Bill S-2 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 43rd Parliament, 2nd 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-2 amends the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act to remove a schedule containing specific treaty language in order to keep the Act in sync with future updates to the international Chemical Weapons Convention.
This bill updates how Canadian law refers to the international Chemical Weapons Convention. Currently, the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act includes a schedule (an attached section) that reproduces parts of the actual treaty text. The problem is that the treaty itself can be amended over time, but the schedule in Canadian law cannot be updated as easily. This creates a risk that Canada's law could become inconsistent with the actual, updated treaty. Bill S-2 fixes this by: 1. Removing the schedule from the Act 2. Changing the definition of "Convention" in the Act to refer directly to the treaty as it exists and is amended, rather than relying on a fixed copy in Canadian law 3. Removing a related section (subsection 2(3)) that is no longer needed The goal is to ensure that Canada's legal obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention automatically reflect any amendments made to the treaty, without requiring Parliament to pass new legislation each time the treaty is updated.
- Replaces the definition of 'Convention' in subsection 2(1) of the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act to reference the treaty 'as amended from time to time pursuant to Article XV of the Convention'
- Repeals subsection 2(3) of the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act
- Repeals the entire schedule to the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act that previously reproduced portions of the treaty text
- The Government of Canada and its agencies responsible for implementing and enforcing chemical weapons prohibitions
- Persons and entities subject to Canadian chemical weapons regulations derived from the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act
- Canadian courts interpreting Canadian obligations under the international Chemical Weapons Convention
- Canada's legal obligation to comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention will now automatically include any amendments made to the treaty under Article XV, without requiring new Canadian legislation
- The bill does not specify a date of commencement; it will come into force on a date to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council, or on the day the bill receives Royal Assent if no order is made
- The bill does not specify what subsection 2(3) of the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act currently says or why it is being removed; the bill text only states that it is repealed
- The bill does not specify the exact content of the schedule being repealed or provide detail on which portions of the treaty text it contains
- The bill does not state a specific commencement date; the Act will come into force on a date to be determined by the Governor in Council
The definition of 'Convention' is changed to refer to the treaty as it may be amended in the future. A schedule reproducing portions of treaty text is removed. A related subsection (2(3)) is repealed. These changes ensure Canadian law references the current, amended treaty rather than a static version.
Source: Sections 1 and 2 of Bill S-2
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 textThe official summary published alongside the bill, shown exactly as written.
Source: Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)
The Library of Parliament does not prepare Legislative Summaries for bills that implement treaties, conventions, agreements or administrative arrangements bills. The following is a short summary: On 27 October 2020, Sen. Marc Gold introduced Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, in the Senate and it was given first reading. Bill S-2 amends the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act by deleting the schedule to that Act and the references to that schedule in that Act, in order to avoid potential discrepancies between the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, as amended from time to time, and the portions of that Convention that are reproduced in that schedule.
This is the official summary published by the Parliament of Canada, shown verbatim. Not legal advice. PoliticalData.ca did not write or edit this text.
View on LEGISinfoParliamentary Process
Bill S-2, concerning amendments to the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, completed its first reading in the Senate on October 27, 2020, and has since moved to the House of Commons for further debate.
This record describes the initial procedural steps for Bill S-2 in the Senate. It was introduced and received its first reading on October 27, 2020. The bill later proceeded through second reading, committee review, and third reading in the Senate before moving to the House of Commons. The provided text indicates the bill is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons.
In the Senate on October 27, 2020, Bill S-2, concerning the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, was introduced and read for the first time, marking its initial procedural step.
On October 27, 2020, during the Senate sitting, Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, was introduced and received its first reading. This signifies the formal beginning of the bill's journey through the legislative process. The Senate also dealt with various other procedural matters, including tabling reports, debating motions on hybrid sittings, and initiating several other bills. The Senate also engaged in question period on a range of topics.
Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, completed its second reading in the Senate and is now at second reading in the House of Commons.
