Bill S-228 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sterilization procedures)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 45th 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-228 clarifies that sterilization procedures involving permanent infertility are considered acts of wounding or maiming under the Criminal Code.
Bill S-228 amends the Criminal Code to clarify that certain sterilization procedures are classified as acts that wound or maim a person, under subsection 268(1) of the Criminal Code. This change defines what constitutes a sterilization procedure for legal purposes.
- Adds a new section (268.1) to the Criminal Code defining 'sterilization procedure' as any act that severs, clips, ties, or cauterizes reproductive organs, or any procedure causing permanent infertility.
- Specifies that such procedures are considered 'acts that wound or maim' a person for the purposes of subsection 268(1) of the Criminal Code.
- Individuals who undergo sterilization procedures without consent
- Law enforcement and prosecutors handling cases involving sterilization-related offenses
- The bill does not specify new penalties or procedures for enforcing this definition
- It does not address historical cases of forced sterilization or reparations
The definition of 'sterilization procedure' is now explicitly included in the Criminal Code to ensure legal clarity about what constitutes an act of wounding or maiming.
Source: Section 268.1
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
The Senate completed its first reading of Bill S-228 on June 5, 2025, formally advancing it to the next procedural stage without substantive debate.
This record documents the Senate's first reading of Bill S-228, which occurred on June 5, 2025. During this procedural stage, the Senate formally received the bill and moved it to the next stage (second reading). The first reading is a routine step where the chamber acknowledges the bill's introduction. No substantive debate or voting occurred at this stage. The bill is now at third reading in the House of Commons, with its latest debate scheduled for May 4, 2026. The Senate's first reading was followed by second reading debates on June 10, 2025, and consideration in committee from September 24–25, 2025.
The Senate debate on June 5, 2025, focused on immigration policy reforms, historical context, and support for Bill S-215 to modernize Canada's immigration system.
The provided text contains Senate debate transcripts from June 5, 2025, discussing immigration policy and historical context. Key topics include: 1. A senator outlines Canada's immigration policies and their historical evolution, referencing the 19th-century Northwest Rebellion and the 1940s private sponsorship program. 2. A personal story from Senator Gerba about her family's immigration experience during the 1960s. 3. Discussion of Bill S-215, which aims to modernize immigration processes and address gaps in the current system. 4. Reference to Haitian immigration contributions and the need for policy reform. 5. A speech supporting Bill S-215, emphasizing its role in improving immigration outcomes. The debate concludes with a motion to adjourn the Senate.
The Senate completed its second reading of Bill S-228 on June 10, 2025, with a sponsor's speech and subsequent response speech, advancing the bill to committee and third reading stages.
This record documents the Senate's second reading of Bill S-228, which aims to amend the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures. The stage was completed on June 10, 2025 (Sitting 8) with a sponsor's speech by Senator Yvonne Boyer (Independent Senators Group). A response speech was delivered on June 16, 2025 (Sitting 11) by Senator David Mark Wells (Conservative). The bill then proceeded to committee consideration and a third reading in the Senate before being sent to the House of Commons for its third reading. This record does not represent the full bill text or its legal content, only the procedural steps taken in the Senate.
The Senate debated issues related to child benefits, sterilization consent, and a private insurance merger bill, with discussions on policy implementation and ethical considerations.
The Senate debate focused on several key issues. First, the Hon. David M. Wells raised concerns about the Canada Child Benefit and Canada Child Tax Credit, emphasizing the need for clarity in implementation. The Hon. Scott Tannas responded by highlighting the government's efforts to improve the system. Later, the debate shifted to Bill S-228, which addresses sterilization without consent, with senators discussing its implications for vulnerable populations. A private bill, S-1001, was also debated, involving a merger of insurance companies. Senator Tannas declared a private interest in this bill. Finally, a motion was proposed to refer certain documents to the Ethics Committee for review.
The Senate debated policy implications of child benefits, referred a private bill to committee, and discussed a private insurance merger proposal.
The Senate debate included discussions on the Canada Child Benefit and Canada Child Tax Credit, with Senators David M. Wells and Scott Tannas commenting on policy implications. A motion was proposed to refer Bill S-228 (Sterilization Without Consent) to a committee for further review. Private bill S-1001, concerning the merger of Gore Mutual Insurance Company with Beneva, was also mentioned in the context of private legislation processes.
