Bill S-217 explained in plain English
An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets
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
Bill S-217 establishes a process for repurposing frozen assets linked to human rights violations, enabling their use for humanitarian purposes or supporting displaced persons.
Bill S-217, the Frozen Assets Repurposing Act, proposes a framework to repurpose assets seized, frozen, or sequestrated under specific Canadian laws (Special Economic Measures Act, Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, and Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act). The bill outlines procedures for reporting these assets, allows courts to manage them, and sets conditions for their use to benefit victims of human rights abuses or displaced persons.
- Requires the Minister of Foreign Affairs to publicly register details of frozen assets (names of associated individuals/entities and asset values).
- Allows courts to order the sale, transfer, or other disposition of frozen assets if they are tied to foreign nationals responsible for gross human rights violations, forced displacement, or significant corruption.
- Specifies that funds from repurposed assets may be distributed for purposes like compensating victims, providing humanitarian aid, or supporting foreign states in refugee accommodation.
- Mandates a review of the bill's implementation within five years, with a report to Parliament on its effectiveness and recommendations for changes.
- Foreign nationals accused of human rights abuses or corruption.
- Canadian courts and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Entities or individuals with interests in frozen assets (including foreign states).
- Victims of human rights violations or forcibly displaced persons.
- Parliament and committees conducting the mandated five-year review.
- The bill does not specify exact criteria for determining 'significant corruption' or 'gross violations of human rights.'
- No details are provided about the process for challenging asset repurposing decisions or the timeline for distributing funds.
- The bill does not outline penalties for non-compliance with its reporting or distribution requirements.
Assets frozen under this act are subject to repurposing under Bill S-217.
Assets frozen under this act are subject to repurposing under Bill S-217.
Assets frozen under this act are subject to repurposing under Bill S-217.
The bill uses the legal definition of 'foreign national' from this act.
The bill uses the legal definition of 'foreign state' from this act.
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-217, concerning the repurposing of seized assets, completed its first reading in the Senate in November 2021 but was later dropped from the Order Paper in October 2022.
This record shows that Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, had its first reading in the Senate on November 24, 2021. The bill was later dropped from the Senate Order Paper on October 17, 2022, meaning it was no longer being considered. The record also lists subsequent procedural steps like second reading, committee consideration, report stage, and third reading, along with dates for these stages. It also notes that there were similar bills, S-226 and S-259, introduced in previous Parliaments.
The Senate convened on November 24, 2021, to honour the late Senator Judith Keating, conduct routine proceedings including adopting a motion to extend them, and introduce several bills, including Bill S-217 concerning the repurposing of seized assets, before debating a motion on hybrid sittings.
On November 24, 2021, the Senate met. The sitting began with tributes to the late Honourable Judith Keating, Q.C., a senator who passed away in July 2021. Following the tributes, the Senate proceeded with Routine Proceedings, during which a motion to extend routine proceedings was adopted. The Senate then moved to the introduction of various bills. Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, was introduced and given first reading by Senator Ratna Omidvar. The sitting concluded with various notices of motions and inquiries, and a motion to authorize hybrid sittings was debated and adjourned.
Bill S-217 successfully completed its second reading and subsequent stages in the Senate but was later dropped from the Order Paper without further progression.
This artifact details the Senate's second reading stage for Bill S-217. It notes that the bill was introduced on November 24, 2021, and reached its second reading on December 7, 2021. Major speeches related to the second reading occurred on March 1, 2022. The bill then moved through committee consideration, report stage, and third reading in April 2022. However, the artifact also states that the bill was ultimately dropped from the Senate Order Paper on October 17, 2022, meaning it did not proceed further.
On December 7, 2021, the Senate heard from candidates for Speaker pro tempore, addressed various statements and questions on current issues, debated and advanced several bills including on conversion therapy and autism, and adopted a motion to include ministers in Question Period, all while continuing discussions on climate change and committee structures.
On December 7, 2021, the Senate sat and the Speaker pro tempore conducted proceedings. The Senate heard from candidates for the position of Speaker pro tempore, with Senators Bovey and Ringuette presenting their remarks. The Senate also heard Senators’ Statements, including tributes to Nav Bhatia and the late Cherry Kingsley and Jack Cable, and discussions on violence against women. Routine proceedings included the tabling of committee reports and notices of motions. Question Period addressed topics such as Huawei and 5G technology, the Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, COVID-19 response, Sikh refugees, Canadian railways, support for farmers, Canada-China relations, Indigenous community support, flooding assistance, and the International Commission of Inquiry in Haiti. The Senate also discussed the appointment of a new parliamentary secretary. Legislative business included debates and proceedings on several bills: Bill S-2 (An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act) was read a second and third time; Bill S-3 (An Act to amend the Judges Act) had its second reading debate adjourned; Bill C-4 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)) was read a second time and deemed read a third time and passed; Bill S-203 (An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder) had its second reading debate continued; Bill S-207 (An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Châteauguay—Lacolle) had its second reading debate adjourned; Bill S-210 (An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material) had its second reading debate adjourned; Bill S-213 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code (independence of the judiciary)) had its second reading debate adjourned; Bill S-217 (An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets) had its second reading debate adjourned; Bill S-223 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs)) had its second reading debate adjourned; and Bill S-230 (An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act) had its second reading debate adjourned. The Senate also adopted a motion to invite ministers to participate in Question Period and proceeded with debate on a motion recognizing climate change as an urgent crisis. Finally, the Senate adopted the third report of the Committee of Selection regarding the committee meeting schedule.
