Bill C-12 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 43rd 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 C-12 temporarily allowed special warrants to be issued when Parliament was in session but not sitting, with these changes expiring on June 24, 2020.
Bill C-12, also known as An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), made temporary changes to the rules for issuing special warrants. A special warrant allows payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund when no other funding is available and an urgent payment is needed for the public good. Before this bill, special warrants could only be issued when Parliament was not in session. This bill temporarily allowed special warrants to be issued even when Parliament was in session but not sitting. However, these changes were set to expire on June 24, 2020, returning the rules to how they were before the bill. The bill also updated requirements for distributing and publishing these special warrants.
- It amends the Financial Administration Act to allow special warrants to be issued when Parliament is in session but not sitting, provided a payment is urgently required for the public good and no other appropriation exists.
- It requires that special warrants be sent to a representative of every recognized party in the House of Commons as soon as they are issued.
- It requires that special warrants be sent to the Clerk of the House of Commons within seven days of being issued.
- It requires that special warrants be published in the Canada Gazette within seven days of being issued.
- It provides for the repeal of the amendment that allows special warrants to be issued when Parliament is in session but not sitting on June 24, 2020.
- It amends the requirements for publication and reporting of special warrants.
- It requires that special warrants be published in the Canada Gazette within 30 days of being issued.
- It requires that a statement showing all warrants issued and their amounts be laid before the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board within 15 days after the start of the next parliamentary session.
- The Governor in Council (the Governor General and the Cabinet)
- The President of the Treasury Board
- Appropriate Ministers
- Members of the House of Commons
- Representatives of recognized parties in the House of Commons
- The Clerk of the House of Commons
- The public
- The Canada Gazette
- The Governor in Council may issue a special warrant if a payment is urgently required for the public good, Parliament is in session but not sitting, and no other appropriation exists.
- Special warrants must be signed by the Governor General.
- Special warrants must be prepared upon the report of the President of the Treasury Board and the appropriate Minister.
- Special warrants must be sent to a representative of every recognized party in the House of Commons as soon as issued.
- Special warrants must be sent to the Clerk of the House of Commons within seven days of being issued.
- Special warrants must be published in the Canada Gazette within seven days of being issued (under the temporary provision).
- Special warrants must be published in the Canada Gazette within 30 days of being issued (under the revised provision).
- A statement of warrants issued must be laid before the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board within 15 days of the start of the next session.
- The amendments made by subsections 1(2) and 1(4) of the bill come into force on June 24, 2020.
- The provisions allowing special warrants to be issued when Parliament is in session but not sitting are repealed on June 24, 2020.
- Authorizes payments out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund through special warrants.
- The bill does not specify what constitutes an 'urgent' payment or 'public good' beyond requiring reports from ministers.
- The bill's provisions allowing special warrants during sessional periods were temporary and expired on June 24, 2020.
- The bill does not detail the process for reporting the need for a special warrant beyond requiring reports from the President of the Treasury Board and the appropriate Minister.
Changes are made to Section 30 of the Act regarding the conditions under which special warrants can be issued, the distribution of these warrants, and their publication.
Source: Section 1 of Bill C-12
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 C-12, concerning amendments to the Financial Administration Act regarding special warrants, completed its first reading in the Senate on March 13, 2020, and subsequently received royal assent.
This artifact indicates that Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), completed its first reading in the Senate on March 13, 2020. The bill later received royal assent on the same date, becoming Statutes of Canada 2020, c. 4. The artifact also lists subsequent stages for both the House of Commons and the Senate, all occurring on March 13, 2020, suggesting a rapid progression through the legislative process.
On March 13, 2020, the Senate held a special sitting, passed several bills including Bill C-12, received Royal Assent for them, and adopted a motion regarding special warrants before adjourning.
On March 13, 2020, the Senate met for a special sitting. Senators adopted motions to extend the sitting and to allow speaking and voting from different seats during the sitting. Several bills were given first reading, including Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant). The Senate then proceeded with second and third readings for Bill C-4 (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Implementation Bill), Bill C-10 (Appropriation Bill No. 4, 2019-20), Bill C-11 (Appropriation Bill No. 1, 2020-21), and Bill C-12. The sitting was suspended to await Royal Assent, which was granted to these bills by the Governor General via written declaration. Following Royal Assent, a motion was adopted to allow special warrants to be deposited with the Clerk of the Senate during adjournments. Finally, the Senate adjourned until April 21, 2020.
Bill C-12 successfully completed its second reading in the Senate on March 13, 2020, and subsequently received royal assent.
This artifact indicates that Bill C-12 completed its second reading stage in the Senate on March 13, 2020. The bill later received royal assent on the same day, becoming a statute of Canada. The provided text does not contain the details of the debate or discussions that occurred during this stage.
