Bill S-13 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 41st Parliament, 1st 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.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill S-13 amends the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to implement international fishing agreements, prohibit the import of illegally caught fish, expand enforcement powers, and increase penalties for violations.
Bill S-13 amends the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to implement two international agreements on fishing and to strengthen Canada's ability to combat illegal fishing. The bill introduces rules to prevent imports of fish or marine plants that were caught illegally, unreported, or unregulated in any country. It prohibits importing such products knowingly, and also prohibits transporting, selling, distributing, buying, or accepting delivery of such products. The bill expands the powers of protection officers (fisheries enforcement officials) to board foreign fishing vessels that have been ordered to a Canadian port by their own flag state (country of origin), in order to verify compliance with foreign fishing laws, international fisheries agreements, or Canada's own fisheries rules. The bill adds new rules for seizing fish and marine plants from foreign vessels and for ordering their forfeiture (transfer to the government) when they were caught illegally. It clarifies when a justice of the peace can issue warrants for seizure and forfeiture. The bill also updates definitions of key terms like "fish" (now including shellfish, crustaceans, and marine animals), "fishing vessel" (expanded to include vessels doing fish processing or transshipment), and "marine plant" (saltwater plants including algae). The bill strengthens penalties for importing illegally caught fish or marine plants, creating fines of up to $500,000 on indictment or $100,000 on summary conviction, with potential doubling for repeat offences. It also allows courts to order additional fines equal to any financial benefits gained from violations. The bill allows the Minister to share information with border and international authorities about foreign vessels and measures taken against Canadian fishing vessels in response to foreign enforcement actions. The act will come into force on a date to be set by order of the Governor in Council.
- Prohibits the importation of fish or marine plants that were caught, harvested, possessed, transported, distributed, or sold in violation of international fisheries treaties Canada is party to, conservation measures of international fisheries management organizations, or foreign fisheries laws
- Prohibits transporting, selling, distributing, buying, or accepting delivery of such illegally caught fish or marine plants in connection with importation
- Expands the definition of 'fish' to explicitly include parts, derivatives, shellfish, crustaceans, marine animals, and their eggs, sperm, spawn, larvae, and juvenile stages
- Expands the definition of 'fishing vessel' to include vessels engaged in fish processing, transshipment of fish or marine plants, and servicing of foreign fishing fleets
- Adds new definitions including 'Port State Measures Agreement,' 'Fish Stocks Agreement,' 'fisheries management organization,' 'marine plant,' and 'flag state'
- Allows foreign fishing vessels ordered to a Canadian port by their flag state to enter Canadian fisheries waters for purposes related to verifying compliance with foreign fishing laws, international agreements, or conservation measures
- Grants protection officers expanded powers to board foreign fishing vessels authorized to enter Canadian waters and to exercise inspection and search powers
- Adds new procedures for justices of the peace to issue warrants for seizure and forfeiture of fish and marine plants from foreign vessels that violate foreign laws or international agreements
- Establishes that forfeiture can occur when a foreign flag state does not provide required information within treaty-specified timelines to prevent forfeiture
- Creates new offence provisions with penalties of up to $500,000 on indictment or $100,000 on summary conviction for importing illegally caught fish, with potential doubling for repeat offences
- Allows courts to order additional fines equal to financial benefits gained from violations
- Allows the Minister to disclose information about foreign vessels and enforcement actions to other countries, coastal states, fisheries management organizations, and international organizations
- Allows the Minister to disclose information about measures taken against Canadian vessels to foreign parties to the Port State Measures Agreement
- Allows the Minister to share import information with the Canada Border Services Agency for compliance verification
- Persons and businesses importing fish or marine plants into Canada
- Persons and businesses transporting, selling, distributing, buying, or accepting delivery of fish or marine plants in connection with importation
- Foreign fishing vessel operators and owners whose vessels are authorized to enter Canadian fisheries waters
- Foreign fishing vessel operators and owners engaged in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing
- Canadian and foreign fishing industry participants subject to enforcement action
- Protection officers (fisheries enforcement officials) who administer and enforce the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act
- Justices of the peace and judges who issue warrants under the Act
- Foreign flag states whose vessels may be subject to enforcement action or forfeiture
- Canada Border Services Agency, which will receive fishing import information
- Coastal states, fisheries management organizations, and international organizations that may receive information about enforcement actions
- No person may import fish or marine plants known to have been illegally caught, unreported, or unregulated
- No person may transport, sell, distribute, buy, or accept delivery of such fish or marine plants in connection with importation
- The owner or person in charge of a place, and every person in the place, must provide reasonable assistance to protection officers, including access to documents, information, and data
- A person may be accompanied by other people deemed necessary to assist in performing enforcement functions
- A vehicle (including a fishing vessel) may be stopped, moved, and detained for a reasonable time by a protection officer
