Bill S-3 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, 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-3 amends the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to implement the Port State Measures Agreement, ban imports of illegally caught fish and marine plants, and clarify enforcement powers for protection officers.
Bill S-3, also known as the Port State Measures Agreement Implementation Act, modifies Canada's coastal fisheries laws. The bill has three main purposes: 1. **Implements the Port State Measures Agreement**: This international agreement helps prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The bill allows Canada to take action against foreign fishing vessels that fish illegally. 2. **Bans imports of illegally caught fish**: No person can import fish or marine plants knowing they were caught illegally in any country, in violation of international fishing treaties Canada is part of, or in breach of conservation measures by international fisheries organizations. 3. **Clarifies enforcement powers**: The bill updates the powers available to protection officers (fisheries enforcement staff). It expands the definition of "fishing vessel" and "marine plant" to be more comprehensive. It allows protection officers to board foreign fishing vessels under certain conditions, conduct searches with or without warrants in appropriate situations, and seize evidence. The bill also creates new procedures for forfeiting seized fish and marine plants to the Canadian government. The bill establishes new offences and penalties. People who import prohibited fish or marine plants can face fines up to $500,000 on indictment or $100,000 on summary conviction. Repeat offenders can face fines up to double these amounts. Courts can also order additional fines equal to any financial benefits gained from committing the offence. Protection officers gain expanded powers to enter places, board fishing vessels, search, seize items, and stop vehicles—all for the purpose of verifying compliance with fisheries laws. The bill includes safeguards: warrants are required before entering homes, protection officers must inform foreign vessel flag states of certain actions, and procedures exist for returning seized items if no prosecution occurs.
- This draft was normalized from a partial local-model response and must be reviewed before publication.
The act is comprehensively amended to implement the Port State Measures Agreement, ban imports of illegally caught fish, and expand enforcement powers of protection officers. New sections are added to define prohibited imports, establish forfeiture procedures, and clarify officer powers. Existing sections on definitions, regulations, seizure, and enforcement are modified.
Source: Sections 2-19 of Bill S-3
The definition of 'justice' from section 2 of the Criminal Code is incorporated into the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to authorize certain judges to issue warrants and orders related to fisheries enforcement.
Source: Sections 7.4(2), 7.6(1), 7.6(3), 9(2), 16.01, 16.3, 16.7 of amended Coastal Fisheries Protection 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 23 October 2013, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-3, 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-3 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
This record documents the Senate's first reading of Bill S-3 on October 23, 2013, as part of its legislative journey which concluded with Royal Assent on June 18, 2015.
This artifact details the procedural steps for Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, in the Senate. It specifically notes the 'Senate First reading' stage, which was completed on October 23, 2013. The artifact also lists subsequent stages the bill went through in both the Senate and the House of Commons, including second reading, committee work, and third reading, culminating in Royal Assent on June 18, 2015. It also lists associated debates and messages between the chambers.
On October 23, 2013, Bill S-3, concerning amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, received its first reading in the Senate, with other Senate business and lengthy debates on unrelated matters also occurring during the sitting.
On October 23, 2013, the Senate proceeded with the first reading of Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. This marked the formal introduction of the bill into the Senate, with the Deputy Leader of the Government, Senator Yonah Martin, introducing it. Following the first reading, the bill was placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading two days hence, on the motion of Senator Martin. The rest of the sitting included debates and reports on various other matters, such as the National Optics Institute's anniversary, Small Business Week, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the Quebec Charter of Values, missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and Supreme Court nominations, as well as significant debate regarding the suspension of Senators Brazeau, Wallin, and Duffy.
This record outlines the Senate's second reading process for Bill S-3, which involved debate and subsequent progression through parliamentary stages in both the Senate and House of Commons before receiving Royal Assent.
The Senate began the process of considering Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, at its second reading stage. This stage involved speeches from senators discussing the bill. After the initial debate, the bill moved through various stages in the Senate, including committee consideration and third reading. Later, the bill was sent to the House of Commons, where it also went through first and second reading, committee review, report stage, and third reading. Amendments made by the House of Commons were then considered and concurred with by the Senate. The bill ultimately received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015.
On November 19, 2013, the Senate held a sitting that included tributes, discussions on international events, policy issues like official languages and student aid, procedural motions regarding sitting times, and the adoption of various committee study authorizations, with the second reading debate for Bill S-3 adjourned.
