Bill S-210 explained in plain English

This artifact documents the proceedings of the Senate on November 24, 2021. The majority of the sitting was dedicated to tributes to the late Honourable Senator Judith Keating, who passed away on July 15, 2021. Senators from different parties shared personal reflections and professional achievements of Senator Keating, highlighting her dedication to public service, her work on legal and Indigenous reconciliation issues, and her role as a mentor. Following the tributes, the Senate proceeded with Routine Proceedings, which included a motion to extend the time for Routine Proceedings and the first reading of several bills. Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material, was among the bills introduced at first reading. The sitting concluded with the adjournment of the debate on a motion to authorize hybrid sittings.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on November 30, 2021. It includes procedural matters regarding how the Senate would operate with members attending virtually, statements by senators on various topics including Indigenous Veterans Day, National Child Day, and congratulations to Senator Rob Black, Question Period where senators asked questions on topics like inflation, flooding in B.C., firearms control, international aid, Canada-China relations, Afghan refugees, Arctic sovereignty, public accounts, and labour shortages, and discussions on various bills at the second reading stage. Notably, Bill S-210, concerning restricting young persons' online access to sexually explicit material, was debated at second reading, with Senator Miville-Dechêne introducing the revised bill. The sitting concluded with several debates adjourned.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material, Senator Miville-Dechêne introduced the bill. She explained that the bill aims to protect minors by restricting their online access to pornography, noting that many young people are exposed to it at an early age. The Senator highlighted concerns about the impact of pornography on the developing brain, citing research and expert testimony on issues such as unrealistic sexual expectations, anxiety, and distorted body image. The bill proposes to criminalize making sexually explicit material available to minors for commercial purposes, with a maximum fine for organizations on first offense. It explicitly excludes material with legitimate scientific, medical, educational, or artistic purposes. The Senator addressed potential concerns about censorship, privacy, and parental responsibility, arguing that the bill's proposed age verification measures, to be implemented by third-party providers, are necessary and feasible, and that self-regulation has failed. Other senators asked questions regarding the technology for age verification, the role of digital identity, the bill's inclusion in political platforms, the use of VPNs, and the bill's potential impact on unaffiliated senators.

This Senate sitting on December 2, 2021, included routine proceedings, question period, and the consideration of various bills and motions. Notably, the Senate continued the debate on Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material. Senators also presented reports from the Committee of Selection regarding committee memberships and the scheduling of hybrid meetings. Several bills were introduced or received first reading. During Question Period, senators raised issues concerning the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, greenhouse gas emissions, the Canada Disability Benefit, COVID-19 travel restrictions, employment equity at Correctional Service Canada, official bilingualism, rights of victims of criminal acts, Afghan refugees, and funding for equitable library access. The Senate also authorized the Standing Committee on National Finance to study Supplementary Estimates (B) and authorized committees to study the subject matter of Bill C-3 in advance. The sitting concluded with adjourned debates on motions concerning the International Conference on Viet-Nam, Section 55 of the Constitution Act, 1982, climate change, suicide prevention, the role of municipalities, and the RCMP.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on December 7, 2021. The sitting included remarks from candidates for the position of Speaker pro tempore, tributes to individuals, tabling of committee reports, Question Period on various topics including Huawei's 5G technology, the vacancy of the Ombudsman for Victims of Crime position, COVID-19 response, Sikh refugees, Canadian railways, support for farmers, Canada-China relations, Indigenous Community Support Fund, assistance for flood victims, and the Haiti International Commission of Inquiry. It also included debates on several bills: Bill S-2, concerning amendments to the Parliament of Canada Act, which was passed; Bill S-3, to amend the Judges Act, which was adjourned; Bill C-4, to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), which was passed; Bill S-203, concerning a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder, which was adjourned; Bill S-207, to change the name of the electoral district of Châteauguay—Lacolle, which was adjourned; Bill S-210, to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material, which was adjourned; Bill S-213, to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary), which was adjourned; Bill S-217, respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, which was adjourned; Bill S-223, to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs), which was adjourned; Bill S-230, to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, which was adjourned. The sitting also included a motion to invite ministers to participate in Question Period, which was adopted, and a debate on a motion to recognize climate change as an urgent crisis.

