Bill S-224 explained in plain English
An Act respecting National Seal Products Day
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 41st Parliament, 2nd 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-224 designates May 20 as National Seal Products Day across Canada.
Bill S-224 is a short bill that creates an official national day in Canada. Starting when this bill becomes law, May 20 of every year will be recognized as "National Seal Products Day" throughout Canada. The bill makes clear that this is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day (a non-working day), so businesses and government offices will operate normally on this day. The bill's preamble explains the reasoning behind this designation, noting the historical importance of seal and ocean resources to Aboriginal peoples and coastal communities in Canada, and references the European Union's designation of May 20 as European Maritime Day.
- Designates May 20 as National Seal Products Day in Canada each year (Section 2)
- Clarifies that National Seal Products Day is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day, meaning regular business and government operations continue (Section 3)
- All Canadians
- Aboriginal peoples and coastal communities (acknowledged in the preamble as the context for this designation)
- No specific obligations or rights are created for individuals or organizations by this bill
- May 20 of each year is designated as National Seal Products Day (the date becomes effective once the bill receives Royal Assent)
- The bill text does not specify an exact date when the legislation will come into force or receive Royal Assent
- The bill does not describe any practical measures, celebrations, or specific activities associated with National Seal Products Day
- The bill does not assign any duties or responsibilities to government agencies or other parties to promote or observe the day
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 textParliamentary Process
Bill S-224, concerning National Seal Products Day, completed its first reading in the Senate and has advanced to the second reading stage in the House of Commons.
This artifact describes the procedural stages of Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, specifically its journey through the Senate and its current status in the House of Commons. The bill received its first reading in the Senate on October 30, 2014. It then moved to the House of Commons where it had its first reading on June 17, 2015, and is currently at the second reading stage. The artifact also notes key dates for subsequent stages in the House of Commons, including committee consideration, report stage, and third reading, as well as dates for speeches in the Senate.
In the Senate on October 30, 2014, Bill S-224, an act respecting National Seal Products Day, was introduced and read for the first time, with other legislative and discussion items also being addressed.
On October 30, 2014, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting where various legislative matters were addressed. Among the proceedings, Bill S-224, "An Act respecting National Seal Products Day," was introduced and read for the first time. This marked the initial formal presentation of the bill in the Senate. The rest of the sitting involved tabling of reports, debates on other bills, and discussions on various societal and economic issues.
Bill S-224, establishing National Seal Products Day, completed its second reading in the Senate on April 2, 2015, following speeches on the matter.
This record indicates that Bill S-224, concerning National Seal Products Day, completed its second reading stage in the Senate on April 2, 2015. The record shows speeches were made on this date and on March 25, 2015, with Senator Hervieux-Payette sponsoring and Senator Wells responding. Following this stage, the bill proceeded to consideration in committee and then to report and third reading, before being sent to the House of Commons for its first reading on June 17, 2015.
On March 25, 2015, the Senate debated and advanced legislative items including immigration, veterans' benefits, national security, and human trafficking, while also discussing appropriation bills and National Seal and Seafood Products Day.
On March 25, 2015, the Senate convened and discussed various matters including the tenth anniversary of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, the tabling of a report on subordinate legislation, and the introduction of two appropriation bills. The Senate also debated the new Express Entry system for immigration applications, heard speeches on amending the Public Service Employment Act to enhance hiring for Canadian Forces members and veterans (Bill C-27), and debated amendments to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act (Bill C-44). Additionally, the Senate discussed amendments to the Criminal Code concerning exploitation and trafficking in persons (Bill C-452), adopted a report on the Main Estimates for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, and continued debate on Bill S-224, an Act respecting National Seal and Seafood Products Day. Discussions also included extending committee report deadlines and a motion to address the case of Sergei Magnitsky. The sitting concluded with the Senate adjourning.
During Senate debates on March 25, 2015, Senator Hervieux-Payette spoke in favour of Bill S-224, an Act respecting National Seal and Seafood Products Day, highlighting its symbolic importance for coastal communities and sustainable resource management.
