Bill S-13 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 44th 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
This bill amends the Interpretation Act to ensure all federal laws are interpreted in a way that upholds Indigenous rights and removes similar clauses from other laws.
Bill S-13 amends the Interpretation Act to require that all federal laws and regulations be interpreted in a way that upholds the Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples, as recognized by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and not to diminish them. The bill also removes similar 'non-derogation' clauses from other federal laws to create consistency.
- Adds a new section to the Interpretation Act stating that all federal enactments must be interpreted as upholding, not abrogating or derogating from, the Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
- Defines 'Indigenous peoples' for the purpose of the new section using the definition found in section 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.
- Repeals or amends 'non-derogation' clauses in numerous other federal Acts to ensure consistency with the new interpretation principle.
- Makes consequential amendments to other Acts that may come into force at the same time or in a different order than this Act, particularly in relation to Bill C-49.
- Federal government departments and agencies interpreting and applying federal laws and regulations.
- Indigenous peoples, as their Aboriginal and treaty rights are addressed.
- The courts, when interpreting federal legislation.
- Anyone subject to federal legislation, as its interpretation may be affected.
- Those involved in industries or activities regulated by the specific Acts that have their 'non-derogation' clauses repealed or amended.
- The bill establishes a rule of interpretation that federal laws must uphold Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples.
- It clarifies that 'Indigenous peoples' has the meaning assigned in section 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.
- The Act received Royal Assent on November 27, 2024.
- Some provisions come into force on assent.
- Other provisions may come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.
- Specific commencement orders may apply to sections of this Act in relation to other Bills (C-21, C-35, C-49) if those Bills also receive Royal Assent.
- The bill does not appear to introduce new taxes or direct financial impacts on individuals or businesses based on the provided text.
- The bill does not establish new enforcement mechanisms or penalties. Its impact is on the interpretation of existing laws.
- The precise effect of the new interpretation rule may be subject to judicial interpretation in specific cases.
- The bill's application in relation to other pending legislation (Bills C-21, C-35, C-49) depends on whether and when those bills receive Royal Assent and their specific commencement dates.
Adds a new provision that federal laws and regulations must be interpreted to uphold Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples, and not to diminish them. It also defines 'Indigenous peoples' for this purpose.
Source: Section 1 of the bill, amending Section 8.3 of the Interpretation Act
Repeals Section 21.1 and its preceding heading.
Source: Section 3
Repeals Section 3 of the Act and replaces a heading.
Source: Sections 6 and 7
Repeals Section 48 of the Act and replaces a preceding heading.
Source: Sections 8 and 9
Repeals Section 50 of the Act and replaces a preceding heading.
Source: Sections 10 and 11
Repeals Section 2.1 of the Act and replaces a preceding heading.
Source: Sections 14 and 15
Replaces a subsection to state that the Act is to be construed as upholding Aboriginal and treaty rights of Indigenous peoples and defines 'Indigenous peoples' for this purpose.
Source: Section 17
Repeals subsection 2(2) of the Act and replaces a preceding heading.
Source: Sections 19 and 20
Repeals Section 3 of the Act and replaces a preceding heading.
Source: Sections 21 and 22
Repeals subsection 2(2) of the Act.
Source: Section 23
Repeals Section 3 and its preceding heading.
Source: Section 25
Amends Section 3 by adjusting wording and repealing paragraph (e).
Source: Section 26
Repeals Section 1.1 of the Act.
Source: Section 27
Repeals Section 6 and its preceding heading.
Source: Section 28
Repeals Section 2 of the Act.
Source: Section 30
Repeals Section 3 of the Act and replaces a preceding heading.
Source: Sections 32 and 33
Repeals subsection 2(2) of the Act.
Source: Section 35
If Bill C-21 becomes law, this bill will repeal Section 72.1 and its preceding heading from that Act.
Source: Section 36
If Bill C-35 becomes law, this bill will repeal Section 3 from that Act.
Source: Section 37
If Bill C-49 becomes law, this bill makes contingent amendments to the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, including repealing sections and replacing headings depending on the order of commencement of various sections.
Source: Section 38
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
The Senate first reading of Bill S-13 on June 8, 2023, was a procedural step to introduce the bill and refer it to a committee, with no legal changes enacted at this stage.
Bill S-13, which amended the Interpretation Act and related laws, underwent its first reading in the Senate on June 8, 2023. This procedural step involved introducing the bill to the Senate and referring it to a committee for further review. No debate or voting occurred during this stage. The bill later progressed through second reading, committee consideration, and third reading before receiving royal assent in November 2024.
The Senate debated multiple bills during the June 8, 2023 sitting, including amendments to the Criminal Code on medical assistance in dying, repeal of corporal punishment provisions, tax deductions for tradespersons, and a private bill on corporate amalgamation.