The Senate debated medical assistance in dying (MAID) reforms, including access for individuals with dementia, legal amendments, and related bills, with references to court rulings and personal stories.
The Senate debate transcript includes discussions on medical assistance in dying (MAID) and related legislative proposals. Key topics include: (1) The role of the Senate in legislation, (2) MAID access for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's, (3) Legal amendments to MAID laws, and (4) Other bills like S-231 and S-250. Specific examples cited include the 2019 Quebec Superior Court ruling on MAID, the 'reasonably foreseeable death' standard, and the two-track system for MAID access. Personal anecdotes, such as a senator's mother's experience with dementia, were shared to illustrate policy implications.
The Senate debated private member's bills related to medical assistance in dying, with discussions on legal interpretations, patient autonomy, and procedural referrals, but no votes were taken.
The Senate debate on June 16, 2025, focused on several private member's bills and legal interpretations related to medical assistance in dying (MAID). Key topics included: 1. Bill S-231 (Medical Assistance in Dying Act): Senators discussed its provisions, with some emphasizing the need for clarity on 'reasonable prospect of recovery' and others highlighting the importance of patient autonomy. 2. Bill S-250 (Advance Requests for Medical Assistance in Dying): Debate centered on whether advance requests should be legally binding, with references to the 2019 Quebec Superior Court decision in *Rodriguez v. Canada*. 3. Legal Interpretation: A senator cited the *Rodriguez* case to argue for broader access to MAID, while another referenced the *Robert Latimer* case to caution against potential misuse of the law. 4. Procedural Actions: The Senate agreed to refer Bill S-231 to a committee for further review and adjourned the debate on Bill S-250 pending additional consultations. No votes were recorded, and the official text of the bills was not fully presented during the debate.
The Senate finished reviewing Bill S-228 during committee hearings in September 2025, advancing it to third reading in the House of Commons.
The Senate completed its consideration of Bill S-228 (sterilization procedures amendment) during committee hearings on September 24-25, 2025. This stage involved detailed review of the bill's provisions by Senate committees. The bill is now progressing to third reading in the House of Commons, with its next major legislative step scheduled for October 2025. This stage does not alter the law itself but marks the completion of parliamentary committee review.
This is an HTML-formatted Senate sitting transcript from September 25, 2025, containing speeches by senators but requiring HTML parsing to access the full debate content.
The provided data represents a Senate sitting transcript from September 25, 2025, formatted in HTML. It includes speaker names, debate content, and metadata about the source. The text contains parliamentary proceedings with speeches from senators, but the exact content of the debates is not fully visible due to HTML formatting. The metadata indicates this is an official Senate sitting record, but the actual debate text requires parsing HTML tags to extract plain language.
Bill S-228 completed its Senate third reading stage on October 2, 2025, advancing to the House of Commons for its final reading.
Bill S-228, which proposes amendments to the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures, completed its third reading stage in the Senate on October 2, 2025. This procedural step marked the final stage in the Senate for the bill before it proceeds to the House of Commons for its third reading. During the Senate's third reading, speeches were delivered by Senator Yvonne Boyer (Independent Senators Group) and Senator David Mark Wells (Conservative). The bill now advances to the House of Commons for its third reading, where it will undergo final approval or rejection. Similar legislation, S-250, was previously introduced in the 44th Parliament but is currently awaiting first reading in the House of Commons.
The Senate debated bills related to Ukrainian heritage, forced sterilization, and trade policies, with discussions highlighting historical accountability and cultural recognition.
The Senate debate transcript includes discussions on several bills and motions. Bill S-210, which establishes Ukrainian Heritage Month, was debated with focus on cultural recognition and historical context. Bill S-228, addressing forced sterilization in the Criminal Code, faced scrutiny over its legal implications and historical accuracy. Other topics included trade restrictions, economic diplomacy, and the monument to Ukrainian internment. The third reading of bills was mentioned as a procedural step, with some speakers emphasizing the importance of historical accountability and survivor testimonies.
The Senate debate transcript includes discussions on environmental protection bills, Indigenous cultural heritage, Arab Heritage Month, soil health strategies, and committee authorizations for various studies.