During a Senate sitting on March 13, 2020, Bill C-12, which amends the Financial Administration Act regarding special warrants, received second and third reading, passed, and subsequently received Royal Assent.
On March 13, 2020, the Senate held a sitting where several procedural motions were adopted, including extending the sitting and allowing senators to speak or vote from different seats. Several bills were introduced and given first reading, including Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant). Following debate, Bill C-4, Bill C-10, Bill C-11, and Bill C-12 all received second and third reading and passed. The Senate then received notification of Royal Assent for these bills, including Bill C-12. Finally, a motion was adopted to allow special warrants to be deposited with the Clerk of the Senate during adjournments, and the Senate adjourned until April 21, 2020.
Bill C-12 completed its third reading in the Senate on March 13, 2020, and received Royal Assent the same day.
This record indicates that Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), reached its final stage in the Senate on March 13, 2020, marking the completion of its third reading. The bill subsequently received Royal Assent on the same day, becoming a statute.
The Senate convened on March 13, 2020, to pass Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), through its readings and receive Royal Assent.
On March 13, 2020, the Senate met to conduct business, including proceeding with several bills. Notably, Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), had its first reading, second reading, and third reading on this day. The Senate also adopted a motion regarding the depositing of special warrants during Senate adjournment and ultimately received Royal Assent for Bill C-12, among other bills. The sitting was then adjourned until April 21, 2020.
Bill C-12 completed all stages of the legislative process in the House of Commons and received royal assent on March 13, 2020.
This record shows that Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), completed its first reading in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020. The bill subsequently received royal assent on the same day and became chapter 4 of the Statutes of Canada 2020. The artifact indicates that the bill progressed through second reading, consideration in committee, report stage, and third reading all on March 13, 2020.
During a special sitting on March 13, 2020, to address the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate an adjournment, Bill C-12 was formally introduced and read for the first time as part of a broader procedural agreement.
On March 13, 2020, in the House of Commons, Bill C-12, an act to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning special warrants, was introduced and read for the first time. This occurred as part of a broader procedural agreement to adjourn the House due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Representatives from various parties expressed solidarity in facing the pandemic and acknowledged the necessity of suspending parliamentary sittings, while also outlining continued vigilance and efforts to support constituents. The introduction of Bill C-12 was part of a complex motion that included deeming several other bills as having completed stages of their parliamentary process, such as first reading, second reading, and committee review, to allow the government to continue functioning during the adjournment. This procedural step effectively moved Bill C-12 forward without full debate at this stage.
On March 13, 2020, Bill C-12 was introduced and, as part of a motion to adjourn the House due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was deemed to have passed all stages in the House of Commons.
This document records the first reading of Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020. This procedural step involved the introduction of the bill. The record also includes discussions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a motion to adjourn the House until April 20, 2020. As part of this adjournment motion, Bill C-12 was deemed to have been introduced, read first and second time, referred to a committee of the whole, considered, reported without amendment, concurred in at report stage, read a third time, and passed, all on division, before the House adjourned. This means the bill proceeded through all legislative stages in the House of Commons on this single day as part of the broader adjournment motion.
Bill C-12 completed its second reading in the House of Commons and received royal assent on March 13, 2020.
This record indicates that Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), completed its second reading in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020. The bill also received royal assent on the same date, becoming chapter 4 of the Statutes of Canada 2020.
On March 13, 2020, the House of Commons, as part of an agreement to adjourn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, procedurally advanced Bill C-12 through all stages of its legislative process, including second reading, on division.
This document records a House of Commons sitting on March 13, 2020. The sitting included statements regarding COVID-19 and a motion to adjourn the House until April 20, 2020. As part of this motion, Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act, was deemed to have been introduced, read first and second times, referred to a committee of the whole, considered, reported without amendment, concurred in at report stage, read a third time, and passed, all on division. This procedural step allowed the government to continue operating and providing financial support during the adjournment, while also establishing procedures for the use and oversight of special warrants.
On March 13, 2020, the House of Commons debated and procedurally advanced Bill C-12 through multiple stages, including second reading, as part of a motion to adjourn the House due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This artifact documents the debate and procedural steps for Bill C-12 at the second reading stage in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020. The sitting was primarily focused on an agreement to adjourn the House due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this discussion, Bill C-12 was processed as part of a motion that included its introduction, first and second readings, referral to a committee of the whole, consideration, reporting without amendment, concurrence at report stage, and third reading and passage. This procedural handling occurred on the same day as the agreement to adjourn, with the bill deemed to have undergone these stages. The debate involved statements from various parties expressing concerns about the pandemic and acknowledging the need for parliamentary adjournment, while also highlighting the importance of continuing government functions and oversight.
