Bill S-218 explained in plain English
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)
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-218, the Jane Goodall Act, amends the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act to create new offences and regulations concerning the captivity, trade, and welfare of great apes, elephants, and other designated animals.
Bill S-218, also known as the Jane Goodall Act, proposes changes to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. The bill aims to create new offences related to keeping great apes, elephants, and certain other non-domesticated animals in captivity. It would also implement new permit requirements for the import, export, and interprovincial transport of these animals and their related materials. Furthermore, the bill seeks to prohibit the import and export of elephant ivory and hunting trophies, with specific exemptions. The legislation also introduces provisions for the designation of specific animal species as 'designated animals' and establishes court procedures for considering the best interests of these animals in legal proceedings, including the appointment of animal advocates.
- Amends the Criminal Code to prohibit the ownership, breeding, and possession of reproductive materials of cetaceans, great apes, elephants, and designated animals kept in captivity, with certain exceptions for existing captivity, rehabilitation, scientific research, and an animal's best interests.
- Creates new offences for using cetaceans, great apes, elephants, or designated animals for performance or conveyance for entertainment purposes, unless authorized by a provincial licence.
- Introduces provisions for the designation of specific non-domesticated animal species similar to cetaceans, great apes, or elephants as 'designated animals' by the Governor in Council.
- Establishes new court procedures where courts must consider making orders to protect the best interests of affected animals, including potentially ordering modifications to living conditions, relocation, or forfeiture of ownership.
- Provides for the appointment of 'animal advocates' to represent the best interests of animals in court proceedings.
- Amends the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act to require permits for the import, export, or interprovincial transport of great apes, elephants, and designated animals or their reproductive materials, unless for non-harmful scientific research or if captivity is in the animal's best interests.
- Prohibits the import and export of elephant ivory and elephant hunting trophies, with specific exemptions for items of high artistic, cultural, or historical value, personal effects, and household items under certain conditions.
- Amends regulations regarding exemptions from the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act to include provisions for exemption certificates for ivory and trophies.
- Introduces transitional provisions to address gestating animals and their offspring in relation to the new offences.
- Owners, custodians, and breeders of cetaceans, great apes, and elephants.
- Individuals involved in the possession of reproductive materials of these animals.
- Individuals and organizations involved in the import, export, or interprovincial transport of these animals and their parts or derivatives.
- Individuals and organizations involved in the trade of elephant ivory and hunting trophies.
- Institutions and individuals conducting scientific research on these animals.
- Courts, prosecutors, and defence counsel in legal proceedings involving these animals.
- Provincial governments, particularly in relation to licensing and designating animal advocates.
- Designated animal welfare authorities and non-governmental organizations focused on animal welfare.
- The Governor in Council and Ministers responsible for implementing the Act.
- Obligation not to own, breed, or possess reproductive materials of cetaceans, great apes, elephants, or designated animals in captivity, subject to exceptions.
- Obligation to obtain permits for importing, exporting, or interprovincially transporting great apes, elephants, and designated animals or their reproductive materials.
- Obligation not to import or export elephant ivory or elephant hunting trophies, subject to exemptions.
- Right of courts to consider and make orders for the best interests of animals.
- Right of animal advocates to participate in legal proceedings concerning animal welfare.
- Right of individuals to apply for permits or licences for specific purposes, such as scientific research or keeping animals in captivity in their best interests.
- The Act comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council, no later than one year after receiving royal assent.
- The Criminal Code amendments create new offences. Penalties for these offences are not specified in the provided text but would typically be found within the Criminal Code itself or related penalty provisions.
- The Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act amendments introduce new permit and prohibition requirements. Penalties for contravening these provisions are not detailed in the provided text.
- The specific penalties for the new offences created under the Criminal Code are not detailed in this bill text.
- The specific penalties for contravening the permit and prohibition requirements under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act are not detailed in this bill text.
- The definition of 'designated animal' relies on future designation by the Governor in Council.