This document is a record of Senate debates that took place on March 25, 2015. During the debate, Senator Hervieux-Payette spoke in support of Bill S-224, an Act respecting National Seal and Seafood Products Day. She argued that the bill is symbolic of recognizing coastal communities, their way of life, and the importance of the seal hunt. She also stated that the bill aims to support these communities by acknowledging their work and the sustainable management of marine resources. The debate also included discussions on other legislative matters, such as the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, proposed changes to the Public Service Employment Act (Bill C-27), amendments to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act (Bill C-44), and amendments to the Criminal Code regarding human trafficking (Bill C-452).
The Senate debated and gave second reading to Bill S-224, an Act respecting National Seal Products Day, with proponents highlighting its cultural and economic significance.
On April 2, 2015, the Senate debated Bill S-224, an Act respecting National Seal Products Day. Senators spoke in favour of the bill, emphasizing the cultural and economic importance of the seal harvest to coastal and Aboriginal communities. They argued that designating a day would highlight Canada's commitment to this traditional industry and counter misinformation campaigns against it. The debate also touched upon the European Union's ban on seal products and its impact. The bill was read a second time and referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. In addition to this debate, other matters were addressed in the Senate, including congratulations, committee reports, and debates on other bills.
In a Senate debate on April 2, 2015, senators discussed Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, emphasizing its cultural and economic importance and the need to counter international opposition and trade bans.
This Senate debate record from April 2, 2015, primarily discusses Bill S-224, "An Act respecting National Seal Products Day." Senators debated the bill at the second reading stage. Speakers highlighted the cultural and economic importance of the seal hunt to coastal and Aboriginal communities in Canada. Concerns were raised about international campaigns and trade bans, such as the European Union's ban on seal products, which negatively impacted the industry. The speakers emphasized the sustainability of the seal harvest and its role in maintaining ecological balance. The debate also touched on the historical significance of the industry and the need for continued support against misinformation. While the primary focus was Bill S-224, other unrelated matters were also addressed in the Senate session, including the recognition of Pope John Paul II Day, International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, congratulations to Dr. Ron Stewart, a user fee proposal, reports from Senate committees on various bills (Bill C-21, Bill C-32), a new bill introduced (Bill S-226), a discussion on food safety concerns at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the third reading and passing of other bills (Bill C-44, Bill C-40, Bill C-479, Bill C-2).
The Senate's consideration in committee for Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, was completed on June 3, 2015.
This record indicates that Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, completed its Consideration in committee stage in the Senate on June 3, 2015. The bill has since moved to the House of Commons and is currently at the second reading stage.
The Senate sat on June 3, 2015, primarily to honour Senator Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis on her retirement, and also dealt with committee reports, including amendments to Bill S-224, and various other notices and inquiries.
On June 3, 2015, the Senate met. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to tributes honouring Senator Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis, who was retiring. Senators from different parties spoke about her career as a municipal councillor, Member of Parliament, and Senator, highlighting her work in education, French language advocacy, and international trade. Several other matters were addressed, including the tabling of committee reports on various bills and studies. The Fisheries and Oceans Committee presented its tenth report on Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, with amendments. The sitting also included notices of motions, reports from inter-parliamentary groups, and discussions on various public policy issues such as autism, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and national security.
The Senate Report stage for Bill S-224, concerning National Seal Products Day, was completed on June 10, 2015, before the bill proceeded to the House of Commons.
This artifact describes the Senate Report stage for Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day. This stage was completed on June 10, 2015. The bill has since moved on to the House of Commons and is currently at the second reading stage there. The record shows the bill's first reading in the Senate on October 30, 2014, and subsequent readings and committee considerations. It also notes speeches given by Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette and Senator David Mark Wells.
The Senate adopted the report of the Fisheries and Oceans Committee on Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, after which the bill was set for third reading.