On November 19, 2013, the Senate convened. The sitting included tributes to the late Lloyd MacLeod, Lieutenant-General J.E. "Jack" Vance, and Alexander Colville. Senators also discussed the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and Canada's response. Discussions also touched on Canada-India trade negotiations and the use of official languages within the federal public service. A significant portion of the sitting involved the debate and adoption of a motion to change the Senate's sitting times on Wednesdays and Thursdays to allow for more predictable scheduling of government business while still accommodating committee work. The Senate also considered and adopted several reports from various Senate committees, authorizing them to study a range of topics including human rights, national security, veterans' affairs, and prescription pharmaceuticals. The second reading debate for Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, was adjourned.
During the second reading debate of Bill S-3, Senator Fabian Manning explained the bill's purpose to ratify the international Port State Measures Agreement aimed at combating illegal fishing and highlighted industry support for the proposed amendments.
This record details a Senate debate during the second reading of Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. The sponsor of the bill, Senator Fabian Manning, spoke in favour of the legislation, explaining that its purpose is to allow Canada to ratify the international Port State Measures Agreement. This agreement aims to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Senator Manning highlighted that IUU fishing has significant economic and environmental consequences, causing billions of dollars in losses annually. The proposed amendments would update the definition of "fishing vessel" to include container and transshipment vessels, and strengthen prohibitions against importing illegally caught fish. He noted that the bill is widely supported by the fishing industry and is necessary to fulfill Canada's international commitments. The debate was adjourned after Senator Fernand Robichaud asked a question about identifying illegally caught products. The record also includes various other discussions and proceedings in the Senate on that day, including tributes, notices of motions for committee studies, and debates on other matters.
The Senate sat on November 20, 2013, where the second reading debate on Bill S-3 concerning the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act occurred, leading to its referral to committee, alongside discussions on various other national and international topics.
This document is a record of the Senate sitting on November 20, 2013. While the Senate was scheduled to debate Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, at second reading, the actual sitting included discussions on other matters such as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day, National Child Day, Hockey Canada Week, and the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. The debate on Bill S-3 itself involved Senator George Baker speaking in favour of the bill, highlighting its purpose to combat illegal fishing and discussing Canada's potential extension of its continental shelf jurisdiction. Senator Fabian Manning moved that the bill be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, which was agreed to.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, senators discussed its implications for combating illegal fishing and extending Canadian jurisdiction, ultimately referring the bill to committee.
On November 20, 2013, the Senate debated Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. Senator George Baker spoke in support of the bill, emphasizing its role in combating illegal fishing and extending Canada's maritime jurisdiction. He also discussed related legal cases and Canada's potential to expand its continental shelf under the law of the sea. The bill was then referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans for further study. The Senate also addressed other matters, including National Child Day, Holodomor Memorial Day, Hockey Canada Week, and various committee reports and motions.
This record marks the completion of the Senate's committee review stage for Bill S-3, an act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, and outlines its subsequent journey to Royal Assent.
This artifact describes a stage in the legislative process for Bill S-3, which aimed to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. Specifically, it notes that the "Senate Consideration in committee" stage was completed on December 4, 2013. The artifact also provides a timeline of the bill's progression through both the Senate and the House of Commons, including readings, committee work, and the eventual Royal Assent on June 18, 2015.
The Senate's Fisheries and Oceans Committee reported Bill S-3 without amendment, scheduling it for third reading, while the chamber also held a session to honour retiring Senator Donald H. Oliver.
On December 4, 2013, the Senate was in session. A key procedural event was the presentation of the Second Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans regarding Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. The committee reported the bill without amendment. The Senate then scheduled the bill for third reading at a future sitting. Much of the sitting was dedicated to tributes to Senator Donald H. Oliver, who had retired from the Senate.
This record outlines the procedural progression of Bill S-3 through the Senate, culminating in its third reading and subsequent Royal Assent.
This artifact details the procedural steps for Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, in the Senate. It shows that the bill completed its third reading in the Senate on December 9, 2013, and later received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015. The artifact also lists dates for various stages in both the Senate and the House of Commons, including first and second readings, committee considerations, report stage, and third reading, as well as the exchange of messages between the chambers.
On December 5, 2013, the Senate debated Bill S-3, discussed issues of privilege concerning alleged interference with a Senate audit, and addressed various other legislative and procedural matters before adjourning.
