Bill S-204 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (borrowing of money)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 42nd 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-204 proposed to amend the Financial Administration Act to change the conditions under which the government can borrow money and to update reporting requirements related to public debt management.
This bill, if it had become law, would have amended the Financial Administration Act. It would have repealed section 43.1, which allows the Governor in Council to authorize the Minister to borrow money on behalf of Her Majesty in right of Canada. The bill would have replaced this with a new section 46.1, which would allow the Governor in Council to authorize the Minister to borrow money for specific purposes: to pay amounts related to money already borrowed under the Act or another Act, or to extinguish or reduce a liability of Canada. The bill would also have changed section 49 of the Act, which requires the Minister to report on public debt management activities and future plans. The changes would have adjusted the reporting requirements to align with the proposed new borrowing authorities. Finally, the bill would have specified when it would come into force.
- Repeal section 43.1 of the Financial Administration Act.
- Add a new section 46.1 to the Financial Administration Act to define specific circumstances under which the Minister can borrow money.
- Amend section 49 of the Financial Administration Act concerning reporting on public debt management.
- Specify the commencement date for the Act.
- The Governor in Council
- The Minister of Finance
- The Parliament of Canada
- The Governor in Council would be authorized to borrow money only for specific purposes outlined in the new section 46.1.
- The Minister would be required to report on public debt management activities and future plans under an amended section 49.
- The Act would come into force on the later of April 1 of the first fiscal year beginning after royal assent, or 90 days after royal assent. (Section 4)
- The bill concerns the borrowing of money by the federal government, which impacts public debt.
- The bill was introduced in the Senate and did not proceed past First Reading, therefore it did not become law and has no legal effect.
- The exact commencement date depends on the date of royal assent, which is not specified as the bill did not receive it.
Section 43.1 of the Act, which allows the Governor in Council to authorize borrowing money, would be removed. (Section 1)
Source: Section 1
A new section (46.1) would be added, outlining specific conditions under which the Minister can be authorized to borrow money, such as for refinancing existing debt or reducing liabilities. (Section 2)
Source: Section 2
Section 49, which requires the Minister to report on public debt management activities and plans, would be replaced with a new version. This new version would adjust the reporting requirements to align with the proposed changes to borrowing authorities. (Section 3)
Source: Section 3
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-204, aimed at amending the Financial Administration Act concerning borrowing, was introduced in the Senate, proceeded through first and second readings with related speeches, but was ultimately withdrawn before further legislative action.
Bill S-204, concerning amendments to the Financial Administration Act regarding borrowing of money, began its legislative journey in the Senate with a first reading on December 8, 2015. It proceeded to second reading on February 4, 2016. After major speeches were made on March 24 and April 14, and June 1, 2016, the bill was withdrawn from the Senate's Order Paper on September 27, 2016, at the request of its sponsor and with the Senate's consent. The bill did not proceed further.
On December 8, 2015, the Senate introduced Bill S-204 for first reading, alongside discussions on other procedural matters and questions of privilege.
This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on December 8, 2015, during which Bill S-204, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (borrowing of money), was introduced and read for the first time. The sitting also included welcoming remarks, congratulatory messages for the new Speaker, and discussions on various other matters including a question of privilege regarding media leaks and another regarding the absence of a government leader in the Senate. Several other bills were also introduced and read for the first time, and procedural motions were adopted.
Bill S-204 was withdrawn from the Senate's agenda on September 27, 2016, after having reached the second reading stage.
Bill S-204, which aimed to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning the borrowing of money, was withdrawn from the Senate Order Paper on September 27, 2016. This occurred at the request of the bill's sponsor, with the consent of the Senate, leading to the discharge of the order for its second reading. The bill had reached the second reading stage earlier in 2016, with major speeches taking place in March and April.
On February 4, 2016, the Senate debated various matters, including a debate on Bill S-204 regarding the Financial Administration Act, which was adjourned and is noted as 'Bill not proceeded with'.
This artifact details proceedings in the Senate on February 4, 2016. It includes tributes, tabling of reports, notices of motions, and debates on several bills. Notably, there was a debate on Bill S-204 concerning amendments to the Financial Administration Act regarding borrowing of money, which was adjourned. The artifact also records discussions on other bills (Bill S-214 on cruelty-free cosmetics and Bill S-213 on the Senate speakership), procedural matters like Question Period, and the composition of the Standing Committee on Conflict of Interest for Senators. The overall status of Bill S-204 is noted as 'Bill not proceeded with'.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-204, Senator Moore argued for restoring parliamentary oversight on government borrowing, stating the current system lacks accountability.
On February 4, 2016, the Senate discussed Bill S-204, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning the borrowing of money. Senator Wilfred P. Moore spoke in favour of the bill at second reading, explaining that it aims to restore Parliament's power to authorize government borrowing, which he argued was removed by a previous government in 2007 through an omnibus budget bill. He stated that this change removed a critical check on government accountability regarding public finances. The debate on the bill was adjourned, meaning it was not completed on this date.
During a Senate sitting on March 24, 2016, the debate on Bill S-204, concerning amendments to the Financial Administration Act regarding borrowing of money, was adjourned and did not proceed.
This record details a Senate sitting on March 24, 2016. The Senate was scheduled to debate Bill S-204, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning the borrowing of money, at its second reading. However, the debate on this specific bill was adjourned and did not proceed to completion during this sitting. The sitting also included various other procedural activities, including tabling of reports, notices of motions, and debates on other bills, but Bill S-204 was not advanced.