Bill C-12, concerning special warrants and amending the Financial Administration Act, completed its committee stage in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020, and subsequently received royal assent.
This artifact indicates that Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning special warrants, completed its 'Consideration in committee' stage in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020. The bill later received royal assent on the same day, becoming chapter 4 of the Statutes of Canada 2020. The provided text lists various stages of the bill's passage through the House of Commons, all occurring on March 13, 2020, including first reading, second reading, committee consideration, report stage, and third reading.
The House of Commons, facing the COVID-19 pandemic, agreed to adjourn and expedited the passage of Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), through all stages in one sitting.
On March 13, 2020, the House of Commons considered various government business. A significant procedural item was the agreement to adjourn the House until April 20, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This adjournment included a special process for Bill C-12, which was deemed to have been introduced, read first and second time, considered in committee of the whole, reported without amendment, concurred in at report stage, read a third time, and passed, all on division. This expedited process for Bill C-12 occurred on the same day it was brought forward for consideration in the House. Other bills and motions were also processed under similar expedited procedures, often "deemed adopted on division," reflecting the extraordinary circumstances.
The House of Commons procedurally advanced Bill C-12 through all stages to passage, as part of a broader agreement to adjourn Parliament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 13, 2020, the House of Commons debated and agreed to a motion concerning the adjournment of Parliament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This motion also included procedural steps for several bills. For Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), the House agreed to deem it introduced, read first and second times, referred to committee of the whole, considered, reported without amendment, concurred in at report stage, read a third time, and passed, all on division. This procedural handling occurred within the context of suspending regular parliamentary sittings and establishing procedures for government operations and oversight during the adjournment.
Bill C-12 successfully completed its Report stage in the House of Commons and received royal assent on March 13, 2020.
This artifact indicates that Bill C-12 completed its Report stage in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020. It also notes that the bill received royal assent on the same date, becoming a statute of Canada.
On March 13, 2020, the House of Commons agreed to a motion that, among other things, deemed Bill C-12 (An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant)) to have passed through all stages of the legislative process, in order to allow for the House to adjourn.
On March 13, 2020, the House of Commons was in session for a sitting that included debate and procedural steps related to several bills, including Bill C-12. As part of a broader agreement to adjourn the House due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a motion was passed that included deeming Bill C-12 to have completed various stages, including being introduced, read first and second time, referred to committee of the whole, considered, reported without amendment, concurred in at report stage, read a third time, and passed, all on division. This happened without the typical debate and votes at each stage.
The House of Commons completed the report stage concurrence for Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant), as part of a broader motion to adjourn the House due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This artifact documents the House of Commons' Report stage concurrence for Bill C-12, An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant). The House agreed to a motion that, among other things, deemed Bill C-12 to have been introduced, read first and second times, considered in committee of the whole, reported without amendment, concurred in at report stage, and read a third time and passed. This procedural step occurred as part of a broader agreement to adjourn the House due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring government continuity while Parliament was not sitting. This specific event is described as a "concurrence at report stage" and was adopted "on division", meaning a vote was recorded but the details of the vote breakdown are not provided in this text.
Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act regarding special warrants, completed its Third Reading in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020, and received Royal Assent.
This artifact records the completion of the Third Reading stage for Bill C-12 in the House of Commons on March 13, 2020. The bill subsequently received Royal Assent on the same date. The provided text lists the sequence of readings and committee stages that occurred on March 13, 2020.
On March 13, 2020, the House of Commons debated and passed Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act concerning special warrants, as part of a sitting that also addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and adjourned the House.
This document is a record of the House of Commons sitting on March 13, 2020. During this sitting, the House debated and passed Bill C-12, which amends the Financial Administration Act regarding special warrants. The sitting also included discussions on COVID-19, statements from various parties, and the adjournment of the House until April 20, 2020, due to the pandemic. The passage of Bill C-12 occurred "on division," meaning the specific votes of individual members were not recorded, but the bill was passed.
During the House of Commons third reading of Bill C-12 on March 13, 2020, all parties agreed to suspend parliamentary sittings due to COVID-19, while procedurally advancing Bill C-12 and other government business under special arrangements.
On March 13, 2020, the House of Commons held its third reading debate for Bill C-12, an Act to amend the Financial Administration Act. This debate took place within the context of the House agreeing to adjourn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All parties expressed solidarity and acknowledged the need to suspend regular parliamentary sittings to ensure the safety of members and the public. The debate also included discussions on various government orders and bills, including appropriation acts, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, and other financial matters, all of which were processed under special arrangements due to the adjournment. The specific procedural steps for Bill C-12 at this stage included its introduction, first and second readings, referral to a committee of the whole, consideration in committee, reporting without amendment, concurrence at report stage, third reading, and final passage, all conducted on division.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Royal assent 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