Bill S-225 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments)
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-225 amends the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act to prohibit investments in entities that have breached cluster munitions regulations, expand prohibited acts, and include transitional provisions for existing interests.
Bill S-225 amends the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act to expand prohibitions related to investments in entities that have violated cluster munitions regulations. The bill adds new restrictions on acquiring financial interests in entities linked to prohibited activities, expands definitions of prohibited acts, and includes transitional provisions for existing investments.
- Adds new prohibitions under section 6(d.1) against acquiring pecuniary interests in entities that have committed acts related to cluster munitions, explosive submunitions, or explosive bomblets
- Expands definitions of prohibited acts in sections 6(e) to (h) to include attempts, aiding, conspiring, and assisting in prohibited activities
- Modifies section 11(3) to include exceptions for military cooperation scenarios where acts would not constitute offenses
- Includes a transitional provision (section 5) allowing divestment of existing interests within one year of the Act's implementation to avoid new prohibitions
- Persons who have pecuniary interests in entities that have breached cluster munitions regulations
- Investors and financial institutions involved in transactions with prohibited entities
- Individuals and organizations participating in military cooperation with non-Convention parties
- The bill does not specify exact penalties for violations
- The scope of 'pecuniary interest' and 'loan funds' is defined in the bill text but not elaborated here
- The exact application of transitional provisions to existing investments is detailed in the bill but not summarized here
The Act now includes expanded prohibitions on investments in entities linked to cluster munitions violations, updated definitions of prohibited acts, and transitional provisions for existing investments
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
This record outlines the procedural progression of Bill S-225 through its first and second readings, referral to committee, and subsequent consideration in the Senate.
This artifact details the procedural steps for Bill S-225 in the Senate. The bill, titled "An Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments)", had its first reading on November 24, 2021. It later proceeded to second reading on April 7, 2022, with speeches from Senator Salma Ataullahjan and Senator Mary Coyle on May 19, 2022. The bill was then referred to committee on October 26, 2022, and was at the consideration in committee stage as of the last update. It's important to note that this record reflects procedural events and not the full text or legal effect of the bill.
On November 24, 2021, the Senate held tributes to the late Senator Judith Keating, introduced several bills including Bill S-225, and discussed a motion to continue hybrid sittings.
This artifact is a record of the Senate proceedings on November 24, 2021. The majority of the sitting was dedicated to tributes to the late Senator Judith Keating, with multiple senators sharing memories and highlighting her career achievements and contributions. Following the tributes, the Senate moved through routine proceedings. During this time, several bills were introduced and received first reading, including Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments). Several notices of motions were also presented, and a debate on a motion to authorize hybrid sittings continued and was adjourned.
Bill S-225 successfully passed its second reading in the Senate and was referred to committee.
This artifact outlines the procedural steps taken for Bill S-225 in the Senate. The bill completed its second reading stage on April 7, 2022, and was subsequently referred to a committee on October 26, 2022. The record indicates that major speeches related to the second reading occurred on May 19, 2022, and October 26, 2022. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate'.
During a Senate sitting on April 7, 2022, Bill S-225, concerning amendments to the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act regarding investments, was debated at second reading, and the debate was adjourned.
On April 7, 2022, the Senate was in session. During the sitting, the Senate debated Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments). The debate was adjourned, meaning it was not concluded and will continue at a later date. The sitting also included various other proceedings such as senators' statements on diverse topics, routine proceedings, question period, and debates on numerous other bills, many of which were referred to committee or had their debates adjourned.
Senator Ataullahjan spoke in favour of Bill S-225, advocating for a prohibition on Canadian investments in cluster munitions manufacturers to align with international commitments and prevent harm.
On April 7, 2022, in the Senate, Senator Salma Ataullahjan spoke in favour of Bill S-225, An Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments). She explained that the bill aims to prohibit Canadian financial institutions from investing in companies that manufacture cluster munitions. She shared personal and historical examples of the harm caused by these weapons, noting that despite Canada's commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, current legislation has loopholes. She highlighted that Canadian institutions have invested millions in companies producing these weapons and that the bill seeks to close these loopholes and align Canada's legislation with international standards. She also pointed out that other countries have implemented similar legislation. Following her speech, Senator Petitclerc moved the adjournment of the debate.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-225, which aims to prohibit Canadian investments in cluster munitions manufacturers, senators discussed the humanitarian impact of these weapons and the need to close legal loopholes, alongside other Senate business including Question Period and debates on various other bills.
On May 19, 2022, the Senate began its second reading debate on Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments). Senator Mary Coyle spoke in support of the bill, explaining its purpose to close loopholes in current Canadian law that allow for investment in companies manufacturing cluster munitions. She highlighted the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, citing examples of their use in conflicts and the suffering they have caused. The Senate also engaged in Question Period, covering topics such as search and rescue capabilities, the Canada Disability Benefit, and the Trans Mountain pipeline. Other proceedings included the tabling of a committee report, the introduction of a bill respecting Lebanese Heritage Month, and debates on several other bills, including amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Constitution Act, 1867, and the Employment Insurance Act.
During Senate second reading debate, Senator Mary Coyle spoke in favour of Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act, emphasizing its role in preventing Canadian investments in cluster munition manufacturers and aligning with international humanitarian standards.