The Senate debate transcript covers multiple bills and motions. Key topics include: 1) Bill S-227 (Arab Heritage Month) - second reading motion. 2) Bill S-226 (Indigenous cultural heritage protection) - discussion on national strategy and Indigenous collaboration. 3) Bill S-225 (environmental protection) - focus on federal government's role. 4) Bill S-224 (Great Lakes protection) - need for stakeholder collaboration. 5) Bill S-223 (Arctic protection) - national strategy importance. 6) Bill S-222 (ocean protection) - national strategy and stakeholder involvement. 7) Bill S-221 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 8) Bill S-220 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 9) Bill S-219 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 10) Bill S-218 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 11) Bill S-217 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 12) Bill S-216 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 13) Bill S-215 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 14) Bill S-214 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 15) Bill S-213 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 16) Bill S-212 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 17) Bill S-211 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 18) Bill S-210 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 19) Bill S-209 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 20) Bill S-208 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 21) Bill S-207 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 22) Bill S-206 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 23) Bill S-205 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 24) Bill S-204 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 25) Bill S-203 (environmental protection) - federal government's role. 26) Bill S-202 (environmental protection) - national strategy. 27) Bill S-227 (Arab Heritage Month) - second reading motion. 28) Bill S-230 (soil health strategy) - importance of soil health and balancing economic development. 29) Bill S-230 (soil health strategy) - balancing economic development with soil preservation. 30) Authorization of committees to study social affairs, legal matters, and AI. 31) Inquiry into Canadian news media's future and funding models.
Bill S-228's first reading in the House of Commons was completed on November 18, 2025, initiating its legislative journey without advancing its legal content.
This record documents the first reading of Bill S-228 in the House of Commons, which occurred on November 18, 2025. During this procedural stage, the bill was formally introduced and its title was read aloud, marking its initial step in the legislative process. The first reading does not involve debate or voting; it simply acknowledges the bill's introduction. The bill then proceeded to the second reading on February 26, 2026, where further discussion and potential amendments would occur. The current status indicates the bill is at third reading in the House of Commons, but this record specifically pertains to the first reading stage.
The parliamentary session centered on debates about Bill C-221, victims' rights, and broader economic issues, with procedural discussions and privilege questions also featured.
During the parliamentary session, the House of Commons focused on legislative discussions surrounding Bill C-221, which aims to strengthen victims' rights and improve transparency in the parole system. Speakers emphasized the importance of ensuring victims' voices are heard and that the justice system operates with greater accountability. The debate also touched on broader issues such as affordability, economic security, and a question regarding the legalization of drug use. A privilege question was raised and addressed by Kevin Lamoureux, highlighting procedural concerns within the chamber. The session included multiple speeches from various members, with some reiterating support for Bill C-221 and others shifting to economic policy discussions. No final votes or legal outcomes were recorded in the provided text.
Bill S-228 completed its second reading in the House of Commons on February 26, 2026, after speeches from the sponsor and responding MPs, with the bill now progressing to third reading and Senate consideration.
This record details the procedural steps for Bill S-228, which aims to amend the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures. The bill completed its second reading stage in the House of Commons on February 26, 2026 (Sitting 90). During this stage, the bill's sponsor, Conservative MP Jamie Schmale, delivered a speech outlining the proposal. Liberal MP Jaime Battiste and Bloc Québécois MP Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay provided responses. The bill then proceeded to committee for further review before moving to third reading in the House. It was later referred to the Senate for consideration. This stage record does not alter the law itself but documents the parliamentary process. For full details, refer to the official source: https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/45-1/s-228.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The parliamentary discussions cover legislative proposals, policy impacts, specific incidents, and social issues, with debates focusing on government accountability, economic effects, and policy effectiveness.
The discussion includes multiple parliamentary sessions with varied topics. Key themes include: 1) Legislative proposals (e.g., Bill S-228 on sterilization procedures, Bill C-26 on carbon tax adjustments), 2) Policy impacts (e.g., carbon tax effects on food/fuel prices, immigration policy impacts on housing), 3) Specific incidents (e.g., Quebec's removal of 1,200 electric buses, $230M spent on bus replacements), 4) Social issues (e.g., single mothers' financial struggles, seniors' healthcare access). Discussions often involve debates about government accountability, economic impacts, and policy effectiveness.