This record describes the Senate's second reading stage for Bill S-2. The bill, concerning amendments to the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, had its second reading in the Senate on November 5, 2020. Major speeches were delivered on December 2, 2020. The bill then moved to committee consideration and third reading in the Senate before being sent to the House of Commons. The House of Commons then proceeded with its first reading on February 25, 2021. The bill is currently at second reading in the House of Commons.
On November 5, 2020, the Senate engaged in routine proceedings, question period, and debates on various bills and motions, including Bill S-2 concerning chemical weapons, and discussions on veterans' affairs, child protection, and foreign policy.
This Senate sitting on November 5, 2020, included discussions on various topics such as Aboriginal Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, and the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. Routine proceedings involved the presentation of committee reports and the introduction of a bill to amend the Canada Labour Code. Question Period addressed issues like veterans' disability benefits, hybrid committee meetings, and the proposed Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth. The primary legislative business of the day included debate on Bill S-2, an act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, and various other bills and motions. Several senators also spoke on motions related to foreign affairs, national security, and social issues, including the situation in Hong Kong, the prospect of Huawei's involvement in Canada's 5G network, Iran-sponsored terrorism, and the implementation of a federal framework on post-traumatic stress disorder. The sitting concluded with senators adjourning the debate on multiple items.
On November 5, 2020, the Senate debated Bill S-2, an act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, focusing on aligning Canadian law with international standards by removing an outdated list of prohibited chemicals.
This artifact is a record of the Senate debate on November 5, 2020. The Senate debated and continued debate on several bills, including Bill S-2, an act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act. The debate on Bill S-2 focused on the historical use of chemical weapons and the need to update Canada's legislation to align with international conventions, specifically by removing an outdated list of prohibited chemicals from the act and referencing the current list maintained by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Other discussions included the creation of a Commissioner for Children and Youth, lowering the voting age, modern slavery legislation, and various motions concerning committee studies and government actions.
The Senate debated and referred Bill S-2, aimed at updating the list of banned chemicals under the Chemical Weapons Convention, following tributes to a retiring senator and other procedural business.
On December 2, 2020, the Senate debated Bill S-2, an act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act. The debate included tributes to Senator Lillian Eva Dyck, who retired from the Senate. Procedural items such as tabling reports and introducing new bills were also addressed. The main focus of the sitting was the second reading of Bill S-2, which aims to update Canada's list of controlled chemicals to align with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Senators discussed the bill's purpose, which includes adding nerve agents of the Novichok group to the list of banned chemicals, in response to their alleged use in international incidents. While supporting the bill in principle, senators raised questions about its enforcement and effectiveness in preventing future attacks, particularly by states that may not adhere to international agreements. Following the debate, the bill was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
On December 2, 2020, the Senate held tributes for retiring Senator Lillian Eva Dyck and debated Bill S-2, concerning amendments to the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, ultimately referring it to committee.
This Senate debate record from December 2, 2020, primarily focuses on tributes to Senator Lillian Eva Dyck, who retired on August 24, 2020. Several senators shared personal anecdotes and acknowledged her significant contributions, particularly her advocacy for Indigenous women's rights, her work on Bill S-3 (An Act to amend the Indian Act), and her efforts to address systemic racism. The record also includes routine proceedings such as the tabling of committee reports and the introduction of a new bill (Bill S-220). A portion of the debate also involved discussions on various government programs and policies during Question Period, and concluded with the second reading and referral to committee of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act. The debate on Bill S-2 included remarks from Senators Ataullahjan and McPhedran, who discussed the bill's purpose of adding new categories of controlled chemicals, aligning Canada's laws with international conventions, and the broader implications for global security and disarmament.
Bill S-2 completed its committee review and third reading in the Senate before moving to the House of Commons for first and second reading.
This record indicates that Bill S-2 completed the 'Consideration in committee' stage in the Senate on December 16, 2020. Following this, the bill proceeded to Third reading in the Senate on December 17, 2020. It was later introduced in the House of Commons for First reading on February 25, 2021. The bill is currently at the Second reading stage in the House of Commons.
