Bill S-229 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Language Skills Act (Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick)
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-229 adds the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick to the Language Skills Act's list of bilingual positions and includes coordination rules with another bill (S-220) to manage potential conflicts.
Bill S-229 amends the Language Skills Act to add the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick to the list of positions requiring bilingual proficiency in both official languages (English and French). It also includes coordination provisions with another bill (S-220) to resolve conflicts if both bills are passed.
- Adds the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick to the list of offices under the Language Skills Act that require bilingual proficiency.
- Includes coordination provisions with Bill S-220 to handle scenarios where both bills are enacted, specifying which sections take effect first or are repealed if there are conflicts.
- The Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick
- Individuals appointed to positions under the Language Skills Act
- Government officials and administrators subject to bilingual requirements
- The exact interaction between S-229 and S-220 is complex and depends on their respective commencement dates, which are not fully resolved in the text.
- The text does not clarify how the coordination provisions would apply in all possible scenarios involving both bills.
The Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick is now subject to the requirement that individuals in certain positions must be able to speak and understand both English and French.
If both S-229 and S-220 pass, their commencement dates and applicability are managed to avoid conflicts, with specific rules about which sections take precedence.
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-229, concerning the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick's language skills, completed its first reading and is currently undergoing debate at second reading in the Senate.
This record shows the initial procedural steps for Bill S-229 in the Senate. The bill was introduced for its first reading on December 1, 2021. It then proceeded to its second reading on December 14, 2021, where the sponsor gave a speech. Further debate occurred on February 10, 2022, with another senator giving a response speech. The bill's current status is at second reading in the Senate.
The Senate began its sitting on December 1, 2021, with statements on various social and international issues, introduced new bills, held Question Period on multiple government matters, and continued debate on two private member's bills.
On December 1, 2021, the Senate began its sitting with discussions on various important topics, including the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, human rights, and the crisis in Afghanistan. Routine proceedings included notices of motions related to the study of supplementary estimates and bills, as well as the first reading of two bills: Bill S-3 (amending the Judges Act) and Bill S-229 (amending the Language Skills Act). The Senate also adopted a motion to extend its sitting. Question Period addressed issues such as the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, softwood lumber tariffs, HIV/AIDS, immigration backlogs, EI reform, and online harms. The debate on Bill S-206 (amending the Criminal Code regarding juror deliberations) and Bill S-216 (amending the Income Tax Act concerning charities) continued, with debate on Bill S-206 being adjourned.
Bill S-229 is currently undergoing debate at the second reading stage in the Senate, with recent activity including speeches on February 10, 2022.
This artifact describes the status of Bill S-229 in the Senate. The bill is currently at the second reading stage. The last procedural activity noted was a debate at second reading on February 10, 2022. The bill had its first reading on December 1, 2021, and its second reading began on December 14, 2021. Speeches related to the second reading were made on December 14, 2021, and February 10, 2022.
On December 14, 2021, the Senate conducted routine business, debated the budget and various bills including those concerning forced labour and official languages, and discussed pressing national issues during Question Period.
The Senate met on December 14, 2021. The sitting included Senators' Statements on various topics, Routine Proceedings where reports were tabled and committees were authorized to study specific matters, and Question Period where senators asked the Government Representative questions on topics ranging from economic policy to immigration and cybersecurity. The Senate also debated and voted on several bills and motions, including Appropriation Bill No. 4, Bill S-211 (Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act), and a motion recognizing climate change as an urgent crisis. Debate on Bill S-229 (An Act to amend the Language Skills Act (Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick)) was adjourned. The sitting concluded with further debate on various inquiries and motions.
During Senate proceedings on December 14, 2021, Senator Claude Carignan introduced Bill S-229, aiming to amend the Language Skills Act to require the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick to be bilingual, arguing the current appointment was unconstitutional due to New Brunswick's officially bilingual status, after which the debate was adjourned.
The Senate was engaged in various activities, including routine proceedings, question period, and debates on several bills and motions. The debate on Bill S-229, concerning amendments to the Language Skills Act for the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, was initiated by Senator Claude Carignan. He explained the bill's purpose, noting that it aims to ensure the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick is bilingual, similar to his previous bill concerning the Governor General. Senator Carignan referenced the Constitution of Canada and the specific language rights provisions for New Brunswick, arguing that the current Lieutenant Governor's appointment was unconstitutional according to the Société des Acadiens du Nouveau-Brunswick. He also highlighted the Official Languages Commissioner's findings and recommendations. Senator Carignan urged support for the bill to amend the Language Skills Act and add the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick to the list of officials required to be bilingual. The debate on this bill was adjourned.
