Bill S-5 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada)
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-5 amends the Canada National Parks Act to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada and defines its boundaries.
This bill amends the Canada National Parks Act to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. It outlines the boundaries of this new park reserve, which is divided into two parts, totaling approximately 4,900 square kilometres. The bill also makes consequential amendments related to the application of the Canada National Parks Act to park reserves, particularly concerning mining access roads and water and land use permits within the reserve.
- Establishes the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada.
- Defines the geographical boundaries of the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada, divided into two parts.
- Amends the Canada National Parks Act to make it apply to this new park reserve.
- Makes specific provisions regarding the issuance and application of permits and licences for mining access roads and water use within the park reserve, referencing the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and the Northwest Territories Waters Act.
- Ensures that existing leases, easements, licences of occupation, land use permits, authorizations, and water licences in the area continue in effect.
- The Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency
- The superintendent of Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada
- Park wardens
- Enforcement officers
- Individuals or entities holding existing leases, easements, licences of occupation, land use permits, authorizations, or water licences within the area of the park reserve
- Users of waters and public lands within the park reserve, particularly in relation to mining access roads
- The Minister's authority to issue, amend, renew, suspend, or cancel licences for water use and permits/authorizations for land use within the park reserve for mining access roads.
- Existing leases, easements, licences of occupation, land use permits, authorizations, and water licences continue to be valid.
- The Canada National Parks Act applies to the park reserve as if it were a park.
- Royal Assent was received on December 16, 2014.
- Certain provisions related to mining access roads and land/water use permits come into force on the day this section comes into force (which is not explicitly detailed but follows Royal Assent).
- Contravention of regulations, permit conditions, or directions from park officials may result in an offence, with penalties to be determined by regulations.
- The specific penalties for offences are not detailed in the bill, stating only that a person is 'liable' and that this is subject to regulations.
- The exact date when certain sections (specifically related to mining access roads and associated permits) come into force is not explicitly stated beyond 'the day on which this section comes into force'.
- The bill refers to 'any adaptations that may be necessary' when applying other acts, implying some flexibility in their application.
- The bill does not specify which regulations will be designated as exceptions for the purposes of contravening the regulations under paragraph 16(1)(y) of the Canada National Parks Act.
This is the primary law being amended to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada and to ensure the Act applies to this new reserve as if it were a park. It also updates provisions related to offences and permits within park reserves.
Source: Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Certain sections of this Act, along with its regulations, are made to apply, with necessary adaptations, to licences for water use and permits for land use in the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada, specifically for mining access roads.
Source: Sections 41.1(4), 41.4(2), 41.4(3)
Licences for the use of waters issued under this Act that are in effect in the area of the park reserve continue in effect.
Source: Section 41.4(4)
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. A pre-release version of this publication is available to parliamentarians and their staff, and can be obtained by submitting a request or contacting the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive summary is available. On 14 May 2014, the Leader of the Government in the Senate introduced Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada) (Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve Act) in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-5 amends the Canada National Parks Act to establish Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. This new national park reserve protects 71 percent of the upper South Nahanni watershed within the Sahtu Settlement Area. Together, the Nahanni and Nááts'ihch'oh national park reserves protect about 86 percent of the entire South Nahanni watershed. Within the national park reserves, habitat for mountain woodland caribou, grizzly bears, Dall's sheep, mountain goats and Trumpeter swans will be preserved. Measuring 4,895 square kilometres, Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve adjoins Nahanni National Park Reserve (which was significantly expanded in 2009) and it touches the Yukon boundary to the West.
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-5, concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada, completed its first reading in the Senate on May 14, 2014, and later received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014.
This artifact documents the first reading of Bill S-5 in the Senate on May 14, 2014. This is the initial step where the bill is formally introduced in the Senate. The bill later received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014, becoming chapter 35 of the Statutes of Canada, 2014.
The Senate's May 14, 2014 sitting saw the first reading of Bill S-5 and included debates and statements on numerous other national and international issues.
On May 14, 2014, the Senate convened for a sitting that included the first reading of Bill S-5, an act to amend the Canada National Parks Act concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. The sitting also included discussions and statements on various other topics, including Iran Accountability Week, the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria, the National Day of Honour, young Canadians' networking events, Acadian artists, the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, electronic cigarettes, access to information requests, and missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. The debate on the connection between health and poverty was adjourned.