The parliamentary discussions cover legislative proposals, policy impacts, specific incidents, and social issues, with debates focusing on government accountability, economic effects, and policy effectiveness.
The discussion includes multiple parliamentary sessions with varied topics. Key themes include: 1) Legislative proposals (e.g., Bill S-228 on sterilization procedures, Bill C-26 on carbon tax adjustments), 2) Policy impacts (e.g., carbon tax effects on food/fuel prices, immigration policy impacts on housing), 3) Specific incidents (e.g., Quebec's removal of 1,200 electric buses, $230M spent on bus replacements), 4) Social issues (e.g., single mothers' financial struggles, seniors' healthcare access). Discussions often involve debates about government accountability, economic impacts, and policy effectiveness.
Bill S-228 completed its House of Commons committee consideration stage on April 15, 2026, after passing second reading in February 2026, and is now at third reading in the House.
Bill S-228, which aims to amend the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures, completed its consideration in committee stage in the House of Commons on April 15, 2026. This stage involved detailed review of the bill's provisions by committee members. The bill had previously passed second reading on February 26, 2026, and is now progressing to third reading in the House of Commons. A similar bill, S-250, was introduced in the Senate and is awaiting first reading in the House. The official text and procedural details can be found at the provided URL.
The parliamentary sitting involved debates on Bill C-22 (lawful access), Bill S-211 (sports betting advertising), and carbon pricing impacts, with speakers from various parties presenting differing viewpoints.
During the parliamentary sitting, several bills and motions were discussed. Bill C-22, which relates to lawful access for law enforcement, was debated with concerns raised about potential impacts on civil liberties and the use of lower evidentiary thresholds. Bill S-211, concerning sports betting advertising, received support from Liberal members, with arguments about its potential impact on mental health and youth. A motion related to carbon pricing and its effects on agriculture was also mentioned, with a temporary fuel tax suspension proposed. The discussions included multiple speakers from different parties, highlighting varied perspectives on these legislative matters.
Bill S-228's House of Commons Report stage was completed on May 4, 2026, advancing it to third reading, though no legal changes have been enacted yet.
This record details procedural steps in the House of Commons for Bill S-228, which aims to amend the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures. The Report stage in the House of Commons was completed on May 4, 2026, marking progress toward third reading. The bill passed its second reading in the House on February 26, 2026, after consideration in committee (March 24–April 15, 2026). Key speeches were delivered by sponsors and respondents during second reading, including Conservative Jamie Schmale, Liberal Jaime Battiste, and Bloc Québécois Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay. The bill is now at third reading in the House, with no legal changes enacted yet. Similar legislation (S-250) was previously introduced in the Senate but is still awaiting House consideration.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
Bill S-228 is in the third reading stage in the House of Commons as part of its legislative process, with procedural debate ongoing on May 4, 2026.
Bill S-228, which proposes amendments to the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures, is currently undergoing third reading in the House of Commons. The debate for this stage took place on Monday, May 4, 2026. This stage is part of the legislative process to formally approve the bill before it proceeds to the Senate. The bill was previously passed by the House of Commons on February 26, 2026, after second reading and committee review. It then moved to the Senate, where it completed its third reading. The current stage in the House is a procedural step to finalize approval before the bill moves forward. Major speeches during earlier stages included contributions from the bill's sponsor (Jamie Schmale, Conservative) and responses from Liberal and Bloc Québécois members during second reading. The bill's full text and detailed amendments are available in the official source provided.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The local model returned a partial structured draft. This summary requires human review before publication.
The House of Commons concluded the third reading of Bill S-228, an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures, and passed the bill.
On June 8, 2026, the House of Commons held its third reading debate on Bill S-228, an act to amend the Criminal Code concerning sterilization procedures. The debate concluded with the bill being read the third time and passed. Following this, the House moved to other government business, including debates on the budget and other proposed legislation.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Debates of the Senate yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
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 does not have a published recorded division in the current official sources, so representative-by-representative vote counts are not shown.
No published representative vote breakdown
The current official sources do not publish a recorded division breakdown for this bill, so there is no representative-by-representative table to show.
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