In a Senate debate on March 24, 2016, senators discussed Bill S-204, concerning parliamentary approval for government borrowing, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and the principle of responsible government, particularly in light of recent government budget announcements indicating a similar intention.
This document records a debate in the Senate on March 24, 2016, regarding Bill S-204, which aims to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning the borrowing of money. Senator Diane Bellemare spoke in favour of the bill, noting its history and the importance of parliamentary oversight in government borrowing. She highlighted that the bill seeks to restore Parliament's power to authorize government borrowing and to study the Debt Management Strategy, a power that was diminished in 2007 without debate. She emphasized that the principle of responsible government requires Parliament's approval for government finances. The debate also touched upon the potential for a democratic deficit if the executive branch has unchecked authority to borrow. The current government's intention to propose legislative amendments for parliamentary approval of government borrowing, as mentioned in the budget, makes the review of Bill S-204 even more critical. The Senate has a history of discussing this issue, with Senator Moore having introduced similar bills multiple times. The bill was moved for second reading and debate was adjourned.
During the second reading debate on April 14, 2016, Senators discussed Bill S-204, which seeks to restore parliamentary approval for government borrowing, examining past legislative changes and their implications for oversight and financial management.
On April 14, 2016, the Senate debated Bill S-204, which aims to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning the borrowing of money. The debate focused on whether Parliament should approve borrowing limits before the government borrows money, as was the practice before 2007, or if borrowing limits should continue to be set by cabinet order-in-council, as established by a 2007 amendment. Several previous attempts to revert to parliamentary approval had been made. Arguments in favour of the bill highlighted the historic role of Parliament in setting debt limits and the perceived loss of oversight under the current system. Arguments against or concerns raised about previous versions of the bill noted that the current system was considered more efficient, flexible, responsive, and prudent, and that previous iterations lacked a coming-into-force provision. The debate also touched upon the current government's deficit projections and debt-to-GDP ratio commitments. The bill was still under debate at the end of the sitting.
During a Senate sitting on June 1, 2016, extensive debate and questioning occurred regarding Bill C-14 on medical assistance in dying, featuring the Ministers of Justice and Health, alongside other routine Senate business.
This artifact details a sitting of the Senate on June 1, 2016. The primary focus was a debate on Bill C-14, concerning medical assistance in dying, with appearances by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould, and the Minister of Health, Jane Philpott. Senators engaged in extensive questioning regarding the bill's provisions, constitutionality, safeguards, and potential impacts on vulnerable populations. The sitting also included routine proceedings such as tabling of reports and first reading of another bill, and continuation of debates on other Senate public bills.
Bill S-204, intended to amend the Financial Administration Act regarding borrowing, was withdrawn from the Senate's agenda before reaching the third reading stage.
Bill S-204, which aimed to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning the borrowing of money, was withdrawn from the Senate Order Paper on September 27, 2016, at the request of its sponsor and with the Senate's consent. This means the bill did not proceed further in the legislative process.
Bill S-204, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act regarding borrowing of money, was introduced and read for the first time in the House of Commons but was later withdrawn in the Senate and not proceeded with.
Bill S-204, concerning amendments to the Financial Administration Act related to borrowing money, was introduced in the Senate and had its first reading in the House of Commons. However, the bill was not proceeded with further. Specifically, on September 27, 2016, the bill was withdrawn from the Senate Order Paper at the request of its sponsor.
Bill S-204, concerning amendments to the Financial Administration Act regarding borrowing of money, was withdrawn in the Senate and therefore did not proceed to second reading in the House of Commons.
This artifact relates to Bill S-204, which aimed to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning the borrowing of money. Although the bill reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons, this stage was not reached because the bill was withdrawn in the Senate on September 27, 2016. It was discharged from the Senate Order Paper at the request of its sponsor and with the Senate's consent. The bill had previously undergone first and second readings in the Senate, with major speeches delivered during its second reading.
Bill S-204 was withdrawn in the Senate on September 27, 2016, and therefore did not proceed to the House of Commons for consideration in committee.
This record indicates that Bill S-204, concerning amendments to the Financial Administration Act regarding borrowing of money, did not proceed further in the legislative process. Specifically, the bill was withdrawn from the Senate Order Paper on September 27, 2016, at the request of its sponsor and with the Senate's agreement. This means the bill did not move to the consideration in committee stage in the House of Commons, as indicated by the 'Not reached' status for that stage.
Bill S-204, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning borrowing of money, was withdrawn in the Senate and did not proceed to the Report stage in the House of Commons.
This artifact describes the status of Bill S-204 in the House of Commons. The bill, which aimed to amend the Financial Administration Act regarding the borrowing of money, did not proceed further. On September 27, 2016, it was withdrawn from the Senate Order Paper at the request of its sponsor. The information indicates that the bill did not reach the Report stage in the House of Commons.
Bill S-204, concerning amendments to the Financial Administration Act regarding borrowing of money, was withdrawn in the Senate and therefore did not proceed to the third reading stage in the House of Commons.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-204 in the House of Commons. The process stage listed is 'House: Third reading', but the 'Stage state' is 'Not reached'. The provided text indicates that this bill was withdrawn in the Senate on September 27, 2016, before it could proceed further in the legislative process. Therefore, it did not reach the third reading stage in the House of Commons. The artifact also lists historical readings and debates that occurred 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