- Protection officers may enter dwelling places only with consent or under warrant authority
- A justice of the peace may issue warrants authorizing entry and search of places and vessels, including fishing vessels
- A protection officer may seize fish, marine plants, and other things found as evidence of contraventions
- A foreign flag state may consent to or object to searches and seizures of its vessels, with specific timelines for response set by regulation
- Seized goods that are perishable may be disposed of by the protection officer, with proceeds going to the Receiver General
- Seized goods must be returned or proceeds paid to the person from whom seized if no prosecution occurs within three months or if no forfeiture is ordered
- The Minister may disclose information about foreign vessels to other countries, coastal states, fisheries management organizations, and international organizations
- The Minister may share information about measures taken against Canadian vessels with foreign parties to international agreements
- A justice may order that seized items be sent to a foreign state if that state requests them for administering or enforcing its laws
- The bill passed the Senate on March 7, 2013
- The bill is currently at second reading in the House of Commons as of the provided information
- The Act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council (commencement date not yet determined)
- Persons convicted of importing illegally caught fish or marine plants may face fines of up to $500,000 on indictment or $100,000 on summary conviction
- Repeat offences may result in fines doubled to up to $1,000,000 on indictment or $200,000 on summary conviction
- Additional fines may be imposed equal to financial benefits gained from the violation
- Seized goods may be forfeited to the Crown, resulting in loss of the goods and any proceeds from their sale
- Proceeds from the sale of seized goods go to the Receiver General for Canada
- Canada may recover reasonable costs incurred from detention in port of foreign fishing vessels under Fish Stocks Agreement provisions
- No tax impacts are specified in the bill
- Violation of the prohibition on importing illegally caught fish or marine plants: fine of up to $500,000 on indictment or up to $100,000 on summary conviction
- Repeat violation of the import prohibition: fine of up to $1,000,000 on indictment or up to $200,000 on summary conviction
- Court may order additional fines equal to the court's estimation of financial benefits gained from the violation
- Seized fish, marine plants, or other items may be forfeited to the Crown upon court order
- Seized goods may be detained beyond the initial three-month period if a court so orders
- A protection officer may seize items, stop and detain vehicles, and enter places to verify compliance
- A protection officer may remove items from a place, examine things, use communication and computer systems, and conduct tests and analyses
- A protection officer may take measurements, samples, photographs, recordings, and sketches
- A protection officer may prohibit or limit access to all or part of a place
- Fines imposed on foreign fishing vessels constitute a debt due to the Crown by the person lawfully entitled to possession of the vessel at the time of the offence
- Information regarding enforcement actions may be shared with foreign flag states and other countries
- The Act states it 'comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council,' meaning the commencement date is not yet determined
- The bill does not specify which fisheries management organizations will be prescribed by regulation as meeting the criteria for imported fish prohibitions
- The bill does not specify the time period within which a foreign flag state must respond to notification of an intention to apply for a search warrant or seizure warrant; this will be set by regulation
- The bill does not detail how a protection officer should determine whether a person 'knew' that fish or marine plants were illegally caught, which is a requirement for violation of the import prohibition
- The bill does not specify the procedure by which the Governor in Council will set the commencement date
- The bill references conservation and management measures incorporated 'by reference' to future international agreements, but does not define how frequently these measures might be updated
- The bill allows the Minister discretion to disclose information to various parties but does not specify what information must be disclosed versus what may be disclosed
The Act is amended to add new prohibitions on importing illegally caught fish and marine plants, to expand enforcement powers, to add new definitions, and to create new forfeiture procedures and penalties
Source: Sections 2 through 18 of Bill S-13
The definition of 'justice' from the Criminal Code is used throughout the Act for warrant-issuing procedures
Source: Multiple sections reference section 2 of the Criminal Code
Information about measures taken against Canadian fishing vessels under the Fisheries Act may be disclosed under the new provisions
Source: Section 16.5 of the amended 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 textThe official summary published alongside the bill, shown exactly as written.
Source: Parliament of Canada (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 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.
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 LEGISinfoParliamentary Process
Bill S-13, concerning amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, completed its first reading in the Senate and proceeded through further legislative stages, eventually reaching second reading in the House of Commons.
This artifact details the procedural steps for Bill S-13 after its first reading in the Senate on November 8, 2012. It shows the bill moved through subsequent stages in the Senate, including second reading and committee consideration, before returning to the House of Commons. The record indicates that the bill reached first reading in the House of Commons on March 8, 2013, and was subsequently debated at second reading. It notes the dates of major speeches during the second reading process in both chambers.
On November 8, 2012, Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, was introduced and received first reading in the Senate.