On December 5, 2013, the Senate of Canada held a sitting where various matters were discussed. A significant portion of the sitting involved debates and discussions related to different bills and procedural matters. The Senate debated Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, and the debate was adjourned. There were also discussions on a Question of Privilege concerning alleged interference with a Senate committee's audit, with lengthy arguments presented by both sides. Other topics included reports tabled by committees, statements on national and international issues, and debates on other bills such as those concerning the Conflict of Interest Act, the Disability Tax Credit, Criminal Code amendments related to gang recruitment, and amendments to the Indian Act. The sitting concluded with a motion to adjourn until December 9, 2013.
The Senate debated and passed Bill S-3 at its third reading, with a focus on amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act and concerns about search warrant provisions.
On December 9, 2013, the Senate held its third reading debate on Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. During the debate, Senator George Baker spoke about the government's application for an extension of Canada's jurisdiction over the ocean floor and its implications for fisheries management. He also raised concerns about a specific clause in the bill related to search warrants and seizures, particularly regarding the authority of a justice of the peace to issue warrants for entering a dwelling house. Other senators also spoke on various topics, including the passing of Nelson Mandela, violence against women, and other legislative and committee business. The Senate ultimately adopted the motion for third reading, passing Bill S-3.
Bill S-3, concerning amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, completed its first reading in the House of Commons on February 11, 2014, before ultimately receiving Royal Assent in 2015.
This record shows that Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, had its first reading in the House of Commons on February 11, 2014. This is a procedural step where a bill is formally introduced in the House. The bill later received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015.
During the first reading of Bill S-3, the House of Commons formally introduced the bill and then moved on to debate a different piece of legislation, Bill C-15.
On February 11, 2014, during the first reading stage of Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, the House of Commons proceeded with routine proceedings and government orders. The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans moved for leave to introduce the bill, which was read the first time and ordered to be printed. Following this procedural step, members presented petitions on various topics, and the House then moved to government orders, beginning with the Northwest Territories Devolution Act (Bill C-15). Debates and discussions occurred concerning this other bill.
Bill S-3 completed second reading in the House of Commons on September 18, 2014, after which it was referred to a committee.
This record shows that Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, completed its second reading stage in the House of Commons on September 18, 2014. Following this stage, the bill was referred to committee for consideration. The artifact notes that a sponsor's speech and a response speech were delivered on this date by Randy Kamp (Conservative) and Lawrence MacAulay (Liberal) respectively.
On September 18, 2014, the House of Commons debated Bill S-3, an act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, focusing on international measures to combat illegal fishing, and the bill was read a second time and referred to committee.
This document is a record of a debate in the House of Commons on September 18, 2014, concerning Bill S-3, which aims to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. The debate focused on Canada's efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by implementing international port state measures. Members discussed the bill's provisions for enhancing controls over foreign fishing vessels, improving information sharing among states, and strengthening prohibitions and enforcement powers. Concerns were raised about the bill's procedural path, potential impacts on Canada's Arctic Ocean fisheries, and the adequacy of resources for enforcement. The bill was ultimately read a second time and referred to committee.
During a House of Commons debate on Bill S-3, an act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, the government's representative explained the bill's purpose to align Canada with international efforts against illegal fishing, while opposition members raised concerns about funding, process, and specific industry impacts.
During the second reading debate in the House of Commons on September 18, 2014, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans spoke in favour of Bill S-3, an act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. The speech focused on Canada's commitment to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and aligning its domestic laws with international agreements, specifically the Port State Measures Agreement. The bill aims to enhance Canada's ability to control foreign fishing vessels accessing its ports and to prohibit the import of illegally caught fish and marine plants. The speech highlighted the economic impact of illegal fishing on Canada's exports and the need for stronger international cooperation to ensure sustainable fisheries. Members from other parties also participated in the debate, raising concerns about resource allocation for surveillance, the process of the bill originating in the Senate, and the potential impacts on various fishing industries and ecosystems.
During the second reading debate on Bill S-3, Members of Parliament discussed the importance of international cooperation to combat illegal fishing, concerns about the adequacy of fisheries surveillance and resources, and the bill's role in strengthening Canada's coastal fisheries protection measures.
During the House of Commons debate on Bill S-3, members discussed proposed amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. Key themes included the international agreement on port state measures to combat illegal fishing, the need for stronger enforcement, and concerns about budget cuts impacting fisheries surveillance and services. Opposition members raised questions about the adequacy of the bill's provisions and the government's commitment to marine safety and environmental protection, while government members highlighted the bill's importance in meeting international obligations and Canada's leadership role in fighting illegal fishing.
