Skip to main content
Back to Bills
FederalDid not become law (session ended)44th Parliament, 1st Session

Bill S-241 explained in plain English

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals)

Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

At a glance

Jurisdiction
Federal Parliament
Legislature / Parliament
Parliament of Canada
Session
44th Parliament, 1st Session
Bill number
Bill S-241
Full title
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals)
Current status
Did not become law (session ended)
Latest event
Bill not proceeded with
Last updated
Feb 12, 2024

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.

Chamber
Parliament of Canada
Current Stage
Bill not proceeded with
Latest Activity
Feb 12, 2024
Plain-language explanation
In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing
Short Version

The Jane Goodall Act criminalizes the captivity and exploitation of great apes, elephants, and designated animals, while allowing exceptions for research, conservation, and breeding under strict permit conditions.

What It Means

The Jane Goodall Act introduces new criminal offences for keeping certain animals in captivity, restricts their use in entertainment, and establishes a permit system for specific animal care organizations. It defines 'designated animals' as great apes, elephants, and other species listed in Schedule 4. Offences include keeping these animals in captivity for non-essential purposes, using them for entertainment, or failing to meet welfare standards. Exceptions apply for research, conservation, and breeding under permits. Courts may extend orders to related species if they are in the offender's possession. The Act amends the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection Act.

What This Bill Does
  • Creates criminal offences for keeping great apes, elephants, and designated animals in captivity for non-essential purposes (Section 1).
  • Prohibits using these animals for entertainment, including circuses, films, and games (Section 2).
  • Defines 'designated animals' as species listed in Schedule 4, including great apes, elephants, and others (Section 3).
  • Allows exceptions for research, conservation, and breeding under permits issued by animal care organizations (Section 4).
  • Permits courts to extend orders to related species if they are in the offender's possession (Section 5).
  • Establishes a permit system for animal care organizations to keep and breed designated animals under specific conditions (Section 6).
Who Is Affected
  • Individuals or organizations keeping great apes, elephants, or designated animals in captivity for non-essential purposes.
  • Animal care organizations applying for permits to keep and breed designated animals.
  • Courts handling cases involving the captivity or exploitation of designated animals.
Uncertainties Or Limits
  • The bill does not specify exact penalties for the new offences.
  • The definition of 'designated animals' includes species listed in Schedule 4, but the exact list is not provided in the text.
  • The transitional provisions for gestating animals and their offspring are not fully detailed in the provided text.
Laws Or Regulations Affected
Criminal Code
Amended to include new offences related to animal captivity and exploitation.

The Criminal Code now includes penalties for keeping designated animals in captivity for non-essential purposes and using them for entertainment.

Wild Animal and Plant Protection Act
Amended to align with the new permit system and definitions of designated animals.

The Act now includes provisions for permits and exceptions for animal care organizations to keep and breed designated animals.

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 text

Parliamentary Process

Step 1
First reading
Mar 22, 2022
Completed

Bill S-241, which aimed to amend the Criminal Code and another act concerning certain animals, was introduced in the Senate, went through first and second readings, was considered by committees, but was ultimately withdrawn and not proceeded with.

Introduction and first reading, Mar 22, 2022
End of stage activity, Mar 22, 2022
Chamber sittings
Introduction and first reading - Mar 22, 2022

During a Senate sitting on March 22, 2022, Bill S-241, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, was introduced and received first reading.

Step 2
Second reading
Jun 8, 2023
Completed

Bill S-241's Senate second reading was completed in March 2022, but the bill was later withdrawn in February 2024 after being referred to committees for review.

Second reading, Jun 8, 2023
Referral to committee, Jun 8, 2023
End of stage activity, Jun 8, 2023
Chamber sittings
Debate at second reading - Mar 24, 2022

On March 24, 2022, the Senate heard statements, introduced legislation, debated various questions including foreign affairs and domestic policy, and adjourned the second reading debates on Bills S-228 and S-241, as well as other motions and bills.

During the Senate's second reading debate on Bill S-241, Senator Klyne presented the bill's aims to protect wild animals in captivity and regulate international and interprovincial trade, while other Senate business was also conducted.

Debate at second reading - May 5, 2022

During a Senate sitting on May 5, 2022, senators paid tribute to retiring Senator Terry Mercer, adopted a motion to extend hybrid sittings, and continued debates on various bills, while also raising questions on diverse public policy issues.

Debate at second reading - May 17, 2022

During a Senate sitting on May 17, 2022, senators debated Bill S-241, the Jane Goodall Bill, aimed at enhancing the protection of wild animals in captivity and banning the breeding and purchase of certain species, while also addressing procedural matters for other bills.

Debate at second reading - Jun 2, 2022

On June 2, 2022, the Senate held a sitting focused on tributes to retiring Senator Howard Wetston, debated several bills including Bill S-241, and held a Question Period with the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Debate at second reading - Sep 22, 2022

On September 22, 2022, the Senate convened for Senators' Statements, Routine Proceedings, and Question Period, during which the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations addressed various issues, and continued debate on several bills, including the Online Streaming Act, while maintaining its status as 'Bill not proceeded with' for Bill S-241.