The Senate debated several bills during the June 8, 2023 sitting. Key topics included: (1) Bill S-243, which proposes amendments to the Criminal Code regarding medical assistance in dying, with discussion on its second reading and potential delays in existing processes. (2) Bill S-248, which also addresses medical assistance in dying, with debate on whether to refer it to a committee for further review. (3) Bill S-251, which seeks to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code (allowing corporal punishment of children), with discussion on its merits and concerns raised by previous debates. (4) Bill C-241, which amends the Income Tax Act to provide tax deductions for travel expenses of tradespersons, with support for its second reading. (5) A private bill, Bill S-1001, which proposes to amalgamate two Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporations, with support for its second reading.
The Senate completed its second reading of Bill S-13 on September 27, 2023, after debate and speeches from the sponsor and a responding senator.
This record documents the Senate's second reading stage for Bill S-13, which was completed on September 27, 2023. During this stage, the bill was debated and voted on by senators. The sponsor, Patti LaBoucane-Benson, delivered a speech during the initial sitting (Sitting 136) to explain the bill's purpose. A response speech was given by Donald Neil Plett (Conservative) during a later sitting (Sitting 143). The stage was completed, allowing the bill to progress to the next legislative steps.
The Senate debated motions including the appointment of a commissioner, amendments to the Interpretation Act, firearms legislation, and adjournment.
The Senate debates include several motions and discussions. A motion to approve the appointment of Harriet Solloway as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner was adopted. Bill S-13, which amends the Interpretation Act to include non-derogation clauses for Indigenous rights, was debated. Bill C-21, related to firearms legislation, faced criticism for targeting rural Canadians. A motion to adjourn the Senate was also discussed.
The Senate debated bills related to firearms regulation, Indigenous rights, and public sector integrity, with senators discussing implementation concerns, legal protections, and procedural motions.
The Senate debate on June 20, 2023, focused on several bills and motions. Key topics included: 1. Bill C-21 (Firearms Amendment Act): Senators discussed its provisions, with some expressing concerns about its impact on rural communities and the need for clarity in implementation. 2. Bill S-13 (Indigenous Rights Protection): A motion to add a non-derogation clause to the Interpretation Act to protect Indigenous rights was debated, with support for its potential to strengthen legal protections. 3. Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Appointment: Questions were raised about the process for appointing the commissioner, with some senators calling for transparency in the selection criteria. 4. Procedural Motions: A motion to adjourn the Senate was tabled and debated, reflecting ongoing procedural discussions. The debate highlighted differing perspectives on legislative priorities, with emphasis on balancing public safety, Indigenous rights, and administrative transparency.
The Senate debated bills related to Indigenous rights, broadband regulation, and procedural motions, with emphasis on protecting Aboriginal rights and improving rural internet access.
The Senate debates on September 27, 2023, focused on several key legislative and procedural matters. A major topic was Bill S-13, which seeks to amend the Interpretation Act to include a non-derogation clause for Aboriginal and treaty rights, ensuring these rights cannot be overridden by other laws. Other bills discussed included Bill C-21 (related to Indigenous consultation) and Bill C-288 (broadband services under the Telecommunications Act). The Senate also addressed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal holiday, and debated procedural motions such as referring bills to committees and amending Senate administrative rules. Discussions highlighted concerns about Indigenous rights, broadband access in rural areas, and the role of regulatory bodies like the CRTC.
The Senate debated bills related to Indigenous rights, climate policy, and broadband access, with motions to refer bills to committees and adjournment of the session.
The Senate debated several bills and motions on September 27, 2023. Key topics included: 1. Bill S-13 (Aboriginal and Treaty Rights): Senators discussed its provisions, with some criticizing the government for not consulting Indigenous peoples adequately. A motion was proposed to refer the bill to a committee for further review. 2. Bill C-21 (Climate Change Act): Debate focused on the government's approach to climate policy, with concerns raised about insufficient consultation with Indigenous communities and the need for stronger commitments. 3. Bill C-288 (Broadband Services): Senators highlighted the importance of expanding broadband access to rural and Indigenous communities, noting current gaps in service. 4. Procedural motions: A motion to refer Bill S-13 to a committee passed, and the Senate adjourned for the day. The debates emphasized Indigenous consultation, climate action, and infrastructure equity, with procedural steps taken to advance specific bills.
The Senate completed its committee consideration of Bill S-13 in November 2023, which was later passed and received royal assent in November 2024.
This record documents the Senate's consideration of Bill S-13 during committee hearings from October 25 to November 30, 2023. The bill, which amends the Interpretation Act and related statutes, was completed in committee and moved to the third reading stage in December 2023. The bill was ultimately passed and received royal assent on November 27, 2024. The committee stage involved multiple sittings to review the bill's provisions, but this record does not include the full text of the bill or its legal amendments.