Bill S-5, concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada, completed its second reading in the Senate on May 28, 2014, and subsequently moved through further legislative stages in both the Senate and the House of Commons before receiving Royal Assent.
This artifact details the procedural steps for Bill S-5 in the Senate. The bill underwent its second reading on May 28, 2014, with speeches from Senator Dennis Glen Patterson and Senator Nick G. Sibbeston. The bill later proceeded through consideration in committee, report stage, and third reading in the Senate. It also underwent first reading, second reading, consideration in committee, report stage, and third reading in the House of Commons. The bill ultimately received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014, becoming chapter 35 of the Statutes of Canada, 2014. This artifact focuses on the procedural progression of the bill, not its full content.
During a May 28, 2014 Senate sitting, Bill S-5 to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada proceeded to second reading and referral to committee, alongside other legislative and procedural matters.
This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on May 28, 2014. During this sitting, Senators engaged in several discussions and procedural activities. The main focus related to Bill S-5, concerning the establishment of the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. The bill was read a second time and then referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Other items discussed included a report on the Council of Europe, prevention of violence against children, and amendments to other acts such as the Canada Elections Act and the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Bill. The sitting also included personal statements from Senators and a discussion about Senate procedures.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-5, the creation of the Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve was discussed, focusing on environmental protection, Indigenous collaboration, and economic benefits, before the bill was referred to committee.
This artifact records the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-5, which aims to establish the Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve of Canada. Senator Dennis Patterson, the sponsor of the bill, delivered the primary speech, highlighting the bill's purpose to protect a large wilderness area and its significance for preserving cultural heritage and fostering economic development. He emphasized the collaboration with Sahtu Dene and Metis communities, the impact and benefit plan, and the integration of the park with Canada's Northern Strategy. Senator Nick G. Sibbeston provided commentary, drawing on his past work on northern park management and expressing cautious optimism about the bill's implementation, emphasizing the need for Parks Canada to fulfill its commitments to Indigenous communities. Senator Fernand Robichaud raised a concern about potential funding cuts to existing parks, which Senator Patterson addressed by assuring that the new initiative is budgeted separately. The debate also included discussions on other matters before the Senate, such as the prevention of violence against children, and other bills. Following the debate, the bill was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
Bill S-5 completed its committee review stage in the Senate on June 5, 2014, prior to receiving Royal Assent later that year.
This artifact documents the completion of the 'Consideration in committee' stage for Bill S-5 in the Senate on June 5, 2014. This stage involved examining the bill in detail within a committee. The artifact indicates that the bill later received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014, becoming chapter 35 of the Statutes of Canada, 2014.
The Senate received committee reports without amendment on Bill S-5, scheduled it for third reading, and conducted other legislative business and tributes.
On June 5, 2014, the Senate of Canada met. During this sitting, the Senate received committee reports without amendment on several bills, including Bill S-5, which aims to amend the Canada National Parks Act. The report from the Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee on Bill S-5 was presented, and the bill was scheduled for third reading. The sitting also included tributes to fallen RCMP officers, commemorations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day, congratulations for honorary degrees awarded to senators, and debates on various other legislative matters and public issues. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, June 10, 2014.
Bill S-5, concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada, completed its third reading in the Senate on June 12, 2014, before receiving Royal Assent later that year.
This artifact details the Senate's third reading of Bill S-5 on June 12, 2014. The process stage was completed. The bill ultimately received royal assent on December 16, 2014, becoming chapter 35 of the Statutes of Canada 2014.
During the Senate sitting on June 10, 2014, the third reading debate for Bill S-5, aiming to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, was adjourned, alongside other procedural business and debates on various other bills and inquiries.
This record details a Senate sitting on June 10, 2014. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to the third reading debate of Bill S-5, concerning the amendment of the Canada National Parks Act to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. The debate for Bill S-5 was adjourned. Other proceedings included tributes to departing pages, congratulations to a former colleague, discussions on provincial economies, tabling of reports, notices of motions, and debates on other bills (Bill C-36, Bill C-23, Bill S-6, Bill C-428, Bill C-452, Bill S-215) and inquiries.