Debate at second reading - Oct 4, 2022

During a Senate sitting on October 4, 2022, Senators discussed various matters, continued debate on several bills including Bill S-241 concerning animal protections, and a question of privilege regarding witness intimidation was raised, with the Speaker reserving a ruling.

Debate at second reading - Oct 27, 2022

This Senate sitting on October 27, 2022, included Senators' Statements, routine proceedings, extensive Question Period related to the Ministry of Transport, and debates on several bills, including Bill S-241 concerning wild animals.

Debate at second reading - Nov 1, 2022

The Senate sitting on November 1, 2022, included various procedural activities and debates on multiple bills and issues, with Bill S-241 listed for second reading debate, though that specific debate is not detailed in this record.

Debate at second reading - Nov 24, 2022

On November 24, 2022, the Senate held a sitting that included tributes, routine proceedings, a significant Question Period with the Minister of Indigenous Services, and continued debates on several bills, including Bill S-241 concerning animal protection, with the debate on S-241 being adjourned.

Debate at second reading - Nov 29, 2022

On November 29, 2022, the Senate held a sitting that included tributes to a former senator, the introduction of a new senator, discussions on various societal issues, and debates on unrelated legislative matters, but no specific procedural actions concerning Bill S-241 were recorded.

Debate at second reading - Dec 1, 2022

On December 1, 2022, the Senate welcomed a new senator, heard from the Minister of Rural Economic Development during Question Period, and continued debate on several bills, including the Jane Goodall Act (Bill S-241), before adjourning.

Debate at second reading - Feb 7, 2023

On February 7, 2023, the Senate held a sitting that included senators' statements, question period on various government matters, and ongoing debates on multiple bills and motions, including those related to the Judges Act, the Online News Act, animal welfare, and criminal code amendments.

Debate at second reading - Mar 7, 2023

The Senate debated economic policies, social welfare programs, animal welfare regulations, and workforce retraining strategies, emphasizing the need for government action on inflation, the Canada Child Benefit, zoo standards, and supporting older workers.

Debate at second reading - Mar 28, 2023

On March 28, 2023, the Senate engaged in tributes, routine proceedings, question period, and debated or adjourned debate on numerous bills and motions covering a wide range of social, economic, and security issues.

Debate at second reading - Mar 30, 2023

The Senate debated amendments to the Criminal Code to modernize terminology for child sexual abuse offenses, citing increased pandemic-related cases and law enforcement data, while addressing translation nuances in the bill text.

Debate at second reading - May 30, 2023

The Senate debate records cover 48 segments discussing bills, policy reforms, and inquiries, with procedural motions and thematic discussions on Indigenous rights, healthcare, environmental policy, and legal reforms, without specifying exact dates or legal outcomes.

Debate at second reading - Jun 8, 2023

The Senate debated multiple bills during the June 8, 2023 sitting, including amendments to the Criminal Code on medical assistance in dying, repeal of corporal punishment provisions, tax deductions for tradespersons, and a private bill on corporate amalgamation.

The Senate debate transcript outlines discussions on multiple bills, including referrals to committees, debates on legal provisions, and motions, with some details remaining unspecified in the official text.

Step 3
Consideration in committee
Date not listed
No activity

Bill S-241, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, was withdrawn from the Senate after being discharged from committee consideration.

Step 4
Report stage
Not reached yet
Not reached

Bill S-241, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act regarding certain animals, was withdrawn from the Senate legislative process on February 12, 2024.

Step 5
Third reading
Not reached yet
Not reached

Bill S-241, aimed at amending the Criminal Code and another act regarding certain animals, was withdrawn from the Senate process on February 12, 2024, and did not proceed to third reading.

Step 1
First reading
Not reached yet
Not reached

Bill S-241, an act to amend the Criminal Code and another act regarding certain animals, was withdrawn in the Senate and therefore not proceeded with in the House of Commons.

Step 2
Second reading
Not reached yet
Not reached

Bill S-241, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, was withdrawn in the Senate and therefore did not reach the second reading stage in the House of Commons.

Step 3
Consideration in committee
Not reached yet
Not reached

Bill S-241, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act regarding great apes, elephants, and other animals, was withdrawn in the Senate and did not reach the consideration in committee stage in the House of Commons.

Step 4
Report stage
Not reached yet
Not reached

Bill S-241, concerning the protection of great apes, elephants, and other animals, was withdrawn in the Senate and did not proceed to the House of Commons Report stage.

Step 5
Third reading
Not reached yet
Not reached

Bill S-241, concerning amendments to the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act regarding certain animals, did not reach the third reading stage in the House of Commons and was subsequently withdrawn 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

No published recorded division

This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.

Sponsor
Martin Klyne
Senator | Details not listed in current Senate roster
Jurisdiction
Federal Parliament

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