This Senate debate at second reading concerned Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments). Senator Mary Coyle spoke in support of the bill, explaining its purpose is to close a loophole in Canadian law that allows for investments in companies manufacturing cluster munitions. She detailed the devastating humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, citing examples from Laos, Ukraine, and the United States. Senator Coyle also highlighted that the bill aims to align Canadian law with the Convention on Cluster Munitions by prohibiting Canadian financial institutions from investing in, loaning funds to, or guaranteeing loans for manufacturers of these weapons. She noted that while Canada destroyed its own stockpile, its current law has flaws, and this bill seeks to address the investment loophole. The debate then transitioned to other legislative matters before the Senate.
The Senate debated Bill S-225, which seeks to prohibit investments in companies involved with cluster munitions, and subsequently referred it to committee for further study.
On October 26, 2022, the Senate held a debate on Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments). This bill aims to prohibit investments in companies involved with cluster munitions. Senators discussed the devastating impact of cluster munitions, particularly on civilians and children, and noted that Canada has a history of working to ban such weapons. The debate highlighted concerns about Canadian investments in companies that produce or deal with cluster munitions, despite Canada's commitment to international conventions. Senators also discussed the need for clearer legislation regarding investments in this area and compared Canada's approach to other countries. Following the debate, the bill was read a second time and referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade for further study. The sitting also included other routine proceedings, questions from senators on various government actions, and tributes to individuals.
Bill S-225 is undergoing committee consideration in the Senate as of March 30, 2023, following its referral to committee on October 26, 2022, with procedural steps documented but no final legislative outcome yet.
Bill S-225, titled 'An Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments)', is currently in the Senate's committee consideration stage as of March 30, 2023. The bill was referred to committee on October 26, 2022, following its second reading in the Senate on April 7, 2022. Key procedural milestones include its first reading on November 24, 2021, and major speeches during second reading debates on May 19, 2022, and October 26, 2022. The committee stage is ongoing, with no completed outcome yet. A similar bill, S-235, was introduced in the previous Parliament (42nd session) with the same short title. This record reflects procedural steps, not the bill's legal content.
The Senate has not yet begun the Report stage for Bill S-225, which seeks to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act regarding investments.
The Senate has not yet reached the Report stage for Bill S-225. This bill aims to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act concerning investments. The last major procedural step completed for this bill was its second reading in the Senate on April 7, 2022. It was subsequently referred to a committee on October 26, 2022.
Bill S-225, concerning investments in cluster munitions, has not yet reached Third Reading in the Senate and is currently before a Senate committee.
This artifact describes the legislative process for Bill S-225 in the Senate. The bill has not yet reached the Third Reading stage and is currently under consideration in a Senate committee. It was referred to committee on October 26, 2022, following its second reading on April 7, 2022. Speeches related to the bill occurred on April 7, 2022, and May 19, 2022, with further committee consideration on March 30, 2023. The bill aims to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act concerning investments.
Bill S-225 reached its First Reading stage in the House of Commons, but this procedural step has not yet occurred.
This record indicates that Bill S-225, an Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments), has reached its First Reading stage in the House of Commons. However, the 'Stage state' is noted as 'Not reached', meaning this procedural step has not yet occurred.
This artifact shows that Bill S-225 has not yet reached the Second Reading stage in the House of Commons, with its current status being consideration in a Senate committee.
This record indicates that Bill S-225, concerning amendments to the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act related to investments, has not yet reached the Second Reading stage in the House of Commons. The bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate', and its latest activity was a referral to a Senate committee on October 26, 2022. The artifact shows the dates for First Reading (November 24, 2021) and Second Reading (April 7, 2022) in the Senate, along with listings of major speeches related to these stages. It also mentions a similar bill, S-235, from a previous Parliament.
Bill S-225, concerning investments related to cluster munitions, has been referred to committee in the Senate, but the 'Consideration in committee' stage in the House of Commons has not yet been reached.
This artifact describes the legislative process for Bill S-225, An Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments). The bill has reached the 'Consideration in committee' stage in the House of Commons. However, the 'Stage state' is indicated as 'Not reached,' meaning this specific procedural step has not yet occurred in the House of Commons. The record shows that the bill was referred to a committee in the Senate on October 26, 2022. The last major stage completed was second reading in the Senate. The artifact also notes that similar bills have been introduced in previous Parliaments.
Bill S-225, an act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act regarding investments, has not yet reached the House of Commons Report stage, with its latest procedural step being a referral to a Senate committee.
The provided text outlines the procedural history of Bill S-225 in the Canadian Parliament. It indicates that this bill, concerning amendments to the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act related to investments, has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons. The latest procedural activity noted is its referral to a committee in the Senate. The text also lists key dates for its first and second readings in the Senate, and mentions speeches made during the second reading process.
Bill S-225, an act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act concerning investments, is listed as having a 'House of Commons Third reading' stage that has not yet been reached, while the bill's current status is 'At consideration in committee in the Senate'.
This artifact indicates that Bill S-225, also known as the Prohibiting Investments in Cluster Munitions Act, has reached the third reading stage in the House of Commons. However, this stage has not yet been reached. The bill was previously introduced, had first and second readings in the Senate, and was considered in committee. It is currently at the committee stage in the Senate.
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