On June 12, 2014, the Senate completed third reading of Bill S-5 and adjourned debates on several other bills, while also addressing committee reports and other routine business.
This record details the Senate's proceedings on June 12, 2014. The Senate convened and addressed various matters including congratulations for retirements, tributes to individuals, tabling of reports from committees and commissioners, and debates on several bills. Notably, Bill S-5, concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada, was read the third time and passed. Debates were adjourned on other bills, including those related to personal information protection, and offshore petroleum resources.
Bill S-5, concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada, had its First Reading in the House of Commons on June 13, 2014, and later received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014.
This artifact describes the First Reading stage of Bill S-5 in the House of Commons, which occurred on June 13, 2014. This marks the initial introduction of the bill in the House. The provided text also notes that the bill ultimately received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014, becoming Statutes of Canada 2014, c. 35.
This House of Commons sitting on June 13, 2014, included the first reading of Bill S-5, but the majority of the recorded debate and discussion focused on Bill C-18 (Agricultural Growth Act) and various other government and constituency-related matters.
This document is a record of the House of Commons sitting on June 13, 2014. It details the first reading debate of Bill S-5, an Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. The debate focused on other matters, including the Agricultural Growth Act (Bill C-18), which was discussed extensively by various members from different parties. The record also includes statements by members on various topics, oral questions on a range of government activities, and routine proceedings such as the introduction of new bills and committee reports. The first reading of Bill S-5 itself is noted as a completed procedural step within the broader sitting.
The House of Commons completed the Second Reading of Bill S-5 on November 6, 2014, a procedural step before the bill proceeded through further parliamentary stages and eventually received Royal Assent.
This record documents the completion of the Second Reading stage for Bill S-5 in the House of Commons on November 6, 2014. Second reading is a key point where Members of Parliament debate the general principles of a bill. Following this stage, the bill was referred to a committee for detailed examination. The record indicates that the bill ultimately received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014, becoming a statute.
On October 2, 2014, the House of Commons debated Bill S-5 to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, with members discussing its boundaries, ecological impact, and economic development, while expressing concerns about park size and government funding.
This is a record of the House of Commons debate on October 2, 2014, concerning Bill S-5, which aimed to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. The debate included discussions on the park's boundaries, its impact on Indigenous communities and wildlife, and the government's commitment to economic development and infrastructure within the park. Members from different parties expressed support for the bill's intent to protect natural areas but raised concerns about the chosen park size, potential impacts of mining access roads, and the need for robust tourism development and Parks Canada funding. The debate also touched upon the federal government's role in environmental protection and its collaboration with Indigenous peoples.
The sponsor of Bill S-5 spoke in support of creating the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, emphasizing its environmental and economic benefits, its alignment with national strategies, and its collaborative management approach with Indigenous peoples.
This artifact is a transcript of a speech given by the Sponsor of Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada), during the House of Commons' second reading debate on October 2, 2014. The sponsor, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment, spoke in favour of the bill, highlighting its role in protecting a significant area in the Northwest Territories and its alignment with Canada's northern strategy and conservation efforts. The speech detailed the natural beauty of the proposed park, its importance to Indigenous peoples, and the anticipated benefits, including job creation and land use certainty. It also mentioned the collaborative management approach with Sahtu Dene and Métis peoples. Other speakers in the debate discussed various aspects, including the size of the proposed park, the need for timely infrastructure development, the role of tourism, and the importance of co-management agreements.
During the second reading debate on Bill S-5 in the House of Commons, members discussed the creation of the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, focusing on its conservation value, economic potential, and the concerns of Indigenous communities regarding its size and management.
During the House of Commons' second reading debate on Bill S-5, members discussed the establishment of the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve. The debate highlighted the bill's aim to protect a large area in the Northwest Territories, its significance for conservation and Indigenous peoples, and its potential for economic development in the region through tourism and infrastructure. Concerns were raised about the park's size, the inclusion of mining access roads, and the timely delivery of promised infrastructure and job creation for local communities. The importance of balancing conservation with resource development and ensuring adequate funding for Parks Canada was also emphasized.
