Bill S-204 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs)
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-204 creates criminal offences for trafficking in human organs and makes people involved in such activities inadmissible to Canada.
Bill S-204 amends the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to address human organ trafficking. The Criminal Code amendments create three new criminal offences related to trafficking in human organs: 1. Removing an organ without informed consent: It is an offence to obtain an organ for transplant (into yourself or someone else) when you know the person or their authorized representative did not give informed consent, or you are reckless about whether consent was given. It is also an offence to carry out, participate in, or facilitate removing an organ without informed consent. 2. Assisting with organ removal without consent: It is an offence to do anything to help with removing an organ without informed consent, if you are acting on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association with the person removing the organ. 3. Organ trafficking for money: It is an offence to obtain or help obtain an organ for transplant when you know it was obtained for payment or money, or you are reckless about whether it was paid for. All three offences can result in imprisonment for up to 14 years. The bill also extends Canadian criminal jurisdiction so that Canadian citizens and permanent residents can be prosecuted in Canada for committing these organ trafficking offences outside Canada. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act amendments make it so that the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration can declare permanent residents and foreign nationals inadmissible to Canada if the Minister believes they have engaged in conduct that would constitute an organ trafficking offence under section 240.1 of the Criminal Code.
- Creates a criminal offence for obtaining an organ to be transplanted without informed consent from the person being removed from or their authorized representative
- Creates a criminal offence for carrying out, participating in, or facilitating organ removal without informed consent
- Creates a criminal offence for assisting with organ removal without informed consent when acting on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association with the person removing the organ
- Creates a criminal offence for obtaining or helping obtain an organ for transplant when it was obtained for consideration or payment
- Sets the maximum penalty for these organ trafficking offences at 14 years imprisonment
- Extends Canadian criminal jurisdiction so Canadian citizens and permanent residents can be prosecuted in Canada for committing organ trafficking offences outside Canada
- Requires Attorney General consent before prosecuting cases under the new extraterritorial jurisdiction provisions
- Makes permanent residents and foreign nationals inadmissible to Canada if the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration believes they have engaged in conduct constituting an organ trafficking offence
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents who commit organ trafficking offences outside Canada
- People who obtain organs for transplant without informed consent
- People who remove, carry out, participate in, or facilitate organ removal without informed consent
- People who assist with organ removal without informed consent
- People who obtain organs through financial transactions or payment
- Permanent residents and foreign nationals seeking to remain in or enter Canada who have engaged in organ trafficking activities
- The Attorney General of Canada, who must consent to prosecutions under the extraterritorial provisions
- Criminal offence to obtain an organ for transplant knowing informed consent was not given or being reckless about consent
- Criminal offence to carry out, participate in, or facilitate organ removal without informed consent
- Criminal offence to assist with organ removal without informed consent
- Criminal offence to obtain or help obtain an organ obtained through payment or consideration
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents can be prosecuted in Canada for committing these offences outside Canada
- Attorney General consent is required before proceeding with prosecutions for extraterritorial organ trafficking offences
- Permanent residents and foreign nationals can be declared inadmissible to Canada based on the Minister's opinion that they engaged in organ trafficking conduct
- Bill is currently at second reading in the House of Commons as of the provided information; commencement date not specified in the bill text provided
- Maximum imprisonment of 14 years for committing offences under Criminal Code section 240.1
- Prosecutions under the extraterritorial provisions require Attorney General consent
- Permanent residents and foreign nationals can be declared inadmissible to Canada based on organ trafficking conduct
- The bill text does not define 'informed consent' in detail; courts would need to determine what constitutes informed consent in specific cases
- The bill text does not specify what constitutes an 'organ' for the purposes of these offences, though it refers to organs being transplanted into bodies
- The phrase 'being reckless as to whether or not such consent was given' is referenced but not defined in the provided bill text; courts would interpret this standard
- The bill amends section 35(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act but the bill text does not provide context on what other grounds for inadmissibility exist in that section
- The bill text does not specify when these amendments come into force or if there are any transitional provisions
- The bill does not define 'consideration' in the context of the financial transaction offence, though it would likely mean payment or exchange of value
New subsection (4.2) added to extend Canadian criminal jurisdiction over organ trafficking offences committed outside Canada by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Subsection (4.3) updated to require Attorney General consent for prosecutions under these extraterritorial provisions.
Source: Section 1
Creates three new criminal offences related to trafficking in human organs: removing organs without informed consent, assisting with organ removal without consent, and obtaining organs through financial transactions. Maximum penalty is 14 years imprisonment.