During the House of Commons debate on Bill S-3 at second reading, members discussed the need to strengthen Canada's Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to combat illegal fishing and meet international obligations, with discussions focusing on economic impacts, enforcement powers, and international cooperation.
During the second reading debate in the House of Commons on Bill S-3, members discussed the importance of amending the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act to align with international standards for preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Key themes included the economic impact of illegal fishing on Canadian exports, the need for stronger port state measures, and concerns about potential impacts on Canada's Arctic fisheries. Opposition members raised questions about budget cuts to fisheries surveillance and enforcement, while government members emphasized Canada's commitment to international cooperation in combating illegal fishing.
Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, was considered in committee by the House of Commons on April 29, 2015, as part of its legislative journey which concluded with Royal Assent on June 18, 2015.
This record indicates that Bill S-3, concerning amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, underwent consideration by a committee in the House of Commons on April 29, 2015. This stage was completed. The bill ultimately received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015, and became chapter 18 of the Statutes of Canada, 2015.
On April 29, 2015, the House of Commons held a sitting that included statements by members, oral question periods on various topics, routine proceedings, and debates on the budget and the situation in Ukraine, with the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans reporting amendments to Bill S-3.
This document is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on April 29, 2015. During this sitting, the House heard statements by members on various topics, engaged in oral question periods discussing ethics, the budget, and aboriginal affairs, and proceeded with routine proceedings. A significant portion of the sitting involved debates on government orders related to the budget and the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The sitting also included the presentation of committee reports, including a report on Bill S-3 by the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, which was reported back with amendments. Notably, the Fisheries and Oceans committee reported on Bill S-3, indicating amendments were made.
The House of Commons completed its Report Stage for Bill S-3 on May 7, 2015, before the bill proceeded to Royal Assent.
This artifact details the House of Commons Report Stage for Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. This stage was completed on May 7, 2015. The bill later received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015.
This House of Commons sitting on May 7, 2015, included routine proceedings, oral questions, and government orders where Bill S-3, concerning amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, was debated and moved forward.
This document is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on May 7, 2015. It details various proceedings, including the tabling of reports, the presentation of petitions on various topics, questions and answers between members, and the debate and passage of several bills, including Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. While Bill S-3 was debated and moved forward, this specific sitting's record focuses on the procedural steps and discussions, not the ultimate enactment of the bill.
The House of Commons completed the third reading of Bill S-3 on May 28, 2015, after which the bill moved to the Senate for consideration of amendments.
On May 28, 2015, the House of Commons completed the third reading stage for Bill S-3. This means the House of Commons approved the bill as amended. The bill then proceeded to the Senate for consideration of the House of Commons' amendments. The Senate subsequently agreed to these amendments on June 4, 2015, after which the bill received Royal Assent on June 18, 2015. This artifact focuses on the procedural steps taken in the House of Commons leading to its approval.
On May 7, 2015, the House of Commons debated the third reading of Bill S-3, which seeks to implement international measures against illegal fishing.
This document is a record of the third reading debate for Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, which took place in the House of Commons on May 7, 2015. The debate focused on the bill's amendments, which aim to strengthen Canada's ability to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by aligning domestic legislation with an international agreement. Discussions touched upon the bill's procedural passage through Parliament, the importance of fisheries to Canada's economy and coastal communities, and the international efforts to deter illegal fishing. Several members of Parliament from different parties participated in the debate, raising points about the bill's provisions, the need for resources, and international cooperation.
The House of Commons debated Bill S-3, which aims to implement the Port State Measures Agreement to combat illegal fishing by strengthening Canada's port controls and import prohibitions.
On May 28, 2015, the House of Commons debated Bill S-3, an Act to amend the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act. The debate focused on implementing the Port State Measures Agreement, aiming to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing globally. Members discussed the bill's amendments to strengthen Canada's port control measures, prohibit the import of illegally caught fish, and enhance the powers of fishery protection officers. Concerns were raised about the bill's timeliness, the need for international cooperation to ratify the agreement, and the potential impact on inland fisheries. The debate also included discussions on broader government actions related to fisheries, trade, and environmental protection.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Debates of the Senate 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 does not have a published recorded division in the current official sources, so representative-by-representative vote counts are not shown.
No published representative vote breakdown
The current official sources do not publish a recorded division breakdown for this bill, so there is no representative-by-representative table to show.
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