Bill S-202 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)
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 S-202 would amend the Criminal Code to make it a crime to advertise conversion therapy services or to profit from providing conversion therapy to minors under 18.
Bill S-202 proposes to change Canada's Criminal Code to create two new criminal offences related to conversion therapy. The bill defines "conversion therapy" as any practice, treatment, or service designed to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity, or to reduce sexual attraction or behaviour between people of the same sex. The definition specifically excludes surgical sex changes and related medical services. Under this bill, two things would become crimes: 1. **Advertising conversion therapy**: It would be illegal to knowingly advertise an offer to provide conversion therapy services in exchange for payment. A person convicted could face either up to five years in prison (if prosecuted as an indictable offence) or a lighter penalty (if prosecuted by summary conviction). 2. **Profiting from conversion therapy for minors**: It would be illegal to receive money or other material benefits that come directly or indirectly from providing conversion therapy to anyone under 18 years old. The penalties are the same as for advertising: up to five years imprisonment or a lighter summary conviction penalty. The bill's preamble notes that Parliament recognizes the harm caused by conversion therapy, particularly to young people, and aims to protect the dignity and equality of all Canadians.
- Creates a criminal offence for knowingly advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy services for payment, with maximum penalties of up to five years imprisonment for indictable conviction or lesser penalties for summary conviction
- Creates a criminal offence for receiving financial or other material benefits derived from providing conversion therapy to persons under 18 years old, with maximum penalties of up to five years imprisonment for indictable conviction or lesser penalties for summary conviction
- Defines 'conversion therapy' as any practice, treatment, or service designed to change sexual orientation or gender identity, or to eliminate or reduce sexual attraction or behaviour between persons of the same sex
- Clarifies that the definition of conversion therapy excludes surgical sex changes and related services
- People who advertise conversion therapy services for payment would face potential criminal prosecution
- People who receive financial or other material benefits from providing conversion therapy to anyone under 18 would face potential criminal prosecution
- Young people under 18 who might have been targeted for conversion therapy services would be protected from these practices
- Law enforcement and the courts would be responsible for enforcing and adjudicating these new offences
- It becomes an obligation to refrain from knowingly advertising conversion therapy services for payment
- It becomes an obligation to refrain from receiving any financial or material benefit derived from providing conversion therapy to minors under 18
- The bill does not specify a commencement date; if passed, it would typically come into force on a date set by regulation or on the date of royal assent
- The bill does not create new taxes or fees, but would prohibit financial transactions related to conversion therapy services for minors
- Advertising conversion therapy for consideration: guilty of either an indictable offence with imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or an offence punishable by summary conviction (lesser penalties apply)
- Receiving material benefit from providing conversion therapy to minors: guilty of either an indictable offence with imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or an offence punishable by summary conviction (lesser penalties apply)
- The specific penalties for summary conviction are not detailed in the bill text
- The bill does not specify the commencement date; the exact timing of when these offences would take effect is unclear
- The bill does not define what constitutes 'knowing' in the context of advertising or receiving material benefits; the courts would need to interpret this
- The bill does not specify what penalties apply to summary conviction; only indictable offences are described with maximum five-year imprisonment
- The bill does not specify whether providing conversion therapy itself (beyond advertising or profiting) would be a separate criminal offence
- The definition of 'material benefit' is not detailed further; it could potentially include various forms of indirect compensation beyond direct payment
Adds sections 286.6(2) and 286.6(3) to create two new criminal offences: advertising conversion therapy for consideration and receiving material benefit from providing conversion therapy to minors under 18
Source: Section 1, adding new section 286.6 after section 286.5 of the Criminal Code
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-202, an Act to amend the Criminal Code regarding conversion therapy, completed its first reading in the Senate on December 10, 2019, and is currently at the second reading stage.
Bill S-202, concerning conversion therapy, received its first reading in the Senate on December 10, 2019. This marks the initial introduction of the bill in the Senate. The bill is currently at the second reading stage.
During the Senate sitting on December 10, 2019, after procedural introductions and tabling of reports, Bill S-202 was introduced for first reading, and subsequent discussions and question period covered various national and international issues.
This document records the proceedings of the Senate on December 10, 2019. The Senate began by welcoming senators back for the new Parliament and acknowledging changes in its composition. Several reports were tabled by various officials, including the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Privacy Commissioner, Auditor General, and Ombudsman for Victims of Crime. Various notices of motions were given concerning committee studies on topics such as national security, China, 5G networks, and the future of workers, as well as motions regarding former senators. Senators also introduced several bills for first reading, including Bill S-202, an Act to amend the Criminal Code concerning conversion therapy. Question Period covered topics like federal cabinet representation from Western Canada, the forestry sector, vaping regulations, softwood lumber, climate change impacts, the charitable sector, detention of Canadians in China, and First Nations policing. The sitting concluded with continued debate on the situation in Hong Kong and was adjourned.