- The criteria for 'non-harmful scientific research' and 'best interests of the animal' for licensing purposes are subject to the Minister's opinion.
- The exact process and criteria for issuing exemption certificates for elephant ivory and trophies are detailed but require ministerial discretion.
- The bill text does not specify the exact timing or process for the Governor in Council to designate animals or appoint animal advocates.
- The bill does not specify how provincial authorities will designate animal advocates.
- The commencement date of the Act is not fixed and depends on a future Order in Council.
Adds new definitions and offences related to the captivity, breeding, and possession of reproductive materials of cetaceans, great apes, elephants, and designated animals. It also modifies existing exceptions and introduces new ones, including those related to scientific research and an animal's best interests, and establishes new court procedures for animal welfare orders and the appointment of animal advocates.
Source: Section 2
Adds a definition for 'designated animal'. It modifies provisions related to permits for importing, exporting, or interprovincially transporting animals and plants to include specific requirements for great apes, elephants, and designated animals. It also introduces new prohibitions on the import and export of elephant ivory and hunting trophies, with defined exemptions, and creates new licensing authorities for scientific research and for keeping animals in captivity in their best interests.
Source: Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
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-218, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act regarding certain animals, completed its first reading in the Senate on November 17, 2020.
This record shows that 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 concerning great apes, elephants, and certain other animals, had its first reading in the Senate on November 17, 2020. The bill was at the second reading stage in the Senate at the time of this record, with related debate activity noted for November 19, 2020.
During a Senate sitting on November 17, 2020, Bill S-218 received first reading, and the Senate extensively debated and considered Bill C-9 through a Committee of the Whole hearing with the Minister of Finance, alongside other legislative and inquiry business.
On November 17, 2020, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. During routine proceedings, Bill S-218, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act related to great apes, elephants, and other animals, was introduced and read for the first time. The Senate also considered messages from the House of Commons, including Bill C-9 to amend the Income Tax Act. Question period covered various topics including COVID-19 economic response, fiscal updates, health reports, immigration, untendered government contracts, and foreign affairs. The Senate then resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the subject matter of Bill C-9, hearing from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Following this, the Senate proceeded to debate and pass other bills, including Bill S-1001 (Girl Guides of Canada Bill), and debated the principles of Bill S-203 (Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Bill) and Bill S-205 (Parliament of Canada Act amendment for a Visual Artist Laureate). Other items included continued debate on motions concerning PTSD frameworks, resource extraction impacts, and Mi'kmaw fishers' rights, as well as an inquiry into long-term care system weaknesses.
On November 19, 2020, the Senate began debate on Bill S-218 during its second reading, with the Sponsor delivering a speech.
On November 19, 2020, the Senate began debate on Bill S-218 at the second reading stage. The Senate Sponsor, Murray Sinclair, delivered a speech. This stage of the process was not completed on this date.
On November 19, 2020, the Senate engaged in routine proceedings, question period, and debates on various bills and motions, including the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Wage Subsidy, animal protection, and national security, with Royal Assent granted to Bill C-9.
This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on November 19, 2020. The Senate discussed various topics, including National Child Day, a new initiative at Cape Breton University, the 50th anniversary of Lincoln, Ontario, the COVID-19 situation in Nunavut, and tributes to the late Honourable David Osborn Braley. Routine proceedings included motions to allow committees to meet by videoconference and notices of motions for committee studies on official languages and agriculture. Question Period addressed topics such as the Parole Board of Canada, fiscal updates, the skilled worker program, seafood traceability, the oil and gas industry, COVID-19 in northern communities, the decline of French in Quebec, Canada-China relations, and the prospect of Huawei in Canada's 5G network. Orders of the Day included debates on various bills and motions, such as Bill C-9 (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Wage Subsidy), Bill S-204 (trafficking in human organs), Bill S-207 (independence of the judiciary), Bill S-210 (Commissioner for Children and Youth), Bill S-213 (Department for Women and Gender Equality Act), Bill S-218 (great apes, elephants and certain other animals), and motions regarding Huawei's involvement in Canada's 5G network, the Hagia Sophia, the future of workers, the Bank of Canada Act, forced sterilization, and long-term care. Royal Assent was given to Bill C-9.
