Bill S-224 explained in plain English

On April 13, 2016, in the Senate, Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts, was introduced and received its first reading. This marks the initial procedural step for the bill in the Senate. The rest of the sitting involved other Senate business, including senators' statements on various topics, tabling of reports, notices of motions, debates on other bills, and a question period with the Minister of Transport.

During a Senate sitting on April 19, 2016, the second reading debate for Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts, was adjourned. The sitting also included statements, routine proceedings, question period, and debates on other matters and committee reports. The debate on Bill S-224 was adjourned to allow for further consideration.

This record details a sitting of the Senate on April 19, 2016. The Senate began with Senator statements, including congratulations to former Supreme Court Justice Gérard La Forest on his ninetieth birthday, recognition of visiting firefighters, a discussion on World Intellectual Property Day, remarks on the role of independent senators, and a mention of the International Day of Pink Gala. Routine proceedings included tabling of reports from the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie and notices of motions regarding committees studying the Criminal Code and French-language school access in British Columbia. Question Period addressed topics such as the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement, firefighter safety, the role and title of the Government Representative in the Senate, crisis on reserves, international human rights reports, government support for Bombardier Inc., and earthquake relief for Ecuador. Orders of the day involved a point of order, a motion to affect Question Period, debate on the Speech from the Throne, committee authorizations, and debates on several bills, including Bill S-224 (Canada Prompt Payment Act), which was adjourned for debate. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to a point of order concerning seating arrangements for senators and the Speaker's role in this matter. The sitting concluded with the adoption of several committee reports and their associated budgets for travel and studies.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on June 7, 2016. During this sitting, various procedural matters were addressed, including the tabling of reports and the adoption of motions. Notably, there was a debate concerning Bill S-224, "An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts," also referred to as the proposed Canadian prompt payment act. The debate focused on the principles of the bill, which aims to ensure timely payments in construction contracts, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Several senators expressed support for the bill's intent and encouraged its expedited progression to committee. Other discussions included amendments to the Copyright Act (Bill C-11) to align with the Marrakesh treaty, amendments to the Air Canada Public Participation Act (Bill C-10), and matters related to human rights in Russia. The sitting also included Question Period where the Minister of Small Business and Tourism answered questions on various topics. The record concludes with several debates being adjourned.

This record details a sitting of the Senate on June 7, 2016. The sitting included various procedural activities such as tabling reports, introducing motions, and continuing debates on several bills. Notably, the debate on Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts, was continued. This bill, also referred to as the proposed Canadian prompt payment act, aims to address inefficiencies in government contract spending, particularly concerning timely payments to subcontractors. The bill proposes requiring monthly progress payments from the government, mandating contractors to pay subcontractors within 20 days of receiving payment, allowing unpaid contractors to suspend work without penalty, and establishing a dispute resolution process. The debate emphasized the importance of these measures for small and medium-sized businesses and the potential for improved economic efficiency.

On October 26, 2016, the Senate continued the debate on Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts. Senator Joan Fraser spoke about the bill, explaining that she had previously taken an adjournment on it and that her understanding was limited. She noted that Senator Plett had argued that the bill aimed to protect subcontractors who may not receive fair treatment from main contractors. Senator Fraser indicated she could not provide much further detail on the bill and left the floor open for other senators who wished to participate in the debate. The debate was then adjourned.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting that took place on October 27, 2016. During this sitting, the Senate engaged in various procedural activities including Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and the consideration of various Orders of the Day. Notably, there was a debate continued on Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts. The sitting also included debates on other bills, motions, and committee reports, covering a wide range of topics from international trade and human rights to national symbols and Senate modernization. The specific details of the debate on Bill S-224 indicate that it was at the second reading stage, and the debate was adjourned to a later sitting.

On November 2, 2016, the Senate continued debate on several bills. The Senate also heard statements on the Sobey Art Award, Library Month, and acknowledged visitors in the gallery. Routine proceedings included notices of motion regarding Question Period and adjournment. The main debate of the day involved Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts, which was debated at second reading. Senators also debated Bill S-226, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Bill (Sergei Magnitsky Law), Bill S-228 to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children), and Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety. Additionally, the Senate adopted a report on its study of maritime search and rescue activities and continued debate on the modernization of the Senate, specifically concerning committee composition and the role of the Speaker. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of debate on several items.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on November 28, 2016. The sitting included Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. The item related to Bill S-224, "An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts," was at the second reading stage. Senator Pierrette Ringuette spoke in favour of the bill, noting its importance for prompt payments to contractors and the need for federal and provincial legislation to be consistent. She mentioned a report from Ontario's construction lien act review as a relevant study and indicated an intention to propose an amendment at the third reading stage to ensure federal standards match or exceed provincial ones. The bill was read a second time and referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce. The rest of the sitting involved debates and discussions on other bills and various topics, including freedom of the press, the passing of Fidel Castro, youth employment, and Senate modernization.

On April 4, 2017, the Senate convened. During the sitting, the Twelfth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce concerning Bill S-224, An Act respecting payments made under construction contracts, was presented. The report was subsequently placed on the Orders of the Day for consideration at the next sitting. Other Senate business included the tabling of a certificate of nomination, presentation of committee reports on other bills, notices of motions regarding appointments and committee studies, and debates on various bills including those related to genetic non-discrimination, the Canada Labour Code, the National Anthem Act, the Canada Evidence Act, the Criminal Code, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Canadian Jewish Heritage Month Act, and the Citizenship Act. Question Period also took place, with the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence responding to questions.

On May 4, 2017, the Senate met. The sitting included Royal Assent for two bills, statements by senators on various topics including International Day of La Francophonie and World Ovarian Cancer Day, and routine proceedings. The Senate also held Question Period on topics such as the softwood lumber crisis, international development funding, and penalties for illegal marijuana sales. A significant portion of the sitting was dedicated to a Committee of the Whole to hear from Patrick Borbey regarding his appointment as President of the Public Service Commission. Debates continued on the Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators report, and third reading debates occurred for Bill C-37 (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act amendments) and Bill S-224 (Canada Prompt Payment Act). Second reading debates occurred for Bill C-18 (Rouge National Urban Park Act amendments) and Bill C-22 (National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians). Motions were adopted regarding the appointment of the President of the Public Service Commission, affecting Question Period timing, and adjournment. Other motions authorized committees to study specific bill subject matters and extend reporting dates. The sitting concluded with the Senate adjourning.