Bill S-249 explained in plain English

On April 24, 2018, the Senate of Canada held its first reading of Bill S-249, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of domestic violence. This stage marks the formal introduction of the bill into the Senate, after which it will be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading. The sitting also included tributes following a tragedy in Toronto, statements on various topics including World Intellectual Property Day and tanker safety, tabling of several reports, and debates on other bills and motions. The introduction of Bill S-249 itself was brief, with Senator Fabian Manning introducing the bill.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting that occurred on May 31, 2018. The sitting included various procedural activities such as tabling committee reports, making and adopting motions, and Question Period where senators asked questions of the Government Representative on a range of topics including international trade, pipelines, access to information, and environmental regulations. The Senate also debated and adjourned debate on several bills, including Bill C-45 (cannabis legalization), Bill C-58 (Access to Information Act), Bill S-206 (protection of children against child-rearing violence), Bill S-249 (national strategy for domestic violence prevention), Bill S-251 (judicial discretion regarding mandatory minimum penalties), and Bill S-252 (voluntary blood donations). The main focus of the debate on Bill C-45 involved an amendment to prohibit home cultivation of cannabis, which was ultimately negatived. The sitting concluded with various adjournments of debate for further consideration.

During Senate proceedings on May 31, 2018, the Senate debated Bill S-249, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of domestic violence. Senator Fabian Manning introduced the bill, sharing a personal story about domestic violence and highlighting statistics on the issue in Canada. He emphasized the need for a national strategy to address domestic violence, improve support for victims, and ensure better coordination between systems. The debate was adjourned, meaning it will continue at a later date.

This Senate sitting on October 16, 2018, included the introduction of five new senators, discussions on various matters including the LNG Canada project, Autism Awareness Month, the Indigenous Law Program at the University of Victoria, and the sinking of the SS Caribou. A significant portion of the sitting involved debate on several bills. Notably, Senator Kim Pate proposed an amendment to Bill C-51 concerning the Criminal Code, aiming to clarify the definition of incapacity to consent to sexual activity. The Government Representative, Senator Peter Harder, stated the government's opposition to this amendment due to concerns about unintended consequences. The sitting also included continued debates on national security (Bill C-59), firearms regulations (Bill C-71), and the development of a national strategy for the prevention of domestic violence (Bill S-249). Senator Kim Pate spoke in favour of Bill S-249, emphasizing the need to address substantive inequality and reduce barriers for women leaving abusive relationships. The sitting concluded with various other bill considerations and motions.

This document contains the record of the Senate's proceedings on October 16, 2018. The Senate officially welcomed five new senators: Patti LaBoucane-Benson, Paula Simons, Peter Boehm, Josée Forest-Niesing, and Brian Francis. Several other matters were addressed, including debates on various bills, tabling of committee reports, and Question Period concerning natural resources and pipelines. Bill S-249, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of domestic violence, was at the stage of continued debate at second reading. Senator Kim Pate spoke in favour of the bill, emphasizing that domestic violence is rooted in substantive inequality and that federal initiatives should focus on improving material conditions for women, particularly Indigenous women, women of colour, poor women, and women with disabilities. She also raised concerns about the bill's proposed mandatory reporting of suspected domestic violence by healthcare providers, suggesting it might discourage abused women from seeking medical attention.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on November 22, 2018. The sitting included Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where committee reports were tabled and motions were given notice, and Question Period where Senators asked questions on diverse subjects like the Fall Economic Statement, trade, environment, public safety, and foreign affairs. The 'Orders of the Day' section shows that Bill S-249, "An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of domestic violence," was at the "Second Reading—Debate Continued" stage. Other bills and inquiries were also debated or continued. The sitting concluded with an adjournment motion.

On November 28, 2018, the Senate debated Bill S-249, an Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of domestic violence. Senators discussed the importance of addressing domestic violence, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and survivor-centric approach. Key concerns raised included the necessity of involving multiple government ministries, the potential negative impacts of mandatory reporting on victims, and the importance of an intersectional analysis that considers the experiences of diverse groups of women, such as Indigenous women, women in poverty, minority women, women with children, and immigrant or refugee women. Amendments were proposed to ensure the bill adequately addresses the complexities of domestic violence and respects the rights and choices of survivors.

This Senate sitting on November 29, 2018, included various procedural activities, such as the presentation of committee reports, first reading of a bill, and debate on several bills. Notably, Bill S-249, "An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of domestic violence," was read a second time and referred to committee. Several other bills and motions were also discussed or advanced.