This Senate sitting record from June 10, 2015, details the adoption of the tenth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans concerning Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day. Following the adoption of this report, which included amendments to the bill, Bill S-224 was scheduled for third reading at the next Senate sitting. The sitting also included debates and reports on various other matters, including free trade agreements, the Deline Final Self-Government Agreement, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the role of parliamentary diplomacy.
The Senate has completed the third reading of Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, after which it moved to the House of Commons.
The Senate has completed its third reading of Bill S-224, an Act respecting National Seal Products Day. This artifact details the procedural stages the bill went through in the Senate. The bill was introduced, read for the first time, read for the second time, considered in committee, reported back, and read for a third time, all within the Senate. Following third reading in the Senate, the bill moved to the House of Commons for first reading. The summary includes the dates of these proceedings and notes that speeches were made during the second reading stage in the Senate.
The Senate continued and concluded debate on Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, with senators speaking in favour of the bill and its aim to recognize the importance of the seal harvest to Canada's economy and traditions, before the bill was passed.
On June 11, 2015, the Senate continued debate on Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day. The debate focused on the importance of the seal hunt to Canada's coastal and Aboriginal communities, its economic sustainability, and the challenges faced by the industry due to opposition from animal rights groups and international trade bans. Senators expressed support for the bill, emphasizing its role in promoting the social, cultural, and environmental aspects of the seal harvest and countering misinformation. The bill was ultimately read the third time and passed by the Senate.
Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, completed its First Reading in the House of Commons on June 17, 2015, after originating in the Senate.
This artifact describes the House of Commons First Reading stage for Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day. The First Reading stage was completed on June 17, 2015. The bill was introduced earlier in the Senate and had its first reading there on October 30, 2014. It then proceeded through various stages in the Senate, including sponsor and response speeches, before being referred to the House of Commons.
This record documents the first reading of Bill S-224 in the House of Commons on June 17, 2015.
This artifact is a record of a House of Commons sitting that occurred on June 17, 2015. During this sitting, the House of Commons first read Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day. This marks the initial introduction of the bill into the House of Commons, and no debate or votes on the bill's content took place at this stage. The record also includes various statements by members, oral questions, and debates on other government and private members' business.
This record details the procedural steps related to Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, at the second reading stage in the House of Commons, noting no specific activity at this stage but outlining the bill's progression through other parliamentary steps.
This artifact describes the House of Commons' second reading stage for Bill S-224, an Act respecting National Seal Products Day. The provided text indicates there was no specific activity recorded for this stage, but it lists previous and subsequent procedural steps. These include First Reading on October 30, 2014, and a Senate First Reading on June 17, 2015. It also notes dates for potential major speeches, committee consideration, report stage, and third reading. The artifact highlights that the bill was sponsored by Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette and that Senator David Mark Wells gave a response speech.
The House of Commons has not yet begun the committee stage for Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, although it has passed first and second reading.
The House of Commons has not yet reached the stage of considering Bill S-224 in committee. This stage involves a detailed review of the bill by a committee of MPs. The bill has progressed through first reading and second reading in the House of Commons, with related speeches taking place.
This artifact outlines the procedural stages of Bill S-224 in the House of Commons, noting that Report Stage has not yet been reached.
This artifact describes the procedural progress of Bill S-224, An Act respecting National Seal Products Day, within the House of Commons. It indicates that the bill has not yet reached the Report stage. The record details the bill's progression through First Reading, Second Reading, Committee consideration, and anticipates Third Reading. It also notes the bill's progress in the Senate, including the sponsor's speech and a response speech.
This artifact outlines the legislative journey of Bill S-224 through the House of Commons, noting that the third reading stage has not yet been reached.
The artifact describes the procedural stage of Bill S-224, 'An Act respecting National Seal Products Day', in the House of Commons. It indicates that the bill has not yet reached the 'House of Commons Third reading' stage. The record details the bill's progress through various stages, including First Reading, Second Reading, Committee consideration, Report Stage, and Third Reading, noting the dates these events occurred. It also mentions the sponsor's speech and a response speech in the Senate.
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