During a Senate sitting on February 10, 2022, Bill S-229 was noted for second reading debate, but the provided text focuses on other Senate proceedings rather than the specific debate on this bill.
On February 10, 2022, the Senate of Canada convened for a sitting that included Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, Question Period, and Orders of the Day. Notably, Bill S-229, concerning amendments to the Language Skills Act related to the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, was listed under Orders of the Day for continued second reading debate. However, the provided text of the sitting record does not contain the actual debate on Bill S-229 itself. Instead, it details other Senate business, including various reports being tabled, committee business, and numerous questions and debates on other bills and motions. The sitting concluded with an adjournment.
On February 10, 2022, the Senate debated Bill S-229 concerning the Language Skills Act for the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, alongside other legislative and committee business.
This document is a record of Senate proceedings from February 10, 2022. It includes various discussions, statements, and the tabling of reports. Notably, it features a debate on Bill S-229, which aims to amend the Language Skills Act concerning the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. The debate touches upon historical context, the duties of the Lieutenant Governor, and constitutional considerations regarding the appointment process. Additionally, the Senate discussed and adjourned debates on other bills and motions, including those concerning post-secondary institution financial stability, climate change, and anti-racism in healthcare. Various committee business, such as authorizing studies on fisheries, foreign affairs, and national security, was also conducted.
Bill S-229, related to the Language Skills Act, has not yet reached the third reading stage in the Senate, with its latest activity being a debate at second reading on February 10, 2022.
This record indicates that Bill S-229, concerning the Language Skills Act and the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, has not yet reached the third reading stage in the Senate. The latest recorded activity was a debate at the second reading stage on February 10, 2022. The bill had its first reading on December 1, 2021, and its second reading on December 14, 2021. Major speeches related to the second reading occurred on December 14, 2021, and February 10, 2022.
Bill S-229, concerning the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick's language skills, has had its first reading in the House of Commons, but its current procedural status is at second reading in the Senate.
This record describes the procedural stage of Bill S-229, An Act to amend the Language Skills Act (Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick), in the House of Commons. Specifically, it notes that the bill has reached the 'House of Commons First reading' stage but this stage has not yet been reached. The bill's current status is at second reading in the Senate, with the latest activity being a debate at second reading on Thursday, February 10, 2022. The first reading in the House of Commons occurred on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, and second reading in the Senate took place on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
Bill S-229, relating to the language skills of the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, has not yet proceeded to second reading in the House of Commons, though debate on this stage has occurred in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-229, concerning the language skills of the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons. The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate. Records show that debate at the second reading stage occurred in the Senate on Thursday, February 10, 2022, with a sponsor's speech on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, and a response speech on Thursday, February 10, 2022. The bill had its first reading on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
Bill S-229 has not yet reached the House of Commons committee stage; it is currently at second reading in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-229 has not yet reached the 'House of Commons Consideration in committee' stage. The bill is currently at the 'Second reading' stage in the Senate. The provided text details the bill's progress, including its first reading, second reading dates, and related speeches in the Senate. It does not describe any proceedings or decisions made during the committee stage in the House of Commons.
Bill S-229 has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons, and its most recent procedural activity was a debate at second reading in the Senate.
This artifact describes the procedural status of Bill S-229 in the House of Commons. The bill has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons. The current status of the bill is at second reading in the Senate. The latest activity recorded was a debate at second reading in the Senate on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Key speeches at the second reading stage in the Senate were given by Senator Claude Carignan on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, and Senator René Cormier on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
Bill S-229 has not yet reached the Third Reading in the House of Commons, and is currently at the Second Reading stage in the Senate.
This artifact indicates that Bill S-229, concerning the Language Skills Act and the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, has not yet reached the Third Reading stage in the House of Commons. The bill is currently at the Second Reading stage in the Senate, with debates having occurred on February 10, 2022. The bill was first read on December 1, 2021, and had its second reading on December 14, 2021.
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