This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on December 8, 2021. The sitting included discussions on various topics such as food security, sex trafficking of youth, firearms control, and Canada's multiculturalism policy. Several bills were also discussed, including one to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), one to amend the Parliament of Canada Act, one to establish a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder, and one to restrict young persons' online access to sexually explicit material (Bill S-210). The sitting also addressed the Statutes Repeal Act, which ensures that certain provisions of acts that have not come into force are not repealed. Additionally, there was debate on Bill S-211, concerning fighting forced labour and child labour in supply chains. The Senate also held Question Period, where senators asked the Government Representative questions on topics like Canada-China relations, veterans' affairs, shipping delays, and the opioid crisis.

This artifact is a record of debate in the Senate on December 8, 2021. During this sitting, senators discussed various topics including food security, sex trafficking of youth, firearms control, and Canada's multiculturalism policy. Several bills were also advanced: Bill S-202, concerning a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate, passed third reading. Bill S-203, related to federal framework on autism, was referred to committee. Bill S-206, amending the Criminal Code regarding juror disclosure, passed third reading. Bill S-210, aimed at restricting young persons' online access to sexually explicit material, was referred to committee. Bill S-211, regarding the fighting of forced labour and child labour in supply chains, began second reading debate. The record also includes Question Period where senators questioned the Government Representative on various issues such as Canada-China relations, veterans' affairs, digital identity, Afghan refugees, the opioid crisis, fish harvester benefits, pandemic travel restrictions, and shipping delays.

On November 15, 2022, the Senate convened. The sitting included statements on National Philanthropy Day, Financial Literacy Month, Diabetes Awareness Month, and Remembrance Day. Routine proceedings saw the tabling of various reports, including the Auditor General's Fall Reports and the Fall Economic Statement. Notably, the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee presented its Eighth Report on Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material, with amendments. The Senate then engaged in Question Period, addressing topics like Canada-China relations, research funding, immigration, and pediatric health care. The Orders of the Day included continued debate on several bills, including a motion in amendment to Bill C-5 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) which was debated and ultimately negatived. The Senate also began debate on Bill S-218 (An Act to amend the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act), Bill S-248 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)), Bill S-251 (An Act to repeal section 43 of the Criminal Code), and Bill S-253 (An Act respecting a national framework for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder). Finally, debate continued on an inquiry regarding solutions for a net-zero emissions future.

This Senate sitting on November 29, 2022, included the introduction of a new senator, Andrew Cardozo. Senators paid tribute to the late former senator Jean Lapointe. Several other matters were discussed, including the FIFA World Cup and migrant workers in Qatar, Canada's participation in COP 27, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, and support for science funding. Several bills were at various stages of debate, including Bill S-210, an act to restrict young persons' online access to sexually explicit material, which was at the report stage of consideration of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee's eighth report. The sitting also included Question Period, where senators raised issues such as election integrity, illegal immigration, climate change, cryptocurrency regulation, alcohol excise tax, drug shortages, access to information requests, inflation, and Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.

On December 1, 2022, the Senate met and adopted the eighth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs concerning Bill S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material. Following this adoption, the bill, as amended, was placed on the Orders of the Day for third reading at the next sitting. The Senate also welcomed a new senator, Margo Greenwood, and heard statements and participated in Question Period on various rural development issues.

This document is a record of a Senate sitting on March 28, 2023. The main focus was paying tribute to the late Honourable Landon Pearson, a former senator known as "the Children's Senator" for her advocacy for children's rights. Several senators shared personal memories and highlighted her extensive work and legacy in this area. The sitting also included routine proceedings such as tabling reports, first reading of a bill, and a motion regarding printing an address as an appendix. Question Period covered topics like Canada-China relations, the RCMP, international students, health research funding, and government contract disclosures. Several bills were debated at various stages, including those related to online news, appropriation bills, protecting young persons from online pornography, pension protection, health-centred approaches to substance use, criminal code amendments, and climate-aligned finance. The sitting concluded with adjourned debates on several inquiries and bills.

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