signed by both countries in May 2009. Under this act, designated officers from Canada (members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or provincial police) and designated officers from the United States (U.S. Coast Guard or U.S. law enforcement) can be appointed to conduct integrated cross-border maritime operations. These operations involve deploying a vessel with officers from both countries to enforce the law in undisputed ocean or internal water areas along the Canada-U.S. border. The law grants these designated officers the status of peace officers in Canada, allows them to detain persons and seize vessels under Canadian law when operating in Canada, and establishes complaint and investigation procedures for their conduct. It also makes technical amendments to the Criminal Code, Customs Act, and Export and Import Permits Act to support these operations.

What This Bill Does
  • Creates the Keeping Canadians Safe (Protecting Borders) Act to implement the Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations signed between Canada and the U.S. on May 26, 2009
  • Designates the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (or delegate) as Canada's Central Authority to manage and direct integrated cross-border maritime operations
  • Allows the Canadian Central Authority to appoint Canadian-based designated officers: RCMP members, provincial police officers, and aircraft crew members used to support operations
  • Allows the Canadian Central Authority to appoint U.S.-based designated officers (recommended by the U.S. Central Authority): U.S. Coast Guard officers, U.S. law enforcement officers, and aircraft crew members used to support operations
  • Grants designated officers status as peace officers in Canada when acting in integrated cross-border operations, with the same powers to enforce federal law as RCMP members
  • Establishes that Canadian law applies to persons detained in Canada during these operations and that no person may be removed from Canada except under Canadian law
  • Establishes that Canadian law applies to vessels and goods seized in Canada during these operations, with exceptions for operational or geographical necessity (such as continuing operations in U.S. waters, bad weather, or navigable channels that pass through U.S. waters)
  • Establishes that vessels and goods seized in the U.S. remain under American control if brought into Canada in situations of operational or geographical necessity
  • Exempts designated officers from federal import/export laws when transporting seized vessels or goods in the circumstances described in the bill
  • Amends the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act to establish a complaint system: members of the public can file complaints about designated officers' conduct to either the Commission or provincial police complaint authorities
  • Establishes procedures for investigating complaints, including notification of the Central Authority and the officer involved (unless investigation might be harmed)
  • Adds designated officers to the definition of 'peace officer' in the Criminal Code for purposes of cross-border operations
  • Amends the Customs Act to allow alternative presentation procedures for certain classes of persons
  • Amends the Export and Import Permits Act to allow regulations respecting conditions applicable to exemptions
  • Adds offences under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act for harassing, intimidating, or threatening persons involved in complaints or investigations, or obstructing such investigations
  • Establishes procedures for investigating 'serious incidents' involving designated officers (incidents that may have caused serious injury or death, or may constitute a federal or provincial offence in the public interest to investigate)
Who Is Affected
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police members appointed as designated officers
  • Provincial police officers appointed as designated officers
  • Aircraft crew members (pilots, co-pilots, observers) appointed as designated officers
  • U.S. Coast Guard officers and U.S. law enforcement officers appointed as designated officers
  • Members of the public who may file complaints about designated officers' conduct
  • Persons detained in Canada during integrated cross-border operations
  • Vessel owners and operators whose vessels are seized during integrated cross-border operations
  • The Canadian and U.S. governments as parties to the implementation agreement
  • Provincial police complaint authorities responsible for receiving and investigating complaints
  • The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commission, which investigates complaints about designated officers
  • Importers and exporters affected by amended customs and import/export permit regulations
Rights, Duties, Or Obligations
  • The Canadian Central Authority must train and approve all designated officers before they may be appointed
  • The Canadian Central Authority is responsible for the direction and management of integrated cross-border operations in cooperation with the U.S. Central Authority
  • The Canadian Central Authority may suspend or revoke the appointment of any designated officer
  • Designated officers have the right to be treated as peace officers in Canada and to exercise the same powers as RCMP members when enforcing federal law during cross-border operations
  • Persons detained in Canada during cross-border operations have the right to have Canadian law apply to them and cannot be removed from Canada except under Canadian law
  • Seized vessels and goods in Canada must be treated under Canadian law except in cases of operational or geographical necessity
  • Members of the public have the right to file complaints about designated officers' conduct with either the Commission or provincial police authorities
  • The Central Authority must notify designated officers of complaints against them (unless notification might harm an investigation)
  • The Central Authority must make reasonable efforts to find an investigative body or police force to investigate 'serious incidents' and must document those efforts
  • When a police force investigates a serious incident, the Commission may appoint an observer to assess the impartiality of the investigation
  • Observers appointed to investigate serious incidents have the right to participate in investigations and to report concerns about impartiality to the Commission and Central Authority
  • The Central Authority and police forces must respond in writing to observer reports that identify concerns about impartiality and describe what actions they will take
Important Dates
  • The Framework Agreement was signed on May 26, 2009
  • The bill was passed by the Senate on March 10, 2011
  • The bill's provisions (other than sections 22 and 23 regarding coordinating amendments) come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council (section 24); a specific date has not been established in the bill text
Enforcement Or Penalties
  • Persons who harass, intimidate, or threaten an observer appointed under the RCMP Act or a person involved in a complaint may be guilty of an offence under the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act (section 50.1(1)(a))
  • Persons who wilfully obstruct a person carrying out powers or functions under the cross-border operation provisions or who knowingly provide false or misleading information may be guilty of an offence (section 50.1(1)(b))
  • Persons who destroy, mutilate, alter, falsify, or conceal a document or thing relevant to an investigation of a complaint, or who make a false document or thing, knowing it is likely to be relevant, may be guilty of an offence (section 50.1(1)(c))
  • Persons guilty of offences related to witness procedures (failing to appear, refusing to take oath, refusing to answer questions, using insulting language, or printing observations designed to injure reputation or dissuade witnesses) are liable to a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both (section 50(3))
Uncertainties Or Limits
  • The bill does not specify the detailed training requirements for designated officers; it refers to 'required training, approved by the Central Authority for Canada'
  • The bill does not define what constitutes a 'serious incident' with complete specificity; it relies on decisions by the Minister, Central Authority, or provincial ministers regarding whether conduct 'would be in the public interest to be investigated'
  • The bill does not establish specific timelines for many procedures, using vague language such as 'as soon as possible'
  • The bill's provisions regarding the complaint system include complex coordinating amendments that apply differently depending on whether other related bills (C-38 and C-43) receive royal assent and when their sections come into force
  • The scope of 'undisputed areas of the sea or internal waters' is not precisely defined in the bill; it relies on the term as used in the underlying Framework Agreement
  • The bill does not establish detailed procedures for joint investigations between Canadian and U.S. authorities; section 45.89(10) only states that the Commission 'may' conduct joint investigations and that 'The Minister may make regulations' about them
  • The bill does not specify the consequences if designated officers from either country violate the Agreement or applicable laws during operations
  • The bill does not clarify whether designated officers retain their authority under U.S. law when operating in U.S. waters or whether the agreement addresses this
Laws Or Regulations Affected
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act
amends

