Bill S-237 explained in plain English
An Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code
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-237 establishes a Foreign Influence Registry requiring disclosures from individuals acting on behalf of foreign principals and amends the Criminal Code to criminalize intimidation by foreign state actors.
Bill S-237 would create a public registry to track foreign influence in Canadian politics and amend laws to punish intimidation by foreign actors. Key features include mandatory reporting requirements for individuals acting on behalf of foreign entities, public access to registry information, and new criminal penalties for intimidation involving foreign states.
- Creates the Foreign Influence Registry with public access requirements
- Mandates return filings by individuals acting on behalf of foreign principals
- Defines 'foreign principal' to include related individuals and entities
- Amends Criminal Code to add new offences for intimidation by foreign states
- Allows Governor in Council to amend list of countries subject to registry rules
- Individuals acting on behalf of foreign principals
- Public office holders
- Foreign governments and entities
- Law enforcement agencies enforcing registry rules
- Criminal prosecutors handling intimidation cases
- Low confidence in designation of Queen’s Privy Council member as minister
- Unclear details about registry access restrictions
- No information provided about specific penalties for non-compliance beyond general references
New law establishing the registry system and reporting requirements
Source: Section 5
New criminal offences for intimidation by foreign state actors with increased penalties
Source: Section 9(1) and 9(1.2)
Governor in Council may appoint a member of this body as the registry's minister
Source: Order in council
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-237, concerning the establishment of a Foreign Influence Registry and amendments to the Criminal Code, completed its first reading in the Senate on February 24, 2022, and is currently at the second reading stage.
This artifact describes the first reading of Bill S-237 in the Senate on February 24, 2022. This is a procedural step where a bill is formally introduced in Parliament. The bill's full title is "An Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code." The artifact also notes that the bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate, with related debates and speeches occurring on March 29, 2022, and May 16, 2023. It also mentions a similar bill, C-282, from a previous parliamentary session.
The Senate completed the first reading of Bill S-237, an Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code, as part of a broader Senate sitting that included discussions on Ukraine, tabling of reports, and other legislative matters.
On February 24, 2022, the Senate held its first reading for Bill S-237, an act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and amend the Criminal Code. The sitting also included debates on various other matters, including the situation in Ukraine, and the tabling of several reports and notices of motions. The debate on Bill S-237 itself was not recorded in this specific sitting's proceedings, as it was only introduced at this stage.
Bill S-237 concerning a foreign influence registry and amendments to the Criminal Code was undergoing debate at the second reading stage in the Senate, with proceedings noted on March 29, 2022, and May 16, 2023.
This artifact describes the procedural stage of Bill S-237, An Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code, in the Senate. The bill was at the second reading stage, meaning Senators were debating its general principles. The record indicates that debate occurred on May 16, 2023, following an earlier debate on March 29, 2022. The stage was not completed at that time. The artifact also notes a similar bill, C-282, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-237 concerning a foreign influence registry, the discussion was adjourned without completion, alongside other Senate business.
On March 29, 2022, the Senate continued its second reading debate on Bill S-237, "An Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code." The debate on this bill was adjourned, meaning it was not completed during this sitting. The Senate also addressed other matters, including routine proceedings, questions concerning various government policies, and debates on other bills.
During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-237, Senator Housakos spoke in support of establishing a Foreign Influence Registry and amending the Criminal Code, highlighting concerns about foreign interference and the need for transparency.
This artifact is a record of the Senate's debate on March 29, 2022, specifically focusing on the second reading of Bill S-237, An Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code. Senator Leo Housakos sponsored the bill and delivered a speech explaining its purpose and the need for such legislation. The debate also included discussions on various other matters before the Senate, such as human rights, violence against women, climate change, official languages, and government spending.
The Senate debate on May 16, 2023, addressed fisheries legislation, Indigenous economic participation, and a tribute to a former senator, with procedural motions and discussion themes but no final votes recorded.
The Senate debate on May 16, 2023, focused on three main topics: (1) a bill related to fisheries and oceans management, (2) the role of Indigenous businesses in economic development, and (3) a tribute to a former senator. The discussion included procedural motions to advance the bill, comments on Indigenous economic contributions, and a formal recognition of a colleague's service. No votes or final decisions were recorded in the provided text.
The Senate on May 16, 2023, adopted several committee reports, discussed an inquiry on Indigenous businesses, and paid tribute to Senator Bovey before adjourning.
The Senate debate on May 16, 2023, focused on adopting reports, discussing inquiries, and recognizing individuals. Key procedural actions included the adoption of the fifth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (May 11, 2023), the adoption of the third report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (May 11, 2023), and the adoption of the second report of the Standing Senate Committee on the Environment and the Economy (May 11, 2023). The Senate also considered an inquiry into Indigenous businesses and economic contributions, with senators discussing challenges faced by Indigenous communities. A tribute was paid to the late Senator Bovey, and the debate was adjourned at 4:59 PM.
Bill S-237, concerning a Foreign Influence Registry and amendments to the Criminal Code, is currently at the Second Reading stage in the Senate, with Third Reading not yet reached.
The Senate has not yet reached the Third Reading stage for Bill S-237. The bill's current status is at Second Reading in the Senate. The latest activity recorded was a debate at second reading on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The bill was first read on Thursday, February 24, 2022, and had its second reading on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Major speeches related to the second reading occurred on March 29, 2022, and May 16, 2023. A similar bill, C-282, was introduced in a previous Parliament to establish a Foreign Influence Registry.
Bill S-237 has not yet had its First Reading in the House of Commons but has proceeded to Second Reading in the Senate.
This artifact describes the House of Commons' First Reading stage for Bill S-237, An Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code. This stage has not yet been reached in the House of Commons. The bill has since moved on and is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate. The artifact also notes a similar bill, C-282, that was introduced in a previous Parliament.
Bill S-237 has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons, though it is currently at second reading in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-237, An Act to establish the Foreign Influence Registry and to amend the Criminal Code, has not yet reached the second reading stage in the House of Commons. The bill is currently at second reading in the Senate. The record shows that a sponsor's speech occurred in the Senate on March 29, 2022, and a response speech occurred on May 16, 2023. The bill was first read on February 24, 2022. A similar bill, C-282, was introduced in a previous Parliament but is no longer proceeding.
The House of Commons consideration in committee for Bill S-237 has not yet occurred, as the bill is currently at second reading in the Senate.
The House of Commons consideration in committee stage for Bill S-237 has not yet been reached. The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate. The provided text details the bill's history, including first and second readings in the Senate, and mentions speeches given during the second reading debate. It also references a similar bill, C-282, introduced in a previous parliamentary session.
Bill S-237, concerning a Foreign Influence Registry and amendments to the Criminal Code, has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons and is currently at second reading in the Senate, with recent debate activity in the Senate.
The provided text indicates that Bill S-237 has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons. The current status of the bill is that it is at second reading in the Senate. The latest activity noted is a debate at second reading in the Senate on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The bill was first read on Thursday, February 24, 2022, and had its second reading on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The text also mentions similar bills, including Bill C-282, which was introduced in a previous Parliament and aimed to establish a Foreign Influence Registry.
Bill S-237 has not yet reached its third reading in the House of Commons and is currently undergoing second reading in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-237 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. The provided text outlines the bill's progression, including its first reading date and major speeches given at the second reading in the Senate. It also notes a similar bill, C-282, introduced in a previous Parliament.
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