Source: Section 2
New paragraph (c.1) added to make permanent residents and foreign nationals inadmissible to Canada if the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration believes they have engaged in conduct that would constitute an organ trafficking offence under Criminal Code section 240.1.
Source: Section 3
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-204, concerning human organ trafficking, completed its first reading in the Senate on September 30, 2020, and is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons.
Bill S-204, which aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning trafficking in human organs, had its first reading in the Senate on September 30, 2020. This is the initial introduction of the bill into the legislative process. The bill has since moved to the House of Commons and is currently at the second reading stage there. The provided text outlines the legislative journey of the bill, including dates of readings, committee considerations, and speeches given by various Members of Parliament.
During a Senate sitting on September 30, 2020, Bill S-204, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act regarding human organ trafficking, was introduced and read for the first time, alongside other Senate business and notices of motions.
This Senate sitting on September 30, 2020, included the first reading of several bills. One of these was Bill S-204, an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning trafficking in human organs. Other business included tributes to the late Honourable Brenda Robertson and Aline Chrétien, discussions on the sale of MEC assets, honouring Black artists, and the memorial service for police and peace officers. Various notices of motions were also presented, covering a wide range of topics from committee studies to government actions.
This artifact outlines the procedural progression of Bill S-204 through its second reading in the Senate and its subsequent movement to the House of Commons.
The artifact describes the procedural history of Bill S-204 in the Senate. It indicates that the bill reached the second reading stage in the Senate on November 19, 2020, and that a sponsor's speech was made by Senator Salma Ataullahjan on March 16, 2021. The artifact also notes that the bill subsequently moved to the House of Commons, where it is currently at second reading. It lists dates for first reading, second reading, committee consideration, and third reading in both chambers.
On November 19, 2020, the Senate heard statements on various topics, addressed routine proceedings and questions, and debated or advanced several bills and motions, including adjourning debate on Bill S-204 concerning human organ trafficking.
The Senate sat on November 19, 2020. The sitting included Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. During Senators' Statements, senators spoke on topics including National Child Day, Cape Breton University, Lincoln, Ontario, Nunavut, the late Honourable David Osborn Braley, and Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. Routine Proceedings involved motions regarding committees meeting by videoconference, adjournment, and reports from parliamentary associations. Question Period covered topics such as the Parole Board of Canada, fiscal updates, skilled worker programs, seafood traceability, the oil and gas industry, the COVID-19 pandemic in northern communities, the French language in Quebec, and Canada-China relations. Orders of the Day included debate and motions on various bills, including Bill S-204 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs)), which had its second reading debate adjourned. Other items included the third reading of Bill C-9, debate on Bill S-207 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary)), Bill S-210 (An Act to establish the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada), Bill S-213 (An Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act), Bill S-218 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals)), motions to authorize committees to study specific issues like the Huawei 5G network and the future of workers, and debates on motions concerning the Hagia Sophia and the Bank of Canada Act. Royal Assent was signified for Bill C-9.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-204, Senator Ataullahjan explained the bill's aim to criminalize organ harvesting and trafficking, highlighting its global nature and impact on vulnerable populations.
On November 19, 2020, the Senate debated Bill S-204, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning trafficking in human organs. Senator Salma Ataullahjan sponsored the bill, explaining its purpose to create new offences related to organ harvesting and trafficking abroad. She highlighted the growing international problem of organ trafficking, often exploiting vulnerable individuals to meet the demand for organ transplants. She noted that organ trafficking is a significant global issue, estimated to generate between $600 million and $1.2 billion annually, and that over 100 countries have legislation against it. The bill aims to address this by amending the Criminal Code to create new offences and amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to make individuals involved in organ trafficking inadmissible to Canada. Senator Ataullahjan emphasized that the bill does not prevent Canadians from seeking legitimate organ transplants abroad but aims to hold accountable those involved in illegal organ acquisition. The debate was adjourned after her speech.
The Senate convened on March 16, 2021, hearing tributes, routine proceedings, question period, and engaging in debate and consideration of multiple bills and motions, including those related to medical assistance in dying, trade continuity, employment insurance, and online pornography.