On December 7, 2021, the Senate of Canada held a sitting that included candidate remarks for Speaker pro tempore, Senators' Statements, routine proceedings, Question Period, and a lengthy debate on various Orders of the Day, including multiple bills and motions related to justice, social issues, and governance.
On December 7, 2021, the Senate of Canada convened for its sitting. The day's proceedings included the election of a Speaker pro tempore, where Senators Bovey and Ringuette presented their candidacies. The Senate also heard Senators' Statements on various topics, including tributes to Nav Bhatia and the late Cherry Kingsley and Jack Cable, and a statement on violence against women. Routine proceedings involved the tabling of committee reports and notices of motions. Question Period saw senators raising issues related to public safety, justice, health, immigration, transport, agriculture, foreign affairs, Indigenous services, and the Privy Council Office. The Senate then moved to Orders of the Day, debating and passing several bills, including amendments to the Parliament of Canada Act and the Criminal Code (conversion therapy), and debating other bills such as the Judges Act, the Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill, and the bill to change the name of an electoral district. A motion to invite ministers to participate in Question Period was adopted. The Senate also debated a motion recognizing climate change as an urgent crisis. The sitting concluded with various debates being adjourned or bills being deemed read and passed.
The Senate sat on March 1, 2022, addressing a range of topics from international affairs to domestic legislation, including the second reading debate and referral to committee of Bill S-217 concerning the repurposing of seized assets.
This Senate sitting on March 1, 2022, included discussions on various topics during Senators' Statements and Question Period, including International Women's Day, the situation in Ukraine, Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month, and the John Molson Undergraduate Case Competition. During Routine Proceedings, the Senate received reports and presented bills, including Bill S-239, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal interest rate). The Orders of the Day featured debates on several bills, including Bill S-4 (COVID-19 response measures), Bill S-5 (environmental protection), Bill C-10 (COVID-19 measures), a constitutional amendment related to Saskatchewan's taxing powers, and Bill S-217, an Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets. Bill S-217 and Bill C-10 were referred to committee.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-217, Senators Housakos and Dalphond spoke in strong support of the bill, emphasizing its importance in repurposing seized assets for victims and its alignment with principles of justice and due process, after which the bill was referred to committee.
On March 1, 2022, during the Senate's second reading debate, Senator Leo Housakos spoke in support of Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets. He stated that the bill is a logical next step in dealing with corruption and human rights abuses by allowing seized assets to be repurposed to help victims or affected countries. He emphasized that the bill would remove politics from the equation by ensuring due process and court oversight, contrasting it with arbitrary government actions. He also noted that similar legislation exists or is being considered in other countries like Switzerland and the UK, and that the principle of taking from perpetrators to give to victims is a form of justice. He urged colleagues to pass the bill quickly to allow for its study in committee. Senator Pierre J. Dalphond also spoke in strong support of Bill S-217, noting that it builds on the Sergei Magnitsky Law and provides a mechanism for distributing frozen assets. He highlighted the bill's five principles: accountability for abusers, justice for victims, due process, transparency, and compassionate action. He suggested that the bill is not radical and is ready for committee study. Senator Yuen Pau Woo asked Senator Dalphond about the US action to freeze Afghan government assets and repurpose half for humanitarian aid and half to compensate 9/11 victims, to which Senator Dalphond responded that it went beyond the scope of the bill but noted the US has special powers. Following these discussions, the Senate agreed to the motion for second reading, and the bill was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Bill S-217, concerning the repurposing of certain seized assets, completed its committee review stage in the Senate but was later dropped from the Order Paper.
This artifact details the legislative progress of Bill S-217 in the Senate. It indicates that the bill completed its 'Consideration in committee' stage on April 5, 2022. However, the bill was ultimately dropped from the Senate Order Paper on October 17, 2022, meaning it did not proceed further.
During a Senate sitting on April 5, 2022, a report was presented with amendments to Bill S-217, alongside tributes, question period, and debates on various other legislative matters.
On April 5, 2022, the Senate was in session. The proceedings included tributes to the late Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, and discussions regarding the victims of the Portapique shooting, and the Papal apology. Routine proceedings included the presentation of the second report from the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade concerning Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets. This report presented amendments to the bill. The Senate also presented other committee reports and engaged in Question Period on various topics including the Canada Infrastructure Bank, carbon pricing, and support for farmers. The remainder of the sitting involved debate on several bills and motions, with some debates being adjourned.
The Senate completed the Report stage for Bill S-217 on April 7, 2022, but the bill was later dropped from the Order Paper and not proceeded with.