On November 8, 2012, in the Senate, Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, was introduced and received its first reading. This means the bill was formally presented to the Senate. The Senate then proceeded with other business, including tabling reports, presenting committee findings, and debating other bills. The introduction of Bill S-13 marked the beginning of its legislative journey in the Senate.
This artifact details the procedural progression of Bill S-13 through its second reading in the Senate and subsequent stages, concluding with its current status in the House of Commons.
This artifact summarizes the procedural steps for Bill S-13 in the Senate. It indicates that the bill completed its second reading stage on November 20, 2012, with major speeches occurring on November 20 and November 28, 2012. It also lists subsequent stages in the Senate and House of Commons, including committee considerations and third reading, up to its current status at second reading in the House of Commons.
The Senate sat on November 20, 2012, addressing various statements, routine proceedings, questions, and orders of the day, including the second reading debate on Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, which was adjourned.
This document is a record of a Senate sitting on November 20, 2012. The Senate convened and several matters were addressed, including congratulations for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on their anniversary, and discussions on National Child Day. There were also statements regarding figure skating champions and the late Honourable Robert P. Kaplan. Routine proceedings included notices of motions. Question Period covered topics such as a national strategy against violence towards children, bilingual services for the Coast Guard, the status of official languages committees, and requests for information from the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The "Orders of the Day" section shows that several bills and inquiries were debated or adjourned, including Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, which had its second reading debate adjourned. Other debates involved the Criminal Code, the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's funding cuts to Radio Canada International. The sitting concluded with adjournment.
This Senate debate record from November 20, 2012, primarily features discussions on National Child Day, tributes, and various procedural matters, with the debate on Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, being adjourned.
This record details a Senate debate that occurred on November 20, 2012. The primary focus of the debate on this specific day, as captured in this transcript, was not Bill S-13 itself, but rather a series of other discussions and procedural matters. The transcript includes statements on various topics, including a wedding anniversary, National Child Day, figure skating achievements, and tributes to a former Member of Parliament. It also covers routine proceedings, question period exchanges on issues like the Coast Guard's bilingual services and the Parliamentary Budget Officer's requests, and the adjournment of debates on several other bills, including Bill S-10 (Prohibiting Cluster Munitions), Bill C-36 (Criminal Code amendments for elder abuse), Bill S-13 (Coastal Fisheries Protection Act), Bill S-214 (Criminal Code amendments for child protection), and Bill C-304 (Canadian Human Rights Act amendments). The debate on Bill S-13 itself was adjourned without substantive discussion on the bill's content in this particular artifact.
On November 28, 2012, the Senate debated Bill S-13, referring it to committee, and continued debate on Bill S-10 with proposed amendments, alongside other routine proceedings and question periods.
This document records the proceedings of the Senate on November 28, 2012. The Senate engaged in Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. Key activities included tabling committee reports, introducing bills, and debating various legislative items. Notably, Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, underwent second reading debate and was referred to committee. Significant time was also spent debating Bill S-10, an Act to Implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions, including the proposal of amendments.
The Senate proceeded with the second reading of Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, with a senator raising concerns about warrant provisions and foreign fishing quotas before the bill was referred to committee.
On November 28, 2012, the Senate was debating Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. Senator George Baker spoke about the bill, emphasizing its urgency in addressing illegal foreign fishing activity. He highlighted concerns about the bill's provisions for obtaining warrants to enter homes, suggesting that these should require a provincial court judge rather than a justice of the peace to ensure legal standards are met. He also provided details on fishing quotas, illustrating how foreign fleets receive significantly larger portions of fish stocks off Canada's coast than Canada itself. The Senate agreed to the motion for second reading of the bill, and it was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
Bill S-13, concerning amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, completed its committee review in the Senate on February 28, 2013, and has proceeded to the House of Commons.
This record indicates that Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, completed its consideration in committee stage in the Senate on February 28, 2013. The bill has since moved to the House of Commons and is currently at the second reading stage there. The artifact details the dates of various stages, including first and second readings in both the Senate and the House of Commons, as well as committee consideration and third reading in the Senate. It also lists major speeches given by senators and Members of Parliament.
The Senate received a committee report on Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, with the committee reporting the bill without amendment, and the Senate scheduled it for third reading.
On February 28, 2013, the Senate of Canada met. During this sitting, the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans presented its eighth report, stating that it had examined Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, and reported it back without amendment. This means the committee completed its review of the bill. The Senate then scheduled the bill for third reading at its next sitting. Other Senate business included presentations of committee reports on different bills and matters, question period discussions, and debates on various inquiries and motions.
Bill S-13, concerning amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, has completed its third reading in the Senate and is now undergoing second reading in the House of Commons.
The Senate completed its third reading of Bill S-13 on March 7, 2013. Following this stage, the bill moved to the House of Commons where it is currently at second reading. The provided text details the progression of the bill through various stages in both the Senate and the House of Commons, including dates of readings and committee considerations.