The Act is amended to create new sections (45.48 to 45.51 or 45.88 to 45.99, depending on the coming-into-force sequencing) establishing complaint and investigation procedures for designated officers operating in integrated cross-border operations, and to add exemptions for U.S. designated officers from certain restrictions.

Criminal Code
amends

The definition of 'peace officer' in section 2 is amended to include designated officers when acting in the course of integrated cross-border operations.

Customs Act
amends

Sections 11(6) and 11.1(3) are amended to authorize alternative presentation procedures for certain classes of persons and to allow the Minister to prescribe conditions applicable to exemptions.

Export and Import Permits Act
amends

Section 12 is amended to allow the Minister to make regulations respecting conditions applicable to exemptions prescribed under the Act.

Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.

Official text
Official summary
Official summary (Parliament of Canada)

The official summary published alongside the bill, shown exactly as written.

Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)

Third-party sourceView on LEGISinfo

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.

This is the official summary published by the Parliament of Canada, shown verbatim. Not legal advice. PoliticalData.ca did not write or edit this text.

View on LEGISinfo

Parliamentary Process

Step 1
First reading
Oct 26, 2010
Completed

Bill S-13, concerning integrated cross-border maritime law enforcement operations with the United States, completed its first reading in the Senate on October 26, 2010, and subsequently went through all readings and committee stages before moving to the House of Commons.

Introduction and first reading, Oct 26, 2010
End of stage activity, Oct 26, 2010
Chamber sittings
Introduction and first reading - Oct 26, 2010

On October 26, 2010, in the Senate, Bill S-13 regarding cross-border maritime law enforcement operations with the United States was introduced and read for the first time, and various other legislative and committee matters were discussed and debated.