During the House of Commons debate on Bill S-5, members discussed the creation of Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, focusing on its boundaries, ecological protection, economic benefits, and agreements with Indigenous communities, while also debating broader issues of park funding and tourism promotion.
This record from the House of Commons details the second reading debate on Bill S-5, concerning the establishment of Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve. While the bill received support from various parties for its environmental and economic goals, significant discussion revolved around the proposed boundaries, the potential impact on mining interests, the adequacy of resources for Parks Canada, and the need for robust tourism promotion. Concerns were also raised about the timeline and specifics of federal-provincial agreements regarding land transfers and the ecological standards for the park.
During the second reading debate on Bill S-5, members of the House of Commons discussed the establishment of the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, focusing on its boundaries, conservation goals, and the consultation process.
On October 23, 2014, the House of Commons debated Bill S-5, concerning the establishment of the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. The debate focused on the park's boundaries, its potential impact on mineral development, and the consultation process with Indigenous communities and stakeholders. Concerns were also raised about the adequacy of funding and resources for national parks and the government's approach to conservation versus development. The bill was supported by members across parties, with discussions highlighting the significance of protecting Canada's natural heritage and the collaborative efforts involved in establishing the park.
During a House of Commons debate on November 6, 2014, members discussed Bill S-5 concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve, with concerns raised about the balance between mining interests and ecological protection, before the bill was referred to committee.
This document is a record of a debate that took place in the House of Commons on November 6, 2014, concerning Bill S-5, an Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act regarding the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. During this debate, members discussed the proposed boundaries of the park, with some expressing concern that the chosen boundaries prioritized mining interests over ecological protection and public opinion. The bill was ultimately moved forward for further consideration by a committee.
The House of Commons completed its committee consideration of Bill S-5 on November 20, 2014, which later received royal assent.
This artifact documents the 'Consideration in committee' stage for Bill S-5 in the House of Commons, which occurred on November 20, 2014. This stage was completed. The bill ultimately received royal assent on December 16, 2014, becoming chapter 35 of the Statutes of Canada, 2014.
The House of Commons' Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development reported Bill S-5 back without amendment on November 20, 2014, after which the sitting proceeded with other business.
On November 20, 2014, the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development presented its sixth report to the House of Commons regarding Bill S-5, concerning the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. The committee reported that it had studied the bill and recommended it be passed back to the House without any amendments. Following this procedural step, the House moved on to other matters, including Routine Proceedings and Government Orders, with discussions primarily focused on a separate bill, Bill C-26, concerning tougher penalties for child predators.
The House of Commons completed its Report stage for Bill S-5 on December 4, 2014, which subsequently received Royal Assent on December 16, 2014.
This artifact details the House of Commons Report stage for Bill S-5, which occurred on December 4, 2014, and was completed. The bill was later given Royal Assent on December 16, 2014, becoming chapter 35 of the Statutes of Canada 2014. The process involved several readings and committee considerations in both the Senate and the House of Commons before reaching its final stages.
This Hansard record details a House of Commons sitting on December 4, 2014, featuring debates on time allocation for bills, progress on Bill S-5 and Bill S-6, and private members' business.
This is a record of a sitting of the House of Commons on December 4, 2014. The sitting included routine proceedings such as the tabling of government responses to petitions and reports from committees. It also included debates and motions related to several bills, including the Economic Action Plan 2014 Act, No. 2 (Bill C-43) and the Rouge National Urban Park Act (Bill C-40), both of which involved time allocation motions to limit debate. The House also proceeded with the report stage of Bill S-5, the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve Act, and began debate on Bill S-6, the Yukon and Nunavut Regulatory Improvement Act. The sitting concluded with private members' business and adjournment proceedings.
Bill S-5 completed its third reading in the House of Commons on December 11, 2014, after receiving royal assent.
This record indicates that Bill S-5 completed its third reading stage in the House of Commons on December 11, 2014. This stage involved the House agreeing to the bill. The bill had previously received royal assent on December 16, 2014, and became Statutes of Canada 2014, chapter 35.
On December 11, 2014, the House of Commons concluded its third reading debate on Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada), and passed the bill.
This artifact is a record of the House of Commons' third reading debate for Bill S-5, which aimed to establish the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve of Canada. The debate occurred on December 11, 2014. It shows that the bill was agreed to and passed at its third reading.
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