During the Senate sitting on March 5, 2013, the third reading debate on Bill S-13 concerning amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act was adjourned, and other legislative and procedural matters were discussed.
This Senate sitting on March 5, 2013, included a debate on Bill S-13 at its third reading stage, which was adjourned. The sitting also featured discussions on various other matters, including proposed changes to the Criminal Code, national parks, and the Canada Post Corporation Act. There were also several notices of motions, inquiries, and statements by senators on topics ranging from Heritage Week in Prince Edward Island to the St. Lawrence Seaway water levels and youth unemployment. A significant portion of the sitting involved a debate about Employment Insurance (EI) investigations, with senators questioning the practices and impact on claimants. Another notable debate concerned a question of privilege raised by Senator Chaput regarding comments made by Senator Comeau, and a separate, extensive debate on a motion to refer the actions of the Parliamentary Budget Officer to a committee.
The Senate debated and passed Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, at the third reading stage to allow Canada to ratify the Port State Measures Agreement against illegal fishing.
On March 7, 2013, the Senate held its third reading debate on Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. The Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans had studied the bill and heard from various stakeholders who all supported its ratification of the Port State Measures Agreement. The agreement aims to combat illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. Senator Elizabeth Hubley spoke in support of the bill, stating that the amendments would allow Canada to implement the agreement and improve its ability to deal with illegal fishing. The Senate subsequently adopted the motion for third reading, and the bill was passed.
Bill S-13 completed its first reading in the House of Commons on March 8, 2013.
This record indicates that Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, completed its first reading in the House of Commons on March 8, 2013. This is a procedural step where the bill is introduced.
On March 8, 2013, the House of Commons commenced its sitting, with no specific debate or procedural activity related to Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, recorded in the provided text.
On March 8, 2013, the House of Commons began the first reading debate for Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. The provided text does not contain the details of this debate, but rather lists the proceedings of the House for that day, which included discussions on various other topics such as technical tax amendments, statements by members on International Women's Day, and oral questions on national defence and employment insurance. The artifact is primarily a record of parliamentary sittings and does not contain the full text of Bill S-13 or any debate specifically about its content.
This record details the procedural progression of Bill S-13 through the House of Commons, noting its status at second reading as of May 24, 2013.
This artifact summarizes the procedural steps for Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, as it moved through the House of Commons. It indicates that the bill was at the second reading stage in the House of Commons as of May 24, 2013, and that the second reading debate had not yet been completed. The artifact also lists key dates for first reading, second reading, committee consideration, and third reading, as well as noting significant speeches made during the process in both the Senate and the House of Commons.
This House of Commons sitting on May 24, 2013, included debate at second reading on Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, alongside other government orders, statements by members, and oral questions.
This document is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on May 24, 2013. The sitting included debates on government orders, statements by members, and oral questions. Specifically, the debate at second reading for Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, was underway. The sitting also included discussions on various other matters, including the Fighting Foreign Corruption Act (Bill S-14), government accountability, and international affairs. The document also lists members of Parliament and House committees.
During the second reading debate of Bill S-14, the sponsor outlined proposed amendments to enhance the CFPOA to combat foreign bribery, with other MPs discussing transparency and enforcement.
During a debate at the second reading stage of Bill S-14, the sponsor of the bill, Mr. Bob Dechert, presented the proposed amendments. He explained that the bill aims to strengthen the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA) by introducing measures such as nationality jurisdiction, exclusive authority for the RCMP to lay charges, removing the "for profit" qualifier from the definition of "business", increasing the maximum jail term to 14 years, creating a new books and records offence, and eliminating the facilitation payments exception. He highlighted that these changes would deter Canadian companies from bribing foreign officials and ensure a level playing field in international markets. Other members of Parliament also spoke during the debate, with the NDP and Liberal parties generally supporting the bill's principle while raising concerns about Canada's transparency ranking and the effectiveness of enforcement. The debate also touched upon the origin of the bill from the Senate and related ethical considerations.
During the second reading debate on Bill S-14, members of the House of Commons discussed proposed amendments to enhance Canada's fight against foreign corruption, including measures against bribery and changes to existing legislation.
During a debate at the second reading stage in the House of Commons on May 24, 2013, regarding Bill S-14, the Fighting Foreign Corruption Act, members discussed the bill's proposed amendments. The discussion focused on strengthening Canada's ability to combat foreign bribery and corruption by Canadian companies. Key points raised included the introduction of nationality jurisdiction, exclusive authority for the RCMP in laying charges, the removal of the "for profit" clause in the definition of "business," increased jail terms to 14 years, a new books and records offence, and the elimination of the facilitation payments exception. The debate also touched upon Canada's international ranking in transparency, the role of the Senate in introducing legislation, and the need for robust enforcement mechanisms.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Consideration in committee yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Report stage yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
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
This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.
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