The Senate presented a committee report on Bill S-13, indicating it was ready for third reading without amendment, and proceeded with other Senate business.
On November 30, 2023, the Senate met, and several procedural matters related to Bill S-13 were addressed. The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs presented its nineteenth report, indicating that Bill S-13, an Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, had been examined and was being reported back without amendment, though with certain observations. The bill was then placed on the Senate's Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting. In addition to this, the sitting included various senators' statements on diverse topics, routine proceedings such as tabling committee reports and giving notice of motions, question period addressing government representatives on multiple policy areas, and other orders of the day including debates on other bills and committee reports.
The Senate completed third reading of Bill S-13 on December 14, 2023, formally approving the bill before it received royal assent on November 27, 2024.
The Senate completed the third reading of Bill S-13 on Thursday, December 14, 2023. This was the final procedural step in the Senate before the bill was sent to the Governor General for royal assent, which was granted on November 27, 2024. The third reading marked the Senate's formal approval of the bill, which amends the Interpretation Act and related statutes. No detailed debate or speeches are recorded for this specific third reading stage, though earlier stages included discussions during second reading and committee consideration.
The debate addressed agreements between political parties on public finances, carbon pricing strategies, a proposed voting age reduction, Senate oversight responsibilities, and infrastructure funding needs.
The debate covered several key topics: (1) A discussion on the New Democratic Party (NDP) and Liberal Party's agreement on public finances, with concerns about the impact of the agreement on provincial budgets and public services. (2) A focus on carbon pricing strategies, including the role of the OECD in shaping international climate policies and challenges in implementing carbon pricing at the provincial level. (3) A bill proposal to lower the voting age to 16, with arguments about youth engagement and democratic participation. (4) A review of the Senate's role in scrutinizing government spending and the importance of transparency in parliamentary processes. (5) A mention of the need for updated infrastructure funding and its implications for economic growth.
This metadata references a Senate sitting debate transcript from December 14, 2023, formatted in HTML, with a link to the official text.
The provided JSON contains metadata for a Senate debate transcript from December 14, 2023. It includes a URL to the official text, specifies the text format as HTML, identifies the artifact as a 'sitting' (a formal meeting of the Senate), and notes the chamber as the Senate.
Bill S-13's House of Commons first reading on February 26, 2024, was a procedural step to formally introduce the bill, with no legal changes enacted at this stage.
Bill S-13, which received royal assent on November 27, 2024, underwent its first reading in the House of Commons on February 26, 2024. This procedural step involved the formal introduction of the bill and its title being read aloud. No substantive debate or voting occurred at this stage. The bill progressed through subsequent stages including second reading, committee consideration, and third reading in the House of Commons before being passed to the Senate for similar stages. The first reading in the House was completed without further action.
The parliamentary session focused on debates over Bill C-21, the ArriveCAN scandal, housing crisis responses, and a proposed excess profits tax, with discussions spanning multiple political parties and specific motions.
The parliamentary session included discussions on several key issues. Bill C-21 was mentioned as being delayed, with concerns about its impact on the Port of Montreal's 18-month delay. The ArriveCAN scam and a company receiving $20 million in payments were highlighted. The housing crisis was a major topic, with debates over government responses, including the housing accelerator fund and criticism of the Conservative Party's inaction. A motion (Motion No. 92) for an excess profits tax on oil and gas was proposed. Other topics included fuel costs, RCMP issues, and business-related concerns. The discussion involved multiple political parties and specific individuals, with some motions and proposals being referenced but not fully resolved.
Bill S-13 passed the House of Commons second reading on November 19, 2024, advancing it toward final approval and royal assent.
Bill S-13, which amends the Interpretation Act and related laws, passed the second reading stage in the House of Commons on November 19, 2024. This procedural step marked the bill's progression to committee review. The bill was later passed by both chambers and received royal assent on November 27, 2024, making it law. The second reading in the House was part of the legislative process to approve the bill for further scrutiny.
The transcript documents a House of Commons debate on April 10, 2024, covering the introduction of Bill S-13, discussions on SDTC, vaccine injury support, prison farms, climate policy, and procedural matters, with no recorded votes or final outcomes.