The Senate began the second reading debate for Bill S-202, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), on December 12, 2019.
On December 12, 2019, the Senate began the second reading debate for Bill S-202, an Act to amend the Criminal Code concerning conversion therapy. The debate had not been completed at this stage. The bill had its first reading on December 10, 2019.
On December 12, 2019, the Senate held a sitting that included tributes to a retiring senator, tabling of reports, question period on various issues, and adjourned debates on Bill S-202 concerning conversion therapy and Bill S-203 regarding national capital heritage sites.
This artifact summarizes a Senate sitting held on December 12, 2019. The sitting included Tributes to Senator Joseph A. Day, who was retiring, and remarks regarding the passing of William (Bill) McKnight, P.C. Several reports were tabled, and various notices of motions and inquiries were presented, including those concerning suicide prevention, mental health, Senate rules, medical assistance in dying, and the protection of journalists. Question Period addressed issues such as the federal carbon tax, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) status, liquefied natural gas, involuntary sterilization of Indigenous women, support for the beef and dairy industries, regulation of vaping fluids, and the Trans-Canada Highway. The Senate also considered motions for adjournment and the imposition of sanctions against Chinese and Hong Kong officials. A significant portion of the sitting involved the debate at second reading of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), and Bill S-203, An Act to amend the National Capital Act (buildings or works of national significance). Both debates were adjourned.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-202, Senator Joyal explained the bill's aim to prohibit advertising and profiting from conversion therapy services for minors, citing legal precedent and the need to protect vulnerable individuals.
This artifact summarizes the Senate debate on Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), during its second reading stage on December 12, 2019. The debate primarily featured the sponsor of the bill, Senator Serge Joyal, explaining its purpose and the rationale behind it. He highlighted that the bill aims to prohibit the advertising of conversion therapy services and to prevent financial or material benefit from the provision of such services to individuals under 18 years old. Senator Joyal referenced commitments from various political parties during the recent election campaign to ban conversion therapy. He also discussed the legal basis for federal legislation on this matter, citing Supreme Court decisions and comparing the approach to legislation on prostitution. The debate also touched upon the broader implications for vulnerable populations and the importance of respecting individual rights and dignity. The debate was adjourned, meaning it was not completed.
Bill S-202, an Act to amend the Criminal Code regarding conversion therapy, has not yet proceeded to Third Reading in the Senate, with its most recent activity being a Second Reading debate on December 12, 2019.
The provided text indicates that Bill S-202, concerning conversion therapy, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the Senate. The latest activity noted is a debate during the Second Reading on December 12, 2019. The bill had its First Reading on December 10, 2019.
Bill S-202, concerning conversion therapy, had its first reading in the House of Commons on December 10, 2019, though this specific stage has not yet been reached.
This record describes the first reading of Bill S-202 in the House of Commons on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. The bill's full title is "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)". The record notes that this stage has not yet been reached.
Bill S-202, concerning conversion therapy, has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons, with its most recent procedural activity being a second reading debate in the Senate.
This artifact describes the status of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), within the legislative process. It indicates that the bill has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons. The latest activity related to this bill was a debate at second reading in the Senate on Thursday, December 12, 2019. The bill received its first reading on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
Bill S-202, concerning conversion therapy, is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate, with the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage noted as not yet reached.
This artifact describes the status of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy). The bill has reached the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage, but this stage has not yet been reached. The bill's current status is 'At second reading in the Senate'. The latest activity noted was a debate at second reading in the Senate on Thursday, December 12, 2019. The bill had its first reading on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, and its second reading debate occurred on Thursday, December 12, 2019, during Sitting 4. A notable speech at the second reading was given by Senator Serge Joyal. The artifact also mentions similar bills introduced in a previous Parliament, specifically Bill S-260.
This House of Commons artifact shows that the Report stage for Bill S-202 has not been reached, while the bill is currently at second reading in the Senate.
This artifact describes the status of Bill S-202, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), as it pertains to the House of Commons process. Specifically, it indicates that the 'House of Commons Report stage' has not yet been reached. The bill's current overall status is 'At second reading in the Senate,' with the latest activity being a debate at second reading in the Senate on Thursday, December 12, 2019. The bill had its First Reading in the Senate on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
The artifact details the procedural progression of Bill S-202, indicating that the House of Commons Third reading stage has not yet been reached, with the bill currently at the second reading stage in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural stage of Bill S-202 in the House of Commons, specifically the 'Third reading' stage. However, the status indicates that this stage has 'Not reached'. The current status of the bill is 'At second reading in the Senate', with the latest activity being a debate at second reading on December 12, 2019. The artifact also notes similar bills introduced in a previous Parliament.
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