This artifact is a record of the Senate sitting on March 16, 2021. The Senate convened and began the day with Senators' Statements, where tributes were paid to the late Rhéal Cormier, the Canadian wine industry, Steve Konchalski on his retirement, the late Raymond Lévesque, and the Artbeat Studio organization. Daughters of the Vote was also discussed. Routine Proceedings followed, including the presentation of committee reports and the introduction of several new bills. Question Period saw Senators asking the Government Representative questions on various topics including Bill C-7, sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, consultations with Black and Indigenous Canadians, national vaccine registries and passports, funding for equitable library access, funding for UNRWA, and the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Orders of the Day included the continuation of debate on Bill C-7 (medical assistance in dying), second and third readings of the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement Implementation Bill, second reading of Bill C-24 (Employment Insurance Act and Canada Recovery Benefits Act), debate on the Speech from the Throne, and second reading of several other bills (Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Bill, Criminal Code amendment, Parliament of Canada Act amendment, Canada Elections Act amendment, Department for Women and Gender Equality Act amendment, Income Tax Act amendment, and another Criminal Code amendment). The sitting concluded with the adjournment of the Senate.
Bill S-204, concerning trafficking in human organs, completed its committee stage in the Senate on April 20, 2021, and is now at second reading in the House of Commons.
This record indicates that Bill S-204 completed its stage of 'Senate Consideration in committee' on April 20, 2021. The bill aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning trafficking in human organs. It has since moved to the House of Commons for second reading.
On April 20, 2021, the Senate sat, heard tributes, and received the report on Bill S-204 without amendment, alongside other legislative and procedural business.
On April 20, 2021, the Senate sat. After initial proceedings including tributes to His late Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and a moment of silence for the victims of the Nova Scotia mass shooting, the Senate proceeded with its business. A key procedural step was the presentation of the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights regarding Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs). The committee reported the bill without amendment. The Senate also considered and adopted other committee reports and debated various government bills and motions, including matters related to medical assistance in dying, COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and budget 2021. The sitting concluded with a motion to adjourn until May 4, 2021.
Bill S-204 completed its third reading in the Senate on May 6, 2021, and has since moved to the House of Commons.
This artifact documents the completion of the Senate Third Reading stage for Bill S-204 on May 6, 2021. Following this stage in the Senate, the bill moved to the House of Commons for its Second Reading.
On May 6, 2021, the Senate debated and passed Bill S-204 concerning human organ trafficking, considered amendments to the Judges Act and Criminal Code via Bill C-3, and advanced discussions on updating the Parliament of Canada Act with Bill S-4.
This Senate sitting on May 6, 2021, included debates on various topics and procedural matters. A key item was the third reading of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), which was passed by the Senate. Other discussions included a point of order raised by Senator Plett regarding Senate rules, a debate on Bill C-3 concerning amendments to the Judges Act and the Criminal Code, and the second reading of Bill S-4, which aims to update the Parliament of Canada Act. The sitting also featured discussions on vaccine hesitancy, freedom of expression, international aid, and various other matters during Question Period. Several bills were given first reading, and others were advanced through different stages of the legislative process.
This record details the completion of the First Reading stage for Bill S-204 in the House of Commons on May 10, 2021, and outlines its subsequent procedural journey through the House.
This artifact describes the House of Commons First Reading stage for Bill S-204, which occurred on May 10, 2021, and was completed. First reading is the initial step where a bill is formally introduced to the House. The record also shows the bill's subsequent progress, including its passage through second reading, committee consideration, and third reading, with debates and speeches occurring at various points up to June 18, 2021.
This House of Commons sitting record from May 10, 2021, documents the first reading of Bill S-204 concerning human organ trafficking, debates on Bill C-19 related to election procedures during a pandemic, and discussions on the Line 5 pipeline and foreign investment.
This artifact is a record of the House of Commons sitting on May 10, 2021. It details the proceedings, including debates on various bills and statements made by Members of Parliament. Notably, it records the first reading of Bill S-204, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning trafficking in human organs. The sitting also included debates on Bill C-19, an Act to amend the Canada Elections Act, and discussions on the economic relationship between Canada and the United States, specifically concerning the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline. Other items included statements by members on various topics and the tabling of petitions. The overall purpose of this record is to document the parliamentary business conducted during that specific sitting day.
Bill S-204, concerning human organ trafficking, was undergoing debate at its second reading stage in the House of Commons as of June 18, 2021, following earlier stages in both the House and the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-204, concerning trafficking in human organs, was at the second reading stage in the House of Commons. The latest activity noted is debate on this stage, which occurred on June 18, 2021. The bill had previously passed first reading on September 30, 2020, and had its first second reading debate on November 19, 2020. It also underwent consideration in committee and third reading before returning to second reading for further debate.
On June 18, 2021, the House of Commons debated Bill C-30 (Budget Implementation Act) and Bill S-204 (trafficking in human organs), with numerous procedural points of order and members' statements on various issues.