The provided transcript details a House of Commons sitting on April 10, 2024, covering multiple topics. Key elements include: 1. Bill S-13 (Interpretation Act): The government introduced this bill to clarify the interpretation of federal laws, with the Speaker noting its importance for legal clarity. 2. SDTC (Strategic Development and Technology Canada): A motion was debated to establish SDTC as a federal agency to support innovation and economic growth. The government argued it would enhance Canada's global competitiveness, while opposition members raised concerns about potential duplication with existing agencies. 3. Vaccine Injury Support Program: A motion was proposed to expand support for individuals affected by vaccine injuries. The government supported the initiative, emphasizing public health and safety, while opposition members questioned the program's feasibility and funding. 4. Prison Farm Initiative: A private member's bill was discussed to create prison farms for inmate rehabilitation. The government acknowledged the potential for rehabilitation but noted the need for further consultation with stakeholders. 5. Climate Change Policies: A motion was debated to strengthen climate action, with the government highlighting recent policy advancements and opposition members calling for more aggressive targets. 6. Parliamentary Procedure: The Speaker addressed procedural matters, including the scheduling of debates and the handling of private member's bills. The transcript reflects ongoing legislative activity, with debates focusing on economic development, public health, criminal justice reform, and environmental policy. No final votes or outcomes are recorded in the provided text.
Bill S-13's House of Commons Consideration in Committee stage concluded on November 25, 2024, after which the bill advanced to the report stage and third reading before receiving royal assent.
During the House of Commons Consideration in Committee stage on November 25, 2024, members of the House examined Bill S-13 in detail. This stage involved reviewing the bill's provisions, discussing its implications, and potentially proposing amendments. The committee process concluded on this date, after which the bill proceeded to the report stage and third reading. The bill was later passed and received royal assent on November 27, 2024.
On November 25, 2024, the House of Commons engaged in extensive debate covering diverse issues including government spending, ethical conduct, economic policies, and public safety, with significant opposition criticism and government defense, alongside member statements and committee business.
This record details a sitting of the House of Commons on November 25, 2024. The primary focus of the sitting, as reflected in this 'sitting' artifact, was the continuation of debate and procedural discussions related to various matters. A significant portion of the record includes statements from Members of Parliament on diverse topics, Oral Questions directed to ministers covering a range of government responsibilities including public safety, taxation, the economy, and seniors, as well as discussions within Committees of the House on topics such as Indigenous and Northern Affairs and Public Accounts. The artifact also includes Routine Proceedings, such as the tabling of government responses to petitions, and statements by members on various issues including international days and community matters. The sitting was marked by extensive debate, primarily from members of the Conservative Party, raising concerns about government spending, alleged corruption, the handling of documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) fund, and broader economic and social issues. Liberal members responded by defending government actions and critiquing the opposition's approach. The record also includes a farewell speech from a Liberal member who was leaving the House.
Bill S-13 completed its House of Commons Report stage on November 26, 2024, following committee review and second reading, and was later passed by the Senate and given royal assent.
Bill S-13, which amended the Interpretation Act and related laws, completed its House of Commons Report stage on November 26, 2024. This procedural step followed consideration in committee and a second reading in the House. The bill then proceeded to third reading in the House (agreed to on November 26, 2024) and was passed by the Senate. It received royal assent on November 27, 2024, making it law. The summary reflects the procedural timeline from first reading (June 2023) through to royal assent, based on official parliamentary records. No detailed debate content or legal effects are included here.
The House of Commons debated U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, with Conservatives criticizing the Liberal government's trade policies and Liberals defending their record, before adjourning at midnight.
The House of Commons held an emergency debate on November 26, 2024, to address proposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Conservative MP Kyle Seeback criticized the Liberal government for failing to negotiate better trade terms, citing the 2018 softwood lumber dispute and the 2023 Ukraine free trade agreement. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux defended the government's record, highlighting 15 trade agreements signed under the previous administration. The debate focused on the economic impact of U.S. tariffs, with Seeback warning of job losses in the forestry sector and Lamoureux emphasizing Canada's trade relationships. The House adjourned at midnight without resolving the issue.
The House of Commons completed its third reading of Bill S-13 on November 26, 2024, after which the bill was sent to the Senate and later received royal assent on November 27, 2024.
On November 26, 2024, the House of Commons completed its third reading of Bill S-13. This procedural step marked the final stage in the House of Commons before the bill was sent to the Senate. The bill, which amends the Interpretation Act and related legislation, was agreed to during this sitting (Sitting 376). Royal assent was granted on November 27, 2024, officially enacting the legislation. The third reading followed earlier stages including second reading (November 19, 2024) and committee consideration (November 25, 2024).
The House of Commons debated U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, with Conservatives criticizing the Liberal government's trade policies and Liberals defending their record, before adjourning at midnight.
The House of Commons held an emergency debate on November 26, 2024, to address proposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Conservative MP Kyle Seeback criticized the Liberal government for failing to negotiate better trade terms, citing the 2018 softwood lumber dispute and the 2023 Ukraine free trade agreement. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux defended the government's record, highlighting 15 trade agreements signed under the previous administration. The debate focused on the economic impact of U.S. tariffs, with Seeback warning of job losses in the forestry sector and Lamoureux emphasizing Canada's trade relationships. The House adjourned at midnight without resolving the issue.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Debates of the Senate 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