The Senate completed its committee stage review of Bill S-2, reporting it without amendment, and scheduled it for third reading.
On December 16, 2020, the Senate completed its consideration of Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act. The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade presented its second report, indicating that it had examined the bill and found no amendments. The bill was then placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting. The sitting also included Senators' Statements on various topics, routine proceedings, and Question Period covering diverse subjects, as well as debates on other bills.
Bill S-2 completed its third reading in the Senate on December 17, 2020, before moving to the House of Commons for first reading on February 25, 2021.
This record shows that Bill S-2 completed its third reading in the Senate on December 17, 2020. Following this, it moved to the House of Commons for first reading on February 25, 2021, and is currently at the second reading stage there. The artifact details key dates for Senate proceedings, including the sponsor's speech on November 5, 2020, and response speeches on December 2, 2020. It also notes that a similar bill, C-9, was introduced in the same Parliament.
The Senate debated and passed Bill S-2 at its third reading, while also addressing procedural matters and concluding the sitting with seasonal greetings.
On December 17, 2020, the Senate held its third reading debate for Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act. The Senate also dealt with other procedural matters, including notices of motion concerning hybrid meetings, committee sittings, and adjournment. The Senate then proceeded to government business, which included the second reading and referral to committee of Bill C-7, followed by the third reading and passage of Bill S-2. The sitting concluded with expressions of good wishes for the holiday season. The appendix includes the full text of speeches made during the third reading debate for Bill S-2 and Bill C-7.
Bill S-2, concerning the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, completed its first reading in the House of Commons on February 25, 2021, and is currently at the second reading stage.
This artifact describes the first reading of Bill S-2 in the House of Commons on February 25, 2021. This is a procedural step where a bill is formally introduced to the House. The bill was previously introduced in the Senate. The artifact also indicates that the bill is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons.
Bill S-2, concerning the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, was introduced for its first reading in the House of Commons on February 25, 2021.
On February 25, 2021, the House of Commons held its first reading debate for Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act. This stage in the legislative process involves the initial introduction and reading of the bill, not its passage into law.
Bill S-2 is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons, with its last procedural activity being first reading on February 25, 2021.
This artifact shows the procedural status of Bill S-2 in the House of Commons. The bill is currently at the second reading stage. The record indicates that the last significant activity was the first reading on February 25, 2021. Previous readings and committee considerations in the House of Commons, as well as speeches in the Senate, are also noted, along with the dates they occurred. The artifact also mentions a similar bill, C-9, introduced in the same Parliament.
The record shows that Bill S-2 is scheduled for committee consideration in the House of Commons, but this stage has not yet been reached.
This record indicates that Bill S-2, an Act to amend the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, has reached the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage. However, the stage state is marked as 'Not reached', meaning the committee's review of the bill has not yet occurred.
Bill S-2, concerning the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons, with its procedural path including readings and committee work prior to this point.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-2 in the House of Commons. The bill has not yet reached the Report stage. The record indicates its latest activity was First Reading on February 25, 2021, and provides a timeline of its previous stages, including First Reading on October 27, 2020, Second Reading on November 5, 2020, committee consideration on December 14 and 16, 2020, and Third Reading on December 17, 2020. It also notes significant speeches in the Senate related to the bill.
Bill S-2, concerning amendments to the Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation Act, has not yet reached Third Reading in the House of Commons, with its latest recorded activity being First Reading on February 25, 2021.
This artifact describes the legislative progress of Bill S-2 in the House of Commons. The bill has not yet reached the Third Reading stage. The latest activity noted is its First Reading on Thursday, February 25, 2021. The record also details previous stages including First Reading on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, Second Reading on Thursday, November 5, 2020, consideration in committee on December 14 and 16, 2020, and Third Reading on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Speeches from Senators Mary Coyle, Salma Ataullahjan, and Marilou McPhedran related to the bill's progress in the Senate are also noted. A similar bill, C-9, with the same title, was introduced in this 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