This artifact is a record of the House of Commons sitting on June 18, 2021. It details discussions related to various government bills and members' statements. The primary focus of the sitting appears to have been the debate on Bill C-30, the Budget Implementation Act, 2021, with members from different parties expressing their views on its provisions and the government's fiscal policies. There were also discussions on other matters, including private members' business such as Bill S-204 concerning trafficking in human organs, and points of order raised by members on procedural matters and government accountability.
This House of Commons Hansard record details procedural discussions and statements by members during the second reading debate of Bill S-204 concerning human organ trafficking, alongside extensive debates on the Budget Implementation Act, 2021 (Bill C-30) and various points of privilege.
This document is a record of a debate in the House of Commons on June 18, 2021, regarding Bill S-204, which aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act concerning trafficking in human organs. The debate was at the second reading stage of the bill. The record consists of a list of Members of Parliament who spoke or were mentioned, along with various procedural discussions and statements by members on unrelated topics. The core discussion points related to Bill S-204 itself are limited, as the majority of the text comprises procedural matters and debates on other legislative items, particularly the Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1 (Bill C-30).
During a House of Commons debate on Bill S-204 concerning human organ trafficking, MPs discussed the bill's merits and related socioeconomic issues, with procedural matters and debates on other government business also occurring.
During a House of Commons debate on Bill S-204, which aims to combat human organ trafficking, Members of Parliament from various parties expressed their views. The discussions touched upon the ethical implications of organ transplantation, the exploitation of vulnerable populations, and the need for Canada to establish extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute individuals involved in these practices. Some members also raised concerns about the bill's progress and the government's commitment to passing it, while others debated the broader economic and social issues highlighted by the pandemic, including the national debt, inflation, and support for small businesses and seniors. The debate also included procedural discussions and points of order related to parliamentary debate rules and the government's handling of various legislative matters.
During the second reading debate on Bill S-204, the House of Commons primarily discussed Bill C-30 (the Budget Implementation Act, 2021), with members raising concerns about economic issues, government spending, and Indigenous relations, alongside procedural debates and questions of privilege.
This is a record of a debate in the House of Commons on June 18, 2021, during the second reading stage of Bill S-204. While the bill's title suggests it concerns trafficking in human organs, the provided text focuses almost entirely on a debate about Bill C-30, the Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1. Members of various parties, primarily the Bloc Québécois, Conservatives, and New Democrats, spoke about various aspects of Bill C-30, including its impact on seniors, small businesses, the economy, housing, and government spending. There were also several points of order and questions of privilege raised by members of different parties concerning government transparency, the handling of Indigenous issues, and parliamentary procedure related to filibustering and the passage of legislation. The provided text does not contain discussions specifically about Bill S-204, the Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), beyond its initial mention in the context of Private Members' Business.
During a House of Commons debate on Bill S-204, MPs discussed the criminalization of organ trafficking and its extraterritorial application, highlighting concerns about exploitation and the need for stronger measures.
This document is a record of a debate that took place in the House of Commons on June 18, 2021, concerning Bill S-204, which aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act regarding trafficking in human organs. The debate involved several Members of Parliament (MPs) from different parties discussing the bill, its importance, and related issues, with a particular focus on the ethical implications of organ trafficking and the need to protect vulnerable individuals.
Bill S-204 is currently at the second reading stage in the House of Commons, and the stage for 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' has not yet been reached.
This artifact indicates that the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage for Bill S-204 has not yet been reached. The bill is currently at the 'Second Reading' stage in the House of Commons. The record shows the bill's progress, including its first reading, second reading debates, and committee consideration dates, as well as third reading. It also notes that the bill was introduced in the Senate and underwent sponsor and response speeches there.
Bill S-204, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act related to human organ trafficking, has advanced through several stages in the House of Commons and is currently awaiting the report stage.
This artifact describes the legislative progress of Bill S-204, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs). The bill has progressed through first reading, second reading debates, committee consideration, and third reading in the House of Commons. It is currently at the report stage in the House of Commons, but this stage has not yet been reached. The record also notes past activity in the Senate, including first reading and sponsor's speech.
Bill S-204, concerning trafficking in human organs, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the House of Commons, with its last recorded activity being debate at Second Reading.
The House of Commons has not yet reached the Third Reading stage for Bill S-204. The bill was last debated at Second Reading on Friday, June 18, 2021. Other stages completed include First Reading, Second Reading, Consideration in Committee, and Third Reading, all of which occurred earlier.
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.
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