During the Senate's second reading debate, Senator Murray Sinclair presented Bill S-218, aiming to enhance legal protections for captive great apes, elephants, and other animals, inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall's advocacy.
This record details the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-218, concerning the protection of great apes, elephants, and other animals. Senator Murray Sinclair, the bill's sponsor, delivered a speech highlighting the ethical imperative to protect these animals, drawing parallels to the work of Dr. Jane Goodall. He explained that the bill aims to prohibit new captivity, breeding, and performance use of great apes and elephants, promote their best interests, and ban the import of elephant ivory and hunting trophies. The bill also includes a "Noah clause" allowing for the extension of protections to other species by regulation. Senator Sinclair emphasized the interconnectedness of all life and the moral responsibility to ensure animals live in acceptable conditions and are not exploited for entertainment. He noted that the bill has support from Dr. Goodall and various animal welfare organizations. The debate also touched upon the plight of gorillas, orangutans, and elephants, as well as the broader implications of human-animal relationships and conservation efforts.
Bill S-218 has not yet reached the Senate Third Reading stage and is currently at Second Reading, with its latest activity being a debate on November 19, 2020.
The artifact indicates that Bill S-218, an act to amend the Criminal Code and another act related to international trade of wild animals and plants, has not yet reached the Senate Third Reading stage. The bill is currently at the Second Reading stage in the Senate. The latest activity noted was a debate at Second Reading on Thursday, November 19, 2020, which included a speech from Sponsor Senator Murray Sinclair.
Bill S-218 has not yet had its first reading in the House of Commons, but it has progressed to second reading in the Senate where a debate occurred on November 19, 2020.
This artifact describes the status of Bill S-218 in the House of Commons. It indicates that the bill has not yet reached the 'First reading' stage in the House of Commons. The bill's current status is 'At second reading in the Senate', with the latest activity being a debate at second reading on Thursday, November 19, 2020, where Senator Murray Sinclair gave the sponsor's speech. The bill was first read on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, and had its second reading on Thursday, November 19, 2020.
Bill S-218, concerning great apes, elephants, and other animals, has not yet reached its second reading stage in the House of Commons and is currently undergoing second reading debate in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-218 in the House of Commons. It indicates that the bill has not yet reached the 'House of Commons Second reading' stage. 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 November 19, 2020. The bill was first read on November 17, 2020, and had its second reading in the Senate on November 19, 2020.
Bill S-218 has progressed to a potential committee consideration stage in the House of Commons, while its overall status is at second reading in the Senate, with recent debate activity.
This artifact describes a procedural step for Bill S-218. The bill has reached the stage of 'House of Commons Consideration in committee,' but this stage has not yet occurred. The current overall status of the bill is 'At second reading in the Senate.' The latest activity noted was a debate at second reading in the Senate on November 19, 2020, which included a speech by Senator Murray Sinclair. The bill had its first reading on November 17, 2020, and its second reading in the Senate on November 19, 2020.
Bill S-218 is scheduled for Report stage in the House of Commons but has not yet reached it, while it is currently under consideration at second reading in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-218 has reached the 'Report stage' in the House of Commons, but this stage has not yet occurred ('Not reached'). The bill is currently at the 'second reading' stage in the Senate, and its latest activity was a debate at second reading on November 19, 2020, which included a speech from Senator Murray Sinclair.
The artifact shows that the third reading stage in the House of Commons for Bill S-218 has not yet occurred, with the bill currently being at the second reading stage in the Senate.
The artifact indicates that the 'House of Commons Third reading' stage for Bill S-218 has not yet been reached. The provided text focuses on the bill's progress in the Senate, noting its current status at second reading and detailing the first reading and second reading dates. It also mentions a major speech by Senator Murray Sinclair at the second reading.
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