The Senate Report stage for Bill S-217, an Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, was completed on April 7, 2022. This stage is where the Senate reviews amendments proposed by a committee. However, the official record indicates that this bill was not proceeded with and was ultimately dropped from the Senate Order Paper on October 17, 2022. The provided text lists the progression of the bill through different stages, including first reading, second reading, consideration in committee, report stage, and third reading, as well as mentioning sponsor and response speeches. It also references similar bills introduced in previous Parliaments.
The Senate adopted a committee report on Bill S-217, advancing the legislation concerning the repurposing of seized assets to its next stage.
On April 7, 2022, the Senate convened for its sitting. During this sitting, the Senate considered several items of business, including the adoption of reports from various committees. Notably, the Senate adopted the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade concerning Bill S-217, an Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets. This adoption means the bill, as amended by the committee, will proceed to third reading. The sitting also included debates and the tabling of reports on other legislative matters.
Bill S-217 concerning the repurposing of certain seized assets reached third reading in the Senate on April 26, 2022, but was subsequently dropped from the Order Paper on October 17, 2022, and not proceeded with.
This record shows that Bill S-217, an Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, reached the third reading stage in the Senate on April 26, 2022. However, the bill was later dropped from the Senate Order Paper on October 17, 2022, meaning it was not completed. The official source text does not detail the proceedings or discussions at the third reading stage itself.
The Senate debated Bill S-217 at third reading, but the debate was adjourned before completion, and the bill has not proceeded further.
On April 26, 2022, the Senate debated Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets. The debate was adjourned, meaning it was not completed during this sitting and will continue at a later date. The record also shows other Senate business, including tributes to the late Honourable Joyce Fairbairn, the late Guy Lafleur, and the late Nicole Gladu, as well as tabling of documents, notices of motions, and other debates on various bills and inquiries.
On May 3, 2022, the Senate debated Bill S-217 at third reading, with senators discussing its history, current relevance to international events, and potential limitations, alongside other Senate business including statements, questions, and debates on various bills and motions.
This artifact is a record of a Senate sitting on May 3, 2022. It includes statements on various topics, such as Mental Health Week, Eid al-Fitr, and Asian Heritage Month. Routine proceedings included the presentation of committee reports and notices of motions. Question Period covered topics like support for Ukraine, immigration, and the economy. The sitting also included debates on several bills and motions, including Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, which was debated at its third reading. The debate on Bill S-217 focused on its long development process and its relevance to current international events, particularly the situation in Ukraine. Concerns were raised about the bill's scope and potential for broad application. The sitting concluded with debates on motions regarding hybrid sittings and jury appreciation week, and votes were deferred.
Bill S-217, concerning the repurposing of seized assets, did not proceed past first reading in the House of Commons and was dropped from the Senate Order Paper.
This artifact describes the procedural stages of Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, in the House of Commons. However, it indicates that the 'House of Commons First reading' stage was 'Not reached' and that the bill was "dropped from the Senate Order Paper" on October 17, 2022. Therefore, no procedural action has occurred for this bill in the House of Commons according to this record.
Bill S-217, an act to repurpose seized assets, has not reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons and was dropped from the Senate's schedule.
The provided information indicates that Bill S-217, concerning the repurposing of seized assets, has not proceeded further in the House of Commons. Specifically, the "House of Commons Second reading" stage has not been reached. The bill was previously removed from the Senate's schedule on October 17, 2022. The document also lists the bill's progression through the Senate, including first reading on November 24, 2021, second reading on December 7, 2021, and subsequent stages like consideration in committee, report stage, and third reading in April 2022. Speeches were made at the second reading stage in the Senate by Senators Ratna Omidvar and Leo Housakos. Information on similar bills (S-226 and S-259) from previous Parliaments is also provided.
Bill S-217, an Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, reached the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage but this stage was not proceeded with, and the bill was later dropped from the Senate Order Paper.
The provided artifact indicates that Bill S-217, concerning the repurposing of certain seized, frozen, or sequestrated assets, has reached the stage of 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' but this stage was 'Not reached'. The bill was ultimately dropped from the Senate Order Paper on October 17, 2022. The artifact also lists the historical stages the bill went through in the Senate, including first reading, second reading, consideration in committee, report stage, and third reading, along with associated dates and sitting numbers. It also notes similar bills introduced in previous Parliaments.
Bill S-217, an Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, was listed for Report stage in the House of Commons, but this stage was not reached as the bill was previously dropped from the Senate Order Paper.
This artifact indicates that Bill S-217, concerning the repurposing of certain seized, frozen, or sequestrated assets, has reached the Report stage in the House of Commons. However, the stage state is listed as 'Not reached,' and the bill was dropped from the Senate Order Paper on October 17, 2022. This means the Report stage in the House of Commons was not convened for this bill, and it is no longer being actively considered.
Bill S-217, concerning the repurposing of seized assets, did not reach third reading in the House of Commons and was dropped from the Senate Order Paper.
The House of Commons Third Reading stage for Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, was not reached. The bill was ultimately 'dropped from the Senate Order Paper' on October 17, 2022, meaning it did not proceed further in the legislative process. The artifact indicates the bill's journey through the Senate, including first reading, second reading, committee consideration, report stage, and third reading, with specific dates provided for these stages. It also lists similar bills from previous Parliaments.
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