Step 2
Second reading
Dec 15, 2010
Completed

Bill S-13, concerning integrated cross-border maritime law enforcement operations between Canada and the US, completed its Senate stages, including second reading and third reading with an amendment, and has moved to the House of Commons.

Second reading, Dec 15, 2010
Referral to committee, Dec 15, 2010
End of stage activity, Dec 15, 2010
Chamber sittings
Debate at second reading - Oct 28, 2010

On October 28, 2010, the Senate debated Bill S-13 concerning cross-border maritime law enforcement operations with the U.S., adjourned debate on the bill, and addressed other legislative and public policy matters.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-13, the sponsor, Senator Fabian Manning, explained the bill's purpose to implement a cross-border maritime law enforcement agreement with the U.S. to combat organized crime, and after his speech and related questions, the debate was adjourned.

Debate at second reading - Nov 24, 2010

On November 24, 2010, the Senate continued debate on Bill S-13 concerning Canada-U.S. maritime law enforcement cooperation, heard various statements and questions, and processed other legislative and committee matters.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-13, Senator Tommy Banks spoke in support of the bill, highlighting its role in enhancing Canada-U.S. maritime law enforcement cooperation, but adjourned the debate to seek further details on reciprocity and the scope of authorities granted.

Debate at second reading - Dec 15, 2010

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-13, which concerns cross-border maritime law enforcement with the U.S., senators proceeded with the bill's passage after brief remarks, and it was sent to committee.

Step 3
Consideration in committee
Mar 1, 2011
Completed

Bill S-13 completed its committee consideration stage in the Senate on March 1, 2011, before moving to further stages in the Senate and then to the House of Commons.

Committee report presented with amendments, Mar 1, 2011
End of stage activity, Mar 1, 2011
Chamber sittings
Committee report presented with amendments - Mar 1, 2011

During a Senate sitting, the National Security and Defence Committee reported Bill S-13 with amendments, alongside other debates, tributes, and procedural matters.

Step 4
Report stage
Mar 3, 2011
Completed

The Senate completed its Report stage for Bill S-13, a bill to implement a maritime law enforcement agreement with the United States, before it moved to third reading and then to the House of Commons.

Committee report adopted, Mar 3, 2011
End of stage activity, Mar 3, 2011
Chamber sittings
Debate at consideration of committee report - Mar 2, 2011

On March 2, 2011, the Senate held a sitting that included debates on Bill S-13 and other legislative matters, alongside discussions on government policies and reports.

Committee report adopted - Mar 3, 2011

On March 3, 2011, the Senate debated and advanced several bills, including Bill S-13, adopted its budget, and heard discussions on various public policy issues during Senators' Statements and Question Period.

Step 5
Third reading
Mar 10, 2011
Completed

Bill S-13 successfully passed its third reading in the Senate and is now awaiting first reading in the House of Commons, with one amendment adopted during the Senate's third reading.

Third reading, Mar 10, 2011
End of stage activity, Mar 10, 2011
Chamber sittings
Debate at third reading - Mar 8, 2011

On March 8, 2011, the Senate sat for a third reading debate on Bill S-13, an act to implement a maritime law enforcement agreement with the United States, and also paid tribute to former Senator Keith D. Davey.

Debate at third reading - Mar 9, 2011

During the Senate's third reading debate of Bill S-13 on March 9, 2011, senators discussed proposed amendments related to expenditure reporting and the bill's title, highlighting procedural considerations and the bill's implementation.

Debate at third reading - Mar 10, 2011

The Senate debated and passed Bill S-13, an Act to implement the Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations between Canada and the United States, at its third reading stage after agreeing to one amendment.

Step 1
First reading
Date not listed
Not reached

We don't have a plain-language summary for First reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.

Step 2
Second reading
Not reached yet
Not reached

We don't have a plain-language summary for Second reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.

Step 3
Consideration in committee
Not reached yet
Not reached

We don't have a plain-language summary for Consideration in committee yet. The official source linked below is the full record.

Step 4
Report stage
Not reached yet
Not reached

We don't have a plain-language summary for Report stage yet. The official source linked below is the full record.

Step 5
Third reading
Not reached yet
Not reached

We don't have a plain-language summary for Third reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.

Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.

Vote Summary

No published recorded division

This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.

Sponsor
Marjory LeBreton
Senator | Details not listed in current Senate roster
Jurisdiction
Federal Parliament

No published representative vote breakdown

This bill is still moving through the process. When a recorded division is published, representative positions can be listed here.

Official sources

Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.

How this data is sourced